From Psychedelic-Traveller

[2009] Flourished and evolved in the UK

• written by Psionic Entity

The UK Psytrance scene's popularity has seen a steady increase over the last few years. It has flourished and evolved in all directions, stemming from London, where multiple club and squat parties happen on a weekly basis, it has spread right across our vibrant Island. Most of the major cities have at least one regular night, and in the summer months there’s plenty of intimate outdoor parties and festivals, meaning wherever you are in the UK, you don’t have to travel far to find the music and vibe we all love!

Considering our less than ideal climate for Psytrance parties, I think it says allot for the atmosphere, popularity and general vibe of UK Psy parties that trancers from all over the world flock to organise & attend what we have on offer. Utilization of the internet has really helped get all the different tribes connected. Psymusic UK Forum is the place to get up to speed with what’s what across the UK. Then there’s the Celtic Psytrance Forum which has a more intimate vibe, focused on the vibrant northern underground scene. Everywhere you go there is a real sense of community amongst the organisers and party goers alike.

The preferred style of Psytrance in the UK is most definitely Full On, but look a bit harder and you will find that the Darkpsy scene in UK is just starting to really take off.

There has always been plenty of groundbreaking Psy music coming out of the UK from some of the world’s biggest labels that started it all...Tip, Transient, Twisted, Liquid…now newer labels such as Phar Psyde, Catawampus & Kundalini. There are also a lot of small underground labels springing up, giving the many up and coming producers a platform to get their music heard. Labels such as Wonkay, Cosmogenisis & Sacred Media. Another really vibrant scene, particularly in the South of England is Nu-School Breaks. This has collided with Psytrance music to form Psybreaks. At many Psy nights you can now also hear this exciting new cross over genre. Labels such as Archangel, Funkatech & Broken Robot Recordings are ones to look out for.

London has a multitude of Clubs and Squat parties happening every weekend. There’s massive multi room parties like Alpha Omega & Wonky Disco & warehouse parties with international lineups from crews like Venom & Mystic Systems. If you visit London you may want to check out the Stables Market in Camden. This is where you will find the highest concentration of Psytrance music & psychedelic & alternative fashion shops. Also the best place to pick up flyers for the latest parties and talk to people in the know.

A couple of years ago you were lucky to see international live acts outside of London, with the exception of the well established Tribe of Frog in Bristol. This is all changing now, as plenty of promoters, new and old are doing great things and bringing some of the top names from around the world to the UK. Crews like Illminaughty & UV Hybrid in Manchester, Soma Sonic & Alien Resonance in Liverpool, Fatmoon & Planet Zogg in Sheffield, Kulu in Bradford and Planet Monkey in Edinburgh.

The summer months hold plenty of reasons to enjoy the beautiful UK countryside, there’s nothing quite like British Festivals, inhibitions go out the window and things have a tendency of getting really silly! We don’t have too many festivals dedicated solely to Psytrance, most festival goers are treated to a whole host of different stages featuring live bands and electronic musicians alike. We have many top festivals, such as the Glade, Waveform, Offworld, & Sunrise Celebration, then there are plenty of more intimate festivals like Thimbleberry and Bearded Theory. As well as all the festivals that happen, there are many small outdoor parties that happen too. For more information, your best bet is to log onto the forums and get chatting!