Clubs / News
Funeral held ahead of club’s closure
A funeral was held for Motion ahead of the imminent closure of one of Bristol’s most famous clubs.
Dressed all in black, mourners threw flowers on a coffin as it was carried around the venue before a eulogy was read by a ‘priest’.
Motion’s final day is on July 19 with The Last Dance, a “final rave for the ages” from Just Jack, due to take place from 6pm to 6am.
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Organisers behind the funeral wanted to give Motion “the send-off it deserves”, saying that Bristol “is losing an icon”.
The plan was to “mourn, celebrate and say goodbye to one of the UK’s most legendary venues”.
‘Save UK nightlife’ read one banner held up by one of the mourners while another one said ‘Not another one!?’
Motion was once voted as DJ Mag’s 11th best club in the world – photo: Martin Booth
In a dog collar, the priest said that they were gathered on Thursday evening “not in sorrow but in celebration”.
“Today, we lay to rest not just four walls in a warehouse but an icon…
“But Motion’s death isn’t an isolated tragedy. It’s part of a bigger crisis… flats rising where dancefloors once stood.”
He added: “Clubs aren’t dying from a lack of love. They are dying from being priced out and pushed out in a system that no longer values the spaces that bring us together.”
Newly built student flats overlook the club on Avon Street – photo: Martin Booth
Rest in peace, Motion – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
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