Tag Archives: Hobbes Music

2025 FRESHERS, WELCOME TO BONGO

08 September 2025 -

Welcome to The Bongo Club, or simply ‘Bongo’* as it’s affectionately known by regulars and locals alike.  We’ve been here since 1996, which makes us the longest-running underground nightclub and live venue in Edinburgh.  Much more info here.

Look out for these flyers, which will be circulating around town over the next few weeks.  Each one has four discount vouchers and a couple of free cloak room tickets on the back. The discount vouchers can be redeemed on the door at participating nights only.  See details of participating nights listed on the website.

NB PLEASE NOTE: This is subject to change, as other Bongo promoters jump on board.

WIN A YEAR ON THE GUEST-LIST + BONGO SWAG

This season, we’re offering you the chance to win a whole year on the guest-list – yup, you’ll be able to come to ALL of our events for the whole of your first year without paying any money – plus a stack of Bongo merch: a hoody OR sweatshirt (your choice which), a cap, a tote bag, even a mug!  In other words, we will give you just about everything you should need to get through your first year at uni, for free….

All you have to do is sign up for our mailing list.  The winner’s name will be drawn out of a hat at lunchtime on Friday 25th September.

NB On average, we only send out about one newsletter a month, so it won’t be a massive PITA and, if you lose interest, you can easily unsubscribe later.

NB2 This offer is open to 2025 Freshers ONLY, so if you end up winning and we then find out you’re not a Fresher, you will most definitely be a Loser.

FRESHERS WEEK EVENTS

Bongo will be open every night (bar Thursday & Sunday) for this year’s Freshers’ Week….

“Back for another 360 at Bongo,” say the Black Flag student crew. “As it’s freshers week make sure to get your tickets early. Tickets will be valid until 1am and you will not be able to get back in with the same ticket if you leave the venue. It’s going to be a big one as always. See you there.”  MORE INFO / TICKETS [Bongo Dollars accepted at the door]

“Van Rouge is back for the first event of the year after a sell-out day party in May,” say the Van Rouge student crew. “Join us at The Bongo Club where Edinburgh’s best will be spinning a mix of house, techno, and beats to get the week started right.”  MORE INFO / TICKETS

“After a string of sell-outs across Edinburgh, London, and beyond – including our recent roadblock at Sneaky Pete’s – we’re back for a Freshers’ Week special at the legendary Bongo Club,” say the Redemption crew.  MORE INFO / TICKETS [Bongo Dollars accepted at the door]

“Alien Disko returns to The Bongo Club to kickstart the new club season with a bang after a Summer break,” say the hard tek champs. “Bringing you two headliners, two lineups of DJs and full-scale rave exploration – we’re going all in.” MORE INFO / TICKETS  [Bongo Dollars accepted at the door]

“After a storming debut with us at Bongo last November, MiNNA makes her much-anticipated return to Club_Nacht x Hobbes Music this September, primed once again to take Bongo on a ride through her kaleidoscopic, effervescent sound,” say the house & disco championing CN x HM crew.  “Her style moves fluidly between deep, rolling house, disco flavours and head-turning curveballs, delivered with the kind of precision and playfulness that keeps a floor spellbound.” MORE INFO / TICKETS [Bongo Dollars accepted at the door]

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Bongo Summer Closing ’25 Events

10 June 2025 -

Only a month left now until we close for our annual summer hiatus but lots to shout about in the mean time.

MIDNIGHT BASS: ONE FOR THE ROAD (THE FINAL MB AT BONGO) [TUES 10.6]

It’s been a mighty run – almost eight years now – but all good things come to an end and this is it for our weekly Tuesday night drum n bass shindig.  They’ve birthed a new scene in Edinburgh (if not Scotland), championed a whole new generation of DJs and laid absolute waste to Wednesday mornings for the majority of Bongo’s tenure on Cowgate.  We wish Midnight Bass all the best as it moves on to new pastures and new adventures (starting at Sneaky Pete’s in August).  Tickets / more info

OVERGROUND x CLUB SPIT: CLUB ANGEL [FRI 13.6]

The Aussie sensation makes his Bongo debut for this collaborative event from the Overground and Club Spit crews. Expect him to showcase no shortage of the super-charged edits and remixes that have aided a rapidly rising profile down under.  His recent Boiler Room in Sydney is particularly awe-inspiring.    Ooft.  Tickets / more info.

