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On Fire 🔥

Is Music Always For Sharing?

by Editorial Team • 18 February 2025
We explore the thoughts of artists and music sharing. In today's digital age, discovering new music has become more accessible than ever due to online platforms like Spotify, SoundCloud, and download services such as Beatport. While traditional methods of exploring music, such as visiting record shops, have diminished in popularity, the process of musical exploration remains significant and enriching, especially when one encounters a standout track. For performing artists, the quest for fresh music is a continuous endeavor, often regarded as equally important as the performance itself. This raises an interesting question: is it appropriate for artists to keep the details of their music sources confidential? This topic invites further discussion from some of the South West DJs and producers on the nature of music discovery in the modern landscape.
Hey folks! Ben Holtam here—aka DJ BenG—your go-to guy for all things beats, basslines, and good vibe

Ben Holtam, aka DJ BenG's Ultimate Guide to 2025 Music Festivals in Cornwall and Devon

by Ben Holtam • 10 February 2025
Hey folks! Ben Holtam here—aka DJ BenG—your go-to guy for all things beats, basslines, and good vibes in the South West. As we gear up for another epic summer, I’ve rounded up the must-hit music festivals of 2025 across Cornwall, Devon, and beyond. Whether you're an avid raver, a wellness enthusiast, or a family seeking entertainment, the South West's festival scene caters to your needs. Let’s dive in!
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The War Between Police And Illegal Rave Organisers

News & Features

Arrests have been made to prevent organisers of illegal raves operating.

A group of people standing in a field with the words little south on the bottom

"Organisers of established free party crews are condemning the events taking place during the lockdown."

Despite clear social guidance to prevent the coronavirus situation worsening, people are still planning illegal events which attract thousands of ravers. The events are often kept secret until the very last minute with rendezvous points shared on twitter and between key figures in their local free party scene. In these situations Police are often the last to hear about the plans and when they arrive the rave is in full swing. A rave that attracted thousands of people last month on the outskirts of Dartmoor was unable to be shut down due to the sheer numbers attending it was assessed to be unsafe to stop.

Chief Superintendent Ratcliffe said: "We want to warn young people of the significant risks posed by such events and keep our communities safe. To those thinking about attending or organising such events - you will face enforcement action and could receive a criminal record. Do not go to illegal raves and risk your lives."

It is clear that people are breaking lockdown rules to attend illegal raves across the UK. Organisers of established free party crews are condemning the events taking place during the lockdown.

It is not just the large raves that are becoming more prevalent in the UK with a many smaller events attracting just a few hundred people taking place. The South West is rich with remote locations and those intent on organising illegal events can often do so with the Police only aware if disturbances are reported.
A group of people are gathered in a field with the words little south on the bottom

A report by Mixmag has found that larger established party crews are continuing to hold off from throwing raves until the UK’s lockdown ends and the danger of virus transmission has been reduced.

“The people putting on parties during lockdown are generally not part of the established UK free party scene,” said a member of one large free party crew that hasn’t been putting on parties, and who asked to remain anonymous."

“Generally, these parties are being put on by groups of very young people who haven’t thought through the consequences of their actions or complete idiots who have access to small sound systems and want to make some fast money."

“The fact that there are no clubs open and none of the established free party crews are putting on parties means that there is a gap in the market. This is being exploited by irresponsible groups that would probably never usually see anyone turn up to their raves during normal times."

Read the joint position statement from two major free illegal party organisers:

“We absolutely condemn anyone doing free parties during the lockdown. Free parties are about defying bad laws: the laws of property keep some people homeless whilst others own multiple glittering palaces that they keep empty; they kick locals out of their social spaces and deny them places to create and enjoy their own culture.

That’s why we do squat parties - to give each other a sense of our collective power and help defy bad laws.

However, the lockdown isn’t a ‘bad law’ – it’s not even really a law.

In reality, the government has not enforced a proper lockdown like other countries, and the elite - like Dominic Cummings - have completely ignored it.

It’s been the working class who have actually done their best to keep the most vulnerable safe, and free parties - as a working class cultural movement - will absolutely hold the line too.”

What do our local DJs think?

In this unprecedented time that we face we need to pull together as one for the good of all. Irrelevant of your business or creativity we all need to be responsible or they'll pull us back into detention until we learn.

We regard to illegal raves, they've gone on for years pandemic or not. Illegal raves back in the 90's and the early acid house scene etc were a completely different movement to now. Back then it had a purpose, a new era was being born and every came together and worked more as a collective than a corporate.

