Think Friday night in the desolate setting of the queue for Beaver Works. Think girls in flower print flares with an aptitude for creative use of glitter. Think eccentric décor and ambitious uses of space. Think groovy themes and even groovier sets and what may, hopefully, come to mind is the events of the ever-popular Good Life.

Slightly embarrassing introductions aside, Good Life is quickly becoming an ever expanding spectacle. From its self-professed ‘humble’ beginnings at the now closed Full Circle event space in Leeds, Good Life has now grown to host events at university towns across the country and even its very own festival.

But how does Good Life stay relevant in the ever-competitive world of events? The answer is range and innovation. Although events by the likes of Flux and High Rise have a certainty in their genres that makes the appeal constant and reliable, Good Life seems to stray away from committing to a niche. Instead the choice is to appeal to a wider section of the club scene, in a way that is not necessarily commercialised, but more a conscious move to make the brand available for any reveller that may wish to attend.

The style of themed events such as the Bollywood Boogie, Caribbean Carnival and Summer of Love mean that each party is different. The decoration is always outlandish and transformative, and the line up funky and broad. Fools Paradise Festival last September housed the like of Jungle and Fatman Scoop, as well as that of AJ Tracey and Ghetts, and past lineups at Beaver Works have included General Levy, Toddla T and Grandmaster Flash. The range of acts is clear. In terms of novelty, also, past events have had cinemas, massages on offer and rooms filled with pillows for when it all gets too much.

Good Life has expanded to host events in London, Exeter, Bristol and more recently Cardiff. Exploration into different territories has also included the so-called ‘Secret House Party,’ entry to which had to be won by process of ‘email raffle’ after downloading an app. I was lucky enough to manage a place on the guest list, and although I’m not wishing to give too much away, the alternative event certainly provided a funky array of UV lighting, flower garlands and a graffiti filled basement of grime. Perhaps more of this intrigue and grungy mystery is what Good Life needs in Leeds to keep the interest of students who have completed the rounds and are looking for something new.

Amelia Whyman