Indie record shops were the corner stone of support for the underground dance scene and therefore DJs and therefore raves. With numbers down to 300 left thing ave looked bleak for there future but reports today that things could be turning around which will be great news... Guardian story below....

For decades they have been thought of as a dying breed, but thanks to the continuing popularity of vinyl, independent record stores are enjoying a modest revival.

Britain's remaining 300 independent record stores saw album sales increase by 44% in the first six months of 2013 compared with the same period of 2012, according to analysis of Official Charts Company data by the Entertainment Retailers Association. This against a backdrop of a falling album sales market, which contracted by 1.5% in the same period.

While independents sold only 3.2% of all albums in the UK in that period, they accounted for more than 50% of total vinyl album sales.

According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, vinyl continues to see a resurgence – 12m vinyl records were sold last year, four times as many as in 2006. While the general music market sells only one in 250 albums on vinyl, one in seven albums sold in independent shops are on the 12" format.

"These first-half sales figures reveal a stunning result for indie record shops," said the Entertainment Retailers Association chairman Paul Quirk. "Although the odds are stacked against them, indies have fought back."

He praised Record Store Day, which yearly involves specialist independents releasing hard-to-find limited-edition albums to please the most exacting of music fans, while encouraging people to cherish their independent music shops.

"With Record Store Day [indies] have created the first major new UK sales promotion for music in 20 years and as consumers re-waken to the joys of analogue, they have driven the growth of vinyl sales. Although only a tiny part of the music market overall, indie stores are driving some of the most exciting new initiatives in music, as well as continuing to support and help break new talent."

Independent record stores are also credited with providing a showcase for more avant-garde, non-mainstream releases often released on independent labels.

David Bowie's The Next Day, sitting at 15 in the charts, is currently the biggest-selling album for independent shops while Tomorrow's Harvest by Boards of Canada is in second place in the independent shop chart, compared to 218th across the whole market.

Independent labels also accounted for 14 of the top 20 biggest-selling albums through independent stores, while only one independent label album – Graffiti on the Train, released by Stereophonics on their own Stylus label – featured in the top 20 albums across the whole market.

"These figures demonstrate that the time-honoured role of indie stores in highlighting music which might otherwise fall through the cracks is as relevant today as it has ever been," said Quirk.

20% of everything on the Fantazia website until the end of August

You can get 20% of everything on the Fantazia website (excluding ticket and Spreadshirt clothing) until the 31st August if you enter the code Aug13 into the promotion box in the shopping cart. Great for a last minute outfit, rave accessories or some music or DVDs.  Any questions do email us via the website Fantazia .org.uk

Fantazia Superheroes 2 CDs are out now

You can now buy sets from the Fantazia Superheroes 2 event from last month at Motion on the Fantazia website.  Sets are from the Main Arena, DNB Arena and Hardcore Arena.  Enjoy.  Any questions please send us an email via the main website.

Check out the full flyer for Fantazia Big Bang 2

The full flyer for our next great big event Fantazia Big Bang 2 is out now. Check it out on the Fantazia website.  Go to the website

A last goodbye to the Ark? Clothes shop come past rave promoters goes bust.

Starting in Leeds in the 90's the Ark Clothing shops was certainly were fashionable, from ticket outlet it branched out into hosting House music nights in the Yorkshire area including co promoting several big nights with Fantazia, one in Leeds and the other in Blackpool.

Music was a temporary thing for the company and it continued on to become a successful multi chain clothing retailer with at last count 17 outlets. Sad news for our old friends is that they called in the administrators today and all 400 staff's jobs are on the line.  Bad news but its just a sign of the times these days.
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See you at Fantazia Superheroes 2 today in Bristol

The sun is shinning so it looks good for a nice bit of weather for the mini festival that is Fantazia Superheroes 2 @ Motion.  If you still want to go there will be tickets available on the door.  If you are there come and say hello to the Fantazia Crew at the merchandise stall.  We will be accepting credit cards tonight for the first time for all your shopping needs.  And don't forget to grab a copy of the Big Bang 2 flyer as you leave. Stay safe and have fun

Glastonbudget update: Loving Jonezy

In one of the smaller arenas at Glastonbudget and no tribute act this time but a young Eminem stye act called Jonezy and it rocking the under 25 audience. Recommended lots of passion on show. Keep it up

Fancy a change from rave but want retro?

