Lacing up my favourite pair of Reeboks, I headed on over to Phonica Records to check out the Full Circle activation. Who knew there was a whole underground venue downstairs? Not me. Then again, I’m not exactly the go-to guy for London nightlife. Catch me raving there every Tuesday from now on though…okay, maybe every other Tuesday.

Hovering about the space, photographs from Ewan Spencer documented how ravers at Happy Hardcore and Jungle raves back in the ‘90s would be kitted up in Reeboks. It was a great dive into the past, exaclty the type of product history I love to see. You simply cannot buy that sort of cultural cache.

Imagine, your Uncle was probably putting in some serious steps in his Classics while off his rocker, timeless stuff. It’s probably worth asking the barmiest member in your family if they wore Reebok back in the day, they’ll likely have a tale or two.

Displayed alongside Spencer’s photographs were also a selection of hand-picked shots from other London-based camera wielders. Speaking to Alec and Raphael, we got chatting about what makes a great photo and how subcultures aren’t dying, they’re just shrinking. Documenting smaller movements in half the battle after all. Does a falling tree make any noise if no one hears it?

Shortly after, Rhys McKee (@cakenotcrumbs) chopping it up with footwear archivist Alice (@boot.alicious) and Reebok buyer Panashe. Discussing La Haine’s 2018 collaboration, the importance of Garbstore’s projects in the mid-2010s (I had one on my eBay watchlist for years and always regret not buying) and the legendary Gary Warnett’s Workout. If you appreciate sneakers, the late Gary Warnett is well worth researching, a man with a pure love for footwear.

This small group of collaborations represent a number of moments in Reebok’s history where the brand got it absolutely right. Selecting people who really deserved to make their mark on a canvas that was the Reebok shoe, even changing the canvas entirely in the case of Maison Margiela.

Walking away with a buttery pair of garment leather Reebok Workouts and an exclusive hangtag provided by the lovely people at Greater Goods, I was indeed chuffed. If you need a stepper with premium leather, then you can check out the garment leather collection over at reebok.co.uk.

Heading back for the listening party in the evening, my expectations were high having spotted the wall of speakers from @firmlyrootedsound. Just looking at it was confirmation enough that it was a serious bit of kit. My intuition was right, each subwoofer travelling straight through the audience as host David Sonubii went back and forth with Judah Afriyie and Dean Bryce as they gave context behind each track.

Tracing through their youthful recollections of teenage life in ‘90s London, references of jungle nights to white van drivers being the litmus test for future club bangers helped paint a vivid picture. It was the perfect balance of show and tell.

This was only the Friday, so with a full weekend ahead and appearances from K-Trap and a Balamy radio feature, there’s still tons of Reebok goodness to look forward to.