In loving memory of: Bunker

This weekend, the credits roll on one of Naarm/Melbourne’s longest surviving club promoters, Bunker. The brand, headed up by Adrian Bell, has been a mainstay for not only Naarm’s techno scene but also a means of connecting some of Europe’s most exciting and influential acts to Australian shores.

So too, it’s provided a space for local artists to cut their teeth and find their feet. Its lineup for this weekend, featuring the likes of Nat Salih, Kia, U-Khan, Hasvat Informant, Hannah D and Connor Wall, a veritable who’s who of the city’s modern techno chops, is a perfect example of the legacy it helps to leave behind.

While other parties can continue for years past their expiry date, Bunker has chosen to do what so many others can’t: play that final song.

From hosting Sleeparchive, Dax J, SNTS, I Hate Models, SPFDJ, and Regis to finding regular homes in spaces like The Liberty Social, Boney, Mercat Basement, Lounge, Tresor, The Substation, The Gaso, Sub Club and many more, locally run parties couldn’t hope for much more.

To celebrate Bunker’s 12 years in operation, we sat down with the founder, Adrian himself, and artists Nat Salih and U-Khan, ahead of this weekend, to get nostalgic about what exactly made Bunker what it was.

Q: In your opinion, what has Bunker meant for Naarm?

NAT: For over a decade, Bunker played a pivotal role in Naarm’s thriving underground techno scene. Many international artists made their Australian debuts at Bunker parties, which helped foster the connection between Europe and Naarm’s techno communities. Bunker provided an essential platform for both up-and-coming and established locals, and has been hugely formative for both artists and punters alike.

Q: How impactful has Bunker been in your own musical journey?

NAT: Playing at Bunker events helped me find my feet as a DJ, and I’m immensely grateful to Adrian for his ongoing support over the years. Some of my favourite dancefloor experiences were at Bunker parties – Edit Select’s masterclass in hypnotic techno comes to mind.

Q: What sort of legacy do you think it leaves behind?

NAT: Bunker contributed to the growth of Naarm’s techno scene and its legacy will continue to live on in our dance music community. Huge thanks to Adrian and the Bunker crew!

Q: In your opinion, what has Bunker meant for Naarm?

U-KHAN: Bunker has been more than just a party — it’s an institution that has championed a deep love and passion for techno and its adjacent sounds. Through thoughtfully curated lineups, they’ve brought some of the world’s most exciting international acts to Naarm, all while fostering a strong and supportive local community. Many of those local artists have grown under their wing and gone on to make waves internationally.

Q: How impactful has Bunker been in your own musical journey?

U-KHAN: As the booker for Sub Club, I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Adrian and the Bunker crew for over six years — even longer across different projects. Their attention to detail and genuine care for the music and the scene has been truly inspiring. As a DJ, I often had the honour of closing Bunker events. One of my favourite memories is playing after an intense set from Freddy K — keeping the energy high and the crowd locked in was a challenge, but having Freddy come up afterward and give me props was a moment I’ll never forget. I have so much respect for him, and that recognition meant a lot.

Q: What sort of legacy do you think it leaves behind?

U-KHAN: Bunker leaves behind a legacy of quality, consistency, and unforgettable moments on the dancefloor. It’s a brand that has shaped the city’s nightlife in a powerful way, and it will be deeply missed. Thank you for everything!

Q: Bunker has been around for 12 years, an absolutely huge milestone to be sure. What’s lead to the decision to stop?

ADRIAN: Bunker has always been a passion project outside of my regular full-time work commitments. After 12 years, the drive, hunger and energy required to continue is no longer there. This is due to a variety of factors but dealing with and working through a large number of tour and event postponements and cancellations for over 24 months during the pandemic was one of the final nails in the coffin. Calling time on Bunker has been on my mind since 2022, and in the end, I thought that if my heart was no longer in it, then it was time to hand the reins over, so to speak, to promoters who are more driven than I am.

