The transition from the 1990s into the new millennium left many house music purists in Birmingham feeling musically adrift. While the city had exploded with Hard House and commercial sounds in the preceding decade, for those of us immersed in the gay scene—which I was for many years—the dancefloor rotation had become noticeably stale and creatively stagnant. The time was ripe for a musical correction, and it arrived not with a massive new superclub, but with an intimate, vital weekly night founded by a dedicated DJ: House of Music (HOM).
This is the story of how DJ Simon Baker, a true architect of the Birmingham scene and someone I knew personally, founded a night that didn’t just play music—it single-handedly injected a much-needed shot of authentic, forward-thinking House back into the city’s heart.
The Problem: A Post-90s Lull
The energy and euphoria of the mid-to-late 90s club scene was undeniable, but as the 2000s began, the House music being championed had often devolved into generic, formulaic tracks. The crowd, used to the groundbreaking energy of the previous decade, was left hungry for something deeper, soul-infused, and uncompromisingly fresh.
This is the moment Simon Baker stepped in. Having cemented his reputation with influential sets in the 90s at venues like Tin Tins and the Nightingale, Simon recognized the demand for a more authentic, globally-aware sound. His vision was clear: to create a sanctuary where the focus was entirely on quality, underground House music.
The Sanctuary: HOM at The Nightingale Attic
House of Music (HOM) found its perfect home in the intimate attic of the Nightingale Club. This location was instrumental. Separated from the main club’s commercial music, the attic became a dedicated space where the sound could breathe and flourish.
For those of us who made the weekly pilgrimage on a Saturday night in the early 2000s, HOM was a revelation. It wasn’t about status or spectacle; it was about the collective experience of pure, unadulterated house music. Simon’s sets focused on delivering “proper, feel-good house”, blending uplifting vocals, raw tribal grooves, and deep, soulful cuts, directly combatting the musical blandness of the time.
The Tastemaker: Beyond the Mainstream
What made HOM essential was its commitment to musical integrity. Simon Baker wasn’t just playing hits; he was acting as a tastemaker, breaking records well before they filtered into the mainstream.
Attending HOM meant you were hearing the most cutting-edge tracks—straight from New York, Chicago, and the deeper UK underground. It fostered a true community of devoted house heads who trusted Simon implicitly to take them on a euphoric, forward-thinking musical journey every single week.
HOM quickly became a highly anticipated, regularly sold-out Saturday night event for anyone in Birmingham who loved high-quality House music. Its success proved that the city was not content to rest on its 90s laurels but was ready to embrace a new era of sophisticated, authentic club culture, all thanks to Simon Baker’s vision.