When Riley Davies started posting freestyle rap videos as ArrDee from his Brighton bedroom during the pandemic, he didn’t know where it would take him. Since then, his unique blend of rap, garage, and bassline has gained a huge amount of traction, with viral tracks like ‘Cheeky Chappy’ helping him amass a huge TikTok following, which now stands at a cool 1.8 million.
As the 21-year-old’s career rapidly took off over the next couple of years through a string of hit singles and collaborations, one sweat-drenched Brighton club became something of a sanctuary amid the whirlwind. The Arch, a no-frills rave venue on the city’s seafront, kept the rapper grounded in his roots and connected to the local scenes that first inspired his sound.
Now an internationally touring artist and with a new drum ’n’ bass collaboration with K Motionz and Riko Dan dropping on May 24, ArrDee still looks to The Arch as a vital part of Brighton’s cultural fabric. As he tells us, The Arch is the antithesis of the VIP nightlife he’s increasingly exposed to – and that’s exactly why he loves it.
‘The Arch is right on Brighton’s promenade, opposite the famous pebble beach. From the street, it’s pretty unassuming – just a door leading into what was once an archway under the road. But head downstairs and you enter a long, low-ceilinged room centred around the DJ setup, with a little balcony area if you want some space from the dance floor heave.
‘Other Brighton clubs can feel quite studenty, playing pretty basic playlists of cheesy classics. But The Arch is a proper raver’s paradise, loved by the local drum ’n’ bass and house music heads. As soon as the club fills up, the DJ knows it’s time to drop those driving beats and basslines to get the crowd bouncing.
‘It’s a no-frills kind of place: dark, hot, and sweaty. You’re there to completely immerse yourself in the music, not pose for photos. And that’s what I love about it. The crowd is full of proper music fans who just want to rave and let loose, not worry about keeping up appearances.
The crowd is full of music fans who want to let loose, not worry about keeping up appearances
‘I first went to The Arch when I was 18 and Fatboy Slim played two charity gigs there. Tickets were just £10 and the atmosphere was electric. It was my first proper clubbing experience after the pandemic, and blew my mind to see a legend like him in such an intimate space.
‘As an up-and-coming artist, you so often get shuffled into the whole VIP world of bottle service and private booths, which is fun but also pretty removed from the actual club experience most people have. That’s why I love The Arch – it keeps me grounded. I can just go and rave with the locals, no airs and graces.
‘The dance music scenes in Brighton are so vibrant and The Arch is key to keeping that spirit alive. Other clubs are just playing pop playlists. For proper heads like me who want to rave until 6 am, there’s nowhere else like it.’
ArrDee's new single ‘Heavyweight’ with Kmotionz & Riko Dan is out on May 24.