There are few places that feel quite as surreal as dancing to electronic music beneath London’s summer skyline, surrounded by centuries of history. On 8 of August 2026, Adriatique brought their headline audiovisual event to the Old Royal Naval College as part of the Adriatique Presents X series, transforming the historic venue into a backdrop for an evening of hypnotic melodic techno, cinematic visuals and endless movement. 

Inside the Painted Hall, the contrast was even more striking. Elaborate murals stretched across the ceilings, with baroque walls framed by towering columns, arched windows and intricate gold detailing. Designed by Sir James Thornhill and painted between 1707 and 1726, it was the kind of space that demanded a moment of stillness and celestial curiosity. It made it easy to forget that you were standing inside a venue hosting an electronic music event just beyond the hall. Uniquely, there was something compelling about seeing a historic architectural space become part of the visual experience of the night, particularly against the intensity of the performance beyond the hall walls. 

From the moment the set began, the scale was difficult to miss. Thousands of people filled the space stretching out towards the surrounding buildings, dancing and talking together as waves of light and colour moved across the stage and into the night. As the evening unfolded, vivid washes of pink, purple and blue light transformed the venue. From behind the decks, Adriatique appeared completely immersed in the moment, igniting and commanding the crowd with their music. Stepping into the crowd offered a different perspective – everything felt amplified, louder and more immersive. Wherever you stood, the crowd seemed to stretch endlessly into the distance, united by the collective energy of the music. 

Take a look inside Adriatique’s night at Labyrinth on the Thames. 

Words by Nancy Anekwe

Photography Ross Davidson