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Beth Burton

@bybefburton

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music, journalism and cultural ramblings
writing, documenting & learning out loud
💎BRISTOL💎

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Cannot stop thinking about Saturday’s dub night at The Boxing Gym 🤩

Stand High Patrol and Iration Steppas under one roof, powered by Firmly Rooted Sound System in the main room… serious dubweight from start to finish. Stand High came through with that signature live DJ and horn improvisation blend, spontaneous trumpet moments cutting through, fresh cuts and remixes flying about. Then Iration Steppas stepped up with that heavyweight Leeds pressure, futuristic, chest rattling, foundation shaking bass that had the whole place vibrating.

It was a last minute send and I’m so glad we went. Bristol’s dub, reggae, 140 and dubstep roots culture runs so deep. Still rammed right through to the 4am close, everyone skanking hard, fully locked in. Firmly Rooted had the system sounding unreal, crisp highs, rolling lows, that immersive wall of sound you feel in your ribs. When the dub drifts into that almost trance like space it’s my absolute favourite.

Lovers Rock and soul flowing all night in the Bunk Beds, while the outdoor stage brought pure energy, dub and reggae vinyl into dancehall, then slipping into dubstep and proper yummy DnB. The guys on the mic outside honestly blew me away. Proper multi room chaos in the best way.

Finished it with a top tier onion bhaji from the loveliest guy who had been grafting at his food stall all night, in the freezing cold I might add. Didn’t catch his name but he was an absolute angel. Bristol nights done properly. by @bybefburton

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8 months ago

Let’s talk about fantasia.

Fantasia New Horizons was easily one of my favourite raves of 2025. It felt like walking straight into an old school jungle and drum and bass night, and honestly, what a treat. The lineup was stacked with proper heavyweights from the eighties and nineties: Slipmatt, SL2, Time2Rush, Ratpack, and of course Fabio and Grooverider, the duo regarded as the originators of the dnb scene.

The main stage had wicked visuals rolling behind the decks, different designs for every set, lasers firing all round the gaff. In the second room it was the newer generation carrying that same sound: R very own Duality, Toby Ross and Mixtress, whose clips are at the end of the post. The music was top quality, proper authentic old school dance tunes, loads of classics I recognised and have grown up loving, mixed with some fresh cutting edge drums an blends. I was especially impressed by Toby Ross, who managed to make the old sound feel new without losing any of its soul.

The atmosphere was unreal, just pure silly dancing with arms swinging everywhere. The second I walked in I knew it was different. At least 90% of the crowd were fifty plus, and it honestly made the vibe. Coming in through the smokers you could tell straight away how much older the crowd was, chain smoking, chatting rubbish and looking fully on it. On the dance floor there were no phones in the air, just people actually in the moment. The older crew definitely rave better, no question.

There were people my mum and dad’s age in little circles facing their mates, cutting the wildest shapes, making me want to dance more silly and loose. It made me realise how self-conscious we can be when we go out, worrying how we look or who might be watching when we dance. But the night is so much better when you actually feel the music and stop living in your head.

Maybe our generation is just more anxious, thanks to Covid, social media and the constant doom on the news. No wonder we’re all a bit weird. That’s why it feels so special when you find a rave where the energy is pure and people dance like silly wild melons, limbs flying everywhere, sometimes to the beat, sometimes nowhere near it. by @bybefburton

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8 months ago

WHATS UP MUCKERS! I am dragging this old spam account out of retirement, and I would genuinely love it if you stuck around for the ride 🫵🏻💕

I am in my final year studying journalism and publishing in Bath, and I want somewhere to put the things that do not fit neatly into essays or word counts. I love political and investigative journalism, but this page is going to be looser, more curious, and a lot more fun.

I am trying to be a better listener and observer of our culture, and also to get over the very real fear of sharing the stuff I actually care about. I would love to find my way into music journalism one day, so expect plenty about the music I am obsessed with, little rants about the industry, cultural oddities, and thoughts from whatever night out or gig I have wandered into that week. I will also be dumping media recommendations, photos, scribbled reflections, and any urban snapshots that catch my eye and look vaguely snazzy.

