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DJ Mag Top100 Clubs
47
Fuse
8

Whilst sexier and slinkier than ever, there is no disputing that techno has lost some of the spirited fuck-you rebellion that charged its more formative, less corporate days when fiercely independent labels like Underground Resistance and Belgium's R&S were leading the initial charge.

But the anti-corporate techno ideologies are alive and raging at Fuse - the Brussels techno touchstone situated in the rundown streets of the city's St Gilles quarters (Rue Blaesstraat 208) that has been running since 1994.

An underground sweatbox run by ex-punk rockers, Fuse has never once bent with any passing winds and remains uncompromised in its dedication to presenting the most honest and intense techno on the planet - always pushing forward into techno's ever-breaking frontiers but never deviating from its original core ethos.

With an industrial unassuming exterior, the hallowed walls of Fuse regularly play host to label nights from Richie Hawtin's M-Nus, Ellen Allien's BPitch Control and Steve Bug's Poker Flat, whilst Sven Väth anoints the venue as the final stop on his annual Cocoon tour. Romanian Raresh, Joris Voorn, Johnny D, Jerome Sydenham, Loco Dice and Len Faki have all played the venue in the past 12 months.

But by far Fuse's most enlivened supporter is the UK's outspoken techno enigma Dave Clarke, whose 1999 'Fuse Presents…' remains one of techno's most classic mix CDs.

Despite largely dropping off the touring DJ circuit, Clarke still makes time to re-connect with Fuse's electric atmosphere around five times every year, which shows just how magnetic this place is for those that surrender to it. Last September Clarke even chose the club to host his birthday night as he DJed alongside DJ Hell.

And like every big night at Fuse, the entry price was just €5 before midnight, €10 after - testament to the venue's punters-first values.

"It cares - simple as that," says Clarke on the club he enjoys a long-standing love affair with. "The crowd that come are always open-minded, enthusiastic and a bit crazy and the club doesn't bother with trends - it is just about good music and good heart.

"When money comes in the door a lot of clubs change, a lot of promoters change, they forget where they came from and that is what ultimately causes their demise. But Fuse is run by a solid group of people that have been there for years with the objective of giving and not ripping off. That, for me, is a business model for longevity."

Casting further resonance on Clarke's impassioned words, the club will celebrate its 15th birthday on Saturday 25th April, when Adam Beyer, Anthony Rother, Ricardo Villalobos, Marc Houle, Monika Kruse, Raresh, Magda and - of course - Clarke himself will play the epic anniversary party.

"The energy there still blows me away," adds Clarke. "It's like playing a temple that celebrates music. I watch my hands at Fuse and they are working without any instruction from me. It's a place where instinct runs free."