Will Coldwell 

‘It sounded like Fabric was upstairs’ – Airbnb rental used for all-night party

Airbnb upsets the neighbours again in the week it launches ‘intimate’ music experiences project
  
  

Crowd at Fabric nightclub.
Make some noise … a crowd at Fabric nightclub, London Photograph: Rex

An Airbnb rental was turned into a pop-up nightclub last weekend, for a 200-person party that sleep-deprived neighbours compared to London nightclub Fabric. It’s awkward timing for the home-sharing site, which this week launched its “music experiences” project, which encourages hosts to hold events in their homes.

The one-bedroom flat in Canonbury, north London, was kitted out with a sound system for the DJs, while bouncers stopped anyone without a ticket getting in.

“It sounded like Fabric was upstairs,” said one neighbour according to a report in the Islington Gazette. “It was just the constant bass thud.”

Airbnb launched its new music experiences concept – an extension of Airbnb experiences, which began in late 2016– on 8 March with a show from Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé in east London.

“Music is an incredible way to bring people together,” said Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, explaining that the company wants “to give people access to exclusive and immersive music events – from intimate live performances, special pop-up gigs, underground music sessions and meeting local artists and performers.”

The party in Canonbury, which took advantage of the site to book a venue for an all-night rave, was probably not the kind of gig the Airbnb co-founder had in mind, however.

“There was a microphone and professional speakers,” another neighbour was reported as saying. “I’ve got a pretty good sound system in my house and it was better than that.”

Despite seeming impressed with their PA, he was less happy with the tune selection: “It was horrible music – the worst night’s sleep ever.”

The party eventually concluded at 6am, after being visited by council workers and the police. Officers arrived at 3am but chose not to evict the revellers because of safety concerns over the numbers involved.

In a statement, Airbnb said: “We have zero tolerance for this kind of behaviour. We are supporting the host and have removed the guest from Airbnb.”

Still, it’s not the first time an Airbnb rental has been used in this manner. We have previously reported on homes being overrun by drunk 18-year-olds, all-night cocaine sessions and “drug fuelled orgies”.

Then again, perhaps this latest rave is a sign that, as the capital’s nightlife spaces continue to close, promoters are having to get more creative when it comes to finding a venue.

  • This article was updated on 10 March 2017 to include Airbnb’s statement.
 

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