EN: Laurent Allègre is a music journalist who, in this work, explores the history of Jamaican music, with a particular focus on reggae in France. Drawing on over a hundred interviews, he traces the journey of the bands, musicians, sound systems, record shop owners, and radio stations that contributed to the rise of reggae in […]
EN: The author, a former Free Party activist and musician, conducted numerous interviews tracing the careers of collectives and members of Free Party sound systems from the 1990s to the 2000s. Organized thematically, these interviews follow a journey from the discovery of free parties to their eventual decline or abandonment. The book offers valuable insight into […]
EN: This book examines free parties and their organisation through the lens of a trance ritual. One chapter is dedicated to the communal life of sound systems, focusing on an in-depth analysis of Voodoo’z Cyrkl. FR: L’ouvrage se consacre à une analyse des free-party et de leur organisation, en tant que rituel de transe. Un […]
EN: The book explores the relationship between the state and the key players in the free party movement, with a particular focus on a collective of sound systems that negotiated with state authorities in the 2000s to organise teknivals. Using the tools of political sociology, the author analyses the series of changes and adaptations made […]
EN: From a media ecology perspective, the article explores the modes of existence of vinyl beyond the object itself, focusing on how the reggae sound system operates as an interpretive entity rather than merely a medium for the dissemination of vinyl. FR: Dans une perspective d’écologie médiatique, l’article examine les modes d’existence du vinyle plus […]
EN: This text explores how the studios of pirate radio stations in Marseille acted as incubators for the development of reggae sound system practices in the 1980s. It delves into what has been termed the “sonic fiction of aïoli,” a rallying cry for an anti-centralist movement and Occitan reggae, with Massilia Sound System at its […]
EN: Written by Alexandre Grondeau, founder of reggae.fr and biographer of Bob Marley and Tonton David, this novel follows a road trip of young cannabis enthusiasts across mid-1990s France. It vividly portrays a youth culture immersed in independent rock and reggae, while discovering free parties and tekno sound systems at early teknivals, such as Spiral […]
EN: This book takes the form of an interview in which French-speaking raggamuffin pioneer Daddy Yod reflects on his personal journey, from his childhood in Guadeloupe to his arrival in France. He discusses his initiation into sound system culture with the influential Youthman Unity Academy and his collaborations with other pioneering artists of French ragga […]
EN: After meeting members of the Desert Storm sound system at a Paris squat during the 1998 Techno Parade, journalist Thierry Colombié, accompanied by photographer Wilfrid Estève, follows them on a journey through Eastern Europe, Turkey, Armenia, and Iran. The narrative tracks the collective’s travels, emphasizing their daily struggles, including mechanical failures and bureaucratic hurdles […]
EN: Tsugi magazine, dedicated to the latest in electronic music, has published this issue on free parties, including an article on ‘how to build your own sound system’. FR: Le magazine Tsugi consacré à l’actualité des musiques électroniques a publié ce numéro sur les free-parties avec notamment un article qui aborde « comment construire son propre […]
EN: A film about the history of the Heretik sound system, tracing its journey from its roots in the free party scene to its integration into the professional entertainment world. The film places particular emphasis on the organisational aspects, highlighting some of their most memorable moments, such as the free parties held in the bourgeois neighbourhoods […]
EN: The film centres on the tekno sound system Metek, with the director following its members as they scout locations for free parties, design flyers, and set up sound equipment. The Meteks discuss the political and artistic motivations that drive their involvement in the free tekno movement. The film also explores the community life within the […]
EN: A documentary film in two parts. Part 1 gathers the voices of artists and members from both British and French reggae and dub sound systems, as well as organisers and journalists. Topics covered include building your own sound system, the political and spiritual dimensions of the music, and the philosophy behind sound system sessions, alongside […]
EN: This film is dedicated to the history of the Epsylonn – Otoktone sound system. The director follows the preparations for a farewell party, marking the end of this collective’s journey, during which its members reflect on their lives, accompanied by archival footage. They discuss the formation of the sound system, their distinctive style of […]
EN: African Expedisound is one of four documentaries featured on the DVD World Traveller Adventures: An Anthology of the Last Ten Years of the European Techno-Traveller Movement Through 4 Road Trips. These films capture the internationalisation of the free party movement through four road trips. In African Expedisound, France-based sound systems embark on a road […]
EN: With Daddy Yod as the interviewer, the film sets out to explore the stories of other pioneering French-speaking ragamuffin artists from the 1980s hailing from the West Indies and Africa, including Kodjo Asher (Jah Wisdom), Pablo Master (Youthman Unity), and Soupa John. These artists share their journeys into reggae and sound systems, along with their […]
EN: Bryan Faye has produced a 3-part documentary series on French reggae, which includes excerpts from interviews with reggae singers, musicians, and journalists. The second episode focuses on interviews with pioneers of the sound system scene, such as Pablo Master, Daddy Yod, Ricky and Ramses Saï Saï, Blues Party, and Massilia Sound System, among others. […]
EN: Passeurs de reggae (“Reggae Messengers”) is a podcast curated by Jean-Christophe Sevin et Jean-Baptiste Imberts featuring portraits of French professionals connecting reggae musicians, producers, and audiences. Among those featured: Anne Lechevalier (episode 6) one of the early promoters of dub sound system sessions in France with Musical Riot association. Reggae photographer Aziz Azara, who also […]
