61: Is clubbing really in decline? We asked Ed Gillett
From No Tags by Chal Ravens & Tom Lea
February 5, 2026 · 1h 16m
About this episode
The episode discusses the current state of nightlife and clubbing, featuring insights from Ed Gillett on recent developments and challenges in the scene.
Reports of the death of nightlife may be greatly exaggerated. In recent months we’ve heard of new clubs opening in Peckham and Brixton, an audio upgrade at Tola and plans for a DIY venue in Catford . Even the Old Blue Last is good again ! Yet the official figures paint a depressing picture, with hundreds of venues lost, and thousands of jobs. So which story is right? To inspect the situation, Party Lines author Ed Gillett returns to the podcast fresh from his contribution to the London Nightlife Taskforce report . The report's 23 recommendations are the result of a year-long consultation following the axing of the night czar role previously held by Amy Lamé. Ed talks to us about noise, crime, gentrification, the closure of Corsica Studios , and his concern that the discourse of decline might be doing more harm than good. Plus, Chal reports back from the Green Party Party at Heaven, a fundraiser-slash-rally for Zack Polanski’s insurgent electoral movement. Are we really letting Lobsta B lead the green revolution? Get full access to No Tags at notagspodcast.substack.com/subscribe
People in this episode
Hosts: Chal Ravens, Tom Lea
Guest: Ed Gillett
Topics covered
- nightlife
- clubbing
- gentrification
- music venues
- urban culture
- politics
Keywords
- nightlife
- clubbing
- Ed Gillett
- London Nightlife Taskforce
- gentrification
- music venues
- Corsica Studios
- Green Party
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: London Nightlife Taskforce, Green Party, Lobsta B
Places: Peckham, Brixton, Catford, Corsica Studios, Heaven
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