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It started in the Bronx, goes the old hip-hop saying. But, really, it started in a house party hosted by Kool Herc \u2013 and over 50 years later, it seems that house parties are still where the real vibes are at.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In the wake of wider reports that Gen Z individuals are less likely to drink and attend nightclubs than preceding generations, the report suggests that they are not turning their back on partying entirely \u2013 they\u2019re just continuing to do it behind closed doors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHouse parties and DIY spots were everything back in the day \u2013 that\u2019s where we learned our craft,\u201d says drum and bass DJ Fabio of Fabio & Grooverider fame. \u201cYou had total freedom, no rules, no security telling you to turn it down, just vibes and creativity. Those spaces built communities and gave people a chance to experiment and find their sound. UK nightlife was built on that DIY energy. Without those small, independent spaces, the scene loses its soul.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The report arrives at a crucial time. UK nightlife mainstay Corsica Studios recently announced that it would be closing its doors amid wider gentrification and licensing pressures in its longtime Elephant and Castle location. Elsewhere, rising operational costs and decreasing revenue have forced iconic venues such as London\u2019s Pickle Factory, Bristol\u2019s Motion and Leeds\u2019 Wire to shut down in recent months. <\/span> This report sheds light on an often underreported aspect of the discussion. <\/span>Young people, it suggests, are drawn to the DIY and spontaneous nature of a house party, and it\u2019s where some of their most formative musical experiences take place. Perhaps if nightclubs are able to replicate some of these features, they might be able to engage the next generation of party-goers.<\/span>