In 2020 there isn't the same vibe or movement. There's no collaboration between ravers. In fact ravers don't really exist anymore. There's nothing to fight as there was back then. Instead we have people cashing in turning it into a business and profiteering from it. It is more unsafe now because of all the above reasons. 
And now we have a pandemic to thrown into the mix.

In my opinion, while there's no vaccine, nothing to help you, why put yourself and the rest of the country, for what is basically a selfish and unsafe risk.

People say the government are trying to control us, well by demonstrating irresponsible behaviour in times such as these, then yes you deserved to be controlled because you can't control yourself for the good of all.
Jay
I agree with the larger free party crews and think it isn’t safe to hold raves until the pandemic is over. I’m definitely up for a rave to celebrate the end of the pandemic, though, but not until it is safe to do so.
Nate
Well its a double edge sword... The original rave scene was born out of a social climate that is very much like today. Conservatives in power, rich getting richer and social divides getting bigger. Obviously E played a massive part in bringing social and economic classes together which changed the feeling of a nation. 

However in todays climate, E is not what it was, everyone through the power of social media thinks they are the next 'big I am' and we have a pandemic. We were innocent back then, out to give a big 'F*** You' to the establishment, enjoy the vibe and treat everyone equally. Its has lost that and people as stated are selfish to think about themselves and not others. The parties will continue but when a silent killer (Covid-19) is put to bed. Don't take chances please, don't ruin it for the future.
Keaty
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Written by

Editorial Team • 1 July 2020

Is Music Always For Sharing?

by Editorial Team • 18 February 2025
We explore the thoughts of artists and music sharing. In today's digital age, discovering new music has become more accessible than ever due to online platforms like Spotify, SoundCloud, and download services such as Beatport. While traditional methods of exploring music, such as visiting record shops, have diminished in popularity, the process of musical exploration remains significant and enriching, especially when one encounters a standout track. For performing artists, the quest for fresh music is a continuous endeavor, often regarded as equally important as the performance itself. This raises an interesting question: is it appropriate for artists to keep the details of their music sources confidential? This topic invites further discussion from some of the South West DJs and producers on the nature of music discovery in the modern landscape.
Hey folks! Ben Holtam here—aka DJ BenG—your go-to guy for all things beats, basslines, and good vibe

Ben Holtam, aka DJ BenG's Ultimate Guide to 2025 Music Festivals in Cornwall and Devon

by Ben Holtam • 10 February 2025
Hey folks! Ben Holtam here—aka DJ BenG—your go-to guy for all things beats, basslines, and good vibes in the South West. As we gear up for another epic summer, I’ve rounded up the must-hit music festivals of 2025 across Cornwall, Devon, and beyond. Whether you're an avid raver, a wellness enthusiast, or a family seeking entertainment, the South West's festival scene caters to your needs. Let’s dive in!

Sugarshaker Debut Mix

by Editorial Team • 7 February 2025
Making her Little South debut, Sugarshaker is no stranger to the South West dance music scene having played at clubs and festivals across the region. Sugarshaker is a house, trance and techno DJ and this mix will bring a smile to your face. Expect a progressive mix with stabs of mood-lifting trance. We caught up with Sugarshaker where we learned about her DJ history and past and future residencies!

TNT Rambunctious Summer Rave

by Editorial Team • 29 January 2025
The curators of the West Cornwall raves are currently preparing for their next event scheduled for May 2025. This event will take place in the fields of West Cornwall, near the village of Zennor. A lineup of DJs, including Ambassador 626 Kavos, Charlie M, Deckhead, DJ Brady, Lady Embrace, Ste Ellis, and Steve Lid, among others, will be performing. The event is a collaborative effort involving prominent dance music promotion groups such as Raw Rotation, Inception, Kernow Rave Culture, and TNT.

Paradhis Festival 2025

by Editorial Team • 24 January 2025
The Paradhis Festival is a new summer event scheduled for July 4th to 6th, 2025. It will be held at Boconnoc Estate in Cornwall, providing a picturesque setting. The festival focuses on the themes of music, wellness, and nature, aiming to create an enriching experience for attendees.

Reece Johnson Funky House Mix

by Editorial Team • 24 January 2025
In episode two of our 2025 podcast mix series, we feature Reece Johnson, known for his ability to blend contemporary and classic tracks into vibrant mixes. His latest funky house mix embodies the essence of summer, showcasing an array of carefully selected songs. In the following section, Reece shares insights about his upcoming projects and what listeners can expect from him this year.
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