Techno and free party sound systems
The free-party movement took sound systems into fields, warehouses and squats. Spiral Tribe, Bedlam, Circus Warp and DiY Sound System all played Castlemorton Common in May 1992, and the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 followed two years later. Crews like Pineapple Tribe kept the techno and trance sound going through the 1990s.
On the register
- BedlamDalstonLegacy
Free tekno sound founded in Dalston, east London in 1992, after running house parties across London from 1990. Played breakbeat hardcore at Castlemorton Common in 1992.
- Circus WarpUK (area not recorded)Legacy
Early-1990s free-party sound that played breakbeat hardcore at Castlemorton Common in 1992 alongside Spiral Tribe, DiY and Bedlam.
- Desta*NationOxfordPossible match
Weak match: DESTA*NATION, an Oxford roots sound (c.1995) that broadcast on Destiny 105.1FM.
- DiY Sound SystemNottinghamLegacy
Nottingham collective formed in 1989 by Harry Harrison, Rick "Digs" Down, Simon "DK" Smith and Pete "Woosh" Birch. Played house music at free parties from 1990 and ran…
- Exodus CollectiveMarsh Farm, LutonLegacy
Luton (Marsh Farm). Free-party collective 1992–2000; later reformed as Leviticus.
- Pineapple TribeGuildfordLegacy
Woking and Guildford free-party trance crew from 1994; later at Carnival and Glastonbury.
- Sinai Sound SystemSheffieldStill playing
Sheffield. Founded by Huw “Cheff” Williams; grew from three boxes to 200,000+ watts.
- Spiral TribeUK (area not recorded)Legacy
Travelling free-party techno sound from 1990. Played Castlemorton Common in May 1992; thirteen members were tried for public order offences in one of the longest and…
- F.O.C.SurreyPossible match
Surrey free-party rig, 2000–2005, listed in the Alan Lodge free party hall of fame.
- Techno TravellersSurreyPossible match
Surrey free-party techno rig, 1991–93, listed in the Alan Lodge free party hall of fame.
Ran a sound, chatted on one or carried the boxes? Add your sound system to the register.