Delight is by far the best alternative club in Portsmouth. It runs every Monday night at Astoria on Guildhall Walk and has been ruining many Tuesday mornings since the club began.. speaking from experience - it's my go-to club to get over the Monday blues.
We had to chat to Delight's owner/organiser/DJ/promoter/music-fanatic that is William Chambers about where the club originated and any future plans for the mosh-heavy event.
How did you get into DJ-ing?
No clubs or venues were playing the music me and my friends liked so we started to put on our own parties which quickly got out of hand. After a few "discussions" with the council and police we had to stop these and start putting on our own nights in venues around the city. These soon took off and more club promoters were asking me to come and play at their nights.
How did Delight come about? And when did it all start?
Delight started in 1999 (as the sister night to the popular CHAOS club) and at that time I was just a uni student going to Delight, the venue at that point was called Uropa. It wasn't for another couple of years until the team behind Delight asked me to come and play some songs, from then on the night went from strength to strength. After several years and venue name changes I took over the management side of the night and it quickly became the city's no.1 alternative party! The recent additions to the Astoria lighting and sound system easily make it the best club in the city.
Favourite delight moments/events? I remember the Enter Shikari sound system that was sick!
Over the years there have been many incredible moments from the time Enter Shikari have decimated the venue to having scratch battles with DJ Lethal from Limp Bizkit/House of Pain to the crazy goings on just last week. The night is still full of deviance and intrigue, that's why people keep coming back!
Favourite songs to play?
Anything that fizzes with energy and excitement.
What bands have been to Delight?
Previous special guests at Delight include New Found Glory, DJ Lethal (house of pain/limp bizkit), Enter Shikari, Slaves, Tek-One, the Libertines, Don Broco, Zebrahead, the Subways, Tonight Alive, The Midnight Beast, Benji Webbe (Skindred), Bury Tomorrow, Daniel P Carter (Radio1), Maximo Park & loads more...
Future plans for Delight?
We've got a big (academic) year planned at Delight, with a huge 19th birthday bash on Monday the 17th of Sept. On the 1st of Oct Enter Shikari bring the Shikari Sound System back to the Astoria and not to forget the annual Zombie Delight insanity!
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Even OTDL Clothing have pitched up at Delight, hosting a unique modelling competition. Watch this space for more OTDL Clothing x Delight collabs!