In London the Queen and Tony Blair held hands and sang Auld Lang Syne as the clock struck midnight at the controversial Millennium Dome. But Sheffield hosted a far livelier party at the now-demolished Don Valley Stadium, where superclub Gatecrasher put up Tensile 1, an enormous tent intended to be the largest nightclub in the world – 25,000 revellers bagged tickets to dance to DJ sets from the likes of The Chemical Brothers, Paul Oakenfold, Sasha, Judge Jules, Paul Van Dyk and Tall Paul. Here are some pictures from that never-to-be-repeated event.
. Millennium revellers at the Don Valley stadium for the Gatecrasher event
How the temporary dance arena looked inside at Don Valley Stadium on December 31, 1999. | JPIMedia Photo: Andrew Partridge
. An ambitious venture
2000GC, as the event was called, featured a stage area incorporating two DJ platforms raised 20ft in the air, linked by a suspension bridge. State-of-the-art plasma screens were used in the tent-like structure - the organisers wanted a 'rock'n'roll circus' atmosphere. | JPIMedia Photo: Andrew Partridge
. 'One very special night'
Gatecrasher promoter Simon Raine's aim was to put 'ten years of promoting parties, ten years of production knowledge and ten years of contacts into one very special night'. | JPIMedia Photo: Andrew Partridge
. 'It will always be with you'
Partygoers are pictured here at the big moment itself, welcoming in the year 2000. The slogan for 2000GC was 'It will always be with you'. There was some drama when, after midnight, somebody scaled one of the giant tent poles - police had to step in. | JPIMedia Photo: Andrew Partridge
5. A night that travelled
Steve Wardrope and Libby Knock are pictured here enjoying the DJ sets - there were live feeds to Australia, South Africa and America and excerpts were broadcast on BBC Radio 1. | JPIMedia Photo: Andrew Partridge
6. A hot ticket
2000GC was a sell-out - Simon Raine called it 'the best event in the world'. | JPIMedia Photo: Andrew Partridge
7. Changing fashions
The pictures offer a fascinating look at the fashions of the time. Sportswear, spiky hair and a 'cyber' edge were in vogue for ravers in the late 90s. | JPIMedia Photo: Andrew Partridge
8. Millennium fever
Some of the entertainment was, it's fair to say, on the bombastic side. A film was prepared paying tribute to the history of time, charting the birth of the universe, images of Christ and man's first steps on the moon. This was used in the run-up to midnight as Tall Paul played a remix of 'Come Together' by Primal Scream. | JPIMedia Photo: Andrew Partridge