This is a place for half formed thoughts and the moments that feel too good to leave unmentioned.

BIG LOVE
Bef xxxxxx

#bigtingscoming #watchthisspace by @bybefburton

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9 months ago

Bristek what the actual fuck!!! One of the best events I’ve been to in a longggg time. There was genuinely something special in the air last night.

The energy was ridiculous from start to finish, but the sound was what really got me. Every system sounded insanely good. Proper chest rattling bass, crystal clear sound and each room had its own atmosphere. The lighting and lasers were spot on too. Everything felt considered without taking away from the rawness of it.

Granted, the main room did reach approximately 48 degrees and briefly become a tropical climate, and there were maybeeee a few too many bodies packed in for the size of the venue. But considering how big the crowd got, the Boxing Gym crew handled it pretty well, and I can imagine managing that many people was stressful at points. There always seemed to be a pocket of space to actually dance, and even if we had to queue a bit to get in and out of the smoking area, the atmosphere and quality of the music made it so worth the wait. Even when things got hectic, it never felt sketchy or out of control.

Just one of those nights that reminds me why I love Bristol and the UK music scene so much. The soundsystems, the people, the energy, the absolute chaos of it all.

Still slightly flabbergasted tbh. by @bybefburton

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15 days ago

Recently rewrote @zimma.uk ‘s bio for his EPK and had such a nice time getting to know more about his story, his sound and everything that’s shaped it so far.

Pulled out a few bits for this post because he’s making some seriously exciting moves atm.

I wanna start doing more little artist spotlights on here too. I love getting to know the people behind the music, what’s shaped their sound and what they’re working towards next. There are so many good stories behind the artists making the music we listen to, and I wanna tell more of them.

Big love to ZIMMA for trusting me to tell a bit of his story 🫶🔊

Creds to
@moonimmischmedia
@leodays
@hubble_photo
For these sick pix 📸📸 by @bybefburton

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17 days ago

Wow Goodentime, that was quite something.

Got roped into going pretty last minute with some of my closest friends in the world and GOD I’m glad I went for it. After a whole summer of festivals I genuinely wasn’t sure I had the beans in me for one last hurrah, but somehow it ended up being some of my favourite couple of days of the whole year.

I somehow forgot to pack my fucking tent (???), but luckily squeezed into my friend’s bell tent, which we decked out with a silly amount of lights, bunting and general nonsense. So perhaps the universe simply didn’t want me bringing it.

I somehow forgot to pack my fucking tent (???), but luckily squeezed into my friend’s bell tent, which we decked out with a silly amount of lights, bunting and general nonsense. So perhaps the universe simply didn’t want me bringing it.

Friday started with my mate @joeforge__ set pumping out some absolute bangers before we disappeared off to explore all the weird and wonderful stages tucked around the site.

I LOVED the Cathedral stage. Delicious soundsystem that hit especially hard after the kinda quiet sound regs at Shambala the weekend before.

The Caravan was sick too. You literally walked through a pimped out caravan full of cosy seats and shiny things before emerging into a whole other tent. I bloody love festivals with strange little nooks and secret routes to somewhere else.

The Caravan was sick too. You literally walked through a pimped out caravan full of cosy seats and shiny things before emerging into a whole other tent. I bloody love festivals with strange little nooks and secret routes to somewhere else.

Even the portaloos had disco balls, microphones and speakers, which my talented friends obviously immediately used to spit some silly bars. Fucking loves it.

Mia Pia on the main stage might genuinely have been my set of the summer. Her selections just tickled parts of my brain SO hard. DnB into garage into house into 140 into dubstep. Gloriously multigenre and ridiculously high ENERGY. A beautiful dance indeed.

