MAKINA: The Sound of the North East

From stories of away days visiting high street shops for sportswear to frequenting local clubs and importing their music, the way the UK brought fashions from the continent from the ‘80s up into the ‘00s has become legendary. One such import was Makina, a hardcore techno style from Valencia that developed out of ‘80s acid house, evolving into bouncy, trance-driven 180 BPM whirlwinds. By the mid-90s, British DJs like Scott and Matrix were importing it en masse to the Northeast, where it went from a hyper-positive, almost cheesy pop style of Spanish dance music into the musical backing for MCs all over the region, eventually being dubbed ‘the grassroots youth culture of the North East’.

Once established, it took over local clubs, becoming a mainstay in now-mythical spaces like the New Monkey in Sunderland, which became a youth hub. Adolescents from all walks of life poured in every week for an atmosphere where it didn’t matter where you came from, as one party goer said, “whether you’re straight, gay, black, white, whatever, it’s an accepting scene”. This was evident in the crowds and in the fashion, while other scenes were enforcing strict dress codes. Makina raves were relaxed, and would let in youth in their sportswear. Brands like Lacoste dominated the uniforms of many a Makina fanatic through polos, track jackets, rugby shirts, and caps. This permissiveness made Makina a crucial respite, creative outlet, and emotional grounding for youth culture in the NorthEeast.

The New Monkey was perhaps the last remnant of 90s rave culture before it was shut down in 2006, in what many feared would be the death knell of Makina; yet, it has persisted through artists like MC Tazo, DJ Schak,  Ben Hemsley, Ben Nicky, and Patrick Topping. A fact that's attributed to the non-commercial attitude of the style, Makina endured because no one got into it for the money - it was always about community, not commerce.

The END. x Lacoste 'Arcade' collaboration is available online and in all END. stores now, with the first 100 in-store purchases receiving a free gift created and designed by clay sculptor and animator, William Child.