UK Fanzines See Radical Resurgence 50 Years After Punk
Half a century after the release of Sniffin' Glue, the UK is witnessing a revival of DIY music fanzines as a counteraction to the fatigue brought on by algorithms and hyper-capitalism. Creators prefer the physicality of fanzines to digital formats. Current publications cover diverse genres, including glam rock (Wired Up), hip-hop (West Yorkshire Hip-Hop), ska (Do the Dog), metal (Shrieks from the Abyss), and folk (Anarchic Folk), highlighting local scenes in areas like Glasgow (Winch), Belfast (Poseur), south-east London (SelOut), and Teesside (Point Blank). Established fanzines such as Gadgie coexist with newcomers like Artificial, started by 18-year-old Poppy Lola. Political themes are prevalent, with Texture publishing essays on resistance and Teen Warfare organizing a protest against David Draiman's support for the IDF. Community engagement is vital, fostering connections among zine creators at events.
Key facts
- Fifty years after Sniffin' Glue, UK fanzines see a massive resurgence.
- Resurgence is a form of resistance to algorithm fatigue and hyper-capitalist music industry.
- Zines cover genres: glam rock, hip-hop, ska, mod, 2-tone, metal, folk, indie-pop.
- Hyper-local scenes documented in Glasgow, Belfast, south-east London, Teesside.
- Many young makers adopt cut-and-paste look of classic fanzines against AI slop.
- Long-running fanzines: Gadgie, One Way Ticket to Cubesville; new: Artificial by Poppy Lola.
- Revived zines: Tighten Up (2014), Saudade (2023).
- Terrascopaedia printed entirely using letterpress; Texture features essays on noise and resistance.
- TQ released a Ukrainian special; Teen Warfare protested Disturbed singer's IDF support.
- Zine-makers connect at gigs, online, zine libraries and fairs.
Entities
Artists
- Jon Marsh
- ExP
- Stephen McRobbie
- Andy TarQuin Wood
- Nova
- Courtney
- Poppy Lola
- David Rumsey
- Hamish Ironside
- Phil McMullen
- Gwenifer Raymond
- Greg Weeks
- Sally Anne Morgan
- Evan Moakes
- Will White
- Gordon Moakes
- Sci-fi Steven
- Manda Rin
- Efa Supertramp
- Mort Drew
- Kateryna Zavoloka
- David Draiman
- Jane Duffus
- Stephen Duffy
- Poly Styrene
- Lou Reed
- Candy Darling
Institutions
- Sniffin' Glue
- Alternative Ulster
- Ripped & Torn
- Wired Up
- West Yorkshire Hip-Hop
- TQ
- Teen Warfare
- Gadgie
- One Way Ticket to Cubesville
- Artificial
- Do the Dog
- Heavy Soul
- Before, During & After
- Shrieks from the Abyss
- Anarchic Folk
- Afropulse
- Here's Where You Belong
- In the April Sun
- DA DA DA!
- Zine Things Happen
- Tighten Up
- Saudade
- Terrascopaedia
- Pindrop
- Voidoid
- Why Do We Care?
- Conform or Die
- Paper Bullets
- Gwarth ar y Teulu
- Texture
- Winch
- Poseur
- SelOut
- Point Blank
- Another Subculture
- Hard Boiled Babe
- Lunchtime for the Wild Youth
- Gutter
- Ghast Up
- Negative Reaction
- Gheusi and Friends
- Situation 3
- Viva La Resistance
- White Stuff 2
- Trash 77
- Live-Wire
- London's Burning
- Skum
- The Guardian
- Bis
- Pastels
- Manic Street Preachers
- McCarthy
- Huggy Bear
- Heavenly
- Lilac Time
- Bloc Party
- None
- Disturbed
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- West Yorkshire
- Glasgow
- Scotland
- Belfast
- Northern Ireland
- south-east London
- Teesside
- Bristol
- Newcastle
- Cardiff
- Wales
- Ukraine
- Russia
- Palestine
- United States