Shaun Roberts, the previous promoter of London nightclub Material, has died.
He handed away on Christmas Eve after being recognized with colon most cancers in 2019.
Material confirmed the information in a tribute posted to their social media. “As a staff and a household we’re devastated at your loss,” they wrote.
Roberts labored for the nightclub for 16 and a half years. He began out by serving to to advertise the venue’s launch in 1999 earlier than taking up different roles within the wider staff, later turning into a promoter. He was famend for the assistance he gave unknown DJs by reserving them to seem at Material.
“You had been the dearest good friend to us, a cherished material member of the family, skilled raver, passionate music lover, filled with energy, willpower and a lot extra,” continued the publish by Material. “We love you very a lot and you’ll at all times be a supply of inspiration.
“You paved the best way for therefore many artists that are actually on the prime of their sport and helped form material into the membership it’s at present. We’re all so grateful. We are going to miss your humour, your banter, your rants, your anarchy, your cheeky smile and all the pieces wonderful that made you, you,” the publish stated.
“Without end with us – there’ll at all times be an area for you on the Material dancefloor, and in our hearts.”
Roberts had raised over £160,000 for his most cancers remedy. Writing on his Crowdfunder, Roberts confirmed he was recognized was Stage 4 Metastatic most cancers and “my life expectancy was not good in any respect. Preliminary ideas had been that I in all probability had 18 months and any remedy can be designed to make life comfy reasonably than to treatment.”
“I went by greater than 20 rounds of fairly punchy chemotherapy, 25 periods of pelvic radiotherapy, had half of my liver lower out, three different operations on my liver, some lymph nodes chopped out, my rectum lower out (I shit you not) and a colostomy created. Oh, and I acquired a hernia too! Amazingly, all of the seen most cancers was faraway from my physique,” stated Roberts earlier than confirming it had returned. “The secret is to remain alive so long as attainable,” he added.
He completed the publish by saying “I wouldn’t be on this sorry state if I had paid extra consideration to what my physique was telling me. I put it off for ages, made excuses why I used to be too busy to get to the physician and instructed myself it might get higher. In the end that’s my fault. Please don’t be silly like I used to be. It’s scary to face it however what I’ve been by is way worse. Catch most cancers early and you’ll give your self significantly better odds of beating it.”
Tributes have since poured in for Roberts following his passing. Radio DJ Lauren Laverne tweeted: “Relaxation properly, Shaun Roberts. My coronary heart is along with your family and friends at present xxx.”
Hudson Mohawke added: “RIP Shaun Roberts. So unhappy. Lot of individuals myself included owe him an awesome deal. Accountable for lots of pivotal moments in peoples careers [and] took numerous dangers within the stuff he booked at Material. And extra importantly only a sensible man.”
Sacha Lord, the Evening Time Economic system adviser for Better Manchester, additionally paid tribute, saying that Roberts “was recognized and beloved by everybody within the trade”.
Enormously saddened by the lack of Shaun Roberts. We used to message about music typically, and even at what should’ve been very low moments, he appeared to search out nice pleasure in merely speaking about songs. Listed here are a few of his impeccable exhibits for Amateurism Radio: https://t.co/AHFvWpqAlJ
— Laura Barton (@missbarton) December 27, 2022
RIP Shaun Roberts, a Material legend and wonderful man who gave myself and plenty of others their first breaks on the membership 🫡
— Excessive Distinction (@HighContrast) December 26, 2022
RIP Shaun Roberts. Such an attractive human being. We’ve actually misplaced one 😢
— Madam X (@DJmadamX) December 26, 2022
RIP Shaun Roberts. Relaxation straightforward♥️♾️
— DJ ZINC (@djzinc) December 26, 2022
RIP Shaun Roberts. Few golf equipment performed a comparable position in shaping my development as a DJ as Material in London, and I credit score Shaun with these bookings and that imaginative and prescient. My first gig there, I used to be opening for A Man Known as Gerald. I don’t even keep in mind the yr…
— Nappin 4Tay (@atrak) December 26, 2022
RIP Shaun Roberts. Nothing however good occasions at any time when he was round. Opened the door for me to play Material for the primary time. Was instrumental in Dubstep & Grime being represented within the membership.
However initially, only a real man. He’ll be sorely missed. ❤️
— Plastician / Stish (@Plastician) December 27, 2022
Relaxation in peace Shaun Roberts of material, who appeared out for me early in my profession, and was at all times a stunning man to be round. My like to anybody near him ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JOxUv78R46
— DJ Yoda 🎧 (@DJYodaUK) December 26, 2022
Very unhappy to listen to that UK membership land has misplaced one of many nicest, most real folks, to his battle with most cancers.
Integral to @fabriclondon success, he was chargeable for creating many artists careers.
Identified and beloved by everybody within the trade.
RIP Shaun Roberts.
— Sacha Lord (@Sacha_Lord) December 26, 2022
