Luminopolis can only be explained as an indoors festival. It’s a large-scale event that combines a variety of mediums centred mostly around a mix of psychedelic music, with a nice mix of drum n’ bass, trance, breakbeats, dub and even gypsy folk, depending on which room you’re in. Its real difference to other such events is that it also plays home to a mix of workshops, art exhibitions, guest speakers and is a place where NGOs and charities can publicise themselves and get people involved. It really is at the forefront of the creative underground media revolution.

Luminopolis itself is a relatively new club, but its origins lie in the original Synergy Project. The change came Words: Will Poole
Pics: Will Poole
Film: Gungho Mediaquite recently, when the original promoters went their separate ways and the Synergy Project took on a new direction and a new name, becoming Luminopolis. Whether this is for good or for bad has yet to be determined, but for now the identity and atmosphere remain pretty similar to that of the Synergy Project.

Putting this event on is no small matter – with over 3000 people coming through the doors on your average night to party it up inside SeOne at London Bridge, it is an immense challenge. It takes over 300 crew members to make the party what it is – a mix of artists, musicians, riggers, performers, café staff, production crew, floor teams and so on. Luckily all these people work together very well – in synergy, one could say – to create a winning night out.

I remember that one of the first times I entered the place I was immediately handed a map! How big is this place? And sure enough it really was huge. Each room features its own feel, decor and sound, all of it painstakingly developed to transform the place into a psychedelic fantasy land. It is possible to spend most of the night in one area not knowing the other parts exist, only to come across it much later on when following people into what appears to be a bottomless closet but turns out to be the psytrance room!

The real success of Luminopolis, something shared only by a few other events, is its social atmosphere – where people are comfortable and friendly enough to talk to you, dance with you or just flash a smile at a complete stranger. Very few places have thoroughly nailed that feeling of safety, and here there are no ‘shady geezers’ lurking around like sharks like you might get in mainstream clubs.

It is a place to have childish fun, and to dance to some spectacular music in rooms hosted by guest labels like Liquid Records and also Arch Angel, who make regular appearances. Or, of course, you can chill out, drink tea and talk idly in the Inspiral Lounge, which has a permanent home at Luminopolis. Oh, and did I mention they even have a massage parlour? It’s just too good to be true!

Well, for now it is, unfortunately. Due to the tightening of security at SeONE after an incident in which someone was shot and killed (this wasn’t at Luminopolis, we hasten to add), the venue management have brought in new security measures which include scanning and storing the ID of all those who enter the premises on a permanent data file. Luminopolis says that this goes against its principles and so has decided to find a new venue in time for the next event in the Autumn. The issue of ID and privacy is a complex one – I am personally undecided as there are pros and cons on each side. It can be excused as a valuable tool when prosecuting those who break the law – and even murder people – in the future; but on the other hand it is a big attack on civil liberties and the possibility for it to be used inappropriately – for viral marketing or police surveillance – is a huge factor. Toxin will investigate this subject more thoroughly in our next issue, but until then Luminopolis has made its decision and its one I fully respect.

Luminopolis has a very bright future with almost infinite possibilities. I hope that it continues to serve as a hub for creativity, discussion, interaction and new thoughts, instead of cashing in on its success and becoming too commercialised. But with the organisers taking such a morally agreeable stand on the ID situation and looking out for their customers, I highly doubt that.

Website: www.luminopolis.org
formerly located at the SeONE club, London.

To see more images click below.