It’s late at night in a cavernous and darkened warehouse. Lasers are beaming, gun-fingers are pointing, the bass is thumping. And thousands of like-minded ravers are bouncing to one of the UK’s most exciting new DJs, Hedex.
But this is not Ibiza, London or Bristol – destinations famed for their incredible drum and bass scenes.
Rather this is Lincolnshire Showground.
And this event –a massive festival of D&B held last October – may be proof that this region is currently making huge sound waves.
Little Lincoln has become something of a hub for D&B music lovers. Every weekend, packed events take place here; from coffee shop takeovers (such as at Coffee Aroma) to basement parties (like that at the Akedo Gaming Bar) and, of course, on to the famed Void nightclub.
For the last 30 years, Lincoln has had a small underground rave culture – but those who know it best say that the scene is now booming more than ever before. They reckon that growing numbers of dancefloor-loving students are combining with veteran ravers and artists to create a truly unique small city scene here.
Frankie Codona, the leader of Lincoln-based DJ collective Bushido Soundboi, said: “There has been a huge spike in drum and bass popularity.
“For the last 15 years we were lucky in Lincoln if there were two or three acts booked here.”
“We are all working towards the same goal of putting Lincoln on the map”
Now, though, he says, events are sold out weekly, with some of the world’s most renowned DJ’s – including titans such as Hedex, Sammy Virgi and Bou – all playing here.
Codona said: “It is so special here in respect to the promoters behind the scenes that put these events together. We all get along like family, encouraging one another and ensuring that we do not clash event dates. We are all working towards the same goal of putting Lincoln on the drum and bass map.”
The recent rise in popularity of D&B is not, it should be said, confined to Lincoln.
A report by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) revealed that electronic music is now the most popular genre at UK festivals suggesting a nationwide popularity surge.
Michael Kill, boss of NTIA, said: “Electronic music is one of the UK’s understated phenomena. It shapes and embraces communities, educates, inspires and unites the UK with its unique form of culture.”
The largest raves across Lincoln are organised by event company, Square One, which originally started in Nottingham and expanded to Lincoln two years ago after spying an opportunity here.
Square One owner Jayfor said: “I think Lincoln has worked so well because there wasn’t much going on before in terms of drum and bass, so we’ve really found a gap in the market.”
He added: “At the moment, Lincoln’s D&B scene is the strongest it has ever been. Half of these artists we’ve had through have never even heard of Lincoln before.”
He said the atmosphere in the city is always special: “we’ve done events in Nottingham, Leicester and Leeds and I don’t know what it is about Lincoln but every time we do an event here, people turn up as soon as the doors open at 10pm and keep up the energy until 4am.”
That energy may explain why, at the end of October, Square One put on that D&B festival at the city’s famed showground.
Thousands of ravers from across the county and further afield flooded in to see headliner Hedex – a star who was named Best DJ at the 2023 D&B awards – perform a jaw-dropping set.
Support acts, meanwhile, consisted of multiple young Lincoln-based artists – something which Jayfor hoped would inspire young DJs in the city.
Tyler Hayes, 22, who was lucky enough to support, said: “Seeing big names in the city does really motivate me. Being able to meet them and get advice really shows me anything is possible with enough hard work…
“It is great to see that people in the city who would never have gone to a drum and bass event two years ago are now attending and regularly coming back.”
“People tun up as soon as the doors open at 10pm and keep up the energy until 4am”
This rise does not only benefit DJ’s, event organisers and fans themselves. It also benefits Lincoln’s local economy.
From independent taxi companies to local bars, eateries and hotels, the D&B pound is much welcome across a broad spectrum of the economy..
Marion Cooney, head of Lincoln BIG’s hospitality sector, said: “Lincoln’s nightlife is a dynamic contributor to its economy, fostering a vibrant social scene and attracting visitors from near and far. Among these, drum and bass music events stand out as pivotal in Lincoln’s night time economy.”
Marion added that these events generate substantial revenue through ticket sales, increased footfall in surrounding businesses, and accommodations for out-of-town attendees. She added: “The events Inject a substantial economic boost into the city.”
These, then, are exciting times for D&B fans, and many people beyond.
Another festival is being held at the showground at Easter. Long may the D&B scene thrive.