Footage has captured the moment that musician and DJ Clint Boon crowd surfed in what marked a final farewell to the city's South Nightclub. Revellers headed for one last night of partying at the venue on Saturday (June 4), with the resident DJ seen being held aloft by the chanting crowds during the evening.
It comes after the Inspiral Carpets star and radio presenter took to social media on Thursday announcing the sad news that the King Street venue was to close its doors after 27 years entertaining the city's clubbers. The Manc music icon and the club's famous resident DJ announced on his social media: "A message that I never hoped I’d have to post.
"My night this Saturday at South will be the club’s closing night. Due to issues beyond our control, (myself, the management and the owners), Manchester will lose one of its greatest nightclubs of all time."
Boon went on to say: "South has been my second home for well over 20 years and it’s been a massive part of the Boon family’s journey. Please join us on Saturday for our closing night. Needless to say, it’ll be a big send off and probably an emotional one! Lotsa love."
Video footage taken from Saturday night showed the packed-out venue as revellers danced to Manchester anthems. And after getting the audience going, the 62-year-old DJ was then transported across the dancefloor, held up high by the arms of club-goers cheering and whooping.
And on Sunday, (June 5) Clint shared a snap of himself outside the venue, taken on Saturday night, writing: "One of the greatest nights of my life. Thank you South Club and all who ever worked or partied there. What an incredible journey! All my love xx."
Clint has played on Saturday nights at the South King Street venue for over 20 years with his famous Boon Army following, Disco Rescue and Forever club nights. The same day he announced the final night, streamed on Beatstream from 11pm, were sold out. Following the news, fans paid an emotional goodbye to the nightclub.
Tokyo Industries have explained in a statement that the closure is down to the lease coming to an end during Covid and the "landlord wanting to redevelop the space". It's not known yet what the plans are next for the famous club site.
Commenting about the closure, club MD Aaron Mellor said: "During the last few years more and more residential apartments have surrounded us on South King Street, which led to Noise Abatement notices and adaptation after adaptation to try and box out the sound issues.
"Most recently the demolition and redevelopment of the former Pizza Express building into a hotel has closed off our adjacent street moving our smoking area back onto South King Street, returning more noise issues from the residents overlooking that street. We’ve become landlocked by residential development”.
He added: "All good things must come to an end - we’ve had some amazing times in this building but it feels like the right time to close the chapter on this story. All staff, club nights, promoters and of course Mr Boon, will be safely moved to our Deaf Institute, Gorilla and Factory venues. All you need is SOUTH… x."
