02/08/2025
A brief history of Totally ‘Ardcore…
In 2002, 6 months after being a resident at Castros Nightclub in Bristol, Miss Special K was approached by the owners to see if she would like to run a hardcore event.  In November 2002 the first ever Totally ‘Ardcore took place with Vibes and Live Lee headlining.  No one was really expecting it to be anywhere near as successful as it was, with the club full to capacity from the start and a queue of people still waiting to get in on a ‘one in and one out’ basis at 6 am for the downstairs after party! What turned out to be a one off event quickly became a monthly event at the club playing host to all of the top DJs and MCS on the hardcore scene, as well as up-and-coming artists from all over the country.
After several successful years and dozens of events, Totally Ardcore was firmly on the map, then… unfortunately, the club closed down and a much needed break was taken.
By this point Miss Special K was teaching full-time and struggling to find time to bring the event back, when along came Craig O’Brien, a regular at the event who was extremely keen to offer his help in any way he could. With a new promotion team in play, it was time for the brand to find a new home.
Initially, Totally ‘Ardcore moved to the Warehouse in Bristol, but upon closure the brand moved onto Blue Mountain, before moving to the legendary Motion for a couple of years, and then onto the Black Swan, back to Blue Mountain and more recently onto Basement 45. Each event hosted multiple rooms, so other genres such as old skool, techno and hard dance could be incorporated. In between, Totally ‘Ardcore was also asked to run rooms at events including Dreamscape, Fantazia, Marc Smith’s Birthday Stomp and at Tall Trees in Newquay.
No matter where we went one thing was always guaranteed…an electric atmosphere which wowed everyone who played and had numerous headliners stating it was their ‘favourite event of the year’. Priding ourselves on going that extra mile, each event had a theme, a wacky flyer, custom made UV decor by our in-house artist Trip, and an amazing dedicated team of friends who quickly became like family. We weren’t the biggest event around, but we were certainly one of the most talked about!!
There have been so many standout events over the years, but returning to Castros and then having Force and Styles play at our 10th birthday celebrations it’s up there with the best of them! And of course, we always had the best ravers on the planet attending!!
We were so hopeful that the event would return in 2022 to celebrate our 20th birthday officially, but unfortunately health and family ment this just was not to be!
But one thing now is for sure…
 We have found an amazing new venue and a have date is confirmed, with more information to be shared over the next few weeks. So spread the word, standby, and keep your eyes peeled.
 WE ARE BACK BABY!!!
TOTALLY ‘ARDCORE - The belated 20th birthday celebrations
(This one will be in memory of our longest standing MC - ANGEL who sadly passed away earlier this year.)
