Music Editor Evelyn Hylands sits down to talk with fast growing DJ collective Dance No Evil.
With Halloweekend drawing to a close, Glasgow once again cements its reputation as one of the UK’s most electrifying clubbing cities. Infamous for its rave scene and its habit of hosting some of the world’s biggest names, the city’s nightlife continues to grow and evolve. Beneath strobe lights and sweaty basements, a new generation of DJs is keeping that energy alive and few are doing it with more momentum than Dance No Evil.
The collective, made up of Gordon Simpson, Lewis Robertson, Harry Laskey and Euan Cackett, has quickly established itself as one of the fastest growing forces in Scotland’s underground scene. Each DJ, talented in their own right, before deciding to join forces under one name. Together, they’ve built a reputation for packed club nights, heavy hitting tunes, and an unpretentious, communal approach to club culture. Their events whether in Glasgow, Edinburgh, or beyond promise great music, great company, and dancefloors that rarely stand still.
When I sat down with them ahead of their recent run of shows, it was clear how deeply rooted their passion is in Glasgow’s grassroots nightlife. Gordon Simpson (better known to most as specki c) spoke about how formative the city’s underground scene has been for their creative identity.
GS: “It’s always been a really inspiring thing for us. It’s cool to get involved in a place where emerging artists are getting promoted.”
That sense of community, of giving back to the scene that built them, sits at the heart of Dance No Evil’s ethos. Gordon explained that the collective wants to “treat it as a call back to the early Glasgow rave scene, the one that’s been so well established.” The group’s beginnings are just as organic. “We all met in Glasgow,” he said. “We were inspired by the nights out we had together.”
Dance No Evil have played at some of the city’s most iconic venues, including Sub Club, a space vital to the establishing of Glasgow’s rave heritage. With an always packed dance floor, legendary sound system, and walls that have absorbed decades of sweat, Subbie has hosted some of the biggest DJs in the world from Goldie to Ewan McVicar. For Dance No Evil, performing there was more than just another gig, it was a rite of passage. Gordon told me “it was a great chance to tick off a real bucket list item”
Their nights are unapologetically energetic. When I attended their recent show at Stereo, the basement was heaving, a crowd of young and old moving in sync to a thumping bass. Few phones, just an enthusiastic sea of people dancing. “It feels quite Glaswegian,” Gordon said with a grin, “in the sense that we don’t take ourselves too seriously.”
Musically, the collective has evolved. “We started off quite UK garage focused,” Gordon explained, “but we’re always kind of changing.” Their sets now weave through electro, breaks, techno and dubstep, an evolution that reflects both the diversity of Glasgow’s nightlife and their own willingness to experiment.
What makes Dance No Evil stand out is their respect for the culture that made them. They’re not chasing trends; they’re building something sustainable, something that reflects a Glasgow spirit. Their events are rooted in inclusivity, good energy, and an understanding that the dancefloor is sacred.
As their crowds continue to grow, Dance No Evil are proving that Glasgow’s underground scene is alive and well. They’re the sound of a city that refuses to sit still, a reminder that even as scenes shift and trends fade, the heartbeat of Glasgow’s nightlife will always find a way to keep dancing.
Image Credit: Evelyn Hylands