In a historic departure from its traditional roots, the legendary Abbey Road Studios is set to transform its hallowed halls into a dance floor for its inaugural rave. This landmark event marks a bold new chapter for one of the most prestigious recording spaces in music history.
The event, titled “Abbey Road After Hours,” will take place on February 21, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Belgian electronic pioneers Soulwax have been handpicked to curate the evening, which will host a select group of 300 attendees in Studio One for what is being described as a “world-first experience.”
How to Secure a Spot
In keeping with the underground spirit of the event, admission is free and will be allocated via a public ballot. Fans eager to witness history can enter the lottery by calling the official Soulwax rave hotline at +447886 072699.
The lineup, curated by brothers David and Stephen Dewaele, will feature sets from their iconic alter ego 2manydjs, supported by a roster of unannounced special guests. The night also marks the grand debut of the DEEWEE Soundsystem, a custom-built, high-fidelity speaker array inspired by the legendary Paradise Garage system in New York.
A Unique Sonic Experiment
The collaboration extends beyond the DJ booth. Soulwax will spend the day prior to the event in Studio Two, recording brand-new material alongside a full live band. These sessions will be cut direct-to-disc, with the resulting vinyl records being played for the first time during the rave in Studio One.
“It’s hard to say whether we have a perverse or healthy attraction to crazy ideas,” Soulwax stated. “But being approached with such a proposal by the most iconic recording studio in history makes it impossible to refuse. We embrace the challenge and sincerely hope this won’t be the last rave at Abbey Road.”
Mark Robertson, Abbey Road’s Director of Marketing & Creative, revealed that hosting a rave has been a long-held ambition. “Studio One has been home to era-defining firsts—from Elgar to John Williams—and opening it to bold new forms of creativity feels both true to our heritage and excitingly audacious,” Robertson added.
The event follows a meticulous restoration of Studio One completed last spring. While the room is synonymous with orchestral masterpieces and classic rock, it continues to be a playground for contemporary stars such as Harry Styles, Little Simz, and Sam Smith. This upcoming electronic showcase further cements the studio’s commitment to sonic innovation.
