Club review: TRMNL presents... Radio Slave & Mark Henning, 31/03/12

There has been an unequivocal void in the Birmingham club scene in recent years. 

The closure of hangouts such as The Custard Factory and the expiration of the likes of Q club and Air as serious venue contenders have meant there has been an opening for a hip underground setting in the midlands - queue LAB11. 

Designed to host clued-up clubbers and “bring the underground sound back to Birmingham” is LAB11’s flagship night TRMNL presents… every Saturday, which has been reinvented after its untimely departure in 2008. 

The launch night on the 31st March saw Rekids don Radio Slave, honourary Berliner Mark Henning, and secretsundaze duo Ethyl & Flori rock the roof off and set the tone for the rest of the clubbing season. 

LAB11 personifies the term “underground”, with bare-brick walls, concrete floors and untreated wood creating an unmistakable rawness. The main room complete with a ‘smart’ lighting system perfectly synced to the beat is the first of its kind in the UK, whilst the impressive heated terrace will be the perfect go-to place come the warmer summer months. 

Meanwhile an important element of any club is the sound, and LAB11 succeeds in delivering a clear and crisp quality courtesy of the Funktion Ones. The crowd on the opening night was a mixture of trendy scenester until 2am and techno enthusiasts until the small hours of Sunday morning. 

Mark Henning and Radio Slave were on fine-form as expected, playing warm, fluid and dynamic house and techno with the occasional gem dropped in there for good measure. 

Initially LAB11 will just be open on Saturdays for the TRMNL presents… nights, with the likes of Sebo K, Anja Schneider, Raresh and Andre Galuzzi headlining, later giving rise to local promoters and label showcases as they gain momentum. 

See upcoming TRMNL nights

There is no doubt that LAB11 is a work-in-progress however the foundations are there and they are solid. The primitiveness and authenticity of the venue is omnipresent and gives an alluring atmosphere that draws in clubbers from across not only the midlands but the country. It has injected a much needed life into the Birmingham club scene and the impressive weekly line-ups only increase its potential as a significant electronic music venue. 

What the future holds for LAB11 and TRMNL is both exciting and enigmatic, and I recommend you see it for yourself.

See upcoming TRMNL nights at Lab11 and buy tickets

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