Todd Terry, one of the defining figures of house music who emerged on the New York underground scene to become a Hacienda regular global dance music icon with tracks such as Something Goin’ On and Keep On Jumpin’ is embarking on a new chapter with the launch of Freeze, a unique multi-room music venue in Liverpool that’s built around one simple philosophy – bringing people together through great music.
Located on Wood Street in the Ropewalks area, formerly the site of ill-fated Manchester-HQ’d nationwide vodka bar brand Revolution, which entered administration at the turn of the year, Freeze finds Terry looking back to the roots of club culture, creating an intimate space where music lovers can disconnect from their phones, reconnect with one another and simply enjoy themselves.
“I’m trying to give vibes to the people,” Terry said. “Funk, soul, disco, house, jazz, pop, rock, whatever. I’m wanting to create something different and eclectic.”
Instead of focusing on one style of entertainment, Freeze has been designed to cater for a broad spectrum of live music and club events. The venue features an intimate DJ room, Freeze HiFi, that’s already been hosting a series of successful pop-up parties featuring some of the North West’s most respected selectors, including events from Cream and Circus DJs.
Alongside that sits Freeze Project – a larger performance space suited to live bands and acoustic shows and a sizeable underground basement built specifically for electronic music events and club nights.
“There’s a different feel in every room suitable for a wide range of events,” Terry explained. “I wanna stick to good music and where it all came from.”
For Terry, Freeze represents more than opening another venue. It is his first major venture of this kind after decades spent travelling the globe as one of house music’s most celebrated DJs: “Too many people aren’t having a good time,” he said. “I want people to drink, relax and have a good time.”
Early events at Freeze HiFi have welcomed legendary DJs including Andy Carroll, John Kelly, Graeme Park, Yousef and K-Klass – artists synonymous with uplifting dance music and unforgettable club nights.
“We’ve been having some great pop-up events with legends from back in the day… all the real feel good guys,” he said. “For the second half of the year we have a lot of surprises. We’re gonna get my guys over from the US – Kenny Dope, Lil Louis, Moodymann, Ten City…”
At a time when technology increasingly dominates nightlife, Terry wants Freeze to recreate the intimacy and authenticity that first made club culture special. Vinyl also plays an important role in the venue’s identity: “There’s a big vinyl influence,” he confirmed. “I’m tired of the New World Order, technology and everything being online – I want to get people back to the old-school, in-person intimate events.”
Although Brooklyn-born, Terry says Liverpool immediately felt like home. “There’s a joke back home about me launching this in Liverpool, saying that you guys needed a black Beatle,” he joked. “I love the city and know everyone here now. It reminds me of back in the day Brooklyn. It’s more of a little village than a city.”
Having played for Cream for many years and more recently appearing at Cream Classical, Terry has developed a close relationship with Liverpool crowds: “People love to dance here. UK crowds, and particularly Scousers, know how to have a good time and really appreciate good music. And the new venue is a great space for that.”
Despite launching the venue, Terry’s showing no signs of slowing down behind the decks and still plays over 80 events a year all round the world. He is also a regular in the studio and revealed that he is currently working on some new records with K-Klass.
While Freeze has already established itself as an exciting addition to Liverpool’s nightlife, Terry believes it can go further and that the venue’s biggest strength lies in its openness: “I wanna give thanks to everyone involved in this project. I have a great team here in Liverpool, good people. I’m open to collabs and people using the venue so get in touch.”