PULSE: PERC [SAT 14.6]

The irrepressible Perc returns to Bongo some three years after he last raised the roof here for Pulse.  Expect non-stop bangers as he gears up his laptop, DJ controller and 3-4 channels of the mixer with a full tank of heat.  Tickets/more info.

DISORDER: BLADERUNNER [FRI 20.6]

One third of the mighty Kings Of The Rollers crew and among the most respected producers in the scene, Jackson Bladerunner is something of an dnb legend.  Expect no prisoners to be taken as he unleashes 140-160bpm fury via our Danley Labs. More info/tickets.

NSA DAY CULTURE 13: ZOMBIES IN MIAMI + GK MACHINE [4PM, 21.6]

All the way from Mexico, Zombies In Miami bring classic house, techno and electro DJ/production heat for their NSA (and Bongo) debut, backed by Glasgow’s wrong party head honcho, GK Machine.  Proper.  Tickets/more info.

CLUB_NACHT x HOBBES MUSIC: A NIGHT OF DISCO [11PM, 21.6]

Our resident monthly house party follow up the buzz of nights with special guests such as Kirollus, MiNNA and (most recently) Bradley Zero with ‘a night of disco’ for their Edinburgh Pride ’25 special.  The line up reps some of the Edinburgh scene’s strongest selectors.  Tickets/more info.

DISCO MAKOSSA: CRAIG SMITH (SOUTHPORT, 6TH BOROUGH PROJECT) [ 27.6]

Disco Makossa welcomes one of Edinburgh’s most stalwart old school DJs, on the scene since the late 80s and still going extremely strong via respected production work under the 6th Borough project alias and equally head-turning international tour dates.  Tickets/more info

MESSENGER: AFRIKAN SIMBA & YA SAMUEL [SAT 28.6]

Still on the bounce from sizzling recent dances at Bongo and Porty Town Hall, Messenger host a last dance at Bongo with stalwart MC Afrikan Simba plus Ya Samuel. “Rock & Come In…”  Tickets/more info

CHROMATIC: CASEMENT

Our resident UK bass champs, Chromatic, welcome back Glasgow’s Casement.  Expect his USBs to be brimming with exclusive, high octane flips of well-kent hits and near misses, as he drops with everything from 70 to 160bpms.  EHFM’s new resident bass specialist, Myrtle, also joins the bill.  Tickets/more info

CANDYFLIP: PIRAPUS

Hot-to-trot New Zealand export Pirapus land for their Scottish headline debut at Bongo as part of their 2025 world tour.   Expect back-to-back dnb fire, as they mash up the styles in their energetic, south Pacific way.  Tickets/more info

OVERGROUND: BONGO SUMMER CLOSING RAVE [FRI 11.7]

“The last Bongo Friday until Sept,” say the Overground crew. “Last time round was a sold out with latecomers unfortunately missing out. Advance ticket purchase recommended to avoid disappointment. To see Bongo off, we’re bringing a night of Hardcore, Grime, Garage, Jungle, Club and much more. Limited £0.50 B4 12 Tickets for the early birds! Catch ’em while ya can x” Tickets/more info

EPIKA: MAEMM (BONGO SUMMER CLOSING NIGHT) [12.7]

Paris-based Maemm stops in at Bongo via the all-female EPiKA crew. “She masterfully shapes her sets with various atmospheres created by her hypnotic techno selections with sometimes psychedelic overtones. Drawing inspiration from ambient and more experimental genres, she used passion for exploring new sounds to enrich her musical universe and remain in constant musical evolution.”  Tickets/more info

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2024 FRESHERS, WELCOME TO BONGO

26 August 2024 -

Welcome to The Bongo Club, or simply ‘Bongo’* as it’s affectionately known by regulars and locals alike.  We’ve been here since 1996, which makes us the longest-running underground nightclub and live venue in Edinburgh.  Much more info here.

