Sean Johnston All Night Long

Name: Sean Johnston All Night Long
Start: 2025-02-22T22:30:00+00:00
End: 2025-02-23T03:00:00+00:00
Location: Cobalt Studios CIC

Schedule

Sat, 22 Feb, 2025 at 10:30 pm to Sun, 23 Feb, 2025 at 03:00 am

UTC+00:00

Location

Cobalt Studios CIC | Newcastle Upon Tyne, EN

Sean Johnston (Hardway Bros/A Love From Outer Space)
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Sean Johnston is a respected DJ, producer, and influential figure in electronic music, with a career spanning over 3 decades. Renowned for his eclectic DJ sets and production work, Johnston has consistently fostered a sense of community through music. In 2010, he co-founded A Love From Outer Space (ALFOS) with the late Andrew Weatherall, creating a distinctive musical ethos that serves as an antidote to the high-speed mainstream club scene. Their slowburning sound, governed by the ALFOS mantra of never exceeding 122 BPM, has resonated deeply with fans. What began as an intimate Thursday night party at The Drop in Stoke Newington has evolved into a globally celebrated phenomenon, with residencies at London’s Phonox and Glasgow’s Berkeley Suite, as well as performances at festivals like Convenanza in Carcassonne, Love International in Croatia, and is a regular fixture at Houghton.
Johnston's roots trace back to East Yorkshire, where he grew up on a farm before moving to Hull in his late teens. His early years were spent promoting shows and DJing in Hull's vibrant music scene, but it was a move to London in 1988 that saw him become immersed in the burgeoning Acid House and Balearic beat movements. Regularly attending seminal parties like Shoom, Spectrum, and Boys Own, Johnston built deep connections within the underground scene.
Drawing on a wide array of influences—from dub and post-punk to kosmische, house, and new beat—his sound has always been characterized by its diversity and depth. After Weatherall’s untimely passing in 2020, Johnston has carried the ALFOS legacy forward with integrity and dedication. During the pandemic he introduced the ALFOS Emergency Broadcast System, a series of live-streamed marathon DJ sets that have kept the ALFOS community connected during difficult times. These broadcasts attracted a global audience and have been crucial in maintaining the spirit of ALFOS when live events were paused. In addition to his work with ALFOS, Johnston is an accomplished producer under the alias Hardway Bros. His extensive production and remix portfolio includes collaborations with artists like C.A.R., David Holmes, Primal Scream, and Martyn Walsh (ex-Inspiral Carpets) on the La Ruta! project. He has also worked closely with Duncan Gray on the dub-influenced Hardway Bros Meet Monkton Uptown project. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he launched his own label, Outre-Mer, further expanding his body of work with a steady stream of original productions and remixes.
Johnston’s emphasis on community and music as a means of emotional expression has been particularly evident in recent years, as he has navigated personal and collective challenges with resilience. While ALFOS events have resumed in clubs and festivals, the ALFOS Emergency Broadcast System continues to thrive, offering Johnston a platform to champion new music and connect with listeners around the world. His influence remains profound, with ALFOS providing a space for music lovers to unite, slow down, and explore expansive sonic landscapes. Whether behind the decks, in the studio, or curating events, Sean Johnston remains a pivotal figure in the underground electronic music scene—continuing to push boundaries while honouring the rich legacy of his past.
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