For the majority of nightlife history, clubs have been the focal point of the party landscape. But over the past 10 years, there has been a tremendous shift in power. Iconic venues of previous eras like Studio 54, The Hacienda and Tresor used to be the beating hearts of nightlife, helping shape scenes, engineer new sounds, and dictate the look, feel and general culture of going out. But as internet usage became more prominent in the 1990s and 2000s, anyone with a wifi connection was able to share information and start building their own communities and networks, outside of established clubs. The explosion of social media in the subsequent decade further democratized outreach, marketing and promotional practices, allowing newcomers–regardless of their professional background–to create successful events and leave their mark on club culture.  

The resulting rise in party collectives around the world has disrupted and, in turn, reshaped the way that the nightlife system has long operated. While it was once typical to go to a club without even looking at the lineup, more people today are going to venues they never would have stepped foot in otherwise, to attend parties hosted by collectives that they know and trust, or that have garnered specific reputation. Although these collectives lack a fixed space to host their events, their detachment and independence from any particular institution has enabled them to create clubbing experiences that are more experimental, more political, more novel, more niche, and ultimately, more resonant to their target communities. Now, their impact has extended far beyond the realm of nightlife. With countless collectives around the world starting record labels, engaging in big-brand fashion collaborations, partnering with prestigious institutions and even throwing festivals, these roving cohorts have developed into formidable cultural forces. In a time when gentrification and financial strain make the survival of venues more difficult than ever, it feels only fair to ask the question: have party collectives become more influential than clubs? 

We asked the collectives 2CPERREA, Sirän, Lunchbox Candy, Veselka and the club, FOLD, how they’re making sense of the shifting landscape of power in club culture. 





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