Labrynth / 2000 AD Productions — Desire ’92

Catalogue note

Original A4 single-sheet colour/monochrome double-sided promotional poster/flyer for 'Desire ’92' by Labrynth / 2000 AD Productions on Saturday 25 April 1992, 10pm–8am at Tasco Warehouse, 138–140 Nathan Way, Plumstead, SE28. Introduces the 'first chapter' of the Desire ’92 event tour following the 1991 'Every Picture Tells a Story' events. Orange/green psychedelic raised-hand portrait contrasts with detailed reverse advertising DJs Adrian Age, Kenny Ken, Vinyl Matt, Billy Bunter, Easy Mo, DJ Unity, Roger Johnson and Lloyd Anthony, £12 members/£15 nonmembers, sound/lighting innovations and directions. London Museum holds an independently catalogued same-event 1992 handbill (96.15/43) and contemporary Ravescene Magazeen confirms the event listing. Folds/edge wear documented and no artist attribution invented.

Advertised programme: ADRIAN AGE; KENNY KEN; VINYL MATT; BILLY BUNTER; EASY MO; D.J UNITY; ROGER JOHNSON; LLOYD ANTHONY. Printed order preserved. No live PAs advertised. Billy Bunter is linked to the established Billy Daniel Bunter person; Kenny Ken to his existing person authority. None of the lesser billing is forced into unverified same-name authority matches.

Graphic-design significance: The illustrated face deploys saturated orange-red and olive/lime-green hues, coarse halftone/screenprint-like textures and a cropped, long-haired moustachioed figure with raised palm and ornamental dress. It draws on psychedelic/spiritual poster aesthetics, distinct from the sci-fi imagery in many contemporary rave designs. The reverse uses largely black typographic hierarchy, candid promoter narrative, star dividers, sound/lighting offer, graded membership pricing and a simple hand-drawn access map rather than a huge lineup grid. The person pictured and designer are not named and must not be attributed without evidence.

Historical context: In 1992 Labrynth / 2000 AD Productions were moving from 1991 'Every Picture Tells a Story' programmes into their 'Desire ’92' run, described on this item as the 'first chapter' at the Tasco Warehouse in Nathan Way. An April 1992 Ravescene Magazeen listing independently advertised that precise event; a surviving specialist chronology documents later 23 May, 13 June and 18 July Desire ’92 nights as subsequent campaign episodes. The back calls the venue a legal/licensed warehouse and claims to be London's biggest and loudest; this is period advertising, not independent verification of licensing or comparative scale. It explicitly distinguishes the venue from marquee, roller rink, ice rink and sports centre: revealing how organisers defined warehouse authenticity. Claims about Harwell 30K quadrophonic sound, lasers, lighting, platforms, UV effects, security and amenities similarly document anticipated production, not certified installations. The advertised line-up includes Kenny Ken and Billy Daniel Bunter alongside lesser-documented DJs. A separately catalogued same-event handbill is accessioned by London Museum as object 96.15/43.

Production note: Full-colour printed front and grayscale/black-on-white information back, paper stock. Exact printing technique, paper weight and original printer unknown.

Condition note: Distinct horizontal fold crossing the lower-middle portrait and reverse event narrative. Slight paper waviness, light handling folds, speckles/surface rubs, small edge/corner nicks and minor dark print marks are visible, notably at edges and the bright front. Bold front colours remain well preserved, reverse text and map substantially complete/legible; no major missing corner, substantial paper loss or large tear apparent. Exact crease depth, reverse show-through, hidden surface repairs and physical measurement need in-hand inspection.

Confidence / uncertainty: Date, promoter, event title, 'First Chapter' narrative, bill, 10pm–8am schedule and differential ticket prices are visible on the original. Original locality is spelled 'Plumpstead', while London Museum, Ravescene, postcode and established TMR Tasco records use 'Plumstead'; preserve source spelling but normalise public location. A4 is owner-reported; London Museum independently measures its separate same-event example at 297 × 210 mm, not necessarily this exact physical issue variant. Distinct 1992 2000 AD 'Desire' later events and 1994/1995 programmes are not duplicate physical objects. London Museum's public record does not resolve visual variant or named illustrator. No inferential identification of the illustrated person or connection to religious figures. Claims about 1991 tour successes, venue licence, crowd size, production rig and effects are contemporary promotional language, not independently certified.

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.