Fortay are set to celebrate their 1st birthday in style with a huge lineup announced. The party is all set to go off on Saturday the 8th of February and back at their spiritual home under the London Bridge arches at Crucifix Lane.
After a massive year which saw Fortay get their own stage at We Are FSTVL in May, the night commemorates exactly one year at the pinnacle of London’s underground house scene with Pleasurekraft headlining alongside a host of some of the biggest acts in the business and some promising up and comers who are set for big things.
We all know about Pleasurekraft and Fortay have pulled off something of a coup in a rare UK performance. Spain’s German Brigante will make his UK debut and this is a DJ that is destined for the top having come in at number 57 in Resident Advisor’s Most Charted Artists of 2013. London better be ready for his selection of bumping, groovy tech house cuts.
Also on the roster is a true pioneer of the capital’s house and tech scene, Geddes. Alongside Simon Baker, Geddes is the man behind long-standing power party Mulletover and 2013 saw him play at clubs and festivals from Ibiza to India and Lima all the way back to London. Samu L is another bright prospect making his London debut and of course residents Jaim and George Peck will be going at it.
The party was set up by four mates all with a vision of what they thought the London club scene should be about. Kai Cant, Peter Clout-Hart, Jamie Hillier and George Peck started Fortay hoping they were on to something special and if the first year is anything to go by, the lads were right.
We caught with Kai to get his thoughts. “It’s been an amazing year, it’s gone so much better than we could have expected,” says the promoter. “We started off small at Cable and just wanted to have the best crowd and the best music, keeping it true to what we think it’s all about.”
He thinks the reason they’ve been able to build such a great atmosphere at the nights is by refusing to cater to the lowest common denominator and ‘llowing the rowdy crowds that are taking over the London club scene. “We operate an over-21 policy and try to keep our events on Facebook etc. private rather than just try to grab as many party-goers as possible. We try to steer away from the young ‘London crowd’ who bring a different vibe and are currently taking over the London House scene.” Kai thinks that the exclusivity and age policy mean that the night attracts a more ‘real’ breed of ravers that are there for the music and the good times rather than just to get wrecked and go wild.
Fortay started at Cable and Relay but were forced to change venues by Network Rail due to the regeneration of the London Bridge area. After hosting roof parties and boat parties in the nation’s capital, Kai says they’re delighted to get back to where it all started. “Crucifix Lane is the last club standing. It’s in an old warehouse under London Bridge, with a capacity of 650. It’s great to get back to our birthplace of London Bridge. We just want to keep it underground and this is the perfect place to do that.”
We asked Kai what his highlight has been so far in running the night and he says, “securing the stage at We Are festival, without doubt! Playing alongside Circo Loco and having a spot in the VIP section. We’re only a year old and being at such a big festival with people like Cocoon and Paradise is unreal.”
It’s no stroke of luck either, their spot at We Are is well deserved and with their lineup at the event including huge names like Alexis Raphael, Simon Baker, Lee Brinx and some of the names at the birthday event.
When asked what else is in store for Fortay going forward, Kai responded, “We just want to keep building our unique brand. We want to grow organically, not push it, just keep in touch with what makes the parties what they are, and that’s the crowd. We want to keep the parties and the brand fresh and keep the returning ravers that make the atmosphere at Fortay so good. We’re just four lads who like to get involved just like everyone that comes to our nights. You’ll find us on the dancefloor, in amongst everyone and just enjoying it how it should be enjoyed.”
Find everything you need to know here and get yourself down old Crucifix Lane for a night of heavyweight house and tech.
Check out and download German Brigante’s promo mix as well as mixes from Fortay residents Jaim and George Peck’s Soundcloud pages below.