BONGO DOLLARS

Look out for these flyers, which will be circulating around town over the next few weeks.  Each one has four discount vouchers and a couple of free cloak room tickets on the back. The discount vouchers can be redeemed on the door at participating nights only.  See details of participating nights listed on the website.

NB PLEASE NOTE: This is subject to change, as other Bongo promoters jump on board.

WIN A YEAR ON THE GUEST-LIST + BONGO SWAG

This season, we’re offering you the chance to win a whole year on the guest-list – yup, you’ll be able to come to ALL of our events for the whole of your first year without paying any money – plus a stack of Bongo merch: a hoody OR sweatshirt (your choice which), a cap, a tote bag, even a mug!  In other words, we will give you just about everything you should need to get through your first year at uni, for free….

All you have to do is sign up for our mailing list.  The winner’s name will be drawn out of a hat at lunchtime on Friday 20th September.

NB On average, we only send out about one newsletter a month, so it won’t be a massive PITA and, if you lose interest, you can easily unsubscribe later.

NB2 This offer is open to 2024 Freshers ONLY, so if you end up winning and we then find out you’re not a Fresher, you will most definitely be a Loser.

FRESHERS WEEK EVENTS

Bongo will be open every night (bar Sunday) for this year’s Freshers’ Week, featuring no shortage of special guests and big events throughout….

Saturday 7th: Pulse with Bailey Ibbs

Techno mainstays and bi-monthly party Pulse (est. 2009) welcome rising star Bailey Ibbs.  Last seen playing a UKG set for Midnight Bass’s Bongoween Special back in 2021, he returns to flex some techno muscle, as evidenced recently at original Berlin techno mecca Tresor, among others.

More info & tickets.

Pulse have a big season planned, with Ben Sims flying up from London to celebrate their 15th Birthday on Saturday 2nd November and another special guest (TBA) headlining their end-of-year event on Saturday 28th December.  Well worth checking out if you like harder-edged sounds and ‘proper’ old school techno.

Monday 9th: Satsuma Sounds

Student crew Satsuma Sounds return for another Freshers Week special on Monday night.  More info & tickets.

Tuesday 10th: Midnight Bass – DNB Freshers

Gearing up to celebrate seven years of weekly Tuesday night carnage, Midnight Bass does what it says on the tin: for fans of drum n bass and midweek partying equally.  Their Freshers special welcomes you with a line up of club favourites M.O.B., Idylist and Zo3 and you would be well advised to pick up a ticket for this one before doors open, as it has a habit of selling out in advance…

More info & tickets.

Midnight Bass has an absolutely packed season incoming.  Prepare for a lot of late starts on Wednesday mornings…!

Tues 17th Sept: Sudley (Hospital Records)
Tues 24th Sept: Duckland (Bristol) Takeover
Tues 29th Oct: Jungleween with Simms (Balami)

Wednesday 11th: Inkoherent x Untitled with DV60

Like Pulse’s much-younger sibling, Inkoherent is the new kid o the block championing techno, usually of a faster, more industrial variety.  They go head-to-head with Untitled for what’s sure to be a no-holds-barred riot of some of the highest bpms and most intense club sounds: industrial strength techno, gabba, nosebleed and more.  With main room headliner DV60’s profile blowing up internationally this year, this even is definitely not for the faint-hearted!  But, if you get tired of that, our resident grime champions, Form 696, are bringing the half-time, bass-oriented business upstairs.  Killer combo.

More info & tickets.

Thursday 12th: Candy Flip with Time To Rush

Run by the same crew behind Friday night’s Alien Disko parties, regular Thursday-night party-starters Candy Flip are back to flip the script once again, welcoming Devon’s old school rave champion Time To Rush.  Expect a set featuring back-to-back heat from the original rave era, i.e. 1990-1992 breakbeat, hardcore, proto-jungle and strictly the most grin-inducing happy hardcore.  Time To Rush also favours DJing the old school way, playing almost entirely off vinyl – no synch button business for this guy, he’s got proper skills!

More info & tickets.

Alien Disko returns with French tek specialist Harry Potar headlining on Friday 11th October.

