I’m not being funny but… New Year’s Eve is overrated. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing in a new chapter each year but the expense of it all has made it a luxury rather than a “mere” privilege. Without wanting to generalise too much, real Londoners don’t go all out on NYE.
The fireworks used to be a lovely way to unite the city in a spectacle known the world over. Now the display costs £20 per person and has been a ticketed event for the past seven years. Community feel is priceless and, let’s face it, we need it now more than ever. Because it’s now a ticketed show, the event has become a tourist attraction more than anything and it’s certainly lost that community charm in the process.
At least the fact it’s still such an important event for the city and brings so many people into town is a positive. The show this year, while chaotic, was still a stunning sight to behold.
With central London shut down, the late-night Tube is a great benefit to take advantage of, and the only viable mode of transport considering road closures and immense surcharges on cabs. It’s great that the Mayor of London is continuing to offer this, although it’s yet another service that’s no longer free.
The fireworks used to be a lovely way to unite the city in a spectacle, but it now costs £20 per person
For me as a DJ, this big night out brings with it a mountain of social anxiety. It can be a licence for trouble. It’s truly a c***s night out, almost as if people have been building up their twatness (is that a word?) all year round in order to get it all out in one evening.
Clubs on NYE are a mixed bag. I prefer to do more intimate shows that night. For example, this year I headlined a gig at the new venue Lio London. Despite being a high-end spot, it kept ticket prices at a reasonable rate in comparison to other clubs — and simply sold the tickets to a more targeted audience. With some clubs charging over £100 entry, I was really happy we could do this and it turned out to be a fantastic event.
Londoners love a good house party on the big night. There’s nothing better than spending it with your nearest and dearest in an intimate setting, ready to start 2024 surrounded with love. You can control the guest list, what to eat or drink — goals!
In all honesty, it’s New Year’s Day that’s come back as a real contender for the best night out of the year. London goes through phases with events on January 1 and the past couple of years have seen it really make a comeback, which I am all for.
We have Glitterbox at Wembley with its large-scale production. There’s the extraordinary queer club Adonis that gathers the finest electronic music line-ups in London every time they put on a show … and countless other incredible parties to choose from. There’s a calm, positive approach on January 1, almost as if everyone has got rid of all their NYE anxiety and is ready to celebrate in the purest way possible — on the dancefloor.
I suppose all I can say is that I hope you all stayed safe and managed to see in 2024 with the ones you love. But I can’t write that without thinking of Harry Pitman. I’d like to send my deepest condolences to his family.
No one should ever be punished for wanting to celebrate the start of a new year with their loved ones and neighbours, and the stabbing of this innocent 16-year-old boy is unacceptable. I am extremely saddened as, I’m sure, are countless others and hope it’s not an indication of where our beloved city is heading.
I want to say I’m so grateful for everyone who reads this. Becoming a contributor for the Evening Standard has been a highlight of my year. There is so much to enjoy in this great city and I know I give it a hard time sometimes, but I love it more than anything and hey… it’s only an opinion. We’re all entitled to one. I am so excited to see where else I can take this.
In 2023 I was lucky enough to play shows in Glastonbury, Glitterbox at Hi Ibiza, Drumheads for Elrow and countless others. I released the paperback of my Sunday Times bestselling memoir. The team took my event Full Fat to new heights with more than 40 sold-out shows. I got engaged to the love of my life Stavvy. I got engaged! What the f***. To be at a point of my almost 40-year career where I feel like I haven’t even scratched the surface is an immense privilege and I hope I can continue to share these moments with you going forward.
Let’s have one common resolution this year — pay it forward. The next time someone is generous with you beyond expectation, acknowledge it and do something generous for another. It feels damn good. See you next Wednesday.
Track of the week: Everyday People by Prok & Fitch.
