Underground music events in Edinburgh escalate, drawing a diverse crowd with late-night dance parties and psychedelic visuals.
In the heart of Scotland, Edinburgh has established itself as the drum and bass capital, nurturing a thriving underground music culture. This vibrant scene is built around a close-knit community of local artists, each inspired by key figures such as Memtrix and Receptor.
One of the pioneers in this scene is Pollyanna, who is spearheading Sunday Service, a daytime party format in Edinburgh. The city's drum and bass history is rich, with events like Manga, which experienced a turning point in 1997 when it booked Ed Rush to play their first birthday and sold out in advance.
The scene has seen the rise of various homegrown talents. Brynk, a drum and bass enthusiast who came to Edinburgh as a student from Poland, has made a significant impact. He met Ominous at Sunday Service and together they are launching their own club night, Niteshift. Refracta, another local artist, has gained recognition with his Elevate EP being picked up by DJ Hybrid's Audio Addict label in 2021.
Midnight Bass, a weekly drum and bass night in Edinburgh, is dedicated to platforming homegrown Scottish talent. Despite the competition to play, Midnight Bass has become a stepping stone for many artists, offering them a chance to perform and build their audience. Refracta, Torso, and Mastaki are just a few of the artists featured on the Scotland VA by Midnight Bass. Refracta's collab with Torso, "Hollow", even went viral on Soundcloud.
However, the scene faces challenges. The closure of key independent venues like The Electric Circus, Studio 24, and The Picture House has limited opportunities for emerging artists to gain exposure. The loss of these grassroots venues presents a significant challenge for the scene's future.
Despite these challenges, the local scene remains passionate and resilient. Artists like Ekwols continue to carry forward the sound and culture of Edinburgh's drum and bass scene. There is also community awareness and support for saving live music venues, implying potential for advocacy and revitalization efforts.
As musical styles continue to evolve, Edinburgh’s drum and bass scene is likely shaped by both traditional UK influences and new genre-blending trends. The future of this resilient but vulnerable underground culture depends on preserving essential live venues and adapting to the broader shifts in music production and consumption. Without the survival of grassroots performance spaces, emerging artists face significant barriers in developing their presence locally and beyond.
[1] Ekwols - SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ewoks [2] Save Live Music Venues in Edinburgh: https://www.change.org/p/save-live-music-venues-in-edinburgh [3] Manchester's Drum and Bass Scene: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/manchesters-drum-bass-scene-17607651
- Sunday Service, spearheaded by Pollyanna, offers a blend of entertainment, music, and the lifestyle of the Edinburgh drum and bass scene, creating a community atmosphere that is reminiscent of the club nights in the vibrant heart of the city.
- In the face of venue closures and the evolving music industry, Edinburgh's resilient drum and bass scene continues to showcase homegrown talent like Refracta, Brynk, and Mastaki at club nights such as Midnight Bass, fostering a strong music culture that transcends traditional UK influences and adapts to new genre-blending trends.