Friday 13th: Disorder with Enta

Launching just under two years ago, Disorder is the brainchild of one of Cowgate’s youngest and keenest promoters, Harry Jackson, an alumnus of our Midnight Bass Tuesday nights and champion of drum n bass and jungle alike.  He welcomes back Enta who carpet-bombed the club with hits when he visited this time last year.

More info & tickets.

Disorder returns for its 2nd Birthday Party on Friday 8th November with Sully.  Get to know…

Saturday 14th: Club_Nacht x Hobbes Music with David Jackson

First coming together at the start of 2023, seasoned promoters Club_Nacht and Hobbes Music (also a hyped local record label) offer a monthly Saturday night which champions house music and disco first and foremost (plus garage, electro & techno, too).  For our Freshers Week Finale, they welcome Irish-lad-done-good David Jackson, these days resident in Berlin and now signed to Axel Boman & Kornel Kovacs’ internationally renown Studio Barnhus label in Stockholm, with a debut EP of Italo-disco influenced dance floor dynamite just out.

Expect proper Saturday night party music from this young spinner, who has been jet-setting globally for some time now but is about to get a whole lot busier!

More info & tickets.

CN x HM have a mega season planned with back-to-back special guests until the end of the year:

Saturday 12th October Kirollus
Saturday 9th November MiNNA
Saturday 14th December: Wallace (Rhythm Section)

*NB It’s not ‘Bongos’ (and never has been).  Ignore anyone who tells you otherwise.

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FRESHERS’ WEEK AT BONGO

05 September 2023 -

Bongo will be open every night (bar Sunday) for this year’s Freshers’ Week, featuring no shortage of special guests, big events throughout and the action effectively kicking off a few days early….

THURSDAY 7TH SEPT: CANDYFLIP – ‘RAVETOPIA’

If you’ve arrived extra early, come check out Candy Flip from regular Bongo promoters Alien Disko.  This night flips the script/s of their regular playlist/s, championing some of the less well-known corners, the more niche genres, of the dance music scene, on this occasion shining a light on Donk, Makina, Bassline, Jersey Club, alongside a helping of less niche Drum and Bass.  The  line features “underground legends and rising stars who are masters of their craft”: Seaurchin, Amhailt.xox, Rodent b2b F:N and trap6mafia.   RA TICKETS

FRIDAY 8TH SEPT: OVERGROUND – ‘BACK 2 BONGO’

Bongo regulars for some years now, the Overground crew know how to throw a party, consistently hosting packed out events at the club  (and you can get a taste of previous nights via their photo album).   Following a slew of dates at Mash House and Sneaky Pete’s throughout August (when Bongo is always closed, due to the Underbelly), hence ‘Back 2 Bongo’, they advise as follows: “Expect hardcore, techno, garage, jungle and razor sharp cuts from the outer limits of club innovations. Limited FREE B4 MIDNIGHT advance tickets are available for the early birds. These are very limited and will sell out.”  Don’t sleep: RA TICKETS.

SATURDAY 9TH SEPT: TAIS-TOI x RARE: SHAMPAIN B2B IMOGEN

Relative newcomers to Bongo, Tais-Toi promoted DJ Hearstring here in January and then MRD for our Summer Closing event in July, with both events selling out.  As a special Freshers treat, Rare and Tais-Toi have teamed up to bring two very special acts their debut back-to-back.   LINE UP: Shampain b2b IMOGEN, Tais-Toi, Oakley CarterRA TICKETS.

MONDAY 11TH: ORIGIN FRESHERS SPECIAL

Last seen at Bongo in November ’22, student promoters Origin host parties around town championing some of the best DJs from the local student communities.  “ORIGIN is back for Freshers Week!” they say.  “Exhibiting Edinburgh’s finest student DJs across both floors of the Bongo Club, ORIGIN will be kicking the year off with a bang.”  LINE UP: Ferb, DJ Discgrace, Archie Holmes, Gabriel Hopton, George Kemp, Felix B2B Sam B2B Felix, Freddie Dumbill.  RA TICKETS

TUESDAY 12TH: MIDNIGHT BASS

Hosting weekly parties at Bongo since late ’17 (with these consistently hitting the club’s capacity since the end of the Pandemic), Midnight Bass is the home of all things drum n bass (some would say the spiritual home of the nu skool and cream of the burgeoning Scottish scene).  If you’re looking to get your midweek groove on or just soak up the buzz, look no further.

