10 years young and recently refurbished, Glamorama is celebrating a decade of late nights all through November.
It’s difficult to imagine Collingwood without N.Lee Bakery and Brunswick without its mega Savers. Likewise, it’s hard to picture a Friday or Saturday night on Brunswick St in Fitzroy without Glamorama.
The multi-purpose club and event space is turning 10 in November, and everyone’s invited to their birthday celebrations.
“Glam has always been about the community,” says the Venue’s Marketing and Bookings Manager, Sanjiv Gopal. “We’ve got a pretty stacked calendar of events throughout November, definitely a few big names, but also a focus on many of our favourite local DJs who have influenced Glam’s sound over different eras throughout the decade.”
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
Local techno producer Luke Hovey is playing on Cup Eve, Cherub are doing a courtyard takeover with an all-female lineup, RWP will present Rush Hour with sets from Gus McKinna and Shani and Glam is hosting their first open decks on the Sunday of Cup weekend – and that’s just a taste of what’s to come. On the final Saturday of the month, UK tech house DJ and Bass Jamz founder, Gaskin, will headline a day party hosted by Full Circle and Tangle Agency.
Glamorama will also be releasing a bunch of archival mixes to showcase how the Venue’s Saturday sound has evolved over the last 10 years.
“The scene has progressed rapidly since the deep house and melodic techno days, back when 128 BPM was fast,” says Gopal. “I’m really excited to bring this history back into the spotlight.”
Plenty of other businesses have occupied the Glamorama building over the years, including First Floor, whose sign still dangles over Brunswick Street. But in the last ten years, Glam has established itself as an essential space for electronic music in Naarm, particularly in the northside.
“I think what sets us apart is that every detail, from the sound, lighting, management, promoters, DJs, and bar staff, have been selected with the intention of incubating a vibrant and loyal community,” says Glamorama co-owner, John Benedict Ryan. “It’s a safe space for people who don’t take themselves too seriously, who love to just come down for a dance and hopefully make some new friends while they’re at it.”
Restaurant critic Michael Harry called Glam “the north side’s answer to Revolver,” in an article for The Age’s Good Food supplement back in 2015. But the goal has never been to mimic their peers, says Ryan.
“We don’t chase the electronic trends,” he says. “Our music has always been accessible, but it’s a balancing act of keeping the music heads excited, but also if someone who may not be into dance music walks in, they will enjoy themselves too.”
Gopal – who also DJs at the club as Slumdog – agrees. “The beauty of Glam is that the energy is consistently fun because the crowd is always a really eclectic mix of locals, international travellers, underground music lovers in the know, and partygoers there for the vibes.
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The club underwent major renovations last winter. The courtyard doubled in size, leaving Glam with the “largest smokers’ courtyard of any nightclub in the inner north.” They added an intimate lounge at the rear of the venue with serviced booths. The club interiors were also significantly upgraded, benefiting from acoustic treatment and elaborate lighting installations. All three zones are fitted out with a Funktion-One sound system.
Gopal ranks the first night back after the renovations as one of his favourite Glam memories.
“One thing I’ll never forget is when we first turned on LATITUDE, the 30m lighting structure by Reelize Studio that runs the length of the venue,” he says. “Everyone stood there looking at the lights for the first time in pure amazement.”
Promoters Novel and Guerrilla host Interval every Friday, while Glamorama has been running its own signature Saturdays for many years.
Between the two, the club showcases some of Melbourne’s most respected DJs, including DJ JNETT, Bella Claxton, Ned Bennett, Luke Alessi, Myles Mac, and Aldonna.
Glamorama also regularly features leading interstate artists like dameeeela and CA LOU, along with acclaimed international guests such as Kolter, Ian Pooley, La La, Zero, Maruwa, and Demi Riquísimo.
Gopal highlights that Glam has been fortunate to be able to collaborate with promoters such as Ripple, B!TE, Tjum Tjumba, 2422, Refuge Recordings and Bloom Collective just to name a few.
Glam is all about electronic music on Friday and Saturday nights, but the rest of the time, they’re open to anything, “whether it’s functions, uni events, brand launches, pop ups or staff parties,” says Ryan.
He adds, “2000s R&B sounds pretty amazing on the Funktion-Ones too.”
Stay up to date with Glamorama’s 10th birthday plans here.
This article was made in partnership with Glamorama.
