David Stretch

London-based promoter David Stretch has held events at Basing House. The name Stretch is used by David Quamina, a London-focused jungle and drum & bass DJ, producer and label owner. He began AKO Beatz in 1995, paused the label in 1998 and restarted it in 2014. Its output includes jungle and drum & bass, with limited-edition vinyl, and imprints such as Major Defence and Retrospective.

The label’s first London event took place at Launch. Stretch later referred to Bar 512 as the venue for AKO events, which could accommodate 200 to 250 people. David Stretch events have featured Decibella, Blackeye MC, Mantra and Tim Reaper. AKO Nights grew into a regular series, and its Halloween event was called AKOWEEN; David Stretch promoted an AKOWEEN party in London featuring jungle and drum & bass. AKO Beatz worked with five other labels to establish Community, a London event series.