Meet the characters keeping music alive across the UK
- Text by Gabriela Helfet
- Photography by Dan Wilton
Since a long ass time ago, Britain has produced globe-altering music. Artists who are now so ingrained in the collective cultural consciousness it’s difficult to imagine that, once upon a time, they had to try to get people to listen. But even Bowie and Radiohead had to start somewhere…
Within the shadows of the music industry’s limelight, there’s a network of people who you have probably never heard of. Individuals whose passion isn’t ‘just’ listening to music, it’s sharing music with others. They’re the opposite of too-cool-for-school hipsters who snub their nose at you when you haven’t heard the new, purple label, 100-edition pressing that just dropped. They are why and how you have discovered your favourite artists.
Promoters, bookers, labels, sound engineers, venue owners, radio station managers, fans, internet impresarios, festival organisers and collectives – all spread far and wide across the country.
From the UK’s most devoted gig goer, to the family run shop where the grandmother can tell you all about her love for Grime and Skepta, from local DIY performance spaces to international internet music platforms, the Indie50 is a diverse selection of 50 people who champion and support independent sound, each in their own way.
To celebrate these sonic hustlers, Josh Jones and Dan Wilton set off on a manic road trip across Britain to photograph and interview them all.
Over the course of nine days, the duo traversed roughly 1400 miles, drank a fuck-ton of tea, met nearly 50 strangers, and documented the unique, vibrant ways to be independent within music in 2016.
There was one overwhelmingly universal piece of advice, though: “Don’t be a dick. Be nice. It’s a long game. As long as you’re loving what you’re doing, then you’re doing it right.”
Below are just a few highlights from the exhibition and accompanying limited-edition zine of the same name.
Consider Don’t Be a Dick a music industry mantra. Hell, consider it a life mantra.
Don’t Be A Dick runs from 2nd – 8th of September at Huck’s 71a Gallery in London.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
The dreamy, surfy sounds of Cactus for Breakfast
Vitamin B — The Berlin-based band blends eclectic lyrics and influences spanning The Ventures, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard and Fela Kuti into a swirl of garage psych. We caught up with them as they brought their jubilant live show to Huck’s showcase on the final night of SXSW London.
Written by: Roxana Diba
Huck's SXSW gig was a sweat-soaked rager
Huck it's so hot: At Village Underground for SXSW London’s final night, Huck co-curated a bill featuring Honey I’m Home, Cactus For Breakfast, Master Peace and shame – here's what went down.
Written by: Ella Glossop
Analogue Appreciation: Balming Tiger
Gongbu — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, it’s K-pop experimentalists Balming Tiger.
Written by: Balming Tiger
Horst Festival is a blueprint for a creative, collective future
Hymn — Highlighted by an engrossing performance directed by Fallon Mayanja, the 2026 edition was a showcase of ASIAT Park’s ever-evolving space as an incubator for art, music and creativity.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien: “Technology’s evolution on the human psyche is a massive problem”
Blue Morpho — With the release of his second solo album, the songwriter and guitarist explores analogue rawness, spirituality and pulling himself out of a dark place. D’Arcy Doran caught up with him at SXSW to find out more.
Written by: D’Arcy Doran
New film spotlights London’s Bubble Club, the party by people with learning disabilities
Radically inclusive clubbing — Produced by Muddled Marauders and currently fundraising for completion, the feature documentary focuses on the inclusive night, which has been in operation since 2005.
Written by: Roxana Diba
