Small-Town Club: Shapes on their 1st Birthday

With the closure of London venue Fabric sending shockwaves through the UK’s clubbing community, and Glasgow itself still keenly feeling the recent loss of city centre club The Arches, you could be forgiven for thinking that our dance music scene may be in its final death throes.

But it’s not all doom and gloom – for the past year DJ and promoter Ryan Hamblett has been revving up the nightlife of Stirling and Falkirk with his new party night Shapes. As Shapes celebrates its first birthday this week, Hamblett explains the ethos behind the small-town club party, and how Scotland’s clubbing scene is still standing strong.

The story of Shapes 

“Shapes came about as I wanted to create a proper club night in Stirling,” Hamblett explains. “Having seen nights running in Dundee, Aberdeen and obviously Glasgow and Edinburgh, I wanted Stirling to have a decent club night scene where we can then attract some of the bigger DJs to the city. 

"I've tried running a few nights over the years in Stirling but they were all a big learning curve for me. With Shapes I’ve been able to take all the skills I learnt and create a clubbing experience through my own vision and ideas. Growing up in Stirling, I felt we always had to travel to see the bigger-name DJs play in Scotland. So with Shapes I want to try and attract the bigger names to my hometown, but also I want to create a platform for local DJs to showcase their talent.” 

Highlights and obstacles in the first year 

“I've actually not had any real difficulties so far. Once I had the idea down on paper I had a meeting with Jonny Ruiz at Fubar nightclub (in Stirling). Through him, things have been smooth as we both knew how I wanted to develop the night into what it is now. I think as well, it helps to be super organised. I already have plans in place running up to next March so this generally makes life easier, as I hate rushing about trying to make sure everything is in place for each event!

“The stand out highlight was defo going on to DJ after Slam at our event in February. Myself and one of the other residents, DJ Chris No-Fi, played an hour b2b right after Slam finished their three-hour set. It was just amazing to follow on after them in a packed-out club.

"To be honest there hasn’t really been many obstacles over the first year that I can think of. I think this is all down to the team of people round about me that give me a hand with Shapes.” 

What Shapes brings to Falkirk and Stirling

“Part of the reason of creating Shapes was to create a community aspect to get to meet new people that have similar interests in music. As when it comes down to it... Shapes cares. We care about sound, lights, and the music that people hear when they come to a Shapes night. We want to create experiences. 

"Shapes isn't a night to stick on a poster to fill a Friday night lull, it's somewhere people can come together and dance and listen to proper underground dance music the way it's meant to be played.  People have different tastes. Some want to go and drink jelly shots and listen to big room EDM. Shapes is the alternative. Shapes isn't about how good you look on your SnapChats, it's about how good the tunes sound on the dance floor!”

On the future of clubbing in Scotland 

“Just at the time where Fabric has lost their license, not to mention the closing of The Arches in Glasgow a few years ago as well, clubbing generally throughout the UK is suffering. It's hard to see – as a promoter, DJ and clubber myself – these institutions being made to close. They should be supported by councils and the government. In Berlin just recently, they have made Berghain a place of culture, giving it a proper status which it deserves! I wish the UK government would also have this outlook on clubbing venues in the UK.”

“However, it was great to see the support that Fabric got from the clubbing community and DJs. Hopefully going forward we see more a positive outlook from future governments and MPs to help keep alive this great clubbing community in the UK."

The shape of things to come

“Going forward, I just want to keep developing Shapes in to a community club, building and developing an amazing clubbing experience where everyone is welcome. I really want to push some of the local DJs in Stirling more, giving them access to pursue their dream of being a DJ.

"Also, my vision with Shapes has always been to see who is the biggest DJ that I can book. So far having Slam and Gary Beck, I am on that road to where I want to be and I know without giving to much away our First Birthday event will be one of the biggest events to ever happen in Stirling.”

Support from the music community

As Ministry of Sound resident and Glasgow-based DJ Rebecca Vasmant explains: "As a previous guest for Shapes, I can see how it's bringing great guest DJs to a smaller place where perhaps people of the local community might not otherwise be able to see without travelling to the nearest cities.

“It's really lovely to see such a thriving music scene happening and it's helped hugely by nights like Shapes supporting great music in smaller places like Stirling.

Vasmant’s sentiments are echoed by Stirling native and Jelly Roll Soul co-founder Jamie Alexander, who agrees: “The Shapes crew have really been able to harness a certain mood or feeling in Stirling that had been around for a while now. Young people in the area needed something a little different musically rather than having to look to Glasgow the whole time.

“Shapes have been very bold with their bookings policy. They’ve stood up and taken real risks in a town that has traditionally been very difficult to get any underground dance music parties off the ground. They have very quickly been able to create an inclusive, family vibe which I’m very grateful to be part of.”

Finally, Neil Connell of Motion Systems sums up the Shapes ethos thus: “Over the last four years Stirling has worked hard to create its own wee scene, with locals playing disco and house and students playing electro and basement parties with legendary afters. A few of these great nights appeared, showing there was real demand and the foundations were set – but we were on edge waiting for a night that represented Stirling and gave clubbers the quality they normal have to travel for.

“Shapes has quickly become that night, with quality bookings, high production standards and a real social media presence. Using the best of local along with great powerhouse bookings, Shapes is making us all really excited for what’s to come.”

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Shapes' First Birthday, with Gary Beck, Rebecca Vasmant & more, 7 Oct, 10.30pm-3am. Fubar, Maxwell Pl, Stirling. Advance tickets £9, £12 otd