The tragic events that have been brought to light with Avicii’s passing have underscored, perhaps now more than ever, the importance and need of a support and help system for those in the music industry suffering from mental health problems of any kind.
Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Music Minds Matter is a support line and service for the whole UK music community. Call 0808 802 8008.
In the world of nightlife it’s easy, in fact almost unavoidable, to be in contact with alcohol and drugs. The truth is that in the music industry drugs are very rampant, and Zero Tolerance policies haven’t prevented the distribution of substances that range from the “safest”, such as marijuana, to the “more dangerous” like cocaine, MDMA (more commonly known as molly or ecstasy), speed and many more.
Recent studies have pointed to the importance of safety and education when combatting the drug problems with today’s society, and in particular our youth. This has urged non-for-profits, other organizations, festivals and clubs to advocate for drug testing before consumption, going as far as working to establish drug-testing stations at festivals and venues for patrons to test their drugs safely before consuming them.
In the latest such story, the police department of Preston, Lancashire UK is now offering clubbers free booths to test Cocaine and MDMA.
The concern over the spread of Class A drugs has risen latest, prompting the police in Preston to come up with an idea of offering free booths  for clubbers to test cocaine and MDMA that they are about to take as a part of their New Year party plans. These drug booths will help clubbers or party-goers determine whether their drug in hand is adulterated, contaminated, highly-potent, or fatal.
According to the Mirror: âPreston, Lancashire, is said to be the first town in Britain to offer the drug-checking service when it begins on weekends in the new year..â
These free booths to test Cocaine and MDMA, like any other plans, have supporters and critics. For example, Professor Fiona Measham of Durham University’s Criminology Department and Co-Director of Loop which is a non-profit company that will run the service says, âItâs a very new service and some people might see it as quite radical, but itâs focusing on harm reduction.â On the other hand, Professor Neil McKeganey who is the founder of the Centre for Substance Use Research at Glasgow University states: âI am staggered this is being contemplated, the police are advocating a view which one would not unfairly describe as facilitating drug use. By implication the green light has been given by the authorities to consumption. Itâs hard to see how this isnât an absolute breach of our current drugs laws.â
More recently, a UK Police Chief weighed in on the debate surrounding drug testing, âWe, of course, are very concerned about keeping people safe as much as possible. For me, some form of testing may well be a really useful and practical way forward. I know itâs been tried out in a couple of sites at festivals in the UK in conjunction with local police forces. But weâre not in the position where we can endorse that yet.”
The Secret Garden Party last year was one of the UK festivals that enacted a drug testing initiative to fantastic results:Â 200 people used the tests available to them, with roughly 80 substances of concern found including super-strength ecstasy pills, several amounts of dicey MDMA and ketamine.
Police gave an assurance that users will not be required to give their names. Moreover, this service will make use of a sophisticated laser equipment that detects the drug contents in minutes. They claim it is only a practical response to the rising drug problems in clubs and these free booths to test Cocaine and MDMA neither encourages nor condone the use of any illegal substances.
What about you? Whatâs your take on the issue? Do you think these test booths for Cocaine and MDMA are harmful or helpful? Send us a tweet with your opinion!
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KRAFTWERK 3D MoMA
Almost two years ago, Kraftwerk revamped their iconic 3D live show with a brand new album release launched to welcome a brand-new Europe tour.
Since, the German outfit has completed a successful North American visit and has now announced its first return to the United Kingdom in thirteen years.
The 2017 3D Tour will begin June 9th in Glasgow Scotland, and end with two back-to-back London appearances at Royal Albert Hall on June 21st and 22nd. We wonder if Kraftwerk’s biggest fan, who officially changed his name to that of the group, will travel across the pond to attend!
Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday September 30 at gigandtours.com.
A new report has emerged revealing that UK’s nightlife has now become a priority for a new government that is looking at all possible ways to emerge from the Brexit vote in good economic conditions.
UK Music, charged with overseeing the recorded and live music industry, has come out with a statement confirming that the future of the nighttime economy will be a “priority” moving forward.
The body’s Director of Government and Public Affairs, Tom Kiehl, has stated, “The night time economy is something the government will be considering very closely going forward.” UK ministers realize the economic potential of the country’s nightlife, which is reported to flow up to £66 billion to the country’s economy.
Recent club closures and movements by local neighborhoods to hinder nighttime operations prompted the foundation of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), with the goal to increase awareness on the artistic, cultural and economic impact of nightclubs and nighttime lifestyle in general.
Recently. the NTIA launched Nightlife Matters, a project supported by leading UK promoters, venues and artists to help achieve this goal.
Miller stated that, “there’s been an impulse just to regulate or even review clubs or close them down. When issues come up they say ‘look crime’s up, let’s reduce it’. The first impulse is to regulate and clamp down – that’s a problem.”
He then added: “In every respect the benefits vastly [of nightlife] outweigh the costs. But sometimes people hold onto an old script [that says] nothing good happens in the night time.”
Source: Newsbeat
With dozens of great releases this past year, British duo Cause & Affect have been tearing it up both on the road and in the studio. Their sound incorporates tech house, bassline, garage, and everything in between, creating a highly eclectic yet surprisingly cohesive concoction. Blending the perfect balance of grit and soul, Cause & Affect has been tearing down musical borders and will continue  to do so in the future. If you haven’t had the chance to hear them, you’re in luck – they’ve recently made an amazing pack of free downloads available on their soundcloud. The pack includes 14 great tracks covering a plethora of styles, so there’s a little something for everyone in there!
