CityLife

Lush valleys, picturesque canals and... acid house?

GOING NATIVE: Into The Valley

PICTURE Hebden Bridge and what springs to mind?

The tiny Calderdale town may be home to lush valley views, a picturesque canal, countless shops staffed by well-intentioned wool advocates and the best fish and chip restaurant this side of the Pennines (AJ’s, since you ask).

But something else lurks among the postcard setting. That’s right, a club night offering up the very finest in acid house attitude right in the heart of the tree-shrouded valley. Obviously.

“[The juxtaposition] is exactly why it works,” says Ben Davis, rouser of this rural rabble, who brings his night Into The Valley back to Hebden Bridge’s Trades Club on Saturday, September 12. 

Brilliant party

“People come for the weekend and it’s like a mini-holiday in the heart of the South Pennines, with a brilliant party in the middle. 

“Also it’s completely lacking in any type of pretension that you can get in city clubs, with a genuine mix of ages and types of people who are all wearing a smile and ready for a chat.

But does anyone really go for a night out in Hebden? And do they drink anything but pale ale?

“For the size of the town there’s a really healthy scene,” says Davis.

“Pick of the bunch is an anything-goes night called What The Freak? and a great pub night at The Hole in the Wall that has all sorts of other things on too.”

Schlocky horror-pop rockers

Add to that list Into The Valley, which also throws cutting edge bands into the mix. On Saturday night, schlocky horror-pop rockers Sisters Of Transistors are in town for a set supporting none other than Bugged Out! mainstay James Holroyd.

“We wanted to put on a quality dance night with national standing.

"There has been a history of good nights at the Trades club over the years with DJs like Andy Weatherall and Kevin Saunderson making the trip.

“We wanted to continue that legacy but with a more eclectic slant, mixing up the music policy and getting a live element.

And how do such urbanite types react to being asked to play in the sleepy, leafy valleys?

“It’s great as the people we put on are always buzzing to be playing off the beaten track and to such a receptive, open-minded crowd.”

So, if you fancy a last-minute weekend getaway, you could do worse than heading Into The Valley.

Into The Valley is on Saturday, September 12 at the Trades Club, Hebden Bridge. 9.30pm-1.30am, £5/7.50.