Ahh SeOne, now known as Debut.
It evokes conflicting emotions for me. As I'm an old skool raver I've been going to the venue since it was known as The Drome in the mid-late nineties (jeez, how old am I!)
In those days sweaty warehouses or dodgy venues were par for the course when going out (anyone remember the legendary Labyrinth, Roller Express or Lazerdrome?), but as you get older you expect more from a club or a rave. Not a lot more, but a few creature comforts do not go amiss.
I used to go to Raindance, Innovation and various other 'rave' events at SeOne, as well as events aimed at the 'clubbier' end of the spectrum and in terms of entertainment have never been disappointed. The soft-core fetish night, TG (Torture Garden) was always a hoot as well! (I say 'soft-core', not as a disparagement, but because I am reliably informed by friends who are heavily into the fetish scene that TG is considered soft-core and I'll take their word for it - as TG was enough for me!)
Anyway, the point is I've pretty much always had a great night there. So what's the problem? Well to be succinct it's always been a bit of a **hole, and as you get older a little more refinement doesn't go amiss. Don't get me wrong, I don't enjoy minimalist, white walled, post-modern 'trendy' venues (ughh!), but SeOne seemed to standstill while the rest of club land moved on. Clubs like the End (now known as the 'Den', anagram lovers) in Holborn, or Cable in London Bridge have that raw edge to them without the grime!
Since SeOne has been reincarnated as Debut (aimed at attracting live acts rather than dance music events) I've been told that the bars have been upgraded and reshuffled, and the light and (previously poor) sound improved so I'm willing to give it another go. It will also be great to have a new live music venue 'sarf' of tha river!
To conclude.....for memories and quality MESSY nights 5 stars, for the venue itself 3.
Lets see what the future holds for the place. read more