‘There was something special happening’: how a Tyneside bingo hall became a mecca for ravers

Promoter and artist Man Power brings world-class DJs and dance acts to King Street Social Club in North Shields

You can’t miss the King Street Social Club.

Its exterior is made up of hundreds of coloured tiles and a no-nonsense red sign that make it stand out on the North Shields street it occupies. Inside the club, which is at the centre of the former fishing community around Newcastle upon Tyne, something else is brewing.

When the Guardian visits, members are playing lunchtime games of pool in the downstairs bar as usual. But upstairs there are still signs of the latest party as huge sound system speakers butt up against the bingo caller’s equipment.

This working men’s club has become an unlikely clubbing mecca. Local promoter and artist Man Power (real name Geoff Kirkwood) has brought some of the world’s best DJs and dance music acts to King Street: Caribou, Daniel Avery, Luke Una, Roman Flügel, Prosumer, Optimo and Gerd Janson have all played on the club’s stage and sung its praises.