Gatecrasher
The short answer
Gatecrasher is the clubbing brand that made Sheffield a trance capital. It started as a one-off party in 1993, settled at The Republic nightclub in Sheffield in 1997, and became famous for its trance nights, furry-boots-and-glowsticks crowd and huge outdoor events. The original Sheffield club burned down in June 2007.
History
The story of Gatecrasher.
Gatecrasher began in 1993 as a one-off party and grew through events in different cities before finding a permanent home. In March 1997 it took up residence at The Republic, a club built inside the former Roper & Wreaks steelworks on Matilda Street in Sheffield. Gatecrasher bought the venue that year.
The late 1990s were its peak trance years. In 1999 Gatecrasher staged a 10,000-capacity event at Lotherton Hall near Leeds, and its Summer Sound System outdoor events followed. In September 2003 a £1.5 million refit renamed the building Gatecrasher One, and the trance nights were rebranded as Crasher.
On 18 June 2007 a fire that spread from the DJ box destroyed the Sheffield club. Managing director Simon Raine said the brand was determined to rebuild, and Gatecrasher continued as an events brand and in other venues.
Trance
Gatecrasher and classic trance.
For British clubbers at the turn of the millennium, Gatecrasher was the trance club. Its crowd, its furry boots and glowsticks and its big-room uplifting sound became a shorthand for the whole classic era, and its Sheffield nights hosted many of the DJs profiled in this archive.
Profiles of classic-era headline DJs: Paul van Dyk, Tiësto, Ferry Corsten, Armin van Buuren.
Timeline
Key dates.
- 1993
Gatecrasher begins as a one-off party.
- 1997
Moves into The Republic, Sheffield, in March and buys the venue.
- 1999
10,000 people attend Gatecrasher at Lotherton Hall, Leeds.
- 2003
£1.5 million refit; the club is renamed Gatecrasher One.
- 2007
The Sheffield club is destroyed by fire on 18 June.
Frequently asked
What was Gatecrasher?
Gatecrasher is the clubbing brand that made Sheffield a trance capital. It started as a one-off party in 1993, settled at The Republic nightclub in Sheffield in 1997, and became famous for its trance nights, furry-boots-and-glowsticks crowd and huge outdoor events. The original Sheffield club burned down in June 2007.
Where was Gatecrasher?
Gatecrasher is associated with Sheffield, United Kingdom.
When did Gatecrasher start?
Gatecrasher began in 1993.
Research & sources
These references support the factual claims on this page. Editorial interpretation is identified as such; a source link is not an endorsement by its publisher.
- Gatecrasher
Wikipedia
Purchase of The Republic in 1997; 2003 refit and Gatecrasher One name.
- Gatecrasher biography
Last.fm
1993 origin, March 1997 move to The Republic, Lotherton Hall 1999, Crasher rebrand.
- Ambitious Sheffield club Republic led a revolution in 1990s nightlife
The Star (Sheffield)
The Republic's steelworks building on Matilda Street.
- Gatecrasher burns down
BBC South Yorkshire
Fire of 18 June 2007; Simon Raine's statement.