Ten Cities: Clubbing in Nairobi, Cairo, Kyiv, Johannesburg, Berlin, Naples, Luanda, Lagos, Bristol, Lisbon 1960 – March 2020
Edited by Johannes Hossfeld Etyang, Joyce Nyairo and Florian Sievers [Spector Books]
It doesn't take long to find a striking passage in the preface of Ten Cities: “Club cultures create free spaces that can be laboratories for future societies, laboratories for experimentation with attitudes and ways of life, which slowly permeate into wider society and may even, at some point, determine the mainstream.” Spanning eight decades, Ten Cities is a collection of 21 essays exploring the history of numerous global cities' club cultures, with authors, journalists, historians, music collectors, and activists offering fascinating insights and forensic context.
Set against backdrops of war, political unrest, and rapidly changing societies, this collection puts the power of music and community into perspective. While admittedly a hefty undertaking due to its level of detail, the pay-off is immense; the essays and photography remind us that looking to the past can help us navigate the present. If you’re looking for a comprehensive overview of club culture that focuses on rarely-highlighted scenes, Ten Cities is an inspiring read.