DJ Mag August 2021 (UK) - digital

It’s obviously great news for the industry in England, where DJ Mag is based, that clubs and venues have been able to fully reopen again. It’s been the toughest 16 months for most in our sector — financially, and in terms of mental and physical health too.

The dance scene has long proven itself responsible and safety- conscious, with many events self-cancelling before mandated to close by the authorities last March. As instructed, we’ve all sat it out while the UK government has tried to get to grips with the pandemic — with varying degrees of success. Voluntarily, as DJ Mag went to press, many venues looked set to insist on proof of a recent Covid test or showing the NHS Covid Pass on entry. This is despite the UK government not mandating such measures.

The pandemic isn’t over, and while the government has shifted the emphasis of infection control onto personal responsibility, that doesn’t mean we should all act irresponsibly. If you’re going to a club, please take a test before venturing out and make yourself aware of the door policy of the venue you’re heading to if you can. Continue to wear masks in crowded indoor places. Look out for and respect others — we need as much unity and co-operation as possible within the scene at a crucial time such as this.

PAWSA (above) graces our UK cover this month, a relatively unsung hero of the tech-house scene who’s been an integral part of the Solid Grooves phenomenon for quite a few years now, and is trying to push the tech-house genre into a new direction. His story is artfully told by DJ Mag’s Amy Fielding from page 18 onwards.

Elsewhere this issue we step inside the Brazilian grime scene (p39), look at a raft of new venues opening up in the UK this year (p46), chat to UK drill star Kwengface just as his new mixtape is dropping (p56), investigate online ticket-touting (on page 65), and oh-so much more. Stay safe. Peace.

Carl Loben

Editor