ABOUT BLOW UP

A bona-fide legendary club night, and now in its 28th year, Blow Up was the club at the centre of the early to mid-Nineties Brit Pop explosion, cited as the catalyst and birth place of the BritPop scene, influencing the style and sound of a generation. Blow Up was voted No.4 in Time Out’s Top Ten Clubs of the 90s, described as one of ‘5 Classic Clubs of Our Time‘ by Vox Magazine (alongside The Blitz Club, Shoom, The Roxy) and as ‘The club that changed the world’ by Melody Maker. Describing Blow Up in Time Out’s London Calling book as “the breeding ground of the Brit Pop sound” and in NME’s Original’s Top Ten Britpop Moments.

From its origins at The Laurel Tree, Camden Town (1993-1996), to Soho venues the Wag Club (1996-2001), the Metro Club (2002-2009) and through various London venues since. Blow Up hosted a weekly Friday night at the St Moritz Club, Wardour St Soho (2015-2020) until the nightlife lockdown. On 29th July 2022 Blow Up announced a three-night monthly residency at Vout O Reenee’s London. Blow Up is currently one of the longest running club nights in London.

Blow Up has hosted events around the UK, Europe, USA, Russia and Japan, whilst the Blow Up club compilations (‘Blow Up A-Go-Go!’ and ‘Blow Up presents Exclusive Blend’) have increased the Blow Up impact worldwide.

See more: Blow Up press here and flyers in the Blow Up scrapbook here Blow Up was founded by DJ and promoter Paul Tunkin in a Camden pub the Laurel Tree in Oct 1993. Records were played from the emerging ‘British pop’ scene (that came to be known as Brit Pop) together with 60s and 70s moves and grooves; swinging soundtracks, Mod Beat, Soul and classic pop from The Beatles to Bowie to Blur. The club has remained true to its early ideals – Expect to hear classic tracks from both Blow Up’s past and present: from Brit Pop era favourites to the current new Pop stylists putting the art back into pop: BritPop, Glam, Mod & New Wave colliding with 60’s Soul, Beat, Garage, Funk, Ska, Swinging Soundtracks, Hammond Heavy Jazz, Easy Listening, Pop Electronique & Ye-Ye! 

WHAT THEY SAY

“There is nowhere else quite like Blow Up, and in many ways it’s still unique. ‘Blow Up may be inspired by the ’60s,’ wrote Time Out years ago, ‘but their night could run and run.’ It looks set to do just that”

Time Out London, January 2009

“A feel-good hotspot for retro pop. Rest assured, London isn't about to stop swinging.”

Metro London , January 2009

“A refreshing break from the over-polished venue this hidden gem focuses on the music. Paul Tunkin has been DJing at Blow Up since 1993. His experience has paid off and this little beauty has stood the test of time.”

The Evening Standard, 2008

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