Keeping the Underground Alive
In a time when the underground music scene faces constant pressure to conform and commercialise, a group of passionate individuals are working tirelessly to preserve its roots and amplify the voices that matter most. Raw Frequencies is a series that highlights the efforts of those keeping grassroots culture alive, supporting new artists, and pushing back against the forces that threaten to water down the authenticity of the scene. At 1 More Thing, we are committed to showcasing the individuals and collectives who are working hard to keep the underground scene vibrant, authentic, and full of energy.
Kicking off this series is Cicely, the founder of NRG CRU, a dynamic collective all about uplifting raw talent and staying true to the underground spirit. From curating electrifying events to discovering and promoting new artists, Cicely and NRG CRU are at the forefront of a movement that seeks to ensure the culture remains pure, progressive, and sustainable for the future.
Her journey is one of passion, grit, and a commitment to fostering a space where the underground scene can thrive. Whether through her work as a DJ, promoter, photographer, or community organiser, Cicely’s dedication to the craft and her unwavering belief in the importance of grassroots culture make her an invaluable part of today’s underground scene. Let’s dive into her story, NRG CRU’s mission, and the vision she has for keeping the pulse of the underground strong.
Let’s start with your background—can you share a bit about your journey and what was the first spark for you that made you want to create, DJ, and bring people together through music?
Music and creativity have always been intertwined for me. I started out as a raver, bringing a 35mm camera to all the raves I attended, capturing photos of the DJs and the crowd. My love for photography grew, and I transitioned into freelancing, still focusing on DJs and musicians but in a more professional capacity.
It wasn’t until lockdown, when I had the time and opportunity, that I finally learned to DJ. I’ve always had a deep love for music, so being able to curate my own sets featuring all my favorite tracks across a range of genres has been incredibly fun and rewarding.
You’ve described yourself as “northern raised, London based.” How has your background in the North of England influenced your approach to music, particularly your involvement in underground culture?
When I first started raving up north, the variety of lineups wasn’t great, likely because Newcastle is so far from London. I’d often take the Megabus to Manchester, Leeds, and London just to see the DJs I listened to on radio stations like Rinse. That said, in my opinion, London is missing out too. There’s a rawness that’s unique to the north, with sounds like Makina, Donk, and Bassline that you don’t find elsewhere.
The north/south divide is also apparent when it comes to bookings. There are so many incredible artists based in the north who don’t get the recognition they deserve simply because they’re not based in London. I try to keep this in mind when curating lineups. I often book headliners from outside London and make a point to spotlight northern artists who truly represent these genres, whether it’s through bookings or inviting them to contribute guest mixes.
You also work as a photographer. How has your work as a photographer shaped the way you approach music and the events you create? Do you see these two sides of your work as connected?
The majority of my photography work is music-based, whether it’s press shots, album artwork, or event photography, so both sides of my work are deeply connected.
I think understanding how to make someone feel comfortable in front of the lens has influenced my approach to working with the artists we book for events. Becoming a DJ myself, and needing my own press shots, has really shaped the way I work with people. I’ve learned just how nerve-wracking the experience can be, so my priority is always to ensure the subject feels at ease when I’m photographing them. I’ve had photographers take photos of me while I’m DJing, post them online without permission, and I’m pulling the dirtiest bass face—which still haunts me to this day.
Now, I make a conscious effort not to invade performers’ personal space with my camera while they’re performing. Respecting that boundary is essential. It’s also why we have a no-cameras policy at our events. This way, I can maintain control over the environment, ensure the artist feels comfortable, and allow the ravers to fully immerse themselves in the music.
Respect for the artists you work with is always the top priority.
You launched NRG CRU in 2022 with the mission to create a platform that is inclusive, uplifting, and focused on underrepresented backgrounds. What inspired you to take this approach, and what does building an inclusive and supportive community mean to you?
I suppose my mission stems from my own frustrations with the music scene. I love raving—going out and losing myself on the dancefloor—but as a northern woman raving in London, I haven’t always felt like this scene was made for me. That’s why I’m committed to creating a space that’s open to everyone, regardless of gender, class, or race.
