From Underground to Global Phenomenon: How Love to be… Shaped UK House Music Over 30 Years
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For three decades, Love to be… has been synonymous with house music excellence, shaping the UK club scene and inspiring generations of dance music lovers. What started as a weekly event in 1994 has evolved into a globally recognised brand, bringing together DJs, producers, and fans who share an unwavering passion for house music.
As co-founders, Tony Walker and Marc Dennis – aka DJ and production outfit, Trimtone – have been at the heart of this journey, curating legendary nights, building an international record label, and keeping the Love to be… spirit alive through a series of sell-out events.
Celebrating their 30th anniversary with an ambitious series of worldwide events, Love to be… has reaffirmed its place as a dominant force in the electronic music scene. From sold-out shows in Sydney with house music royalty to the triumphant launch of their first festival at The Stray in Harrogate, the brand continues to thrive by evolving while staying true to its roots.
In this exclusive interview, Trimtone reflect on the legacy of Love to be…, share their vision for the future, and reveal the secrets behind their ability to unite clubbers old and new. With global expansion, festival growth, and a landmark 100th label release ahead, the future is looking brighter than ever.
Love to be… has been a powerhouse in UK house music since 1994. What was the vision when you first started, and how has it evolved over 30 years?
Our aim was to establish a respected weekly house music event showcasing the exciting new sounds emerging from the U.S. alongside the best of the U.K.’s burgeoning superclub scene.
While the brand has grown, we’ve always remained committed to the core “Love to Be…” philosophy: delivering high-quality house music from across the spectrum with an infectious energy. This commitment is reflected in the vibrant atmosphere and the diverse crowd we attract.
You recently celebrated the 30th anniversary with 30 events across the world. What were some of the standout moments from that milestone year?
What an incredible year it has been! We’ve celebrated some significant milestones, including the two sold-out Sydney shows with Armand Van Helden and Basement Jaxx. However, the highlight has to be the launch of our first festival at The Stray in Harrogate. We initially aimed for 2,000 attendees and were thrilled when over 5,000 people joined us – a truly unforgettable moment for the entire team.
The house music scene, and Love to be… in particular, remains a strong force. What do you think has contributed to Love to be’s resurgence in recent years?
During the lockdown, we took the opportunity to refocus and develop various aspects of our brand. We successfully relaunched our record label and radio show, which has now expanded to over 100 global stations, reaching an impressive 7 million listeners weekly.
Our weekly live streams also proved to be a fantastic way to connect with new house music enthusiasts worldwide and introduce our brand to a younger demographic. It’s been wonderful to see a diverse and inclusive community grow, with new fans discovering us organically or even through their parents and now experiencing our live events.
Sheffield is home, and on 25 May you’re back at FORGE but now taking over the whole of Effingham Road for an even bigger party. Do the Sheffield events feel more special considering you’re on home turf compared to other Love to be… parties?
The Sheffield event is shaping up to be a fantastic homecoming! We’re expecting a great turnout, with many original Music Factory clubbers joining us, and it’s wonderful to see them now bringing along their grown-up kids, nieces, and nephews to experience the party.
They always bring such an electric atmosphere and a genuine enthusiasm for hearing new music, alongside the occasional classic track, of course!
Your festival in Harrogate returns in September after last year’s sell-out debut. What improvements and surprises can fans expect this time around?
We’re excited to announce some fantastic upgrades to our event. We now have a larger overall capacity, along with an expanded VIP area that will feature exclusive performances and enhanced stage production on all 3 stages.
Our main stage has been significantly improved with a huge tri-span open-sided structure, a bigger stage, and an even more impressive lighting show. Plus, we have a few surprises in store that we think you’ll really enjoy.
Beyond events, the Love to be… record label is back. We hear the 100th release is on the horizon. What can you tell us about that?
Since our relaunch, we’ve seen fantastic growth, attracting some truly talented artists and support from major artists. This year, our musical direction has evolved towards a sound that’s perfect for the dance floor, mirroring the energy of our events.
We have a mix of fresh, emerging talent joining us, alongside established icons like Todd Terry, who will be releasing music with us over the summer around our 100th release.
Love to be… brings together generations of dance music lovers. What’s the recipe from a programming perspective to cater for such a diverse crowd?
Our event lineups are thoughtfully curated, blending legendary artists with emerging house music talents who align perfectly with the Love to be… philosophy. We embrace various house genres, always maintaining an energetic vibe. This vibrant energy might be a new experience for the younger generation, but it beautifully connects people of all ages on the dance floor. We’re also pleased to say that we foster an environment where phone use isn’t a distraction.
With house music constantly evolving, how do you see Love to be… adapting in the years ahead? Any exciting plans for 2026?
We’re excited to share some updates on our progress and future plans. This summer we have some amazing dates in Greece with Yacht Week, the floating festival, Ibiza at 528 and in New York at Summerclub NYC headlined by Martin Ikin. While we continue to move the brand forwards, we remain committed to our house music roots. This foundation has allowed us to create exceptional house nights focused on quality music and a great atmosphere.
Looking ahead, we have ambitious plans for global expansion. In 2026, we’re planning a World tour alongside the continued growth of our Sheffield and Harrogate festivals and U.K dates in Manchester and Leeds with new cities to announce later this year. We’re also thrilled to be working on a new three-day festival in Malta, as well as tours across Australia, North America, and East Asia. Furthermore, the team is dedicated to building a stronger brand presence in Ibiza during the summer of 2026.
Looking back on the last three decades, and this one’s a tricky one, what’s been the most unforgettable moment in Love to be’s history?
There are a few as you can imagine but producing a festival that went way beyond our expectations last year was probably the biggest achievement in recent times. And if we are pushed, we’ll go back to the early days when Frankie Knuckles and Satoshi Tomiie played an exclusive New Year’s Eve set back at the Music Factory in Sheffield, which was a real stand out moment for the brand.
To find tickets for all events in the Love to be… 2025 calendar, visit lovetobeevents.co.uk
