JANUARY 23RD, 1993
From a gathering of friends in a Holborn nightclub to selling out Fabric, Printworks, and breaking records at Es Paradis. Three decades of Clockwork Orange.
THE BEGINNING
Clockwork Orange was born on January 23rd, 1993 at The Old Paddocks nightclub in High Holborn, London’s West End. The first party was a gathering of friends — and it quickly escalated into a word-of-mouth phenomenon across London.
From Paddocks to Cinnecita on Oxford Street, the Clockwork name was on everyone’s lips. No social media, no websites — just pure word of mouth through London’s clubbing underground.
IBIZA CALLING
Clockwork’s 1st birthday was a roadblock — police had to move on the crowds as tickets sold out. This was the moment things got serious. The Cross became one of Clockwork’s two favourite venues, a place that exulted sheer class.
Three weeks later, the first Ibiza summer residency began at Es Paradis, courtesy of Brandon Block and Clara da Costa. Ibiza was the perfect springboard — it made Clockwork a nationwide recognised name within the 90s clubbing scene.
The first Ibiza reunion back in London. John Digweed played his last Clockwork set. Leicester Square was shut off by the police — doors closed at 10:30pm with 2,000 people still outside.
The first of the legendary Clockwork NYE bashes. 23 DJs including Judge Jules, John Kelly, Brandon Block, and Tony Wilson. 2,300 people brought in the New Year with free drinks included in the ticket price, themed on Es Paradis.
THE EXPLOSION
Clockwork’s promoting world exploded — residencies at Camden Palace, The Cross, and Es Paradis Terrenal. Tours of Britain followed with clubs and student unions. International expansion hit Tenerife, Majorca, and Ayia Napa.
Time Out, Mixmag, The Ministry, The Sun, MTV — Clockwork was everywhere. Then in 1997, the call came to be part of a documentary series: Ibiza Uncovered. This spotlight rocketed Clockwork to the top of the pile — what you saw is what you got. Pure unadulterated amazing fun and atmosphere. The club record for attendance at Es Paradis was broken in September 1997.
PEAK ERA
Clockwork broke its own Es Paradis record every week of the 10-week summer season of 1998. The club peaked at 3,500 people — the top-grossing night of all nights in 1998. Clockwork Ibiza never sold an advance ticket — the only club not to have done so in the ’90s. And if you were lucky enough in ’98 and ’99, you went to Clockwork after parties at Space right after Es Paradis.
THE RESURGENCE
Clockwork re-emerged into the old school resurgence and since 2012 has gone on to sell out parties across London and beyond. The Fire and Lightbox party is probably in the Clockwork top 3 of all nights.
The biggest venues in the UK, international expansion, Clockstock festival, and a community that spans the globe. From 30 friends in Holborn to selling out Fabric — and the story’s still being written.
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I have finally found the missing elixir of life that makes me feel young again and it is quite simply Clockwork Orange.
DANNY & ANDY XX
THE NEXT CHAPTER
33 years and counting. Join the Clockwork family.