Photo: Martin Henningsson
In August Gago Cuk announced that he had taken over the role of nightclub director at Södra Teatern. And a month later it was announced that he would be joined by Max Lindevall from F12 Terrassen. We spoke to them about how they plan to take Södran’s nightlife forward.
How does it feel?
It feels fantastic to start at Södra Teatern. We couldn’t have asked for a better location, venue and staff to work with. Every day we get more and more inspiration. There are few places in the city that have as much potential as Södran, and we’re looking forward to maximising that potential.
You’re both coming to this job well-known from popular clubs. What will you take from those clubs to Södra Teatern and what will you leave behind?
First and foremost a lot of experience, and a big network of contacts. We have learned what works well and what works less well, with regards to production, booking and the general atmosphere. We happily leave anything negative behind us, and focus only on the present and the future. We’re going to create magic together with our fantastic creators and soldiers, all over the enormous Södra Teatern house.
Why do you believe that Södra Teatern chose you?
Belief belongs only in church, haha. Ingmari Pagenkemper (Södra Teatern’s artistic director) chose us because we love what we do and we’re very good at it. We think that it might also have been because we come from similar backgrounds… we have experience of everything from small bars, clubs, and restaurants to massive productions, and when you think about all of Södran’s bars and dancefloors, and Kägelbanan, the restaurant, AND Mosebacketerrassen, then we fit perfectly.
What can we expect?
We don’t want to reveal too much, but you can trust us when we promise super good bookings and a great atmosphere. We going to experiment and work a lot, and challenge Stockholm’s club life. We’re like two kids on Christmas Eve, the opportunities at Södran are endless.
Last spring the decision was taken to pause some hip-hop clubs at Södra Teatern after a series of problems with harassment [Södra Teatern paused several clubs which they said had developed a problem with harassment in their audiences until they could find a solution to the problem]. Will you continue with that decision?
We are new and we can see what can work. We’re going to book the music and the clubs we like. They can be hip-hop, they can be something else.
How is your dynamic as a duo?
We are extremely passionate, maybe a little too passionate sometimes. We are different, but have lots of fun and share a lot of our vision. Of course, sometime our passion and our differences mean that we have falling-outs, usually (always) over some dumb shit that doesn’t really matter. It happens easily when people work so tightly and intensively together – but we know that in the end that’s the reason that lets us create so many superb experiences.
Södra Teatern is one of the city’s most varied nightclubs. What’s the secret behind drawing a varied public, but managing to keep a coherent identity as a venue?
If we told you it wouldn’t be a secret anymore, haha! But there are many basic reasons. Creating a pleasant, but exciting environment comes from our values. The focus is always that people feel welcome, safe, and that they have a great time. When you have these things in place, it’s almost not so important what we book or what the music is.
Can you share a little of what’s coming up?
No, it’s going to be a surprise. We’re booking at maximum capacity, everything from clubs, different forms of release party, private parties and big club nights. The best thing about Södran is that you constantly get a variety of experiences. Just keep an eye on what’s on the website and on Södran’s social media, that’s all we’ll say!
This article first appeared in Nöjesguiden
