To thousands of ravers, Chris Binks is the unseen magician behind the light. From fabric’s opening night in 1999, Chris Binks worked tirelessly as the club’s lighting engineer, shaping the look and feel of the venue for over 18 years.
Photo credit: Chris – Official
His sense of timing, color, and atmosphere transformed each weekend into a multisensory experience, one that defined the very essence of fabric. Beyond London, he became a sought-after talent in the global scene. His creative touch became an integral part of Enzo Siragusa’s FUSE events and Jamie Jones’ Paradise parties at DC10 in Ibiza, earning him recognition as one of the most skilled and visionary lighting designers in electronic music. Over the last five years, Chris has been based in Ibiza, where he continued to design shows for some of the island’s most celebrated clubs and artists.
Recently, while working abroad in Budapest, he suffered a massive heart attack. He was without oxygen for 30 minutes, leading to severe complications. After being placed on life support, doctors feared the worst, but in an incredible display of strength, Chris began breathing on his own once the machines were switched off. He remains in a coma, but his resilience and will to fight have given everyone who knows him reason to hope. Doctors in Budapest are continuing crucial neurological tests to determine the extent of any brain damage. His family and close friends, Desi, Liam, Winnie, his sisters Barbara and Angela and his mum, have shared messages of hope, asking everyone to keep positive thoughts for his recovery: “We are praying for the best and know he is a strong man, so please keep only positive thoughts for him.”
Because the heart attack happened during a work trip abroad, Chris’s medical coverage doesn’t extend to all expenses. His travel insurance had lapsed, leaving his family with overwhelming medical costs, including £40,000 in hospital bills in Budapest and £30,000 for a specialist medical flight to bring him home to the UK. The process of finding a UK hospital to admit him has been long and challenging, but thanks to the tireless efforts of his loved ones and the wider club community, progress is being made. To help ease this burden, friends, fans, and fellow industry professionals have come together to raise funds through online donations and now, through what fabric does best: a party with purpose.
This Sunday, 12th October, fabric opens its doors for a very special daytime event: A Dance For Chris, a fundraiser in support of Chris Binks, the club’s long-time lighting technician and one of the most influential figures behind the UK’s electronic music scene. A daytime fundraiser filled with music, love, and unity. The event will feature an incredible lineup of artists, including Dr Banana, fae, Enzo Siragusa, Terry Francis, and more, all donating their time and energy to help bring him home. Every ticket, every donatio,n and every dance will contribute directly to covering the immense costs faced by his family. The day promises to be not just a fundraiser, but a celebration of Chris’s life, his artistry, and the light he’s brought to dancefloors around the world. For nearly three decades, Chris Binks has illuminated some of the most iconic nights in club culture. This Sunday, that light shines back at him.
Donation link available here.
Grab your tickets here.
