Interview: Shapes

Shapes are bossing parties from Boomtown to Farmfest, and this month they’re back in Bristol for one of their biggest to date. Adam Burrows meets co-promoter James Ratcliffe.

Shapes has become one of the big names in Bristol clubbing in quite a short space of time. How did it start and how has it grown so quickly?

Shapes kicked off in November 2011 at Leftbank, and quickly grew beyond what we ever imagined. I’d love to say we had a five-year vision to become one of the leading parties in the South West, but if I’m being honest it was an excuse for a decent midweek knees-up with our friends. 

How would you describe Shapes’s remit? What are you doing differently from other promoters in Bristol?

I don’t think you can pigeonhole Shapes to a sound or style. We programme parties based on the environment, mood and context. Maybe you could say our bookings lean towards a darker, energetic sound – we’ve certainly tried to push techno as much as possible in a city that’s favoured house and disco in recent years. 

Your New Year parties are legendary, and then there are the Valentines and Halloween parties. Do you get a kick out of rising to big occasions?

We do our best! Yes, there’s nothing more satisfying than when the music, venue, production, crowd and atmosphere come together – especially when the punters have no idea where they’re going or who is playing. We set the bar high early on and it’s a challenge to continue to raise it. 

What can you tell us about Club Lucifer? Was it as seedy as it sounded?

Yes. I wore a gimp mask.

You’ve brought some true icons of dance music to Bristol – Marcel Dettman, Seth Troxler, Luke Vibert, Jeff Mills, Carl Craig…who have been your favourite bookings?

Tough question. There are too many to mention and we’re extremely fortunate to be able to book some of our heroes…although our residents close almost every party we do and if I’m honest, that’s my favourite set of the night.

You’re involved in Shambala and Boomtown as well as Bristol events such as Love Saves The Day, Simple Things and Tokyo World. What do you bring to those events, and why do you like to take part in them?

We bring techno and like wearing dresses.

You’re programming a stage at Farmfest in July. What can you tell us about the artists you’ve booked for that?

Farmfest is hands down one of our favourite festivals. No stress, great crowd and insanely good music. We’ve booked the brilliant Auntie Flo and the eccentric San Proper, but the majority of the programming is composed of friends. I feel hugely fortunate that I can programme two days of music consisting of extended family and friends. Bloody talented bunch!

Some of Bristol’s other big clubbing brands (Futureboogie, Just Jack et al) have branched out into artist management, record releases etc. Do you have similar plans or are you 100% about putting on parties?

We’ve always been about the party. Shapes is a strong passion that we do in our spare time. It’s not a full time job and we all have other commitments and projects. We’ve considered spreading our wings, and have a million ideas, but you’ll have to wait and see.

Finally, your party on June 3 is one of your biggest yet, with Jackmaster, Move D, The Black Madonna, Tama Sumo and Rommek, among others. Who are you looking forward to seeing?

We are looking forward to seeing 1800 dancers, a club full of smiling faces and hearing great sounds all night long. Roll on June 3!

Shapes x An Evening With, Lakota, Friday, June 3. For more information visit www.lakota.co.uk

Top photograph by Ross Silcocks.