Summer is officially on full blast, the sun is out, the festivals are in swing, and the basslines are heavy enough to rattle sun loungers across the UK. But as we’ve learned this month, sometimes the weather brings too much heat — and not just from the DJs.
June kicked off with the mercury pushing 30°C, and while that might sound like paradise for outdoor raves, it came with a harsh lesson: hydration > hype. Dreamland Margate’s all-dayer had to shut down early due to extreme heat. Organisers said it was “just too hot” to continue safely and with that a reminder that sunscreen and water are just as essential as earplugs and reloads. Look after yourselves and especially each other out there.
Last month we talked about it. This month it’s landed. Skream & Benga have officially unleashed their long-awaited new single, “Good Tings Come To Those Who Wait.” And honestly? It was worth every minute. Heavyweight subs, classic wobble, and that unmistakable chemistry that made them dubstep royalty in the first place — this is the sound of two old friends picking up right where they left off.
The future of nightlife might feel uncertain, but the next gen is refusing to sit still. This month, NOT BAD FOR A GIRL and Colour Factory announced NEXT UP — a party series with purpose. Designed to platform emerging and marginalised DJs, it’s a direct response to the ongoing crisis in UK nightlife. Since 2013, we’ve lost more than half our nightclubs — and female, non-binary and gender-minority artists are still massively underrepresented, making up just 14% of festival lineups. NEXT UP is about shifting the balance, one banger at a time.
Amnesia just dropped its summer schedule, and honestly? It reads like a UKF dream lineup. Chase & Status, DJ EZ, Shy FX, Nia Archives, Sammy Virji, Conducta, Flowdan… jungle, garage, bassline and D&B all repping hard on one of the most iconic dancefloors in the world. If you needed a reason to brave the Ibiza heat — there it is.
In a collaboration we didn’t know we needed but now can’t stop rinsing, Irish rap agitators KNEECAP teamed up with London D&B don Mozey for new single THE RECAP. It first landed during their Wide Awake headline set and later shook Glastonbury to its muddy core. Political bars, weighty drops, and certified shellings from start to finish. More of this, please.
Lastly, we want to pay our respects to Olie Bassweight, the pioneering New Zealand DJ and dubstep producer who passed away this month. Olie was a crucial figure in the global dubstep scene, known for his low-end mastery and commitment to the culture. He leaves behind a legacy that echoes far beyond the Southern Hemisphere. Rest in power.
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