WEDNESDAY 13TH: PARADOX RECORDS W/FUNK CARTEL & BASTIANO

Fledgling promoters & local label Paradox make their Bongo debut with UK fraternal house DJ & production Funk Cartel, who recently capped a run of dates at London’s 93 Feet East venue by releasing a collaboration with legendary house music diva Ulta Nate (house music royalty, basically!)  Ooft.  LINE UP: Funk Cartel, Bastiano. RA TICKETS

THURSDAY 14TH: DISORDER FRESHERS’ SPECIAL W/ENTA

Disorder DJ/promoter Harry Jackson is a very well-known face at Bongo, as a result of popping up behind the decks at Midnight Bass (among other local dnb nights) on a regular basis.  He launched Disorder here earlier this year, to champion some of his favourite artists from the scene.  “Disorder is back again for its third instalment at Bongo for a freshers week special!” he says.  “This time inviting London based drum & bass DJ & Producer Enta, up for his Scottish debut. With a strong line up filled with heavy hitters this is sure to go off!” LINE UP: Room 1 (Drum & Bass): Enta, Myco B2B Kosmotix (Bass Injection), Peski, Harry Jackson, Verbivore MC. Room 2 (Techno / Hard Dance):
DV60 B2B Ryan Murphy. MORE INFO & TICKETS

FRIDAY 15TH: ALIEN DISKO: GLITCHGIRL, POLLYANNA + CLUB ANYWHEN: IN THE WILD

Alien Disko have hit Bongo and the Cowgate scene hard in the last year, with a run of dates flying the flag for hard and fast dance music of all persuasions.  Their 1st Birthday with French techno-trance star Axyom was a big one here back in March and this date promises to pull just as few punches as they welcome Spanish player Glitchgirl “to unleash her unique blend of genre-bending chaos upon us!”  they say.  “She has released several albums spanning a wide variety of sounds with elements of Breakcore, Drum and Bass, Hardcore, IDM, and Donk. Her DJ sets are an explosive concotion of 174+ BPM madness, focussed in Drum and Bass but always refusing to conform to traditional genre lines. Having played all across Europe and at events like Bang Face and Tramlines Festival, she now sets her sights on Edinburgh to bring the mayhem to Alien Disko!”  LINE UP – MAIN ROOM: GLITCHGIRL, Pollyanna (Sunday Service), Teknocrat (Alien Disko), Rodent b2b F:N (Alien Disko/Candy Flip).  UPSTAIRS: Morphamish (ETC/Riot Radio Records), Laldy, Live visuals from Pencase and Bloof.  MORE INFO/TIX // CHEAP TIX VIA RA

SATURDAY 16TH: CLUB NACHT x HOBBES MUSIC W/AUSTIN ATO

Club Nacht host a monthly party at the Mash House, celebrating all things house, techno, acid, electro etc.  Hobbes Music is an Edinburgh label, currently celebrating ten years of electronic music releases for all occasions (including, naturally, all things house, techno, acid, electro etc), with many on vinyl.  Following their big party with German duo COEO back in February, they team up again to present the unstoppable force that is Austin Ato, capping this season’s Fresher’s Week celebrations at Bongo.  ROOM 1: AUSTIN ATO, HOBBES. ROOM 2: NAMELESS BROS, PARADOX RECORDS. MORE INFO/TIX // BAG CHEAP TIX VIA RA.

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Closure Due To COVID-19 Virus

20 March 2020 -

In light of the current situation, we have decided it is in the best interests of all our staff, customers and events to close our doors until further notice.

Look after yourselves, each other, your nearest and dearest and, perhaps most importantly, stay safe!

Bongo
x

p.s. may come in handy:

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Bongo Lives! x Hidden Door (22 – 30 May): Line-up Announced!

21 April 2015 -

Bongo Lives! x Hidden Door Logo (700 px)

So, the full extent of this year’s Hidden Door festival line-up has now been announced and we’re officially taking part under the banner of Bongo Lives!, which is our annual celebration that The Bongo Club is still here, two years after we got turfed out of our old home (Moray House) and twelve years after we move there from our original New Street address!  (Read the full history of The Bongo Club here).

