Dark Age — Launch Night at The Complex

Catalogue note

An illustrated original four-panel promotion for the first advertised Dark Age night at The Complex, High Street, Leicester, on Friday 5 February 1993, 9pm–7am. The inner spread announces the end of an earlier Rage operation and a new club management/image, and bills 17 DJs across two floors including Jumping Jack Frost, Kenny Ken, DJ SS, LTJ Bukem and Ray Keith. Its memorable speaker-guru front illustration, full line-up, £15 general / £12 member admission, free-membership coupon, postal address and contact numbers collectively document the economics, networks and presentation of regional early-1993 breakbeat-to-jungle club culture.

Advertised programme: JUMPIN JACK FROST; SY; MJP; KENNY KEN; ELLIOT | JAYZEE; BRIAN G; SS; TEMPO; MASTERSAFE; BOING; XTC | CLARKEE; KRAZY 'K'; LTJ BUKEM; STARK 'E'; RAY KEITH | Two floors advertised, but the flyer does not assign specific DJs to particular floors.

Graphic-design significance: Highly distinctive editorial/cartoony illustration of a long-bearded turbaned figure apparently manipulating tall speaker cabinets, on black front with dramatic angular 'DARK AGE' lettering; contrasting modular grey halftone pattern and bold red, blue and black type inside; repeated branded records/logos and red membership-heading. Small possible '92' illustrator signature visible but name illegible; no author asserted.

Historical context: The internal copy explicitly says 'After one whole year, Rage has unfortunately come to an end', followed by claims of new management, a new image/name for the venue and reconfiguration into a two-floor club. It describes Dark Age as a new promotion brought by people previously associated with Jungleizm, Jungle Book and Jungle Fever. Archival recordings document the venue as The Complex at Total Kaos 'Darkness the Movie' on Friday 29 January 1993, so this is a Dark Age promoter launch, not evidenced as The Complex's first event. The 17-name bill links regional and nationally prominent breakbeat/jungle DJs during a transitional period in British rave culture.

Production note: Colour illustrated outer front, blue/red/black internal type and halftone-patterned light background; precise process and paper stock unverified.

Condition note: Very Good photographic assessment: fold lies flat when opened; colours remain strong and typography legible, some slight edge/corner rubs, subtle fold/handling marks and possible scuffing to narrow edge. No major tears, paper losses, pinholes, tape, heavy staining or filled membership form visible. Not Mint.

Confidence / uncertainty: Event identity/date/time/venue, internal origin statement, 17 artist names, two floors and £15/£12 pricing are legible first-person printed evidence. Recorded archive supports independent existence of The Complex on 29 January. 'Rage' here is a named local predecessor in Leicester, not assumed to be London's differently located Rage club. Flyer shows only advertised billing; actual attendance and precise venue-management history not proven. Unmeasured dimensions, artwork, print run, rarity, and independent origin of claimed predecessor promoter brands unresolved.

Through the flyers

Explore the club-culture timeline to follow advertised dates, places and billed performers across the held flyers.

Event details are drawn from the held object and the qualified catalogue research above. A printed bill establishes an advertised booking, not confirmation that a performer appeared.