What the VOLKS?! a Glimpse into Brighton’s Underground DnB Sanctuary

As I swayed through the dimly lit streets of the Brighton bar drag. The sweltering ick started to set in as I realized I had already blown through the usual chain of loud or upscale bars you would normally find in the touristy areas of any given town with a sensibility for cheap entertainment. Alas, none of these places served my anticipation for the underground culture nor passed the vibe check for matching anything that felt like “home.” For the most part everything was polished and gentrified. Although I know we Americans typically lack class comparatively, as far as I saw by local dive bar standards, I couldn’t help but yearn for a hidden gem that would be my north star to take a glimpse into the real UK music scene that I hoped would be tucked in the cut somewhere between these cobblestone alleys.

Time only flies when you’re having fun, and it was fun till it wasn’t. Against my better judgement, I asked a door girl at a local top 40/hip-hop split house for the spot that contained the magic words “Drum n Bass.” “VOLKS!” she immediately replied, like it was a muscle memory statement or words to a vow everyone out here has taken. She gave me directions and warned me it was elusive but reassured me I could just follow the noise once Google Maps got me to the general area.

So off I trekked into the night of this dreamy beachside town in a foreign country with only a stranger’s advice and Emily Makis on my headphones to accompany me. As I arrived at Google Maps’ destination, I took off my headphones, now puzzled… There was no club in sight, but there was a sound. It’s a strange feeling when your feet pick up the energy of a party, but to my left was a closing hotel bar, and to my right, the black abyss of an ocean that stared as deeply into me as I did into it. Weighing the options of whether that door-girl and Google Maps conspired to give me shit directions and “Did I fuck this up already?” Both thoughts get interrupted abruptly by a drunken, burly blonde lady who was clearly having the good time that I wasn’t. I don’t like talking to drunk girls that I don’t know; it’s a surefire way to come off like a creep. But hell, since it’s just the two of us out here, the audience that would assume such a thing isn’t. I asked her, “Do you know where Volks is?” She said, “You’re practically standing on it, you c*nt!” and then pointed to the ramp leading down to the boardwalk.

I show up to the venue, pay the cute door girl, and step inside. Instantly I felt at home. It was divey and rough around the edges in all the right places, so to speak. At no point was there a feeling of snobbiness like most club settings at home, and I can tell it’s a place where the people of Brighton check their egos at the door and groove to the sounds of headliners like DEGS or their incredibly talented resident.

3 x DMC World Champion: JFB [IG: @JFBDJ]

Whom absolutely rinsed out the club every night I turned up! After my first visit confirmed that this was a REAL SLICE OF LIFE where you can look at Drum n Bass Culture in its organic state. I was absolutely honored to spend a few evenings here with their staff and patrons alike during my stay. So if you’re ever in the UK and want the AUTHENTIC local Drum n Bass experience. Hop on a train that’s Brighton bound and head to VOLKS nightclub on the shorefront in Brighton, UK! Check out this feat in DJing by JFB in the video below and mark this destination on your Junglist Bucket List. Until next time…

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See you, space cowboy.