Kirk Field on life inside UK rave culture

In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, I sit down with Kirk Field, one of the most respected and credible voices in UK rave and club culture. Kirk was there at the birth of the scene. As a journalist for Mixmag, DJ Mag, and NME, he documented the rise of UK rave culture from the inside, at a time when misinformation, media panic, and political pressure distorted what was really happening on dancefloors across the country. This conversation goes deep into the reality of the early rave years. The scale, the energy, the chaos, and the community that defined an era. We talk honestly about the myths versus the truth, why the press often got it wrong, and why documenting rave culture accurately still matters today. We also explore Kirk’s latest work, Rave New World 2: Planes, Trains & Amphetamines, and why the sequel had to be written. From UK warehouses and legendary venues like Bagleys and Freedom, to Ibiza in the 1990s and the realities behind overcrowded superclubs, this is a first-hand account of a movement that reshaped music history. This is not nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It’s about truth, context, and preserving the real story of rave culture. 🎧 Take your time with this one. We talk about: 📖 Rave New World 2 and why the sequel was essential 🔊 Kirk Field’s first experience of rave culture ☀️ The Summer of Love and the explosion of UK raving 📰 Media panic, authorities, and press misinformation ✍️ Writing the truth about rave culture from the inside 🏭 Bagleys, Freedom, and legendary UK rave venues 🏝️ Ibiza in the 1990s and how it really felt 🐟 “Sardines in Pacha” and the reality of overcrowding 🌞 Bora Bora Ibiza and daytime party culture 🔮 Ibiza heading into 2025 👥 Holiday groups and the modern clubbing scene Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Rave New World 2 03:42 First rave experiences 05:53 The Summer of Love 07:25 Media, authorities, and press reaction 09:22 Writing the truth about rave culture 21:51 Bagleys & Freedom 32:01 Ibiza in the 1990s 38:09 Sardines in Pacha 45:56 Bora Bora Ibiza 48:17 Ibiza in 2025 52:37 Holiday groups and modern clubbing Links: Rave New World 2: Planes, Trains & Amphetamines https://rb.gy/1ld3z8 Sardines in Pacha: https://youtu.be/TsTChWnMT8Q For guest invitations, sponsorship proposals, and collaboration enquiries, please contact Dexter: [email protected]