So, as well as a number of special, in-house events of our own, we’ll be officially hosting Hidden Door’s Third Stage here at The Bongo Club.

Here’s a breakdown of everything that’s going to be happening here:

Friday 22nd: Trouble & Hobbes Music present The Correspondents
Saturday 23rd: Song by Toad presents Bat Bike, Lush Purr and Youngstrr Joey
Sunday 24th: Alternative Orchestra Afterparty with The Black Diamond Express and Victorian Trout Conspiracy
Monday 25th: DECAGRAM presents Miracle Strip & Black Lantern Music presents Loki and more
Tuesday 26th: Artcore live in association with Verden Studios
Wednesday 27th: Fat Suit, Thunkfish, Slow Gear and DJs
Thursday 28th: Jazz Notes with Dick Lee and Paul Harrison (part of a series of workshops)
Thursday 28th: Sleepsound Agency present Last Harbour and Tomorrow We Sail
Friday 29th: LIMBO presents Stealing Sheep, ULTRAS and Blank Canvas
Friday 29th: DJ Smoove at Four Corners
Saturday 30th: Bombskare and Sea Bass Kid
Saturday 30th: DJ Silkie at Big n Bashy
Sunday 31st: Creating A Scene

More details on the Hidden Door’s website.

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Cowgate’s First Pop-Up Market

08 December 2014 -

Cowgate_Pop_Up_Fly

On December 13th, Cowgate venues will open their doors for an event quite unlike most others they usually host…

Bringing together Edinburgh’s creative community and showcasing venues that you may otherwise not think to visit, you’ll find a multi-venue pop-up arts & crafts, clothing, vintage, music and food market. For those of you who have been to London – think of Brick Lane with it’s unusual pop-up shops and vintage/arts markets.

Many of the Cowgate venues sit empty in the daytime despite the possibility of opening. To some, you may know them only as nightclubs or late-night bars, but they hold a much more special place in the hearts of those who work there or frequent these spaces.

As a bar manager at a music venue, I’ve watched how the area seems to turn to a ghost town outside of the Festival in August. My hope is that this event will give Edinburgh’s artists, musicians and creatives (of all kinds!) the chance to meet one another, showcase their talent and hopefully bring some new faces to the area.

You can read more about it here.

The Bongo Club will have stalls by:

Suzy Babington & Jack Towndrow (Paintings)
Hobbes Music
Donna Strachan (Ingingerness)
Derek Tolcher (The ARtSTATION, Arts & Music Charity)
Kathleen Meaney (Illustration)
Amy Houston (Rag Trade Vintage)
The Too Much Fun Club 
Marie Varley (Printwork, Paintings)
Lucy Moffat (Clothing)
Sarah Millar/You’re So Cool (Vintage Clothing & Accessories)
Gregor Schmatz & friends (Photography)
Sandra Platas Hernandez (Photography)
Emily Willing & friends (Napier students)
Sally Buxton (Textiles)
Duncan Peace (Graff Artist, Illustration)
Clara Strachan (Clothing)
Clare Bargery (Vintage furniture)
Ilze Karklina (Baltic inspired art)
Caroline Olechowski (Vintage and Upcycled Clothing & Homeware)
Kirsten Ainslie (shoulder massage for charity)
Morag Edward (Illustration, Printwork)
Naomi Buchan & Ruth Marin (Jewellery & Accessories)
Eva Belpaume (Cakes & Chocolates)
Caroline Alms (Jewellery)

NB THIS EVENT IS COMPLETELY FREE BUT, PLEASE NOTE, THE BONGO CLUB EVENT WILL CLOSE AT 4PM, DUE TO SOUND-CHECKS FOR THE EVENING’S GIG BY KING EIDER & ZIMBABWEAN LEGEND RISE KAGONA.

Other venues involved:
The Annexe (Liquid Rooms)
Movement
Opium
Sneaky Pete’s
Dropkick Murphy’s
Wings
The Mash House
Three Sisters Courtyard
City Cafe
Cabaret Voltaire Cafe

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