MAK10 & Friends at Ministry of Sound

South London’s legendary Ministry of Sound opened its doors to MAK10 and a hand-picked line-up of heavyweights for a full-venue takeover that proved - once again - that grime, garage, and UK funky are still at the heartbeat of London nightlife.

When MAK10 announced he was taking over Ministry of Sound with an all-star cast of friends, expectations were high - and the night didn’t disappoint. From early evening right through to closing, the South London venue was packed with energy, basslines and some of the biggest names from across grime, garage and UK funky.

Things kicked off with a warm-up that leaned into Afro-house, Amapiano and dancehall - setting a vibrant tone as the rooms filled up. Sets from Sir Vitamin S, Terminal 4 and MC Fro built the pace nicely before the tempo shifted up a gear.

By the time MAK10 hit The Box, the atmosphere flipped completely. Grime and garage took centre stage, with guests including Sir Spyro, Lady Leshurr and the one and only Wiley making appearances. It felt like a proper celebration of UK underground sounds — raw, unfiltered and true to the roots. The transitions between styles were smooth, keeping the night flowing rather than feeling like a playlist of separate sets.

Ministry of Sound remains a benchmark for club production. The sound system handled the heavy low-end without losing clarity, and lighting across the four rooms added to the sense of a full-scale takeover. At peak times the venue did get crowded - especially near the bars - but that’s par for the course at a night of this scale.

The energy was genuine. You could tell the crowd wasn’t just there for the venue — they came for the culture. Grime veterans mixed with younger fans discovering the scene in real time, creating a rare mix of nostalgia and fresh excitement. With standout moments including performances from our grime heroes including Wiley and Chip. 

Crowd flow between rooms could’ve been smoother, and drink queues got intense at times. Still, the night ran without major hitches, and security handled the crowd professionally , not always a given at a sold-out Ministry night.

“MAK10 & Friends” was a well-executed showcase of UK underground sounds in one of London’s most iconic venues. The programming was sharp, the performances strong, and the energy consistent from start to finish. It balanced legacy and relevance without feeling too nostalgic, proving that grime, garage and UK funky still translate effortlessly to a big-room setting.