QX meets Martyn Fitzgerald as part of the QX meets series.
When did you first start promoting club nights?
I’ve worked in clubs in some form since 1995, starting at Bagley’s Mud Club (younger readers will have to Google that). My first night was called Carpet Burn in 2008, also at The Eagle, so I’ve come full circle.
What do you love most about promoting club nights?
When it gets to that point in the night (and it doesn’t always happen) when it just takes off, you can feel the energy in the room with the crowd loving it, the DJ smashing it, and that experience that only people dancing together to excellent music gives. A bit of money at the end is also a bonus.
Tell us about what people can expect at your parties?
This is the first The Boy Is Mine party and I’m hoping it’s going to be banging! Although the music is RnB, if it’s like Carpet Burn was and like Handsome still is, I’ll be happy: good music, an up-for-it and unpretentious crowd, attitude-free, and the kind of night that you might be hanging the next day from but you’re really glad you went to.
What is the inspiration behind The Boy Is Mine?
I did an RNB night at Dalston Superstore many years ago, and it was always a hoot. We had an RNB room when Handsome was at East Bloc, so it’s not entirely new for me. This happened because some younger friends asked for it and I thought, ‘Why not?’ We’ll play from different periods, but it gives me a chance to listen to some old faves like Jill Scott, Eve, Lil Kim, and all the amazing newer RNB.
What are your plans for the future?
I’ve got as far ahead as the end of the year planning-wise, and it looks like this: The Boy Is Mine launch party, Handsome House Party on December 14th (also at Eagle and my birthday so I’ll be letting my hair down), a trip to Paris/Normandy and then Christmas up north. 2025 is currently a mystery.
The Boy Is Mine is on 6 December 2024, 9 pm – 4 am, at 349 Kennington Lane, London SE11 5QY, United Kingdom.
