32-37 Cowper Street,
Shoreditch,
London,
EC2A 4AP
(020) 7490 1198
The ViewLondon Review
Situated in a disused print works on a side street close to Old Street roundabout, XOYO is an 800-capacity club and live music venue that attracts a mix of music heads and young partygoers who now descend on Shoreditch every weekend.
The Venue
The owners have done little to cover up the building's past as an industrial space, and the combination of concrete floors and white columns lends it an air of the Hacienda's grim glamour. The venue has a more intimate room upstairs, on ground level, with room for about 200 people, with the main space downstairs boasting a stage for live events and two bars. Don't expect to get too comfy though - there isn't a seat or sofa anywhere in the building, maximising the space for dancing.
The Atmosphere
A mixture of Shoreditch insiders - this is the kind of venue where the guest list queue is often longer than the line of those prepared to pay - and the clubbers who regularly descend on the area in search of fun from further afield, especially at weekends. In other words, expect to see a few fashion victims straight out of Nathan Barley or The Mighty Boosh, but don't worry too much if you're planning on turning up in a band t-shirt and Primark jeans.
The Music
Where most venues seem to pin their colours firmly to the mast of either live performance or DJ-based clubbing, XOYO offers both. Those booked to play in the opening few days of the venue included Loefah of dubstep heroes DMZ, but also former Beta Band member and indie veteran Steve Mason playing live. The policy seems to be cutting edge, but not so obscure that you won't recognise a few people on the bill. Seeing as the people behind XOYO include Marcus Weedon (Field Day) and Johnno Burgess (Bugged Out!), the events roster is well on the money.
The Drink
Typical club prices, with small bottles of Tiger, Sagres and Magners setting you back £3.80 - certainly no more expensive than any other club in the area, nor any cheaper. Although there's only a fairly limited selection of beers, it does seem much better equipped for spirits and cocktails.
The Last Word
Shoreditch has exploded with new bars and venues in recent years, but XOYO's reliance on an eclectic but clued-up booking policy should see it stand the test of time.
XOYO has been reviewed by 24 users