Chester’s creative undercurrent has a habit of throwing up projects that don’t sit neatly in any one category, and this week’s trio is a perfect example of that. From psych‑driven noise experiments to transatlantic spoken‑word atmospherics to a dance outfit operating somewhere between rave folklore and performance art, the region’s artists continue to build their own worlds rather than wait for permission. Here are three acts carving out their own lanes in ways only they could.
The Mandela FX set to release ‘See The Wave’
The Mandela FX are one of those bands who sit slightly outside the usual categories, stitching together psych‑rock, post‑punk and a streak of oddball experimentalism into something that feels properly their own.
They split their time between Wrexham and Telford, and there’s a restlessness in their sound that reflects that; not in geography, but in the way they never settle on one mood for long.
Their forthcoming single “See The Wave” is the first glimpse of their upcoming EP of the same name, and the first track they’ve released as a four‑piece. It’s an instrumental‑leaning piece built on drones, feedback, thick fuzz guitar and those big, almost tribal drums they do so well. Harmonic bass lines and swelling synths tie it all together, giving the whole thing a sense of movement…Like something rising, cresting, and pulling back again. It’s a strong indicator of where they’re heading next.
Live, they move between long, hypnotic passages and sudden sharp turns, with vocals and textures that feel half‑remembered from somewhere you can’t quite place. They’ve been grafting across the region for a while now, building a following in the DIY and psych‑leaning corners of the scene. They’re not a band that tidies up the edges or chases trends, and that’s exactly what makes them stand out.
FOLLOW THE MANDELA FX:
Overclouds release ‘Haunted Forest’
Overclouds is the meeting point between American poet Shane Beck and Chester musician Keith Hill, a project that blends spoken word, ambient soundscapes and gentle experimentalism into something quietly absorbing.
It isn’t built like a traditional band….More a shared space where Beck’s writing and Hill’s ear for atmosphere can sit together without rushing or forcing a shape.
They’ve just released their sixth collaborative album, Haunted Forest, on Bandcamp. It’s on a name‑your‑price basis, with a CD edition due soon through the Noctivagant label.
The record leans into the strengths they’ve been honing for years: slow‑unfolding textures, patient arrangements, and Beck’s reflective, image‑driven delivery woven through Hill’s understated production.
There’s a calm intensity to Overclouds. Each piece takes its time, letting language and sound find their own balance. It’s late‑night work — the kind of project that rewards close listening, headphones, and a bit of stillness.
FOLLOW OVERCLOUDS:
Introducing Minerva Dance Squad
All members of the shadowy Cestrian dance outfit Minerva Dance Squad share one thing in common: their membership to the group was confirmed with a blood oath, affirming their allegiance to the principles of hard bass, the majesty of acid and the transformative power of frequency modulation.
Minerva Dance Squad are: DJ Ruffshod, Princess Abigail Deathkill and DJ Komputer Sledgehammer, with additional production by low freakquency bass surgeon XEP-0076.
DJ Ruffshod:
“These are kritikal times – engineered disunity, the butchering of civil liberties, the korporatisation of essential services… MDS offer elite teknologikally powered rave assets for the discerning konsumer, no matter their race, gender or orientation – from the underground, for the underground. Jack 2 this…”
FOLLOW MINERVA DANCE SQUAD:
Three very different projects, all pulling in their own directions, all adding something distinct to the region’s cultural sprawl. Whether it’s the raw pulse of The Mandela FX, the quiet depth of Overclouds or the gleefully unhinged rave‑mythology of Minerva Dance Squad, there’s no shortage of imagination at work right now. Keep exploring, keep supporting, and keep paying attention…The interesting stuff is rarely the loudest, but it’s always there if you know where to look.
Have a good week.
Dan.
