London’s iconic Ministry of Sound club reopened its main room – The Box – on 30 January as part of its 35th anniversary celebrations. The club has replaced its instantly recognisable Martin Audio sound system with a new KV2 custom rig, now fully integrated into the room’s structure – a decision that’s sparked controversy among clubbers and industry professionals.
This move alone was risky. The iconic previous set-up won “World’s Best Sound System” four years running and was synonymous with the club’s identity. When Larry Levan visited the original 1991 system (built by the same firm behind New York’s Paradise Garage), he reportedly had tears in his eyes. Retiring that physical presence from the dancefloor was always going to be contentious. But there was more…
Lowering the booth to kill phone culture
The club also installed a new lighting rig and relocated the DJ booth to dancefloor level, rebuilt as a modular structure supporting everything from standard set-ups to Boiler Room-style 360-degree configurations.
“It’s a big point of controversy in the clubbing world that people want to film all the time, and it can kill the dancefloor if everyone’s standing with their phone out 24/7,” Ministry of Sound explained.
“Put the DJ in the crowd rather than on a stage, and suddenly there’s nothing to watch – only something to dance to. It’s a deliberate philosophical choice in an era where ‘festivalisation’ has turned too many club nights into passive viewing experiences.”
Early verdict
Reopening weekend feedback has been positive. DJ Gareth Cooke, who played the club’s opening 35 years ago, was at Ministry’s recent Hard Times party. “The sound is spot on,” he confirmed. “They’ve done a good job bringing it to modern standards whilst maintaining the original essence and vibe.”
Over on TikTok, we spotted someone raving that it was: “An experience we’ve never had in London before. Slick, dark and unforgettable. Incredible sound, perfect atmosphere.”
Of course, it’s early days – ten days in fact – since they reopened, but initial reactions to rethinking one of clubbing’s most legendary rooms suggest Ministry has got it right.
Why this matters
This is personal for us at the school – our very own Steve Canueto mixed many of the iconic Ministry of Sound compilation albums that sold 60 million copies over the years. Phil and Faye took part in a successful Guinness World Record attempt for the longest ever DJ mix at the club. We even filmed the very first version of our Complete DJ Course in that room.
There’s a bigger picture here, though. In a UK nightlife landscape where five clubs close every week, one of the world’s most iconic venues has chosen to invest heavily in its future rather than coast on its past – and that’s a genuine glimmer of hope for today’s struggling club scene.
