The night was originally founded as an antidote to the lack of anywhere to go in Liverpool to hear decent techno at a time when Liverpool really only offered Cream as a decent night out.

The Mardi's, as it is more often called, is well known on Merseyside as an alternative club. Indeed it is alleged that it was the first club in the city to play House. Following Voodoo's move to it's second home, Le Bateau, the Mardi's closed for a year but is now back and well under new ownership. Fridays in early 1996 offered 'No Frills', 'i/O Soundsystem' and 'Herbal Tea Party' nights all kicking to sounds from hard trance and jungle to laid back beats. A refreshing change but not running at the moment, a new start in September is eagerly awaited.

From the very first night Voodoo has been graced with the one component essential to any good club night - an excellent crowd. Often the first thing people insist on telling you about Voodoo is the unbelievably good atmosphere. The crowd is a very happy mix of alternative types from students, locals and yer average everyday techno nutters. One DJ's manager was allegedly heard to use the words "like '88" when describing the club - steady on mate!

During the early months they introduced regular DJ's such as Charlie Hall and Bounce/DIY who remain regulars right till the move to Clear. Each month seems brings a new guest, recent Voodoo debutantes Josh Wink (Feb 96), Jeff Mills (Jun 96), Carl Cox and Dave Clarke (both Jul 96).

Although attendance's were a bit unpredictable at first they ended their stint at the Mardi's with a cracking New Years Eve do at the end of 1993.

The closure of the Mardi's after this meant that new premises were required and who would have predicted how smoothly the move to Le Bateau was. Voodoo was given a new lease of life, indeed its popularity has increased phenomenally since then, i.e. get there early if you don't like queuing.

Le Bateau was, well, different. OK, the toilets won't win any awards but hey. The club had a sensible 'free water' policy, basically you shouldn't be going to clubs that refuse free water. The downstairs sound system requires expletives to describe its brilliance so you'll just have to find out for yourself - ha. The guests got the honour of playing downstairs with residents Skitch and Andy Nicholson.

At Le Bateau the music tended towards the funkier Detroit sound but anything went so long as the crowd continue to lose it in copious quantities. Steve Sheils and Secret Weapon did their more eclectic technoey thang upstairs with the small but perfectly deformed back floor. Although not as hard as the downstairs it could still give you a run for your money.

Toptechnotastic guests recently (see also our 'Guest DJ' database) have included Richie Hawtin, Robert Hood, Darren Emerson, David Holmes and Billy Nasty. Everyone has their Voodoo favourite and because I'm in charge here I'm gonna tell you mine - Richie Hawtin. However all Voodoo guests are invited to play because their shit hot techno DJ's not because they've played at this or that club.

Readers of this familair with Voodoo may be wondering 'what about Clear'. For those less familiar, Voodoo has moved to its third home Clear, part of the 051 complex. Initially the new Eden club in Liverpool was to be Voodoo's third home but this was never to be. Clear is definitely more techno and suits the purpose in hand. With the change of venue came the addition of David Holmes and Kris Needs as monthly residents and later Darren Price as the third lunar looney.

Theres no doubting Voodoo is very different now. Less queues since people arrive later due to the 3am license, only one room, more dancing and less sitting and sadly no Skitch. The music seems more varied than ever and in my opinion the beast is in the best of health. See you there soon. Check out the follow on pieces to this: 'The move to Clear, 'The first four months at Clear', and 'Chapter 2 - Voodoo gets a bit good'.

Enjoy the rest of your VirtualVoodoo (tm) experience.
Author: Bob - now mostly floorbound.