Mia Pia on the main stage might genuinely have been my set of the summer. Her selections just tickled parts of my brain SO hard. DnB into garage into house into taken in Goodentime Festival by @bybefburton

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a month ago

Bristol’s drum ’n’ bass summer is in full swing.

In our latest issue, Beth Burton @befnyz examines why drum ’n’ bass is such a Bristol thing, speaking with @dj_krust about the venues, people, places and unique southwest culture that have evolved the genre into a window-rattling summer soundtrack.

Beth also picks out this summer’s essential drum ’n’ bass raves.

To read the full article, pick up a copy of nearfield from 500-plus stockists in the region – or better yet, subscribe to get a copy delivered to your door. You’ll also get a free coffee from Boston Tea Party!

Your free guide to what’s on in Bath, Bristol and beyond 📍 by @bybefburton

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4 months ago

My first ever published feature article for Nearfield Mag 🥹🫶

Writing about Bristol’s drum & bass scene, the culture behind it, and rounding up some of the biggest DnB events of the summer honestly didn’t feel like work at all.

Really proud to see my byline on this one and grateful to the Nearfield team for giving me the opportunity.

If you’re into DnB, Bristol nightlife, or just fancy a read, you’ll find the link in my bio ✨ xxxx by @bybefburton

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4 months ago

What a weekend
From a yummy day rave at lost horizon to then an egg hunt and boogy at kings street then discovering a party playing vinyls till sunrise in St Paul’s that was well nice. by @bybefburton

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5 months ago

I naively thought I had already seen every Studio Ghibli film, so when I came across Grave of the Fireflies (1988) on Instagram last week I was excited to discover one I had missed. It may now be my favourite Ghibli film because of its beautiful, deeply real and emotionally raw story. I recommend it wholeheartedly, though be warned, it is very sad.

The film follows a brother and sister struggling to survive in Japan during the final months of the Second World War. It is a devastating meditation on the human cost of war, and their fight for survival is as moving as it is painfully true to life. The story itself is simple, but it is executed with extraordinary care and artistic sensitivity.

One of the things I love most about Japanese animation is the quiet space between moments. Scenes linger on small details, a washing line moving gently in the wind, a fleeting expression on someone’s face, a small human gesture. Grave of the Fireflies uses these pauses beautifully, creating a reflective pace that makes the harsh realities of the story feel even more powerful. The soundtrack is sparse, with long stretches of silence, which somehow makes the film even more emotionally affecting.

Seeing war through the eyes of children is devastating, but it is also an important reminder of who suffers most in conflict. With everything happening in the world today, the film feels especially resonant.

For me, this is one of Studio Ghibli’s greatest works. It is a deeply moving and thought provoking film about the loss of innocence and the quiet tragedies of war. The story is based on an autobiographical short story by Akiyuki Nosaka, who wrote it as an apology and dedication to his younger sister, whom he was unable to protect during the war. by @bybefburton

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7 months ago

Very nice by @bybefburton

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8 months ago

Bel Cobain has dropped new music and I am so here for it. About time.

She has such a loyal UK following and, for me, her sound carries a wave of nostalgia that takes me straight back to those chaotic, hazy teenage years when she first got on my radar.

A British jazz and R&B influenced singer and songwriter, she is known for velvety vocals and emotionally reflective lyricism. Blending contemporary soul with subtle jazz undertones, South London’s Bel Cobain creates intimate, slow burning tracks that explore love, vulnerability and self discovery. Her music feels both modern and timeless, shaped by neo soul textures and rooted in the South London alternative R&B scene which includes a lot of artists who blend jazz, spoken word and experimental soul influences.

There is an understated cool to the way she delivers; honest, reflective and never overdone. Still slightly under the radar, but undeniably special.

Here’s the names of the songs above:
1. Am I Dumb
2. Fucking City
3. Leader
4. Introverted Stoner
5. Emocean
6. At The Bay, The Silhouettes Project with Lex Amor
7. Unsafe House

She is such a diamond. Really hoping this new chapter brings her the traction she deserves. by @bybefburton

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8 months ago