Dave Clarke on Fuse club closure – “The Fuse IS Brussels and is culturally important, actually vital.”

Clarke compares Brussels institution to Ronnie Scotts and CBGBs

Dave Clarke has written an impassioned defence of Fuse, the Brussels techno club that has been froced to close after draconian sound and licensing restrictions were imposed on it.

In it, he compares the institution to other legendary venues like Ronnie Scotts and CBGBs and declares: “The Fuse IS Brussells.”

A statement on the club’s website states: “After almost 29 years of existence, Fuse has received from the Brussels Regional Administration (Brussel Leefmilieu/ Bruxelles Environnement) the immediate order to play music at a maximum of 95 dB and to close its doors at 2:00 am. It is impossible to open a club under these circumstances, so the club will remain closed from today.

The reason for this decision is the complaints from a neighbor who bought an adjacent house some years ago. Although significant isolation works have been executed, and a compromise has been intensively worked on, this hasn’t solved the issue. Fuse has introduced an appeal against this decision at the Milieucollege/ Collège d’Environnement, and a decision is expected by January 25th.

“It is very regrettable that an iconic club gathering thousands of music lovers and artists, employing 10 people during the week and 80 employees during the weekend, is put at stake because of one neighbor. It is clear that the closing of Fuse Club and the parties that it hosts also has an impact on the local economy, foreign tourism and Brussels cultural life. We call on the competent regional authorities to reverse this decision. As always, Fuse is willing to work together constructively to find a solution.

We hope for a fast and positive decision to re-open Belgium’s longest-running techno club. With this above statement in mind, we regret to inform you that this week’s and next week’s events are now canceled. All ticket holders will get a mail in the coming days and will receive a voucher.”

Clarke leant his support to the fight for the club to re-open in a recent Facebook post.

“I wish Fuse the best and hope they get through this battle ahead. They have been open for 29 years and I have worked with them since 1994, so almost since the very beginning. I was a resident for quite some time and enjoyably worked through several managers but was invited initially by Peter Decuypere (also the person who started ILT) , humble beginnings, but it was clear that the energy inside this club and the clubbers knowledge made it a legendary place. In 1997 I was asked to be part of a cross European live broadcast by the BBC (Eurodance), they asked me which club I wanted to broadcast from, I instantly choose Fuse, no thinking required, that broadcast went across to 75 million people and many still talk about it. I continued to play there, but due to a heavier international schedule played only a few times a year. It is also the place I chose to have my Birthday more than any other, lots of people travelled from Europe to be there and I have had many many special moments burnt in my mind.

“I also personally Invited Fuse to co-host my arena at Tomorrowland for two years. Simply put this club is to Techno and its development is what Ronnie Scott’s is to Jazz or CBGB’s is to Punk and Alternative music, a vitally important cultural institution that kickstarted many peoples career, a mangrove to nascent techno talent. I would even occasionally go here and club and be on the dancefloor and listen to guests or residents like Pierre and Deg. It was a place you could go anywhere musically upstairs too, sometimes I would play alternative sets. It is also extremely important to Gay Culture with its La Demence parties. I have only had one negative experience at Fuse in all these years and that was in 2022 when the manager refused to advertise or allow me to advertise my last Birthday gig until 8 days before, and I wasn’t allowed to have anyone backstage….a little lesson needed in etiquette and respect perhaps? Aside from that hiccup, and yes I felt the need to get it off my chest, I wish Thierry and his team all the best in winning this fight, The Fuse IS Brussels and is culturally important, actually vital. They survived 29 years including a pandemic and I hope they get through this. Fuse my favourite club which holds most of my fondest techno memories in my 30 + years of DJ’ing. Wishing you strength and fairness.”

Visit the club’s website to sign the petition to get the Fuse reopened