Max HeyraudFrom warehouse raves in Galway to soundsystem sweat sessions in Cork, and heads-down Sunday parties in Derry, Ireland’s club culture, despite what you might think, is very much alive and constantly evolving.
These five collectives are forging new paths for Irish club culture, each with their own vision, sound, and fiercely loyal communities. Whether it’s through grassroots radio shows, secret-location gatherings, or international takeovers, they’re putting their slant on what Irish club culture looks, feels and sounds like.
CORP
CORP have been at the beating heart of the North of Ireland’s underground scene in recent years, emerging as a vital force in platforming and pushing forward the next wave of grassroots culture. From secret locations to Sunday sessions in Derry’s Sandino’s, to high-energy parties at Belfast’s Ulster Sports Club, including a landmark show with UK rave icon Altern-8—they’ve kept the pressure on. Their mission goes beyond just throwing parties. Through their residency on Subtle Radio, they spotlight new sounds and rising artists, reinforcing a deep commitment to nurturing community and keeping the underground pounding with life.
Bumble
Galway-rooted but globally minded, Bumble have been generating serious buzz both at home and abroad. Originally breaking through as central figures in Galway’s rave revival, and later as champions of the midweek student scene, they’ve since evolved into full-blown party architects, throwing shows from Australia to Portugal and Ibiza. Known for digging into unconventional spaces—boats, bunkers, open-air’s, and warehouses, they’ve built a cult following on the back of pure consistency. Each party feels like a happening, and that’s no accident. Bumble have amassed a certified party-starting track record, and people will follow them just about anywhere.
OUTLAW’D
There’s not a heap of parties pushing the UK end of electronic music in Cork right now, and OUTLAW’D are holding that torch high. Helmed by local heavyweights NATMAC and James Abjure, this crew is laser-focused on the UK’s hardcore continuum, bringing the likes of Sully, Dr. Dubplate, and Denham Audio to town while championing Irish talent like Sloucho, Mathman, and Prozak. Crews like Belfast’s Crilli and Dublin’s Illicit also make appearances, all underpinned by the serious weight of the handcrafted Rise Up Soundsystem. It’s a movement built on bass, breakbeats, and a belief in forward motion. With a tight-knit but growing community of heads hungry for sub pressure and energy, OUTLAW’D are schooling a new generation.
EQUINOX
EQUINOX, run by Limerick trio Triad, is a reflection of the high-octane energy they’ve always brought to the booth. What started as a hometown love letter to all things rave has grown into a platform for eclectic and forward-facing dance music. The bookings speak for themselves—IMOGEN, Prozak, Shampain, Miley Serious, LB aka LBAT, and Shee, to name a few, but it’s not about genre worship. Like Triad themselves, EQUINOX parties don’t follow a strict formula. Disco, house, UK techno, electro, it’s all welcome, as long as it moves the floor. It’s that rare kind of space where the crowd mirrors the crew.
Irish Social Raves
There aren’t many crews putting community at the heart of raving quite like Irish Social Raves. A collective born from the simple idea that no one should have to rave alone, they’ve built an ever-growing network of social groups helping dancers link up and find their crew. Whether it’s techno, house, drum and bass, or hard dance, they bring the same attitude to each club space. Inclusivity sits at the core of everything they do, and it’s felt in the energy of every room they curate. At Irish Social Raves, everyone’s welcome, and no one’s left dancing alone in the corner.
