Ministry of Sound (Anthology): New Book Chronicles the Club’s Untold History
The story of the London nightclub Ministry of Sound will be told for the first time in a new 416-page hardcover book titled Ministry of Sound: Anthology. It documents the club’s formative years and explosive growth through rare archival material, unseen memorabilia and is delivered via a collection of first-hand accounts from key figures in dance music culture.
Written and designed by Grammy-nominated creative director Simon Moore and published by renowned publisher Rizzoli New York, the book traces Ministry of Sound’s evolution from its origins in the early 1990s, inspired by a combination of New York clubs, including Paradise Garage and the UK rave scene, through to its emergence as one of the most influential institutions in global dance music culture.
“Before starting this book, I believed the story of Ministry of Sound was one of the most remarkable in British music culture and deserved to be told in full for the first time. The reality proved even more extraordinary. Through hundreds of hours of interviews, I heard first-hand accounts of passion, ambition, chaos, money, drugs, gangs and, above all, a deep love of music. Together they reveal how a club built inside a derelict warehouse in a forgotten corner of South London went on to transform countless lives and leave a permanent mark on British dance music culture.” – Simon Moore, author of Ministry of Sound: Anthology
Drawing from more than two years of research, the book compiles material sourced from private collections, photographers’ archives, second-hand shops and online stores, much of which has never been published before. The book features recollections from figures closely tied to the club’s history, many speaking for the first time, including the founders, staff members, clubbers and DJs Paul Oakenfold, David Morales, Carl Craig, Moby, Princess Julia, Pete Tong, Steve Angello and Honey Dijon, among many others.
“I’m delighted with the book. Simon has done an excellent job of capturing not just the history of Ministry of Sound, but the emotional connection so many people have with the club and the brand. Everyone has a Ministry story, so to see the very best of them brought together in one place is pretty special.” – Caitlin McAllister, Managing Director, Ministry of Sound.
It also revisits pivotal moments in the club’s history, from its early days operating without an alcohol licence as what founder Justin Berkmann described as an “underground juice bar,” through to performances from artists including Frankie Knuckles, DJ Harvey and Underworld.
Spanning more than three decades of club culture, the book brings together photography, flyers, posters, record sleeves and oral histories to document Ministry of Sound’s role in shaping house music culture in London and beyond, while preserving the story of a pre-digital era that helped define modern nightlife. Ministry of Sound: Anthology will be published on 20 October 2026 in hardcover format.
