Barcelona's Elrow returned to London's Studio 338 on Saturday, December 12th with its Bronx-themed party. Confetti, inflatables and immersive decor brought a slice of Northern New York City with a Spanish tinge under the name El Bronx. The line-up is always kept secret save for residents such as De La Swing and Marc Maya. Mike Barnard and Ann McManus were there to find out who would get behind the decks in a DJ booth shaped like the iconic New York silver subway trains.
The dancefloor was an amalgamation of street signs, fencing and graffiti that had all the hallmarks of the Bronx with an Elrow twist.
He Said: "When Elrow landed at Mint Festival back in September, its jungle-themed tent was the jewel of the festival. The DJs played from within a tree-filled stage with branches reaching out across the crowd to create an immersive environment. With inflatables, stilt walkers and bucket loads of confetti soundtracked by party house tunes, the Leeds crowd loved it. I didn't get to see how the first London Elrow Rowshow was received at Studio 338, but going on the evidence of Mint and the fact they sold out their second ever show at the Greenwich club, I had high hopes for their vision of the Bronx.
"It was my first trip to Studio 338, which is about 10 minutes from the o2 and placed next to the southern entrance to the Blackwall Tunnel. It was a cold, dank Saturday yet, with Christmas round the corner, you felt this could be one of those day-into-night parties that kicks off the festive frolics for a lot of people. As we delved into the club on entrance, it turned out that was the view of everyone.
"When we arrived at 6.30pm the club was in full flow. Skream was on the decks drawing his set to a close with some 80s classics while we jostled for position in the elaborate main room. The DJ booth was kitted out like a New York subway train while the dancefloor was an amalgamation of street signs, fencing and graffiti that had all the hallmarks of the Bronx with an Elrow twist. The crowd were largely in on the joke with one pair of guys donning New York vests, glowing shades, an inflatable ghetto blaster and beaming smiles as they personified the mood. Another girl bumped into is with a papier-mâché Statue of Liberty headdress, we spotted a mock NYC cop and gold chains were very much en vogue.
"We bopped around to the old school tinge day from Marc Maya ahead of Dusky's beefy house (it was one of the pair's birthday so he had extra reason to celebrate), and the venue quickly became a hive of activity. Outside in the smoking area acted as the initial refuge where food stalls including Smokey Tails were on hand to provide sustenance, then upstairs opened with Tom Rio on the decks so we ventured forth to find the terrace where we chatted to fellow revellers about the impressive decor, wacky Elrow ravers and the a culture clash with the usual Studio 338 fare. Certainly the place to be was the main room where the atmosphere was always electric and Waze & Odyssey would emerge as the headliners late on to round off proceedings."
When you think you have seen it all at Elrow, you may rest assured that something even more bizarre is yet to come.
She Said: "The last minute taxi swerve into the venue must put Studio 338’s absurd positioning on the exit of the Wapping sub-Thames tunnel high on many drivers’ hate list. The disposition towards the club indoors could not have been more apart. We were welcomed on entry by a jubilant crowd jamming around a vast venue adorned with as much Bronx-themed memorabilia as the space would allow. Dancers graced the stage, accompanied by a Statue of Liberty while the surprise guest DJs spun tracks from within a mock subway train. Policemen were on patrol, ensuring that everyone was abiding by the strict rules of the night: 'have fun and keep dancing'.
"A nod to Elrow’s Spanish roots was apparent and commented on by many of the revellers, who were delighted the same energy and taste for the loca had transpired in the move across the Channel. There were a number of Spaniards in attendance, who commented on the fact that while Spain is one of the best locations in the world for a party, it is the Brits who have the stamina and willingness to go hard regardless of the line-up.
"Despite the event selling out, the line up had been kept under wraps. Skream was beginning his set as we arrived, spinning light-hearted, bouncy house tracks as beach toys were thrown around the crowd from the stage. The props made fantastic conversation starters among the crowd. A shout out is definitely due to a cheery duo dressed up as baseball players, taking song requests from fellow party goers for their inflatable transistor radio.
"Dusky followed Skream, dropping to a deeper sounds that marked it’s change with a snow cannon being fired into the rapturous crowd. Dusky stuck to their lighter tracks throughout the set, “Don’t go” getting a great response. At the same time as Dusky took the main stage, upstairs’ space, hosted by Moustashio opened up. Disco was belted out to an ever building crowd and at one point, the guns wired to the roof fell into the crowd to everyone’s delight. Yet more props for another game of make believe!
"With zap! bang! duties elsewhere, we had to tear ourselves away early. As I made my way to get my jacket from a locker behind the stage, I was demanded to stop and stay where I was. Seconds later a stream of giants (on stilts) in fabulously ornate jackets poured out from the tiny doorway. When you think you have seen it all at Elrow, you may rest assured that something even more bizarre is'yet to come."
She Said by Ann McManus. Images by Khris Cowley - Here & Now. Republished August 2026.