Our Independent Manifesto

We investigate who controls the narrative, not just who is behind the decks. Our reporting is grounded in a refusal to be told what to say by PR companies or artists. We value real journalism and technical accuracy over PR spin and industry bribes. Real talent over hype.

Our Commitment:

• Expose Corporate Influence: We track how corporate monopolies and tech billionaires (like Daniel Ek) are shifting the foundational ethos of our scene.
• Data-Driven Ethics: our report is backed by verified data and governed by our strict code of editorial ethics.
• Radical Transparency: We prioritise the safety, dignity, and independence of the dance floor over the reputations of the industry giants.

1. The Hard Techno Reckoning (2026)

The meteoric rise of Hard Techno has outpaced its professional infrastructure, leading to a volatile environment of exploitation. We track the “Steer Files” and the agency collapse that redefined the scene in 2026.

• The Hard Techno Crisis: Examining the “Steer Files” fallout and the collapse of the Steer Management roster.
• The Rise of Metoodjs: We exclusively spoke with the new anonymous organisation helping victims of sexual abuse about their code of conduct.

2. The Corporate Squeeze & Loss of Independence

The quiet monopolisation of independent platforms by corporate giants represents a systemic threat to dance music autonomy. Our reports track the cultural fallout of these takeovers.

• The Boiler Room Restructuring: Inside the layoffs and the grassroots boycott against corporate ownership.
• The Sziget-Superstruct Split: Analyzing the cracks in the global festival monopoly.

3. The Ethics of the Algorithm

As AI moves from a creative tool to a market competitor, we document the “Data Debt” owed to human creators.

• Klay & Licensing: Why independent artists are being sidelined in AI training deals.
• The Suno/Spotify Debate: Unmasking the cost of unpaid training data in AI-created music.
• The Spotify ICE Boycott: When algorithmic platforms fund anti-immigrant rhetoric.

4. Political Ruptures & Radical Plurality

The underground was built as a sanctuary. We investigate the rise of “purity tests” and essentialist rhetoric that risks fracturing our community.

• DJ Partok & The Crisis of Belonging: Analysing the line between accountability and ideological exclusion.
• Róisín Murphy & Safe-Space Ethics: A case study in maintaining community integrity.
• Does Political Activism in Dance Music Risk Rupturing the Scene: We take a look at Ravers For Palestine’s activism and Nastia’s call to stand politically for war.
• UK Protest Surveillance: How House Against Hate Became A State Surveillance Honeypot: our special report reveals the modern implications of protesting in 2026

5. Advocating for a Better Industry

We don’t just point out the flaws; we’re working to bring about actionable and sustainable industry change in dance music.

• The EDM Bubble 2.0: We look at how the scene could implode and how to fix it.
• Our 2025 Manifesto: Advocating for more underground artists at festivals and a return to core underground values.
• The Dance Music Industry Exposed: We reveal the initial silence behind the major publications reporting about the hard techno scandal and expose how PR firms silently control the narrative.

Support our mission to stay fiercely independent as we continue to reveal the narratives set by the players controlling our scene.