Dirty Pop says: “We’re grateful to every single one of you who’s made it so special”
CARDIFF club night Dirty Pop announced today that its final night will be on March 5, 2022 after being based on Clwb Ifor Bach’s ground floor for nearly 14 years.
Run by Ian Cottrell and Esyllt Williams, Dirty Pop has played electronic and dance pop weekly on Saturday at one of Cardiff’s biggest clubs.
“We’ve been doing Dirty Pop at Clwb Ifor Bach every Saturday for nearly 14 years and now it’s time for us to have a rest,” said Mr Cottrell and Ms Williams.
The club night is the longest-running Saturday night party in Cardiff and is well-known for playing the likes of Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, and Dua Lipa, as well as Kylie Minogue, Madonna, and Donna Summer.
It will be returning on Saturday January 29 after clubs closed on December 26, 2021, due to coronavirus restrictions. Even in lockdown when clubs were closed, Mr Cottrell and Ms Williams continued to put out “Isolation Playlists” on Spotify.
George Cade, 23, from Schooner Way, first went to Dirty Pop last August when clubs reopened after lockdown.
“I love the family atmosphere there and that it always attracts the nicest people. Ian and Esyllt are so friendly and absolute legends, bringing the best music every week.
“I love that every time I go I always discover a new song or artist to fall in love with. I’ll miss it a lot.”
Mr Cottrell and Ms Williams said: “Dirty Pop will live on but not as a weekly event. It’s been a joy and a privilege to soundtrack your Saturday nights. We feel like we’ve raised a family, raised the bar and raised hell.
“We’re grateful to every single one of you who’s made it so special,” they said.
Lloyd Best, a 28-year-old Grangetown musician who performs as “Dead Method”, says Dirty Pop helped support his music career.
He said: “As an artist, they have been super supportive. They’ve let me perform at their events and even let me put on a special Halloween gig.
“I never experienced another club night here that has cultivated that kind of supportive community, and I’ve met many close friends on that dance floor.
“Ian and Esyllt created a wonderful space that was safe for all. As a gay man, that’s particularly important to me and I hope whoever Clwb decides to fill the void with continues this legacy.”
Clwb Ifor Bach said that it was gutted by the announcement. “Dirty Pop has been an integral part of people’s experience of Clwb, and we’d like to thank Esyllt and Ian for their huge contribution to Clwb for over a decade,” it said.
Advance tickets for the March 5 event have already sold out, but entry is open to Clwb Ifor Bach on the night.
