“Electronic music has always been a forward-facing, inclusive community,” says Will Harold of LWE, the promoters behind London-based festivals such as Junction 2, Abode In The Park and elrow Town, and vast all-day licenced raves at prestigious venues such as Tobacco Dock. “As we look to a new alternate future, we need the government to recognise the important role we play as an industry. We’ve been viewed in the wrong way, perceived with an antiquated idea of clubland as the underbelly of society, rather than the dynamic modern industry it has become today.”

There’s been much made of the financial lifeline hopefully on its way to save theatres, museums and galleries, but the national imagination doesn’t seem able to comprehend that nightclub culture may encompass anything more than crummy sticky-floored pick-up joints. Money needs to be dedicated specifically to this sector, which will likely still be forcibly closed well after the furlough scheme winds down.

“Music venues aren’t financially viable unless they’re 80% full, which is clearly not possible while COVID restrictions are in place,” says Steve Ball, CEO of Columbo Group, who operate some of London’s most renowned venues including the Jazz Café, Camden Assembly and Blues Kitchen, all here in Camden. “Without further government support, the vast majority of our music venues will go bust,” he adds.  This reality isn‘t just a plea from yet another lockdown-beleaguered industry to save their jobs, it’s a wake-up call about the future of our cultural fabric. “What makes the situation worse,” continues Steve, “is that it’s incredibly challenging to set up a music venue due to the licensing and planning rules, so once these places are gone, they’re gone.”

The Great British Public need to have a think about the future they want, too, and proactively seek it. The nighttime economy can have an important role in keeping our high streets alive, which is going to be more urgent than ever right now, but some people will have to get over the fact that survival of town centres means more late night food, drinking and dancing in the place of redundant department stores and book shops. The urge to quash the party spirit when it looks like other people are having a bit too much fun is always strong, but COVID must not be used as a supercharged excuse to kill the music. Years of risk-averse rulings have already sanitised much of the edge from the all-night dance experience – there really is no further to go in that direction. Instead, there’s an opportunity to turn things around, and start to respect the important cultural role of the night, the good things it does, and can be used to stimulate, if nurtured.

The horror of the public health crisis that has unfolded in the last few months shouldn’t make sweaty hugs with wobbly strangers in dark basements a taboo for any longer than necessary. We must act now to ensure we can welcome the spaces where we enjoy such experiences back with open arms, for this is ultimately the stuff of life, not death. Nightlife reveals – even if just for precious few hours on a Saturday evening – something about us that the virus cannot suppress, which is the joy of connecting with others, becoming part of an amorphous mass of humanity, fragile and prone to hurt, but willing to take a risk to create some collective, vital art.

If COVID is indeed a big reset, it’s high time we consider a grown-up approach to hedonism. Let’s call that the new normal.