Inside the exclusive London screening of a new documentary celebrating 35 years of electronic music history
On Thursday 19th June 2025, a hand-picked crowd stepped into Soho’s Sanctum Hotel for an invite-only celebration of one of the most influential record labels in electronic music: Perfecto Records. The occasion? A special screening of Perfecto: How Dance Music Changed the World, a brand-new documentary marking 35 years since the label’s inception.
Premiered earlier at the debut Cine International Film Festival, the film charts the journey of Paul Oakenfold’s trailblazing label — from its underground beginnings in the late ’80s to its global cultural impact today. Directed with energy and reverence, the documentary captures Perfecto’s rise during a time when club culture was exploding across the UK and making its way into the global mainstream.
From illegal warehouse raves to chart-topping hits, Perfecto became a sonic force synonymous with quality, independence, and evolution. Over three decades, it’s been home to artists including David Guetta, Tiësto, Carl Cox, Marc Almond, Grace, Pharrell Williams, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and even names outside the expected dance world like Ice Cube and Nelly Furtado.
“We started off as a small dance label, and as dance music grew, we grew with it. We’re still an indie label — with over 10 million records sold.”
— Paul Oakenfold
The Event
The screening evening was curated with detail and atmosphere in mind. Guests arrived for a cocktail reception at 7PM, mingling under the moody lights of the boutique hotel’s private event space. At 8PM, the film began — a vibrant mix of archival footage, new interviews, and untold stories. The night wrapped with a DJ set by Nancy Noise, a former Perfecto team member turned selector, whose deep-rooted ties to the label brought a full-circle energy to the afterparty.
The documentary itself features fresh interviews with electronic icons like Fatboy Slim, Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox, Pete Tong, and of course, Oakenfold. Each shares candid reflections on Perfecto’s legacy — from iconic remixes of Massive Attack and U2, to unforgettable events staged in jaw-dropping locations like Mount Everest Base Camp, Stonehenge, and The Great Wall of China.
“The first Perfecto University Tour. Planet Perfecto. The radio show with 17 million weekly listeners. Stonehenge… Everest. Those are moments I’ll never forget.”
— Paul Oakenfold
A Label That Shaped Culture
Founded in 1989, Perfecto wasn’t just a label — it was a cultural movement. As Paul puts it in the film, “At the time I started Perfecto, there was not a label that focused on UK dance music.” That gap in the scene gave rise to something truly influential. What followed was a legacy of genre-defining records, genre-bending creativity, and a platform that supported artists across house, trance, techno, drum ‘n bass, and beyond.
As mainstream radio hesitated to embrace dance music, Perfecto forged its own path, helping youth culture turn into a global phenomenon. It’s no surprise that in 2003, Oakenfold was awarded “Pioneer of the Nation” by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to UK music and global dance culture.
“Paul Oakenfold didn’t just start a label – he started a global brand.”
— Pete Tong, BBC Radio 1
The Future of Perfecto
While the film reflects on the past, it’s also a celebration of what’s to come. With a focus on developing new artists and pushing boundaries, the label shows no sign of slowing down. Paul himself says he hopes Perfecto will continue to be “a home for any artist around the world” — even joking that he might not be around in another 35 years, but the label certainly will be.
Looking ahead, Oakenfold has even bigger dreams — including the idea of staging a performance in Antarctica to raise awareness for climate change.
“Dance music is global. It’s in films, ads, TV… it’s everywhere. We’ve seen it grow, and Perfecto will keep growing with it.”
— Paul Oakenfold