FENCHURCH

How did The Players originate?

I was working as a bartender at AKA ('I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar...') working crazy hours all weekend and didn't have anywhere to go on my night off so I thought I'd start a party on a Tuesday for people like me!

 

What’s been your highlight so far? 

There are too many highlights to mention really but some of the really early parties when it wasn't so busy were amazing as everyone got to know each other and hung out. I knew then we were on to something good.The Valentine party in 2006 was amazing also and last year’s fifth birthday was definitely special. The music and the vibe of the night is always a highlight. Lots of people who moved to London to work in bars and clubs from overseas tell me it was their first party in London and they met loads of their now good friends there. That's a good feeling.

 

Who would be your dream DJ to spin some tunes? 

What can I say I'm happy with my lot! We've had some big guests but it’s the residents that always get everyone a whoopin' and a hollerin'  - Jim Wood, Raymundo Rodgriguez, Georgia Girl, Luca Elle, Kos, Nicky M.

 

What’s been your funniest moment so far? 

Um, when someone started an after party for people to go when Players kicked out (we're talking 5am Tuesday night / Wednesday morning). It was at a highly illegal crazy Spanish bar down the road that played a mixture of flamenco and house. It was rammed every Wednesday morning. That was kind of funny.  And crap celebrity appearances always make us laugh, we’ve had that guy from Neighbours, Macaulay Culkin, Dick and Dom and Party Boy from Jackass when he's in town. That always makes me laugh; it’s like the crap ‘spotted’ in Heat every week.

 

What’s been your most embarrassing moment? 

Luckily, I honestly can’t remember.

 

What makes The Players special? 

It’s the music, the vibe, the click but mainly the people. We have bar people all coming down to let off steam after the weekend mixed with students and club kids. Also the fact that it's on a Tuesday night makes it special.  

 

Any plans for expansion? 

It's all about quality not quantity, though if someone does want to offer me a Tuesday night in New York, I'm there. No seriously. Call me. 

 

What tune never fails to get people dancing? 

There's a few but it's all about the mix up. The sound has changed with the different underground/overground music scenes. A few years back playing Tiga's You Gonna Want Me, Justice's We Are Your Friends, Claude Von Stroke's The Whistler, Digitalism's Zdarlight all before they became massive crossover hits really went off, especially as we mixed them up with a little deep house, some deep funky techno sounds and the occasional electro house bassline: 2020 Records / Spirit Catcher / Metro Area / Booker Shade.

 

Who are the top players there? 

Um....this could get me in trouble. They know who they are!