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Sound systems have driven the development of music in the UK, powered by hard work, passion and innovation. But preserving UK sound system culture, its knowledge and history, while also pushing it forward, is no easy task today. Ria Hylton traces its path through ska and reggae at blues dances in West Indian households, to soul, boogie, hip-hop and house in ’80s warehouses and at the Notting Hill Carnival, to nationwide tours and global popularity, and finds out how initiatives like the Sound System Futures Programme are seeking to secure its future 

It’s the Thursday before Notting Hill Carnival and Linett Kamala, board director of Europe’s biggest street party, is weaving through the streets of Kilburn. Her...

TSHA surrounded by flowers, shot by Nicole Ngai

London-based DJ, producer and live artist TSHA has risen rapidly in the scene, and is receiving her flowers with grace. But it hasn't always been easy.  As she prepares to release her stunning debut LP, 'Capricorn Sun', on Ninja Tune, she speaks to Amy Fielding about overcoming online trolls, astrology, the art of DJing and more

Across one bitterly cold weekend in February 2017, Ninja Tune’s revered live act Simon Green, AKA Bonobo, descended on South London for two sold-out performances...

A press shot of Flume in a striped jumper, holding a bunch of white flowers against an orange backdrop

Caught between the demands of being an internationally-renowned performer and his desire for a quiet life, Australian producer Flume found balance upon returning to his homeland. Amongst nature, and with a restored sense of wellbeing, he completed his most ambitious album to date, 'Palaces'. Megan Venzin learns its story

Flume fills arenas, smashes stage props with sledgehammers, and builds booming soundscapes with the high-tech gear that fills his ever-expanding studio. Harley Edward Streten, on...

With his new album, ‘Fragments’, on Ninja Tune, English electronic musician and DJ Bonobo has delivered his strongest, most versatile album since 2010's 'Black Sands'...

Sat on a sofa in the Ninja Tune offices, somewhere in Kennington, South London, Simon Green, aka Bonobo, is pondering the question of why his...

Techno would not exist as it does today without Kevin Saunderson. Some of the Detroit techno architect’s most revolutionary work has been released under the...

Techno is the language of machines speaking to each other, the vocabulary of shiny circuitry, the sound of the future in the here-and-now. But when...

Known as the “queen of the Palestinian techno scene”, Sama' Abdulhadi was becoming internationally recognised as a powerful force in dance music until a gig...

When Sama' Abdulhadi was 13, the Israel Defense Forces came to her apartment block in Ramallah, the occupied West Bank, and took over the building...

Above & Beyond are a genuine phenomenon. Arguably the biggest electronic DJing and production collective the UK has ever produced, inspiring almost unimaginable adulation in...

“It's wonderful and troubling at the same time, because there's this sense of responsibility when somebody lifts their shirt up and their entire back is...

The Bulgarian crowd favourite takes us through an in-depth behind the scenes of his live show, set-up and performance approach

For over ten years, KiNK has been one of dance music’s most captivating live performers. His energy on stage is matched by the driving techno...

Here we go again, eh? It feels like the time between the closing bashes and the Ibiza opening bell rung annually by the International Music...

Reinier Zonneveld: live and direct

Before headlining international festivals with his immense live techno sets, Reinier Zonneveld cut his teeth on the Dutch underground rave circuit. Megan Venzin catches up with the artist to learn about his approach to performance, and why his fans can always expect the unexpected

It’s been a while since Reinier Zonneveld had to outsmart the cops. Nowadays, when the Dutch producer arrives at an event, it’s because he’s guaranteed...

We've switched up our end-of-year coverage this year. Instead of ranked countdowns, we've asked 40 contributors to pick their favourite albums, tracks and compilations from...

You might expect Abra Cadabra’s debut mixtape to rely on the high-energy style of UK drill that racked up millions of views on 2020 singles...

TOKiMONSTA is the rare kind of artist who transcends genre — a producer who has worked with everyone from Flying Lotus to Skrillex and Anderson...

Jennifer Lee climbs up a set of stairs at Mack Sennett Studios in between a number of elaborate costume changes, during an all-day photo shoot...

He was the Electrifyin’ Mojo of the indie disco. The bootleg king. The electroclash god. But when each of those scenes imploded, Erol Alkan stepped...

Erol Alkan was 27 when he received his first album offer. Kylie Minogue had just performed his ‘Can’t Get Blue Monday Out of My Head’...

With music venues shuttered across the nation, and no timeframe for reopening, the future looks bleak for UK clubbing. DJ Mag speaks to venue owners...

Being in close proximity with people you don’t live with is a dangerous activity. Being in a confined space is a dangerous activity. Dancing close...

Josey Rebelle is a reluctant cover star. The North London DJ's career has been a real slow burn, building a loyal UK fanbase through her Rinse...

In November 1994, London pirate station Kool FM celebrated its third birthday at the Astoria. The party caused havoc on Tottenham Court Road when thousands...