EN: Livia Saavedra is a photographer whose passion for the craft was ignited during the illegal raves of the late 1990s. With her Pentax K1000 in hand, she captured these events, delving into the dynamics of relationships and life stories within an underground environment. FR: Livia Saavedra est une photographe dont la vocation s’est révélée […]
EN: This blog explores the technicalities of reggae and dub music production as well as sound system equipment, offering practical insights for enthusiasts and sound system operators. FR: Ce blog explore les aspects techniques de la production de musique reggae et dub ainsi que le matériel des sound systems, offrant des conseils pratiques aux passionnés et […]
EN: Talawa is an open-access platform that provides a variety of audio (radio shows, live sessions, mixtapes, podcasts, and productions) and visual (videos and photos) resources focused on reggae and dub music and sound systems. It allows users to create a profile and upload their own music, radio shows, or event videos, fostering a community-driven […]
EN: This forum was created in the 2000s by members of the Redlion sound system, aiming to provide a platform for exchanging information about dub and sound system culture. It earned a strong reputation for the quality of the information shared, particularly regarding the technical aspects of sound systems. Despite no longer active, it has […]
EN: Blackboard Jungle Dubzine is a magazine that has been published sporadically since 2016. Each issue features interviews, articles, and reviews of records and books related to reggae, dub, and sound system culture. The 10th issue was released in May 2024. FR: Blackboard Jungle Dubzine est une revue qui paraît de manière irrégulière depuis 2016. […]
EN: A fanzine dedicated to dub with interviews and reviews of books and records, published from December 2014 to December 2018. FR: Un fanzine dédié au dub contenant des interviews et des chroniques de livres et de disques, qui a paru entre décembre 2014 et décembre 2018. Language: French Link to Archive
EN: Culture Dub began as a print fanzine dedicated to dub, with its first issue published in September 2001. It featured record reviews, musician interviews, and articles exploring the history of dub and sound systems in Jamaica and the UK. All 19 issues published between 2001 and 2006 are available online via Scribd. The website was […]
EN: A webzine dedicated to the latest in dub, dubstep, and electro dub in France and the UK. It has not been active since 2013, but the articles are still available for viewing. FR: Fanzine dédié à l’actualité du dub, dubstep et electro dub en France et en Angleterre. Il n’est plus actif depuis 2013 […]
EN: Website dedicated to reggae and dub news, featuring a web radio and videos. FR: Site dédié à l’actualité des productions dub, reggae, dancehall. Language: French, English Link to Website
EN: Website dedicated to the latest dub, reggae and dancehall music productions. FR: Site dédié à l’actualité des productions dub, reggae, dancehall. Language: French Link to Website
EN: Uplift! magazine was launched in 2012 with the goal of showcasing roots reggae artists and the UK sound system movement. Four issues were published between 2012 and 2014. FR: Le magazine Uplift ! est né 2012, avec pour objectif la mise en lumière des acteurs Roots Reggae et du mouvement sound-system UK. Entre 2012 […]
EN: “Free Movements” is a website and Facebook page presenting itself as “the free portal for alternative cultures,” featuring sections on street art, urbex, and more. The free tekno section includes interviews with DJs and sound system members, while the free party section covers reports on free parties and teknivals, with a special focus on […]
EN: A website and Facebook page (70k followers) dedicated to free parties, including a forum for sharing information about events and sound systems, as well as audio and visual archives of free parties and fanzine issues. FR: Un site web consacré aux free-parties incluant un forum permettant de partager des informations sur les événements, sur […]
EN: Facebook group (6400 members) dedicated to sharing music productions and tips on how to develop dub music, including live instruments, hardware, and digital setups. FR: Groupe Facebook (6400 membres) qui a pour but de partager des productions et des informations sur la manière de développer sa musique (instruments, machines, PC). Language: French Link to […]
EN: Facebook group (8300 members) dedicated to sound equipment for sale and events announcements. FR: Groupe Facebook (8300 membres) consacré aux informations sur différents matériels de sono à vendre et annonces d’événement. Language: French #readings # socialmedia #French speaking #Freeparty #France #business #music #visual #tekno Link to FB Group
EN: “Acoustic Carpentry, Speaker Cabinet Renovation” is a Facebook group (8700 members) dedicated to sharing information on DIY speaker boxes design and renovation. FR: Groupe Facebook (8700 membres) consacré aux partages d’informations sur la conception et la rénovation de caissons. Language: French Link to FB Group
EN: “Head in the speakerbox” is a Facebook group (20,000 members) dedicated to sharing photos, videos and anecdotes about free parties and sound systems. FR: Groupe Facebook (20000 membres) consacré au partage de photos, vidéos et anecdotes sur les free-parties et les sound systems. Language: French Link to FB Group
EN: “Nothing stops a people that dance!!” is a Facebook group (37300 members) dedicated to sharing photos, videos and anecdotes about free parties. FR: Groupe Facebook (37300 membres) consacré au partage de photos, vidéos et anecdotes sur les free-parties. Language: French Link to FB Group
EN: Facebook group (22400 members) dedicated to selling second-hand sound equipment for tekno and dub sound systems. FR: Groupe Facebook (22400 membres) consacré à la vente de matériel d’occasion pour les sound systems tekno et dub. Language: French Link to FB Group
EN:Facebook group (23900 members) dedicated to the sale of second-hand equipment for tekno sound systems and sound and light equipment. FR: Groupe Facebook (23900 membres) consacré à la vente de matériel d’occasion pour les sound systems tekno et équipements son et lumière. Language: French Link to FB Group