Music Critic Ollie Duke interviews Joe Dickon and Raef MacNaughton, two students revitalising the Birmingham underground scene with fresh faces and new ideas
There’s no denying Birmingham’s rich musical heritage; this is the city that brought us icons like Ozzy Osbourne, Duran Duran, and UB40, to name just a few. Whether it’s reggae, heavy metal, grime, bassline, or Bhangra, Birmingham isn’t just a city of a thousand trades—it’s a city of a thousand genres.
Despite Birmingham’s complex musical tapestry, the city has often felt musically overshadowed by the likes of London, Manchester, and Bristol—especially in the rave scene. I had the privilege of sitting down with Joe Dickon, founder of Redhead Records, and Raef MacNaughton, founder of The Sonic Exchange, to discover how these two students are challenging this narrative.
The pair begin by telling me how they first started DJing.
“My brother was always banging on about it,” Joe tells me. “He’d been telling me to get into it for years and recommended I learn while I’m still young. What really triggered me into it was my first time in a pirate studio when I was about fifteen. I was in this really cramped room of about twenty people, watching these two guys MCing. My fifteen-year-old self thought it was fucking insane. And that’s when I decided to take my brother’s advice.”
Raef, on the other hand, began mixing before he had ever stepped into a rave environment. “It’s pretty lame,” he admits, giggling out of embarrassment. “But going to Boardmasters Festival when I was sixteen kickstarted my love for dance music—it was the first time I heard Drum n’ Bass. That’s not exactly what I’m into now, but after that, I came back home and started mixing properly. I didn’t really know how any of it worked, and I didn’t know anyone else who mixed or went to raves, so for a couple of years I was just practicing at home, getting better at it. Once I turned eighteen, I properly started going to raves and exploring the scene more.”
Raef began hosting events in Birmingham as soon as he joined university. Now a second-year Computer Science student, he held his first event under the alias “The Sonic Exchange” (TSE) in early November last year. The Instagram account’s first post advertising a debut at Digbeth’s Suki10c boldly asserts: ‘Tailored for those who are tired of the same old routines in Birmingham and seeking new experiences, TSE is determined to redefine the city’s dance scene.’
“England’s second city, they call it, but when it came to music, it always felt like fourth or fifth,” – Mike Skinner
“Hosting events here came off the back of throwing events in London with a different company, ‘Rabid Records,’” Raef explains. “It was different kinds of music before, stuff I didn’t completely resonate with. And I was working with someone who often wanted to do things their own way. Eventually, I realized I wanted the freedom to explore what I could do on my own.”
“When I got here, I noticed there weren’t many nights that catered to the music I liked. So, I reached out to a couple of people, got some friends involved—people I knew could deliver great music—and then I reached out to others who could help with things like videography, photography, promotional videos, and graphic design for the posters. Along the way, I’ve met so many talented people.”
First impressions are important, and choosing the name of your events company is no exception. Raef had been going back and forth with a lot of names before settling on the one that felt right. “I like ‘The Sonic Exchange’ because, outside of events, I like to share music with people. At the end of the day, that’s what DJing and raves are about—it’s an exchange of music. I was having a conversation with some guy, he said the phrase, and it kind of stuck.”
Joe’s chosen alias, ‘Redhead Records,’ doesn’t have quite the same story—it’s simply a nod to his ginger hair. The second-year Business Management student hadn’t hosted any events before coming to university, but he knew it was something he wanted to pursue. “I had it in my mind that as soon as I got to Uni that I was going to start throwing events, wherever it may be. I’m really glad it ended up being Birmingham, because there’s a big gap in the market here. It’s a big city, but it lacks a consistent and concrete underground rave culture.”
Joe’s first event, like Raef’s, took place at the iconic Suki10c. “I built a rapport with the owner, and they were happy to give me a date. The real challenge wasn’t getting the venue; it was promoting the event and making sure enough people turned up. Luckily, it went well and set the stage for more.”
Both Joe and Raef acknowledge that Birmingham’s rave scene, while smaller and more intimate than in other cities, has its advantages. “The community here is more tight-knit than London, for example,” Raef explains. “There are fewer venues, fewer events, so when something good is on, you know a lot of people will be there. That creates a sense of familiarity and shared experience.”
Despite this, both DJs see room for improvement. “Birmingham is a big city, but still, the options for underground music and events are limited,” Joe adds. “A few venues and groups dominate the scene, which can make it hard for new faces to break through. That’s why we’re trying to offer something new to the table.”
When asked about the challenges they face when organizing events, both agreed that promotion is often the most stressful part. “The main question on your mind is always: how many people will show up?” Raef admits. “There’s so much that depends on that—whether the night will be a success, whether you’ll make money or break even. It’s nerve-wracking, especially when ticket sales pick up last minute, which is usually the case.”
Joe adds that one of the hardest parts is relying on so many external factors. “You depend on venue owners, designers, DJs, and promoters, and a lot of the time things aren’t formalized. If something falls through at the last minute, it can be really stressful.”
You depend on venue owners, designers, DJs, and promoters, and a lot of the time things aren’t formalized. If something falls through at the last minute, it can be really stressful
Despite the challenges, both DJs are optimistic about Birmingham’s future. They believe the city’s rave scene could grow into something as influential as its musical past. “There’s definitely a niche to be filled here,” Raef says.
Both Raef and Joe have hosted a number of sold-out events since they began. Raef’s most recent event was held on a canal boat; extra tickets had to be created after the event sold out so quickly. Joe, meanwhile, is gearing up for his next big event, ‘Redhead Records: Project Red II’, a night of groovy electro, punchy breaks and bouncy jungle at the iconic Suki10c on October 26th.
When it comes to the music they play, both DJs have distinctive approaches that reflect their personalities.
“I could get so pretentious with this,” Raef jokes when I ask him how he’d describe the music in his sets. “I want to create euphoria. I guess all people aim to create euphoria. Also, all of the drums have to be really strong—I’m a drummer, so the drums speak to me. I want to invoke emotions. If I can get people hugging at the end, then I feel like I’ve done a good job.”
Joe, on the other hand, takes a more structured approach. “I try and put a lot of emphasis on genre progression. I like to start in one place and finish in another, sort of bringing people up with the BPM as the night goes on. Softer dancing at the start, and then before they know it, everyone’s going a bit mad.”
As we wrap up the conversation, I ask what advice they would give to other aspiring DJs or students wanting to make their mark in Birmingham. Both are quick to answer.
Don’t wait for the perfect time—start throwing events or mixing music, even if you’re not fully confident
“Just do it,” Joe says. “Don’t wait for the perfect time—start throwing events or mixing music, even if you’re not fully confident. You’ll learn as you go.”
Raef agrees: “Make your own platform if you don’t already have one. I wasn’t getting booked to play the music I wanted, so I created my own nights. Now I’m doing exactly what I want, and other people are paying attention. Brum has amazing people, and it’s got so much going for it. If the right people get involved and put creative energy into the city, it could go amazing places.”
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