In April 1994, in the heart of Brussels, Belgium, an institution emerged that forever changed the city's culture and appreciation of dance music. Founded by visionaries Peter Decuypere and Thierry Coppens, Fuse was faced with the challenge of birthing a new scene and culture in Belgium, one that was yet to take root but was realized to have untapped potential. Initially, Fuse saw extreme difficulties filling the club, and although huge names were getting booked, the club's progress was relatively static. Losing nearly $10,000 a month, Fuse was on the brink of shutting its doors for good when it started filling up out of nowhere - and it has yet to be empty since.
FUSE
Source: thebulletin.be
With a spacious techno hall occupying the lower level and a more intimate house room nestled upstairs, Fuse's distinctive dual-space layout posed a unique challenge. Initially, the crowds tended to shy away from the techno room, prompting the club's decision to shutter the house room. This change of musical focus assisted in educating and allowing audiences to experience what techno was all about. All attendees at Fuse were now able to let loose from their working lives and immerse themselves into the techno world. Brussels local Arnaud Roobaert, who discovered Fuse as a teenager, has since seen direct involvement within Fuse behind the decks while also handling some of the club's backend logistics. While his memories within the walls of Fuse are endless, one stands out to him distinctly. Roobaert states, "I played here on New Year 2012, a peak-time slot in the main room. All of a sudden, I felt a tap on my shoulder in the booth. It was Tom Boonen, who is a Belgian world cycling champion. Apparently, he loves techno. He went down on both knees and said, 'Thank you, man! you're my hero!' I took off my headphones and was like, 'Tom Boonen?'" Boonen had just won the Paris-Roubaix cycling race. "Everyone in the country knew who he was, except for the people who go to Fuse. That's probably why he likes to party here!" Fuse now had its much-deserved recognition all across Europe, where everyone confined between its walls now shared the same purpose - enjoying the music.
Source: Brussels.com
Today, Fuse is recognized for its top-tier programming showcasing some of the world’s best DJs and live acts. Charlotte De Witte, Richie Hawtin, DJ Stingray 313, Ben Klock, and Joris Voorn, just to name a few, all highlight Fuse’s strategy while always staying true to their foundation. In 2019, fuse boss Oliver Ramoudt stated, “We have always had a very solid formula, and we never deviate from our programming. When trance and drum’ n’ bass were hot, we didn’t join that trip… It isn’t all techno, of course.”
Source: Brussels.com
Unfortunately, tragedy would strike for Fuse when the Brussels government notified them that their doors would forcefully be closed after 29 years of operations. After many complaints from neighboring residents, the government decided to take action, siding with the neighbors and making the closure notice immediate. On January 12th, 2023, Fuse would announce their closure on Instagram, gaining worldwide attention from the most prominent names and gaining 65,000 signatures on a petition launched by The Brussels By Night Federation. Fuse would then announce two weeks later, on January 25th, that the club could re-open for two years under very strict conditions. Fuse stated, "The music levels during the first and last hours now even have to be reduced to levels lower than 95dB… Fuse has been saved from immediate closure. However, the club, its many visitors, artists, and employees remain in uncertainty as the threat to Fuse in particular and club culture in Brussels at large still persists." As Fuse continues searching for a new permanent home, appreciation, and reflection are needed to realize the club's role in developing the music scene in Belgium and across the continent of Europe. Joris Voorn said it best - "It's one of the best clubs in Europe, if not the best one, it's the people that run the club." The ambiance and feel that so many gained from a night out between Fuse's walls is something to always be remembered, no matter what the future holds.
Unfortunately, tragedy would strike for Fuse when they were notified by the Brussels government that their doors were forcefully going to be closed after 29 years of operations. Fuse stated, “The music levels during the first and last hours now even have to be reduced to levels lower than 95dB… Fuse has been saved from immediate closure. However, the club, its many visitors, artists, and employees remain in uncertainty as the threat to Fuse in particular and club culture in Brussels at large still persists.”