Salaam London,

I don’t know about you, but lately it feels like every morning brings news of something terrible happening somewhere in the world. On days like that, talking about which rave to go to can feel trivial. But it doesn’t have to be. Raving has always been political, especially if you’re at the right party. So alongside our usual weekend picks, I’ve included a few upcoming fundraiser events. With the April and May bank holidays approaching, I’ve also added a handful of London festivals worth keeping on your radar.

Now on to the raves.

Friday comes with some twisted underground options. Mesh, the label run by Max Cooper, is hosting a social at Not For Sale Gallery which, judging by the last one, may well turn into a full-blown rave again. If you want something with more bass weight, Synchronicity x Undergrowth take over The Post Bar with a two-room party of dub sound system pressure, jungle and psychedelic rave sounds. And if you’d like your night out to support a good cause, Queer House Party & Friends at Vespers Club is raising funds for people stuck at the UK–France border.

Saturday brings a classic Sophie’s choice. You can start early at ICA with Jan Jelinek, Hector Plimmer and Ben Bertrand for some experimental electronic-jazz fusion. I’ll personally be heading to Batu & Shackleton at Transmissions for a dose of cutting-edge techno. But if cloning were possible, I’d also be at The Cause for Sama’ Abdulhadi, or catching Omar S and Session Victim.

On Sunday, Mr Scruff makes a rare appearance at The Bath House, though it’s a bit spenny. For something more chilled, head to Spanners for some laid-back electronica. And if you’re still craving techno, there’s always UNFOLD.

Don’t be a raver without a cause,
Afaan

PS: If you’re not able to donate or attend a fundraiser, I’ve included an album link below. Listening can also be an act of resistance ❤️

BANK HOLIDAY SIGNS UPS

  1. A Very Very Good Friday w/ Cybotron, Ross From Friends, Ellen Allien
    @ The Cause (House, Electro, Techno)

  2. Boudica: DJ Fuckoff, ÜBERKIKZ, Jaguar
    @FOLD (Techno, Trance)

  3. All Day I Dream of London
    @Studio 338 (Progressive House)

  4. Lobsta B & Friends (Easter Sunday)
    @ Metropolis (Hardcore, Hard Trance, Donk)

  5. XTD - 011 - Easter Sunday - tINI, Francesco Farfa
    @ FOLD (Minimal)

  6. Queen's Yard Summer Party 2026
    @ Multiple Venues in Hackney Wick

  7. M.O.T pres. Day into Night (Open Air)
    @M.O.T. (Dub, Bass, Footwork)

  8. Goodness 24h: A Guy Called Gerald, Mama Snake, dBridge + more
    @FOLD (Techno, Bass, Experimental)

  9. GALA'26 - Bashhka, Todd Terje, Djrum, Seth Troxler
    @ Peckham Rye Park (Bass, House, Techno)

  10. High Lights
    @ Barking Park (House, Techno, D&B, Garage)

RAVES WITH A CAUSE

  1. Trans Mission @ Wembley Arena
    Raising funds for Not A Phase and Good Law Project, supporting trans rights and legal advocacy in the UK

  2. Queer House Party & Friends @ Vespers Club
    A queer community lineup raising funds for Calais Appeal to support displaced people at the UK–France border.

  3. Basement Sessions @ Aaja Basement
    A community driven evening where the artists donate their fees to raise funds for a local charity

  4. Disco Tehran - Nowrouz in London @Palais
    Bringing together international DJs to raise funds for VPN access supporting freedom of information in Iran.

  5. Sisu presents: Divine Rage fundraiser @M.O.T
    Supporting FLINTA and marginalised artists, with proceeds benefiting The Outside Project and the new Sisu Solidarity Fund.

  6. FREE PROTEST RAVE: Ben UFO, Shygirl, Moxie @ Trafalgar Square
    HOUSE AGAINST HATE brings artists and activists together for a community soundsystem rally opposing the rise of the far right.

  7. Fundraiser for Sudan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen & Congo @ Last Arch
    A solidarity fundraiser supporting Khartoum Aid Kitchen, MSF, MAP and The Sameer Project.

London Raves This Week

Thursday

  1. Lab.Club x Faded: Open Decks (Standard Slots)
    @ Lab.Club (Multi-Genre)

  2. happyhumans : AMBIENT
    @ Shai Space (Ambient, Drone)

  3. Afternova [Free]

    @ Club Makossa (Progressive House, Trance)

Friday

  1. Mesh: Social
    @ Not For Sale Gallery (IDM, Electronica)

  2. Synchronicity X Undergrowth
    @ The Post Bar (Reggae, Dub, Grime + Surround Sound Sets)

  3. Dengue Dengue Dengue
    @ Club Cheek (Tropical Bass, Psychedelic Cumbia)

  4. Let's Start Here Vol.3
    @ The Greyhound (Jungle)

  5. One Foot in the Rave
    @ Dalston Den (Techno)

  6. Ana De Llor: Open House
    @ Love Affair Basement (Queer Avant-Pop & Drag)

  7. Oneman & Sam Deeley
    @ Tola (Garage)

  8. Cyber Beats Minimal House Sessions 3.0
    @ Jungla London (Deep, Hypnotic Minimal)

Saturday

  1. Transmissions: Batu, Shakleton + more
    @ FOLD (Techno, Bass, Experimental)

  2. Sama' Abdulhadi
    @ The Cause (Techno)

  3. Omar-S, Session Victim (live) + more
    @E1 (House)

  4. Jan Jelinek, Hector Pilmmer, Ben Bertrand, FYI Robyn
    @ ICA (Electronic-Jazz, Ambient, Electronica)

  5. Oscillate Secret Warehouse East London
    @ Industrial Space East London (Minimal Techno, House)

  6. NOYB & Friends: Benebe, Foshay & MAÏS
    @ Kings Arms E2 (Deep House, Balearic)

  7. De La Casa Takeover at Brixton Radio
    @ Brixton Radio (Multi-Genre)

  8. jungyals and gays presents: TwentyFree
    @ Distillery N17 (Breaks, Jungle-Tek, Bassline)

  9. Death By Dance 01
    @ Club Makossa (Disco, Groovy House)

Sunday

  1. Mr. Scruff's Miniature Arena Tour
    @ The Bath House (Electro, Disco, Funk)

  2. Sunday Sequence: ddwy (live) + more
    @ Spanners (Deep House, Krautrock)

  3. UNFOLD CXVIII
    @FOLD (Techno)


    FOLD, London

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