Alternative Clubbing from the Legendary Jacquard Norwich
The Jacquard - A History
Early days
Originally started in the late 1960's, The Jacquard was the name of a the club itself and had a variety of venues including a room at the rear of the Mischief Tavern on Fye Bridge Street. The club was set up by Albert Cooper and his brother, who were also involved in the Jolly Butchers pub on Ber Street, another Jazz Club run by Black Anna, herself a performer of some magnitude. Eventually it outgrew these venues, the White Lion in Magdalen Street was purchased as a permanent venue to cater for the Jazz, Folk and Blues fraternity, The likes of Paul Simon and George Melly amongst many others gracing the stage.
The lease of the club was eventually sold along with the name, which the new business retained, the club continued in a similar vein, as an underground style venue.
The Jacquard Club (pictured right) was an underground jazz club in Magdalen street, in Norwich.
1979 - 1991
In 1979 a group of punks, led by Jon Fry and Jon Vince, found they had nowhere to go as they were banned from almost every club/pub in Norwich.. 'Jon Fry' had the idea that as the Jacquard, which was then a gay club, probably wouldn't be put off by the mode of dress the punks wore, indeed they may even assume punks were gay! So it was that the first 30 or so punks entered the Jacquard. It was a saturday night and they were amazed to find that there were only about 40 customers in the place, so 'Jon Fry', who was already a punk d.j. at 'the Old Woolpack', amongst other places, decided to convince 'Tony', the then manager' that if he gave them a chance they would easily pack the club out every week. Tony was convinced and sold the idea to the owner David Cogman. David backed the punks 100% and as a punk and alternative venue, a legendary club was born with 'Jon Fry' the d.j. and people from Cambridge, Kings Lynn, Yarmouth, Thetford and even London waiting outside for the 9pm opening.
With two floors the Jacquard was the first to have the option of a 'chill out' room.. if there was punk and alt' rock blaring out downstairs then you could go upstairs and chill to reggae or soul. The next step was live music and over the years bands like the 'UK Subs', 'The Meteors', 'Aztec Camera', 'Transvision Vamp', The Exploited', 'King Kurt', 'Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine', 'The Higsons', to name but a few, graced the Jacquard stage.
Musically the Jacquard was always ahead of the game, keeping up with new trends before the opposition caught on... Goth, New Romance, Electro, Reggae, Industrial, Underground music from the 60's and 70's, Madchester and even the early days of Rave. After a few years 'David Cogman' sold the Jacquard to Sandra Cupper (R.I.P.) who ran the club as before. 'Jon Fry' brought in other d.j's to share the load, including John Faircloth, the self proclaimed 'King Of The Goths', This gave the goths of Norwich their own scene which they took to with relish.
Closure
The council however had plans for a piece of wasteland opposite the club, and built a mixed social housing project, this inevitably led to complaints about noise and the die was cast... In 1991 having already survived a fire, the club finally closed it's doors for good.
In the mid 1990s the plot was sold, and the building was converted into flats.
It really should have a plaque on its wall to commemorate the passing of one of Norwich's finest underground venues. Gone but never forgotten!The Jacquard Club pictured right) was an underground jazz club in Magdalen street, in Norwich.
Resurgence
The Jacquard had the ethos of not following one style of music but going boldly in to new musical areas. The Jacquard brought everything from Bauhaus to Stone roses, Goth to reggae. It was sadly missed, and many talked about getting that atmosphere back again.
And talked...
And talked...
And finally someone did something about it!
Now, we are reviving those memories. We are putting together nights with music from the classic era of the club, and new music following the clubs ethos of finding new styles and artistes.
Our club nights are going to be exclusive and we will have original DJ's where possible and even breaking in new DJ's who have the 'Spirit of the Jacquard Club.
Whether you went to the original club on Magdalen Street or want to feel the vibes that made the club truly great please come listen and spread the word!