Biography
Stuart Wilkinson - Biography
Brought up in what is considered as one of the most active musical cities in the world, he has been at the forefront of Bristols clubbing elite for a while.
The past 5years has given Stuart Wilkinson something he never dreamt of, after starting his clubnight Empathy in March 2001 his feet haven’t touched the ground, the first year saw his weekly Thursday nighter held at 200 capacity Bar Latino in Bristol, later that year he was made resident at Loop, a collaboration between Hope Recordings and Empathy with guests from around the world.
Stuart was at this point being booked to play all over due to the success of Empathy, playing alongside the likes of James Holden, Hybrid, Nick Warren, Jay Tripwire, Paolo Mojo, Greg Vickers, Phil K, Desyn Masiello, Jody Wisternoff, Jonathan Lisle and many more.
Stuart also held down a residency as part of Empathy’s nights at Slinky in Bristol, at the same time Empathy was offered a residency at Indusrty55 with Stuart headlining on a bi monthly basis this was hugely successful until the venue was turned into flats after a 18month stint. Thjs also lead to a series of gigs in the week leading up to Creamfields Stuart headlined all 3 warm up gigs plus a hot mix on Europa1 radio and to finish off an incredible set in the vip tent at the festival.
This however was just the beginning of his travels with gigs at 3000 capacity Beach club in Cesme Turkey plus several appearances at the Soloclub in Aviero Portugal plus a couple of mini tours travelling to amazing gigs in Lodz and Krakov Poland. Stuarts drive and determination to make his Empathy brand into one of the leading clubbing institutions, his collaborations are ongoing with the annual Hope Christmas Parties with incredible guests such as Timo Maas, Locodice, Hyper, Mr C, Parrallel Sound, and the Hope clubnight promoted by Stuart recently started a monthly residency at Arc in Bristol and looks set to continue on a global scale with Nick Warren at the helm.
Another collaboration with Hope he helped them to celebrate their 7th Birthday boat party with Adam Freeland and General Midi, which was a incredible evening, the Empathy boat party in 2005 brought James Zabiela for what was one of stuarts favourite gigs warming up for james while the sun was shining while travelling down the river with the sun shinning on a boat full of up for it clubbers and Stuarts dad!!
In September 2005 Stuart moved his Empathy brand to the underground caverns of Timbuk2, with 2 rooms this was the perfect opportunity for Stu to flex his muscles and push the Empathy sound even further. The new monthly events were off the hook especially with Meat Katie headlining the launch, this was also a platform to show why Stuart has been in such demand in recent years playing a broad range of breaks, progressive and tech house. Stuarts aim is to always looking ahead that’s whats important especially when you have the Empathy 5th Birthday to look forward to!
Stuarts dedication to music doesn’t stop there having recently started Label7 a record label commited to electronic music and local bands expect some releases very soon and their Function nights all over Bristol.
