Beyond The Woods: Inside 2025’s Wildest Party

2025 has already been a landmark year for Ruckus24, Slapfunk, and Arrival—three powerhouses of the underground scene who’ve each been throwing some of England’s best raves. So when I heard they were teaming up for a forest blowout billed as the event of the summer, I knew it was going to be something special.

Arriving on site just after 1:20pm, we were immediately hit by the sound of a serious system rumbling through the trees. Through the canopy, we caught sight of a near-biblical stage setup: stacks of lights, walls of speakers, and Reeshy herself already setting the tone with a killer blend of garage and house.

The amphitheatre-style main stage stood proud at the entrance to the site, evoking almost Roman energy in its scale and layout. There was plenty of space to move, soft sand underfoot to keep the rain at bay, and bars scattered around to keep the drinks flowing. I expected nothing less from Slapfunk—they really nailed the design.

Wandering deeper into the site, it became clear this was no standard festival layout. There was a distinct sense of freedom being tucked away in the wooded enclosure. It all felt raw and liberating. At the far end stood the Ruckus stage, creating a natural journey through the festival’s zones. Right next to it was the Hippie area, a space for chilling, yoga, food, stalls, and a drink or two before diving back into the madness.

Having been to countless Ruckus24 events over the years, my expectations were high—and they were definitely met. Dxnby and Josh Demello delivered absolutely weighty sets, full of garage-inspired rollers, house flips, and some mind-blowing lyric dubs. The stage itself was kitted out with monster sound, slick lighting, and loads of open space to get lost in the music.

Prospa closed the Ruckus24 stage with their signature blend of dirty, bass-heavy house. I’ve been a fan since “Prayer” dropped, and watching the Leeds duo completely command the floor was a proud moment—they’re at the top of their game.

Slapfunk’s stage had its own magic. I’ve followed the crew for a couple of years now, and they consistently bring the heat with top-tier selectors. Reeshy kicked things off with her signature flair, paving the way for Laidlaw and Voigtmann to deliver a sharp B2B full of breaks, minimal textures, and garage grooves—one for the heads.

But the standout set for me? Mella Dee and DJ Senc. I’ve seen Mella Dee maybe 20 times, but this pairing was on another level. DJ Senc brought a fresh edge to the set, pushing garage-charged house to its limit. Lethal stuff. Massive shoutout to Hugo, too—an up-and-comer running his own night Manifest. He closed out the Slapfunk stage after Mella Dee and DJ Senc, and absolutely smashed it.