Electric Circus founder Paul Glen’s legacy revealed as friends and industry insiders remember pioneer

The man who brought big names such as Calvin Harris, The Rudimentals and Rihanna to Adelaide will be remembered for how he transformed the city’s music scene.

Electric Circus founder Paul Glen and Madaline Anderson. Picture: Supplied

Paul Glen will be remembered as fondly as some of the big name acts he drew to Adelaide.

His four-level nightclub complex on Crippen Place in the West End hosted stars from Rihanna to The Rudimentals, Skrillex to Calvin Harris.

How Mr Glen helped develop Adelaide’s night-life scene has now become legend as the industry mourns a pioneer.

The father of three, was seriously injured in a ute rollover on Glen Osmond Rd in May, suffering spinal injuries.

He spent months in the Repat brain injury unit, recovering enough to return home, but it is understood he suffered complications from a fall and died at the weekend.

Mr Glen got his start in hospitality 30 years ago, working as a DJ in clubs around Edinburgh in his native Scotland.

He migrated to Australia in 2000, initially working in construction, before he opened a record store called Electric Circus.

Paul Glen helped develop Adelaide’s night-life scene as the industry mourns a pioneer. Picture: Instagram

Mr Glen was a founder of Electric Circus with business partner Jake Phillips. Picture: Instagram

Long-term friend and industry icon Driller Jet Armstrong bought Q nightclub on Rundle St in 2002 and turned it into Sugar. That’s when he first got to know Mr Glen, who owned and operated Cube Music, a record store inside Sugar.

Driller said Mr Glen “expertly” ran the store while the larger venue was renovated.

“Music was always Paul’s passion and he was a truly excellent DJ,” Driller said.

“Paul Glen’s contribution to the underground and alternative music scene in Adelaide cannot be understated.

“He was a pioneer of activating city parklands for festivals or underground and alternative music as well as using venues outside of his own with a bigger capacity such as The Thebby Theatre.”

Mr Glen gave $50,000 to support Sugar’s GoFundMe campaign after Covid struck – something Driller said was “from the goodness of his heart”.

“I would like people to remember his considerable contribution to music culture in Adelaide, his amazing work ethic, his larger than life character, his wonderful sense of humour and his incredible generosity.

“He gave so many young people their first opportunity to break into the electronic music industry.

“He was a true and loyal friend to so many people and he loved his three kids so very much.

Former staff member Madaline Anderson, who worked for Mr Glen for seven years, said Mr Glen was “an amazing businessman, an incredible club owner and mentor to me”.

“He absolutely taught me what I know today about the industry and it helped me in my career following working for him. He had the best work ethic and a real talent for it all,” she said.

Former club manager Evan Coghlan worked with Mr Glen from 2003-2008 at Electric Circus, Rocket and Limbo.

He also managed major music festival Stereosonic from 2008-2011, during which he worked closely with Mr Glen.

“I think that the biggest testament to Paul is the longevity of his impact on the Adelaide music and hospitality scene,” Mr Coghlan, now living in the US, said.

“ In an industry that often has a short shelf life, he was a constant force who really helped to shape nightlife in Adelaide for two decades.

“I have so many memories, friendships and relationships to this day that wouldn’t exist without him.

“My fondest quirk that he had was how insanely quickly he’d eat a meal.

“ An appetite that was both literal and reflective of how he approached his life... I’ll miss ya Glenny!

The father of three, was seriously injured in a ute rollover on Glen Osmond Rd in May, suffering spinal injuries. Picture: Dylan Hogarth

Ms Anderson, who is now a lawyer, was working at another Hindley St club on the door when Mr Glen saw how she wrangled the crowds.

He offered her a job that night, and she then worked his venues – Electric Circus, Mr Kim’s and Rocket.

She managed the “door stuff” and later, as an artist liaison whose job it was to “get the artists to the club”.

Those artists included Calvin Harris, ASAP Rocky, Rihanna, Skrillex, Bloody Beetroots, Deadmau5 and The Rudimentals.

“That building, the four clubs we had at one stage, the people would line up for two hours,” Ms Anderson said.

“It was incredible – the best in Adelaide.

“The life back then in Adelaide on Hindley St – we had the best club, the best venue.

“He built an empire and his tales will be told till the end of time.”

Originally published as Electric Circus founder Paul Glen’s legacy revealed as friends and industry insiders remember pioneer