The we recommend the ultimate tribute band #festival #Glastonbudget featuring the top bands from the past 3 decades. On a sunny bank holiday weekend afternoon  surrounded with people in fancy dress it is such a good a good time and a mixed age crowd just like a rave. Next year worth a look if theres no #Fantazia.
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Love Saves The Day Sunday

Stuck for something to do this weekend?! One of the Fantazia crew have got a birthday coming up and  we are all going down to Bristol for **Love Saves The Day Sunday** to celebrate!  As Saturday is sold out, Sunday is the one for us and with a bank holiday the next day nothing (not even the weather) is going to stop us enjoying ourselves.

For all you Bristol ravers who love House, Techno, Hip Hop, Dubstep, Electro and Bass this festival is perfect for you with headline acts including -
Julio Bashmore
Ms Dynamite
Soul II Soul
Clean Bandit
and Sam Smith (the vocals on Latch - Disclosure. And La La La - Naughty Boy)

Unfamiliar with these DJ's?  Yes we love our old skool but its good to get out and hear the latest stuff as well.  Give something new ago this bank holiday weekend.

Hopefully were going to meet lots of new ravers and get the Bristol massive on board for FANTAZIA SUPERHEROES 2 @ Motion 22/06/2013 too!
Lets pray for the weather!

http://www.lovesavestheday.org
See you there!

Sad news for ravers today with the death of Universe Legend Paul Shurey

We are very sad to hear the news of our old friend and one time rave competitor  #Paul #Shurey who founded and ran the highly successful #Universe back in the early 90's.  Starting his parties from similar roots to Fantazia. Universe's high point was the #Tribal Gathering event in 1993, with its massive flyer and multi arenas it was certainly ground breaking and considered by many as one of the best ever rave parties.

Paul sadly died following serious injuries sustain in an accident in #Goa.

You can read more about Paul and the Universe parties in the Rave Archive section of the #Fantazia website.
Our thoughts are with his family.

The ultimate ravers chocolates?

Thanks to a friend in the Czech Republic. Feast your eyes on the ultimate #Fantazia #chocolates for #ravers. They tasted great as of course they would. If you see Fantazia anywhere around the world send us your snaps to repost!

It's #Fantazia Big Bang 2. The ultimate in #flashback #oldskool #rave event

20 years ago this year #Fantazia held the biggest indoor #rave of the time as we sold out the #secc arena in #glasgow with 12000 #ravers who watched the ultimate #oldskool line up inc #CarlCox,#Ultrasonic,#Qtex, #psi,#Shades of Rhythm etc. in 2013 it's time to do #BigBang 2 @ #bowlers arena in #Manchester. check out the Fantazia website for details

Full #Fantazia Superheroes 2 Motion flyer out now

Check out the link to the full #flyer for #Fantazia #Superheroes 2 @#Motion this June. Featuring a festival #rave vibe and acts like #Ratpack this #oldskool event is not to be missed. http://www.fantazia.org.uk/Event%20info/fantazia_motion_220613.htm

lol old couple get a shock attending a illegal rave

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2266916/Elderly-couple-looking-jumble-sale-end-illegal-rave-Cambridgeshire.html

lol the old couple had a shock joining an illegal rave on new year's day warehouse rave.  Showing how friendly us ravers are they got a photo snap of them ;)

Fantazia New Year at Bowlers CDs available now!

The CDs from Fantazia New Year 2012 at Bowlers in Manchester are available to buy from the Fantazia website now.  Only the Main Arena with Fantazia vs Dope Demand and the North Hardcore Arena 4 will be made available for a limited time only.  CDs available individually or from each arena or the whole night