On any given Saturday night in New Brighton’s Victoria Quarter, there’s a buzz you can feel before you even step through the door of The James Atherton. Inside, the dancefloor is alive and filled with an unmistakable sense of nostalgia. At the centre of it all is Laura Love, a DJ whose journey has taken her across the world and right back to where it all began.
CATCH LAURA LOVE ON SATURDAY NIGHTS AT THE JAMES ATHERTON IN NEW BRIGHTON
Laura’s story starts in Wallasey, where her passion for music began long before she ever touched a set of decks. As a schoolgirl, she would sketch pictures of herself DJing — an early sign of the path she was destined to follow. At 19, she left the Wirral to explore the world, immersing herself in vibrant music scenes in Ibiza, Bali, Egypt and across the Middle East.
Her big break came in 2002 while running Bar Zero back in Liverpool. With turntables on site and guidance from resident DJ Alan Mcc, Laura quickly honed her craft and within just three months of DJing she went to Ibiza to pursue her dream of being a DJ in the global epicentre of dance music — much like a country singer heading to Nashville.
CATCH LAURA LOVE ON SATURDAY NIGHTS AT THE JAMES ATHERTON IN NEW BRIGHTON
There, she played for world-renowned brands and venues including Ministry of Sound, Plastic and Hush, earning a reputation as one of the island’s rising stars. In 2005, she was voted Best Up & Coming DJ in Ibiza, cementing her place on the international stage. Back home, she’d play at some of Liverpool’s most iconic venues, including hosting events at the legendary Garlands nightclub — a name that still resonates with clubbers today.
CATCH LAURA LOVE ON SATURDAY NIGHTS AT THE JAMES ATHERTON IN NEW BRIGHTON
Laura recalls: “They were incredible times and there were several ‘pinch me’ moments. I DJed at Ministry of Sound and Hedkandy events and the famous Pukka Up boat parties. I was one of the few female DJs on the scene in Ibiza in a male-dominated industry. It was very exciting and I have memories that will stay with me forever.”
She continues: “I also held residencies and performed in major venues around the world such as Society Lounge in Doha, MINT club in Bali where I was also creative director, Paperazzi in Poland and Bahrain hotspots like Sky Bar and Black Velvet. It was a dream come true — travelling the world and sharing line-ups with some of the biggest names in global dance music. I look back on it all and it’s still quite surreal.”
CATCH LAURA LOVE ON SATURDAY NIGHTS AT THE JAMES ATHERTON IN NEW BRIGHTON
After the birth of her son, Laura chose to step away from the fast-paced international scene, settling into a quieter life in Pembrokeshire for eight years. But the pull of music — and home — never faded. Now back on the Wirral, Laura has returned not just as a DJ, but as a driving force in the local scene. As General Manager of Rockpoint Records and The James Atherton, she’s helping shape a fresh cultural energy in New Brighton’s growing Victoria Quarter.
CATCH LAURA LOVE ON SATURDAY NIGHTS AT THE JAMES ATHERTON IN NEW BRIGHTON
Since taking up her residency at The James Atherton, Laura has transformed Saturday nights into something special. Her sets — blending uplifting house, funk, soul, and disco — have struck a chord with a crowd hungry for feel-good music and authentic clubbing experiences.
There’s a clear influence from her Garlands days: a welcoming, high-energy atmosphere where everyone feels included. The nights now attract a slightly older crowd, many drawn by the nostalgia of classic club sounds — but also by the quality and warmth of the experience.
CATCH LAURA LOVE ON SATURDAY NIGHTS AT THE JAMES ATHERTON IN NEW BRIGHTON
“It’s about creating a vibe,” Laura explains. “A space where people can come together, feel safe, and just enjoy the music. The feedback has been amazing and the nights have become a safe, vibrant space for the LGBTQ community, echoing the spirit of the venues that shaped my early career.”
CATCH LAURA LOVE ON SATURDAY NIGHTS AT THE JAMES ATHERTON IN NEW BRIGHTON
Laura’s journey from a young girl sketching dreams in Wallasey to becoming Laura Love — an internationally recognised DJ — has now come full circle. But this isn’t a story about slowing down. It’s about evolution, connection and bringing world-class energy back to a local dancefloor. And if the packed Saturdays at The James Atherton are anything to go by, New Brighton is more than ready to dance along.
CATCH LAURA LOVE ON SATURDAY NIGHTS AT THE JAMES ATHERTON IN NEW BRIGHTON
Recent photos courtesy of Kirsty Duff
