Club nights for would-be DJs

Budding young DJs are being given a chance to showcase their skills at a new VIP club night at The Atrium, Newark.

Sam Thompson, 23, also known as Bassduckfresh, is hosting the weekly event, which specialises in house music.

Boxed will take place on Fridays in the 100-capacity VIP room at the Atrium, from 11pm until late.

After developing as a DJ on the night scene in the town, Sam wants to give other young DJs an opportunity to gain experience.

"When I was 16 and 17 I used to do events in Newark — they were always quite successful and the only way I could get gigs," he said.

"Since then I have gone on to play around the country and even abroad.

"The problem with Newark being a town is the same DJs have been running the venues for years.

"Youngsters learning at home do not have anywhere to play because the venues are more reluctant for people to hire them to put on their own events."

Sam said Boxed would give people a flavour of different styles of music as opposed to the usual club classics.

"I want to offer something different," he said.

"A night out in Newark has been the same since I was first able to go out in the town five or six years ago.

"There are a few bands playing and the same commercial DJs in the same venues.

"However, these days people travel to cities as they want to listen to dance music, which is a bit more niche.

"We have an opportunity to expand and bring that to Newark.

"With dance music becoming so big in the last couple of years, this might be the right time to play different music that people have not heard before to see whether they like it."

DJs will be given the opportunity to play alongside more experienced artists to learn tricks of the trade.

At the opening night, Mister Pinks, who has played Glastonbury three times, was among those performing.

Boxed will take place for at least the next three months. To get involved, contact Sam on the Bassduckfresh Facebook page.