New journal highlights role of nightlife and dance music in cultural resistance

A newly launched online journal, Forward / Scratch, explores the power of music and nightlife as instruments of political resistance, with a sharp focus on their significance in advocating for Palestinian liberation.

Forward / Scratch positions itself as a counter-narrative, critiquing the ways in which “colonialism employs culture to impose violence and confine our political imagination.” The journal, supported by DJs Against Apartheid and Ravers for Palestine, directs all proceeds to mutual aid efforts for “victims of colonial violence”, underscoring its commitment to tangible solidarity.

It highlights the role of nightlife communities as spaces for healing, expression and resistance, and it emphasises the transformative potential of dance music, describing it as “a powerful demonstration of collective healing and imagination.” Rooted in this ethos, the journal commits to preserving the spirit of resistance through music, stating, “Our project of resistance music preserves the nature of our struggle,” ensuring that the medium remains a vital tool in the fight for liberation and justice.

Dance music, the journal asserts, has historically offered refuge for marginalised groups, serving as a vessel for collective imagination and empowerment. However, it challenges the silence of cultural institutions in addressing the mass violence against Palestinians, pointing to a troubling disconnect between the inclusivity these spaces often champion and their unwillingness to denounce systemic oppression.

The journal urges cultural producers and consumers to envision and create independent spaces that prioritise justice and resistance over profit and hegemony, and it critiques the ways in which “colonialism employs culture to impose violence”, emphasising the need to dismantle hegemonic systems and reclaim cultural production for revolutionary purposes.

Forward / Scratch invites writers, artists and activists to share their unique perspectives and approaches to this theme. Interested contributors can visit forwardscratch.com/submissions for guidelines and pitch submissions.