What it is
System165b is a project that brings together a high-end soundsystem and a curated programme of DJs, musicians and artists to perform on the system.
The soundsystem is an audiophile quality, hi-fi soundsystem, comprised of Vintage Tannoy speakers. These speakers were made in the UK in the 1960s & 70s, and were widely used by famous recording studios such as Abbey Road and EMI chosen for their superior reproduction of sound.
Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ was recorded on Tannoy monitors.
How it happened
System 165b was created by Martin Drogosz and Andrew McCay, two music and sound enthusiasts based in South-East London.
Having lived together and shared numerous listening sessions at home on a pair of Tannoy Monitor Golds, a decision was made to take it out of the house and to share it with a wider audience, following the move from it's home on 165b Deptford High Street.
The Space
We approached The White Hart - a newly re-opened, yet historic public house in New Cross, with a 3am licence in 2016. The White Hart's backroom extension held the perfect space for the soundsystem to flourish.
The project ran successfully, building a popular profile in the artistic and student community of New Cross from November 2016 to September 2018. Following residential development being approved above the space, the residency with The White Hart was cut short.
Programming & Music
The programming was focussed on inviting artists and DJs that complimented the warm nature of the sound system, as well as to create a platform for local, up and coming, and a younger generation, to perform and experience a space with a high quality sound sound system.
Musically the goal was for it to be accessible, yet alternative and non-commercial.
Behind the project
Martin has worked in the nightlife industry since 2004, programming events for venues and his own clubnights, at Corsica Studios, The Bussey Building and Glastonbury Festival.
Andrew, following studies at Goldsmiths University, was inspired to follow parties in London such as Lucky Cloud, Beauty & The Beat & Lovetoparty which focussed on using analogue sound, following the lead of David Mancusso's infamous New York Loft parties. This brought him to purchase the first pair of Tannoy Speakers, in 2005.