The Shelter Liverpool is an underground house music night tucked beneath Paradiso nightclub, and one of the UK’s best homes for soulful, bumpy and deep house. There’s no glitz here: just energy, intimacy, a sound system that rattles your bones, and a crowd that comes to dance.
The Shelter Liverpool at a glance
- Venue: Beneath Paradiso nightclub, Liverpool
- Sound: Soulful, bumpy and deep house
- Residents: Aston Evans and Max Evans
- Guests: Jovonn, Booker T, Neil Pierce, Groove Assassin and more
- Sundays: Rooftop sessions at Modo
- Sound system: Funktion-One
- Launched: 2022
How The Shelter Liverpool started
The first birthday set the blueprint, with Groove Assassin, a pioneer of underground soulful house, alongside Ryan Coughlan, Martin Blaize and residents Aston and Max Evans. It established a night rooted in authenticity rather than hype.
Heavyweights in the booth
- Jovonn, the New York deep house legend, played a three-hour set at the third birthday, alongside Toolate Groove’s UK debut.
- Booker T, Grammy-nominated UK house royalty, headlined the fifth birthday with Café 432 on his Liverpool debut, plus Lev and DJ Yung Fox.
- Neil Pierce, co-founder of Deep Into Soul, played Shelter 9 with Sean McCabe and Brother James.
- Jullian Gomes, the South African selector, was announced for his Liverpool debut at Shelter 11.
- Kapela, founder of Soulful Sunday at Djoon in Paris, made his Liverpool debut at the fourth birthday in July 2026, with Toolate Groove returning from Belgium.
The fourth birthday: July 2026
The Shelter celebrated four years in July 2026 with an all-nighter at Paradiso. Residents Aston and Max Evans opened with a set of unreleased music before French selector Kapela made his Liverpool debut and Toolate Groove returned after playing the third birthday the year before. See the event on Skiddle.
What to expect on a night at The Shelter
- A proper sound system: The Shelter runs on Funktion-One, so every kick drum and bassline hits as it should.
- Long, late sets: big nights like the birthday parties run from 10pm until 4am, giving DJs time to build a journey.
- A dancing crowd: no VIP tables or posing, just people who come for the music.
- Respected guests: from New York and Chicago legends to European selectors making their UK or Liverpool debuts.
What is bumpy house?
“Bumpy” describes house music with a bouncing, swinging groove: rolling basslines, shuffled percussion and plenty of soul. It sits between soulful and deep house, and it’s the sound that defines The Shelter’s dancefloor.
Rooftop Sundays at Modo
The Shelter takes its sound outdoors too. Sunday rooftop sessions at Modo bring the same spirit into the open air, with selectors like Billy Cocks, David Bailey, Martin Lodge and Pablo Martinez soundtracking sunsets over Liverpool.
Many of the same DJs also play the residents’ wider circuit, including Forward Motion vs The Shelter in Malta. Hear more from the residents on Aston’s weekly Centreforce 883 show, Aston’s House, featured in Steve’s profile of Aston Evans.
Listen: Steve Bell at The Shelter
Steve Bell played The Shelter’s Sunday Business session. Press play to hear the set.
Frequently asked questions about The Shelter Liverpool
Where is The Shelter Liverpool?
The Shelter Liverpool takes place beneath Paradiso nightclub in Liverpool city centre, with Sunday rooftop sessions at Modo.
What music does The Shelter play?
The Shelter Liverpool plays soulful, bumpy and deep house on a Funktion-One sound system.
Who are the residents at The Shelter Liverpool?
The residents at The Shelter Liverpool are father and son Aston Evans and Max Evans.
Who has played The Shelter Liverpool?
Guests at The Shelter Liverpool include Jovonn, Booker T, Neil Pierce, Sean McCabe, Brother James, Groove Assassin, Toolate Groove and Kapela.
How do I get tickets for The Shelter Liverpool?
Tickets for The Shelter Liverpool events are sold through Skiddle. Big nights like the birthday parties sell out, so book early.
When did The Shelter Liverpool start?
The Shelter Liverpool launched in 2022 and celebrated its fourth birthday in July 2026.
Keep listening
Steve Bell plays soulful, deep and vocal house across the UK, Ibiza and beyond. Catch his monthly DancersHip show and live sets, or see the media pack to book Steve for your event.