For our residents, my goal is to foster an environment where they feel confident to grow, experiment, and take risks, all while being supported by a team that cheers each other on.
There’s so much politics in the music scene that it’s easy to get lost in all of that and lose sight of why we’re here in the first place—the music!
How do you define the NRG CRU brand, and how has it evolved since you started it?
Pure energy—unbound by genre. Anything goes, as long as it makes you want to dance. There are so many incredible genres, and I never want us to be boxed into just one sound.
When we first launched, my goal was simple: to throw cool parties and book my friends. But over time, I’ve come to realize my responsibility as a promoter. Having a space in the music scene means I have a duty to ensure we’re doing things the right way in every aspect.
I want to make a difference!
What do you think sets NRG CRU apart from other collectives in the underground scene?
The variety our residents bring is what truly sets us apart from other collectives—each of them is incredible in their own right.
Liz-zie delivers those bumpy garage sounds, while Xosé brings dark, industrial vibes. Highlander showcases his deep knowledge of old-school jungle through his impeccable vinyl mixing, while Maria represents the new generation of jungle. Tilda is a DJ for the girls—every time she plays, the front is packed with women vibing. Citizen is one of those DJs who can smash any genre or BPM; he has an amazing ability to read the room. And as for me, I bring that Northern flavor.
Our MCs take turns hosting each night—AMVN with the smooth touch and MC Deadman with her raw grittiness.
Whenever any of us are performing, you’ll always find the rest of the team on the sidelines, cheering each other on.
You’ve been working hard to bring the NRG CRU vibe to the wider scene, organising parties and platforms that highlight emerging talent. What is your personal process or philosophy when curating these events? How do you decide which artists and sounds to showcase?
Community is at the heart of everything we do.I get so many messages from people asking for bookings, but we’ll always prioritize those who support us, show up to our events, and take the time to get to know us. We’re a family.
We run an event series called NRG-SYSTEM—our way of feeding back into the music ecosystem—where we create opportunities for people who want to perform for the first time. Some artists have started by playing at these events, kept showing up, and are now NRG CRU residents.
You recently announced that you’ve been accepted for the Early Career Promoter Fund from PRS Foundation. That’s such an exciting achievement, massive props to you BTW!—what does this mean for you, and how do you plan to use the funding to take NRG CRU to the next level?
Thank you! This was huge news for us. Knowing that people see value in what we’re trying to achieve means the world to us. Our goal is to give back to the community, using the funding to create more opportunities for underrepresented artists. Our community is constantly growing, and this funding means we’ll be able to provide even more support moving forward.
In your PRS Foundation post, you mentioned the challenges of organising and funding parties, especially while working as a self-employed individual. Can you talk about some of the obstacles you’ve faced and how you’ve navigated those difficulties to keep pushing forward?
Money within music is so unbalanced.
With booking fees for ‘bigger’ artists being almost unaffordable, the closure of many grassroots music venues, and the cost of living crisis making it hard for ravers to afford tickets, it’s a struggle for everyone. For me, if I commit to putting on an event, I’ll work myself into overdrive to make sure I can afford everything needed to ensure its success. With the funding, I’ll be able to do this without the added stress.
It’s really important to me that our events are always accessible to everyone, especially those from lower-income backgrounds. That’s why we’ll always set aside a portion of free tickets for anyone who’s struggling to afford them—no questions asked, no judgment passed.
You brought NRG CRU to your home city of Newcastle Upon Tyne a couple weeks ago for the first time. What did it mean to you to be able to bring the NRG CRU energy to your hometown?
Our Newcastle event was such a big deal for me.
World Headquarters was one of the first venues I ever went to, and I’ve been returning for 15 years. The ethos of the venue aligns perfectly with that of NRG CRU.
“Black, white, gay, straight, religion or lack of it… Welcome to Newcastle’s top & longest running underground club. We continue to push the boundaries of club culture & our consistent, inclusive, welcoming vibe across generations—keep on keeping on.” – World HQ
Hosting our event in such a special venue was essential. I sometimes feel like I live two lives—my northern one, with all my friends and culture, and then the family I’m building in London. Being able to marry the two for one night was really emotional for me—having people from all different backgrounds raving in one place. This event felt almost like my love letter to the music scene.
