Crookesmoor’s favourite bar Berlin Calling and events brand [TARA] have announced an evening of ambient techno that starts during the day rather than at night.
The event, organised by Techno And Resonance Association [TARA], takes place on Saturday 25 February, starting at 4pm and ending at midnight, the time it would usually start.
Organiser and DJ Ben Marks said: “We’ve got all the people that might not be able to afford a trip out into town, or people that need to work, that can come to their local and have a solid evening of music.
“In the 1990s, big venues weren’t in the cities. We see with the COVID pandemic and the recession that people don’t go out in big towns anymore – they’re going to the suburbs.”
[TARA] is the brainchild of sixth form student Mr Marks, who wants to promote a more ambient side of techno, in a city that has long been associated with bass music and late nights.
The evening is described by [TARA] as being in a “unique and intimate suburban space” rather than one of Sheffield’s many larger music venues.
Rising local DJ Porter Brook will be headlining, with a variety of support from other electronic and techno artists;, including Westfall, JP Rooney, and as well as Mr Marks himself.
The 18-year-old DJ also commented that there is no competition for a techno event that took place in the evening rather than the night.
He added: “A night that’s on from 11pm – 4am, you potentially have six other nights to compete with.
“Berlin Calling is in an area that everyone can come down and see. It’s respectful to people. We don’t want to run anything until 5am in a suburban area.”
Sheffield has always been a champion of cultivating exciting acts and spaces in the music scene.
It is home to vibrant and alternative venues such as Bal Fashions, whose Apricot Ballroom party was voted one of the best club nights in the UK by Time Out Magazine.
[TARA] and Berlin Calling are not alone in their mission to reimagine the clubbing scene.
Irish DJ Annie Mac is hosting her own DJ sets across the country this April with a similar twist – Before Midnight also ends at the stroke of twelve.
The party aims to cater for those who aren’t able to stay out until the early hours.
Mr Marks added: “This is the first of many events for [TARA]. If we can make this successful, I hope to run stuff monthly. Possibly at Berlin Calling or elsewhere.”
Tickets to [TARA] and Berlin Calling’s Berlin Calling 001 featuring Porter Brook on Saturday 25 February are available here.
