The Sankeys Empire: From "Best Club in the World" to Personal Collapse and Back Again

from Provocateurs · host Sarah Moxom

In this unfiltered episode of Provocateurs, we sit down with David Vincent, the legendary founder of Sankeys, to uncover the 30-year history of one of dance music’s most iconic brands. From its humble beginnings in a derelict Manchester soap factory to being voted the #1 Club in the World, Sankeys became a global powerhouse with locations in Ibiza, New York, and Tokyo. David opens up about the problems of his massive success: the ego of winning global awards, and a terrifying experience Ibiza that led to him being sectioned by authorities. After losing everything and spending nine years in a battle with depression, David reveals the "masterplan" behind his 2024 return to Manchester and how he sold 10,000 tickets without announcing a single DJ. Key Takeaways The Sankeys Origin: How an accidental name on a factory chimney created a Manchester institution. Breaking the Legends: Behind the booth with Daft Punk, The Chemical Brothers, and David Guetta before they were superstars. The Ibiza Gamble: Why David took all the money from his Manchester buildings to bet on the White Isle. Sectioned Abroad: The harrowing reality of being tied up and injected in a Spanish hospital. Brand vs. DJ Culture: Why the Sankeys 2026 relaunch is focused on the brand's legacy rather than high-fee headline DJs. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:20 – The Best Club in the World: Winning Global Awards 03:16 – Breaking Daft Punk & The Chemical Brothers 05:06 – Building an Institution: The Power of Relationship Marketing 09:05 – Manchester University & The Hacienda Days 12:43 – When Success Goes to Your Head: The Ego Era 17:28 – The Total Collapse: Losing Every Building & Club 21:45 – The Deadly Mistake: Picking the Wrong Investors 25:30 – Sectioned in Ibiza: Tied Up and Injected 29:35 – The Resurrection: How Purpose Cured My Depression 32:46 – Resurgences: The Strategy Behind the 2026 Launch 38:24 – Choosing Sobriety in a Club Environment 43:57 – Selling 10,000 Tickets Without a Lineup 46:19 – The Agent Problem: Why DJ Fees are Killing Clubs David Links https://sankeysofficial.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sankeysofficial/ Social Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@provocateurspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmCQvMWLaLTayKshPyGOEg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sarah.moxom/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Host Bio Sarah Moxom is the ultimate powerhouse—an accomplished serial entrepreneur, seasoned investor, and master of navigating the human connection. At just nineteen, she founded her first company, a thriving temporary staffing agency, which she has successfully led for over two decades. With a remarkable ability to blend business acumen with emotional intelligence, Sarah is passionate about exploring the intricate interplay of entrepreneurship, relationship dynamics, people skills, and leadership. Her wealth of experience and sharp insights into human behaviour make her a compelling guide through the challenges of life and business. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your communication skills, build stronger relationships, or take your ventures to the next level, Sarah is here to inspire and empower you every step of the way. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sarahmoxom.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Apr 8, 2026

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The Sankeys Empire: From "Best Club in the World" to Personal Collapse and Back Again

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