Hopefully, this won’t be the last time the Toon sees NRG CRU.
As the underground scene continues to evolve, how do you ensure that NRG CRU stays authentic while also remaining relevant to the changing landscape?
We’re committed to doing everything out of love for music and for each other. We make decisions with purpose, and no matter how much we grow, we always want to maintain a strong focus on the grassroots scene.
What do you think the scene needs right now to preserve its core values while adapting to new trends?
To be blunt: I’d love to see more established artists supporting the grassroots scene, remembering where their careers began. I’ve seen a lot of artists blow up online, and now they’re charging upwards of £2,000 for an hour’s set in a small club. This means many promoters can’t afford to pay the other artists on their lineups fairly, as the budget is eaten up. I think agents need to have less control. They’re driving booking fees up and imposing ridiculous expectations, expensive riders, and accommodation requests.
I want to see more northern artists booked in London. Promoters should take a chance on them—too often these artists are overlooked because they don’t have that ‘London clout,’ but in reality, they’re incredibly talented. Promoters should book more upcoming artists, rather than recycling the same five headliners. There’s a whole pool of undiscovered talent if you’re willing to look for it.
In my experience, going to nights where you don’t know anyone on the lineup is when you’ll find amazing new talent. I’d urge everyone to try this once in a while. The scene has come a long way in recent years, with female collectives stepping to the forefront, and I absolutely love this! Big shout-out to collectives like ‘Not Bad for a Girl.’ The rest of the music scene could learn a lot from them.
You mentioned that 2025 is going to be the year of NRG CRU. What’s next for NRG CRU in the upcoming year? Are there any exciting projects, events, or collaborations you can share with us?
2025 is the year of collaborations for us, across the country. We have plans brewing for Bristol, Sheffield, and another Newcastle takeover, working with local collectives and artists. We’re also planning workshops and panel talks to give back to the community. You’ll see more regular editions of our NRG SYSTEM parties, showcasing new and upcoming talent. I’m also manifesting a festival takeover!! Watch this space!!!
As someone who’s deeply immersed in the grassroots side of the scene, what advice would you give to emerging promoters or artists who are looking to create their own platforms or make their mark in the underground music world?
Think about what you’d like to see from the music scene, what it’s missing, and create it! What can you do to add to and better the music scene you love?
What does success look like for you, both personally and for NRG CRU in the long-term? What vision do you have for the collective’s impact on the underground scene in the years to come?
Success, to me, is making a positive difference in everything I do. If we can run events that inspire people and give them opportunities to help them grow, then we’ve won.
I’m really inspired by nights like Neighbourhood. Tasha’s parties represent the exact vibe and legacy I’d love for NRG CRU—a place where you can lose yourself in the music, with a lineup of diverse talent, a dance floor full of ravers, and a smoking area full of family, both old and new.
NRG CRU is all about uplifting new talent and preserving grassroots culture. Who are some of the people or collectives you think are doing important work to keep the underground scene alive and thriving? Any emerging names or organisations you’re particularly excited about right now?
Jungyals and Gays are doing amazing work, ensuring their parties are both safe and exciting.
Music Sphere is committed to bringing fresh and diverse talent to Newcastle—talent the city may not have seen before.
Not Bad for a Girl isn’t afraid to speak out and always calls out injustice while offering opportunities to learn. They inspire me massively!!
Thank you so much, Cicely, for taking the time to chat with us. Your insights into NRG CRU and your journey are truly inspiring. We’re excited to see what the future holds for you and the collective, and we can’t wait to see how NRG CRU continues to shape and elevate the underground scene.
Just to switch it up a bit, You’re just about to lock off the rave, what track have you cued up?
R U There by Polo Lili is one of my favourite tunes to end a set on. People think it’s going to drop, but it doesn’t, and then it comes in with pure chaos.
Thank you again for sharing your incredible insights, Cicely. It’s amazing to see someone so dedicated to keeping the underground culture alive and vibrant. NRG CRU is clearly creating a ripple effect that will inspire so many others. We’ll be watching closely as you continue to push boundaries and make waves. Wishing you all the best in your next steps—2025 is yours!