Culture - Mixmag

Inside ‘HYPER: The Stevie Hyper D Story’ — could this be the greatest jungle film ever made?

The tragic, triumphant jungle documentary is currently selling out cinemas in the UK. From the world premiere to the directors’ 25-year struggle to honour an underground legend, Ewen Cook goes behind the scenes of an instant classic that has the drum 'n' bass world in a spiritual frenzy

30 years of Bugged Out! in rave flyers

Ahead of Bugged Out!'s big 30th birthday bash, we spoke to co-founder John Burgess about the party's history and look back upon some of its iconic rave flyer designs

Could the Netherlands become the first country to legalise MDMA?

Prohibition of the party drug has been standard across Europe since the late-'80s, but scientific studies on medical use, an interest in a harm reduction-led approach, and a push to counter gang violence is seeing a movement for legalisation and regulation gather momentum in the Netherlands

How to make the most of Notting Hill Carnival 2024

Ensure your carnival weekend goes as smooth as possible with our guide to some of the best food, stages and soundsystems on offer

The history of the White Isle: How did Ibiza become a party island?

From the earliest settlers to modern day clubbers, we dive into a potted history of the world-famous party island

Meet PrEPster: The crew taking care of Glastonbury's LGBTQIA+ ravers — one 'Fuck Pack' at a time

Run by the community, for the community — Megan Townsend talks to the Love Tank's Will Nutland about PrEPster, a project bringing holistic welfare to Glastonbury's South East Corner

Digital breadcrumbs into their world: A fan’s journey on the trail of Two Shell

Two Shell's elaborate release rollouts unite their fanbase in the aim of unlocking new music by all means possible. In this months-long diary of discovery, Nathan Evans details his winding journey on the heels of Two Shell teases

Should nightclubs be doing more to protect your hearing?

As part of Mixmag’s Tinnitus Awareness series, Megan Townsend speaks to industry professionals, experts and crowd members about the impact music events can have on our ears – and what more could be done to prevent hearing loss

Why younger ravers are embracing earplugs

Gen Z and millenials are better at protecting their ears than any generations that came before them, inspired by education, accessibility, fashion and wellness trends. Belle Richardson reports

Why we need our DIY spaces and co-operative venues more than ever

Researcher and DJ Mike Smaczylo explores what the struggles of DIY nightlife and co-operative venues tell us about contemporary club culture, and why these spaces need to be supported

9 photos that capture the spirit of togetherness through raving

Cheyenne Clementi and Valentina Morandi's new book documents free-party ravers travelling across Europe and attending a Teknival party

The rise of AI music: A force for good or a new low for artistic creativity?

With music created using artificial intelligence software now commonplace, Thomas Hobbs speaks to experts to determine whether it should be seen as the 'new sample' or a dangerous technological innovation

Anu Ambasna’s new exhibition explores dance music tropes and the importance of friendship

In I wanna see all my friends at once, the DJ and illustrator displays a decade of artwork and collected items that celebrate her world

How The Cost Of Living Crisis Is Impacting DJs And Producers

Nightlife is under threat like never before. Patrick Hinton investigates the scale of problems facing dance music in 2023 and considers solutions, speaking to the industry's most visible workers: artists

An exploration of the evolution of nightclub architecture since the 1960s

John Leo Gillen’s new book, Temporary Pleasure, looks at some of dance music’s most important scenes and their various design codes

Defiant photos from Bologna’s ‘Smash Repression’ pro-rave protest

10,000 people took to the streets on Saturday to fight back against new legislation passed by Italy’s coalition government, headed by far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

Intimate, nostalgic ‘90s party shots from the infant days of techno

From Berlin to New York, photographer Werner Amann spent much of his weekends in the ‘90s travelling from party to party capturing the euphoric highs and tired lows of a night out

Why do the Grammys get dance music so wrong? Mixmag investigates

Grammy nominations are often the subject of debate and controversy — but how are they chosen? Annabel Ross demystifies the voting process and explores why the awards juggernaut has become a dubious honour

BMF: The True Story Of The Black Mafia Family

Bryson “Boom” Paul explores how a drug trafficking empire funded Detroit hip hop’s most controversial label and promotion agency

14 vibrant photos capturing the energy of bass music from the 2000s to the present day

Longtime fabric photographer Sarah Ginn marks her comeback to the music industry with hundreds of pictures from parties across drum ‘n’ bass, dubstep, house and much more

Who are the Flenorys? A guide to the Black Mafia Family, hip hop’s most notorious crime empire

Upon the start of BMF season two, we take a look at the stories of each of the family members at the heart of the Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson produced show