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Though arguably most prominent in the ’90s, free parties and illegal raves have never gone away. Despite the increased surveillance from authorities, passionate DJs and sound systems continue to throw events in a similar way that they always have, looking to create a sense of community and an alternative to the commodified dance mainstream. Dave Jenkins heads to a free party, and speaks to some of the illegal rave scene’s advocates about why they keep the fire burning

For DJs with a packed touring schedule, gigging at one iconic club after another, finding the time to sit down in the studio can be nearly impossible. But when Kerri Chandler wanted to work on a long-delayed album, he hit on a solution: he’d transform those clubs into temporary studios, creating tracks attuned to each space. The result is ‘Spaces And Places’, and it’s some of his best work yet

With his new podcast, Queerly Beloved, Northern Irish DJ Cormac explores what it means to be a queer artist in dance music today. Interviewing contemporary figures about their histories of queer discovery, the Panorama Bar and fabric regular continues an intergenerational conversation surrounding the life-affirming moments, communal  experiences and enduring challenges of LGBTQ+ expression. Alongside an On Cue mix packed with HI-NRG anthems and Italo house, Marke Bieschke learns more

With his Shaytoon Records label, Sepehr has built a platform for underground techno and electronic music from the Iranian diaspora. But the versatile New York-based producer and DJ fights oversimplified categorisations and pigeonholing at every turn, extracting influence from obscure ‘90s rave records as much as Persian mythology. Alongside a 90-minute On Cue mix demonstrating this sound, he tells Marke Bieschke about his Flower Storm project with Kasra V, the influence of Silent Servant, and his grunge-influenced new band

Tali was the first female drum & bass MC to feature on DJ Mag’s cover in 2004, coinciding with the release of her debut album ‘Lyric On My Lip’ on Full Cycle. Nearly 18 years on from that trailblazing release, Jake Hirst connects with the artist to discuss her self-produced eighth studio album, ‘Future Dwellers’, and the journey of self-worth that lead to it

Most DJs love playing festivals, but what should you do when you’re asked to play one for free, and even cover certain costs yourself? Ria Hylton speaks to DJs Sheba Q, Harold Heath, Charlie Dark and others, along with festival organisers, to find out

Ploy demonstrates his percussive, pulse-racing and sub-bass-shaking sound for the Recognise mix series, and speaks to Katie Thomas about gradually finding his groove on imprints like L.I.E.S, Hessle Audio and Timedance, and his new label and party, Deaf Test

San Francisco’s Chrissy sprints from house, Hi-NRG and EBM into UKG and breakbeat hardcore in his ecstatic On Cue mix, and speaks to Marke Bieschke about reviving rave’s original mission on his Hooversound album, ‘Physical Release’

Emerging technology, BODYHEAT, promises to make clubs more carbon neutral. Sophie Lou Wilson speaks to those behind it, the first club to trial it (SWG3 Glasgow), and others about how it works, as well as its potential and limits

‘Come With Us’ was the birth point of The Chemical Brothers 2.0, and it came at a vital time, with the dance music slump of the early '00s leaving many big electronic groups looking vulnerable. Here, on the 20th anniversary of the release of the album, Ben Cardew looks back at how 'Come With Us' reinvigorated their career