Fabric: A Night of Unforgettable Music with Kölsch
Wow, what an event! I finally got to cross off a bucket list experience: visiting Fabric, the iconic London nightclub, to see the legendary DJ and producer Kölsch play an incredible set. It was a night of pure delight, and I was fortunate to have my very good friend and neighbour, Matt, join me for this out-of-this-world experience.
We headed up to London late on Friday night, arriving in the early hours of Saturday morning, buzzing with excitement. Getting to the club was super easy—we found parking just a short two-minute walk from the entrance, which was a relief on a freezing cold night. Clad in my Kölsch t-shirt (this time, the “I Talk to Water” option of course standard attire for the occasion), I was ready for what was to come.
Once inside, we took a tour of Fabric, and what a venue it is. The club is spread over multiple levels with different rooms, each offering its own unique vibe, sounds, and DJs. The energy was electric, with everyone around us fully immersed in the music and having a great time. The staff were friendly, and there was a real sense of community with no bad vibes to be found.
By 2am, the club was absolutely packed, especially in Room 1 where we first caught NTO (LIVE). The sound was nothing short of mind-blowing, with a bass that shook the entire room. You could feel the vibrations in your chest, and it set the tone for the night ahead. Every room in Fabric offers a unique sonic experience, but Room 1 was something else.
Throughout the night, I had some great conversations with other people about their experience at Fabric, and the consensus was clear—everyone was in awe of the night. A special shout out to everyone I chatted with; you were all part of making it a memorable one!
Then, at 3:30am, it was time for the main man himself—Kölsch. What followed was an unforgettable set filled with dark, hard beats mixed with unexpected curveballs that kept the underground vibe alive. Being in the DJ booth and watching Kölsch at work was inspiring, especially as a bedroom DJ myself. Seeing how he meticulously selected, swapped, and adjusted tracks in real-time was mesmerizing. It was like watching a true master tell a musical story, blending techno styles, and even a few surprises.
One of the biggest highlights for me was seeing many, many track ID’s as well as some classic tracks drop throughout the night—like Zig, Der Alte, All that Matters, Mind Dimension, and Your Love—but the track that really stood out was a Kölsch remix of Shadow Boxing by Nasty Habits, a drum & bass classic. It was such a left-field choice but fit perfectly with the energy of the night. I couldn’t help but imagine how cool it would be if Kölsch released a drum & bass remix EP, giving techno spins to some of the genre’s classics. Now that would really shake things up!
The night continued in full force until 6am, and the vibe never dropped. The combination of the music, the lighting, and the energy of the crowd created an unforgettable experience. As the night came to a close, we walked out into the morning sun, exhausted but exhilarated. A much-needed breakfast stop on the way home gave us a chance to reflect on what was easily one of the best nights of clubbing we’ve ever had.
Oh, and I couldn’t leave without getting a CD signed by Kölsch himself—definitely one to be framed and hung on the wall of the studio / man cave wall!
One thing Fabric asks is that no photos or videos are taken during the event. They even provide little stickers to cover your phone cameras, and while I totally understand the no-phone rule, I did sneak a couple of shots at the very end—couldn’t resist sharing a memory or two (though if they ask, I’ll take them down, no problem).
Overall, it was a truly epic night—an experience that will be hard to beat. Maybe next time an all-night-long set from Kölsch? Fingers crossed! A HUGE THANK YOU! to Kölsch to allow us to join you for such an incredible night and to Matt for joining me. If you ever get the chance to visit Fabric, especially when Kölsch is playing, do it. You won’t regret it.
Until next time, stay safe and keep raving!
John
