On the afternoon of 26th January, down a quiet backroad in London’s square mile district, RITUAL transformed ‘The Dutch Centre’ into an epicentre of partying and feel good vibes. Originally to be held at St Paul’s famous Madisons roof top bar, the promoters had to move location due to licensing issues.
The new location set in an old church surely did not disappoint or dampen anyone’s spirits. In fact, the event made more sense in such establishment, after all the word ritual is defined as ‘a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order’. The lighting and pyrotechnics complimented the aesthetics of the church’s interior, bouncing off the stained glass windows and dangling chandeliers from the high ceilings.
Headlining the event was FOURTHIRTYTWO boss Richy Ahmed. The renowned DJ is at the forefront of UK house music; having played a major part in the British house music’s recent renaissance, he takes cues from disco, techno, funk, electro and hiphop.
This was this first time Ahmed has performed for RITUAL since 2016 and his set proved exactly why he was asked to headline the event. Not one person stood still throughout Richy’s electrifying set, he definitely had the room pumped and eager to continue the party at the official after party held at London’s McQueens.
Ahmed was joined by fellow DJ’s Jansons, Bazaar, AD:me and Stonez who all also played banging sets of the best house tracks.
RITUAL has been the best party of 2019 so far and I look forward to the next one! Have they found there new home in the confounds of the Dutch centre?
Photography by Khris Cowley for Here & Now