Q: Many brands would, and still do, continue well past their prime, hosting occasional events even just to stay invested in their scenes. Why is that not something you’ve done with Bunker?

ADRIAN: You've captured the answer in your very question. I didn't want to be another promoter who continued well past their prime, slowly fading away to die a sad death. I wanted the finalisation of the brand to be on my terms and for the final event to be a worthy celebration of all that's been accomplished over the past 12 years with artists, patrons and friends new and old.

Q: How did Bunker start?

ADRIAN: Many moons ago there was a fantastic club/ dive bar called The Liberty Social located at 279 Flinders Lane, a short walk from where Sub Club resides today. I was booked to play a few gigs in the back room of the club which was housed in an old stock cool room with a max cap of 30 people, after a few gigs there, I approached one of the owners, Jaff Tzaferis, to see if would be open to the idea of me taking over the bookings for the room on a Thursday night. It was a success and ‘Bunker’ was born.

Once The Liberty Social closed, we moved to a new club "Boney" (the old Poney, now Cherry Bar) for a range of local events before finding our home for the next few years at The Mercat Basement. I have fond memories of the events we hosted there and they were arguably our most formative. Once The Mercat Basement closed, we move to Lounge and once that venue closed we landed at Sub Club Melbourne and have been there since 2017

Q: What were you hoping to do with Bunker originally?

ADRIAN: I was deeply passionate about techno and the scene in Melbourne more broadly and wanted an opportunity to help shape it and contribute to it in my own way through tours, events, short and long form editorial, podcasts and so on.

Q: How does that contrast with what it grew to become?

ADRIAN: It hasn't really, we've stayed true to what we set out to do from the onset

Q: What are some of your biggest highlights with the brand?

ADRIAN: We've been lucky enough to enjoy a lot of success over the years. Looking back, one of the things I'm most proud of is the number of debut Australian tours I was able to facilitate for many international artists whom I respected deeply, these included Norman Nodge, Giorgio Gigli, Sleeparchive, Claudio PRC, Dax J, Luigi Tozzi, SNTS, Boston 168, I Hate Models, 999999999 and SPFDJ. Additionally, hosting a number of events at The Substation (a former train power plant in Newport) as well as the debut Australian tour and Melbourne show for Regis (as a solo artist) were key highlights

Q: You’ve booked such a huge list of artists. Who were some of the favourites you had on & why?

ADRIAN: All of them have been great to be honest, but standouts have been Norman Nodge's debut at the Mercat Basement in October 2015, the Tresor 25th Birthday at The Substation in June 2016, Dax J's debut at The Gaso in February 2017 and Regis's solo debut in March 2019

Q: What are some of the more brutal Bunker moments that people may not be aware of?

ADRIAN: Like it was for everyone, the COVID-19 pandemic was horrible. In February 2020 I had 6 tours confirmed for the remainder of 2020 and the start of 2021 and as I mentioned earlier, it took me over 24 months to either reschedule them (between two to four times) or lose them to other promoters who were able to offer more money.

Outside of that there have been a number of artists who have missed their incoming flights from Europe, have been unable to travel due to medical conditions, have not had their working VISA granted in time and other logistical challenges.

It's really been a labour of love!

Q: What’s next for you?

ADRIAN: First and foremost, rest. I'm tired. 12 years in events and touring has taken quite a toll on me and as I've gotten older, my personal priorities have also changed. My wife has supported me and sacrificed a lot herself over 10 of the 12 years Bunker has been operating and I'm very much looking forward to spending more quality time with her.

I'd like to give a special shoutout to a number of people who, over the past 12 years at one time or another, have helped me grow Bunker in to what it is today; Andy Muscat, Jake McDonald, Rachael MacRae, Larry Willett, Charlie Horan, Cameron Norris, Henry Rowe and Anna Nilsson.

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Tickets to 'Bunker presents The End' are still available, however, they are looking to sell out. It takes place this Saturday at Sub Club, Naarm.

Jack Colquhoun is Mixmag ANZ's Editor, find him on Instagram.