UK

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain, is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. It is an island country, spanning Great Britain, the northeast part of Ireland, and many small islands. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK with a land border, sharing it with the Republic of Ireland. Apart from this land border, the UK is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel and the Irish Sea. The largest island, Great Britain, is linked to France by the Channel Tunnel. The United Kingdom is a unitary state consisting of four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It is governed by a parliamentary system with its seat of government in London, the capital, but with three devolved national administrations in Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh, the capitals of Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland respectively. The UK is a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state. The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are Crown Dependencies and not part of the UK. The UK has fourteen overseas territories, all remnants of the British Empire, which at its height in 1922 encompassed almost a quarter of the world's land surface, the largest empire in history.

History

The UK psy-trance scene evolved during the early 90’s and has grown into a beautiful, vibrant and flourishing underground community. Spawned out of London, the scene has managed to thrive and spread throughout our ancient magic kingdom. Nightclubs large and small, sound systems, artists, VJs, DJ's and collectives all endeavor to unite to build and create what has become, a Utopia for psychedelic trance in Western Europe.

[2010] A dancefloor to suit everyone in UK

written by Robin Triskele
read this article in French

The UK is home to some of the psy scene’s most well known labels such as TIP, Twisted, Alchemy, Liquid, Wild Things, and a long string of others who’ve made waves in recent years. With artists such as Dickster, Tristan, Hallucinogen/Shpongle, Laughing Buddha and EVP playing every weekend, you can see some of the top names in the scene and NOT have to beg for choice!

In London, squat parties have become the norm in the past year as there are fewer trance club nights. Acid Monkey, Venom & PsyInvasion are leading the way in the squat scene with international acts most weekends. Halcyon @ the swanky yet underground Club Matter is bringing in notable artists like Ticon & Atmos, while InSpiral Cafe in Camden has a more intimate vibe. You can catch artists such as System 7, Ott and Eat Static play to approx 100 people and enjoy wholesome veggie food, organic ciders and wine. You don’t want to forget the Market whilst in Camden for some of London’s most varied counterculture in food and shopping and of course, Access All Areas — the main point of contact to find out party info and gather flyers.

Heading north, there are many little pockets of psytrance. Bristol is home to Tribe Of Frog, the second largest trance tribe in the UK, and Planet Shroom has started events again. Some of the more established crews are Sunrise & Cabbage in Leeds; Strange Daze & Illuminaughty in Manchester, Planet Zogg in Sheffield, Kulu in Bradford and FatMoon (now Catawampus) in Wales, although there are many smaller scenes spotted all over the UK. Scotland’s Planet Monkey hosts club nights & outdoor events, sometimes collaborating with Random, who do events for charity. Further south in Brighton you’ll find Freak Bizarre.

This past year we’ve seen a huge insurgence of nu-school breaks and minimal techno seeping into and merging with the psytrance scene. This is bending the genres and creating some seriously funky vibes on the dance floors. You can catch some of the best minimal techno acts on Sunday afternoon at the Origin stage at Glade festival in July. Hosting some of the world’s best festivals, the UK is thriving in musical diversity and its stunning countryside paints a beautifully rich tapestry to party in. Glade, Waveform, Alchemy, Solfest , Cosmo (formerly Offworld) & Sunrise Celebration are all happening this year, as is Glastonbury, which brings in upwards of 150,000 people and hosts Arcadia, Glade and other stages showcasing psytrance and downtempo electronica. LIFE Festival in Ireland is hosting top calibre acts set within a lush green backdrop. In addition to the festivals, there are all levels of underground outdoor and forest parties that bring out even the deepest forest pixie!

In the UK there’s a dancefloor to suit everyone and you’re ALL welcome to share it with us!!!

[2011] Update

2011 brought a welcome return of the Glade festival which was cancelled in 2010, though in a scaled down format for a more intimate vibe. Squat parties continue to dominate the London scene with parties running through to Sunday lunchtime or afternoon with promoters such as Synthesis Project, Freaky Hz, Art of Psy, Moondrop, 5th Element, Psy Invasion, Shattered Barriers putting on successful events. Acid Monkey the previous leader in big production squat parties has several events busted by the police in 2011, including their NYE event. Nitrous oxide is now available at virtually all squat parties now, though is banned from sale at legal venues. On the legal party front Halycon continue to put on events attracting big name commerical artists and Elixir of Life put on two of the most successful London parties, one in October and the other on NYE attracting over 2000 people. Perhaps the most critically acclaimed party of the year was the Temple of Magic party in March, a squat party with lavish decor and great line up.

On the festival circuit, a new addition, Cosmo festival is well received and Waveform, Alchemy and Sunrise festivals also return with successful 2011 editions.

Psynon Records, a London based record label launches, with a roster of artists such as Harmonic Rebel and Seti and Nomad 25.

Cognitive Dissidents starts providing mindblowing UV active decor to UK events.

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