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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

1st May 1994 was the first big London protest against the looming Criminal Justice Bill, the piece of legislation that first proscribed a genre of music — rave music, “wholly or predominantly categorised by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats” — in law. Despite widespread demonstrations at what was seen as draconian power-grabs by the UK authorities, the Bill became law later in 1994. Here, Harold Heath looks back at the reaction from the dance music community at the time, and the Act’s lasting impact on the rave scene today

Aluna Francis’s life has been one of discovery — of uncovering truths about herself, about society, and about the fundamental ways in which the dance music industry fails people. The Wales-born, LA-based music maker, formerly of AlunaGeorge and now working as a solo artist, tells Bruce Tantum how she’s putting the knowledge she’s gained into practice via the new Noir Fever festival

For three decades, Yen Sung has been at the beating heart of Lisbon’s club scene. As a longstanding resident at Lux and its downtown predecessor Frágil, and as a producer of timeless house tracks, she’s rightly earned her legendary in Portuguese dance music. But as April Clare Welsh learns, she’s busier and more energised than she’s ever been. Alongside a thumping On Cue mix of pure dancefloor energy, she shares her story

33 years after its release in 1989, Larry Heard’s debut album as Mr. Fingers is a profoundly moving document of timeless electronic music, brimming with tracks of unrivaled beauty from the then-young world of house

Fever AM co-founder Rhyw steps up for the Recognise mix series, and chats to Eoin Murray about his forthcoming release, his childhood obsession with The Prodigy and the all-important element of surprise in his hallucinatory club music

Releasing both hidden gems from the old school and essential new-gen bangers, Deep Jungle has secured a reputation for buy-on-sight junglism. Alongside a mix representing the past, present and future of its catalogue, founder Harmony shares the secret of the label’s success with Ben Hindle