Blaze 420 @ Bernard Shaw / Racket Space 2025

The air in Dublin crackled with anticipation on 4/20. For those in the know, April 20th wasn't just another date on the calendar; it was time for Blaze, the now-legendary underground event that transforms the Bernard Shaw and Racket Space into a multi-story haven of sound. As IED, we were on the ground, soaking in the electric atmosphere and eager to delve into the minds behind this burgeoning phenomenon. What we found was a testament to the power of community, a vibrant celebration of diverse musical styles, and a crew, THC DJS dedicated to fostering the very best of Dublin's underground scene.

We linked up with the THC DJs to recap about last months events, Conor (Intervention) and the ever-energetic Sarah (Eskay), along with the fresh perspective of Alex (23-DB), to uncover the spark that ignited Blaze and the magic that unfolded on this special day.

Blaze, the 420 event that’s fast becoming a staple in the underground music scene, was born from a late-night spark of inspiration and a deep love for house music. The idea came from Eskay, co-founder of the THC DJS collective, who along with Robert (Bobski) and Darren (Dpaw) launched the crew in the summer of 2023. Since then, they’ve expanded to include Intervention and Alex (23-DB), each member bringing their own unique energy to the decks.

The concept for Blaze was simple but powerful: to spotlight local DJs and celebrate the strength of the underground community. “We saw 4/20 landed on a Saturday and just thought, this is it,” Eskay explains. “We didn’t even think we’d get a venue, let alone have ten other crews jump on board.” What started as a gamble turned into a chaotic, unforgettable night that left everyone wanting more. For Intervention, Blaze is all about “championing the underground scene and giving props to all the crews out there putting in the work.” And for newcomer 23-DB, it’s a welcoming, collaborative space where music takes center stage and different styles can thrive. Blaze isn’t just an event, it’s a movement driven by passion, unity, and a shared mission to elevate the underground.

Blaze was packed with unforgettable moments, each set bringing its own energy and flavour to the dancefloor. One of the most personal highlights came from Intervention, who said, “Personally, having my daughter there and seeing her proud of what we put together was deadly.” Beyond the touching family moment, the entire day was full of standout performances. Eskay highlighted the diversity of sounds as a defining feature of the event, saying, “Every set offered something completely different,” with special praise for Groove Controlla’s vinyl set for Nocturnal and Injector’s high-energy set that “tore the roof off.” The talent pool was deep and varied, with DJs spinning on both digital and vinyl, and even MCs jumping on the mic. “The talent level was just incredible across the board,” added 23-DB. What truly made Blaze special was the passion and creativity each crew brought, creating a seamless flow of music and energy that kept the vibe alive from start to finish.

photo by: @the_luna_lens

The lineup at Blaze was a true testament to the depth and diversity of the local underground scene, featuring an impressive 40 DJs from 14 different collectives. Carefully curated by Eskay, the selection process was rooted in personal connections and a shared passion for the music. Most of the DJs were already familiar faces from the scene, friends, collaborators, or respected peers from gigs and late-night dance floors. Eskay’s keen instinct for pairing artists and encouraging them to step outside their usual sonic comfort zones added an extra layer of creativity to the event. The result was a dynamic, genre-blending experience that felt both fresh and deeply connected to the community’s core values.

Blaze felt like a real coming together of the Dublin scene. It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces and crews – many we've connected with since the beginning of our IED journey, and even some we knew from years before IED started. Wandering through the venue, the sheer breadth of the crowd was striking. It was genuinely magical to witness such a diverse array of individuals, representing both the established guard and the exciting new wave of Dublin's scene. It truly felt like anyone who was anyone in the Dublin scene was present, all united by a palpable positive energy.

"The crowd was amazing, so chill and friendly. The vibe was deadly. No drama, no hass, no messing, just sound people having a cracking day," shared Intervention, echoing the sentiment we felt on the ground. "Everyone, from the artists to the people who came, said it was one of the best gigs they’d been to. This French lad, about 19, told me it was his first proper gig in Ireland and he’d never forget it, kept thanking me. That’s what it’s all about."

Eskay perfectly captured the sense of community: "Our tribe! We’re so lucky to be surrounded by genuinely sound and kind people. Blaze attracts a really chill crowd. No trouble, just really lovely vibes. Everyone was on the same wavelength, just enjoying the music and the day."

Adding to this, 23-DB noted, "It was a really mixed crowd, but the vibe was pure peace and love. Everyone came for good music and a good time, and that’s exactly what they got." This sentiment resonated deeply with our experience; the atmosphere was infectious, a testament to the unifying power of the music and the collective spirit of Dublin's vibrant scene."

Sharpson, who previously featured in IED, was initially nervous about ending the night at a far-out venue, expecting a dwindling crowd by 2 am. However, Injector's high-energy gabber set at 200bpm had the crowd "on wheels."

His Choki Biki set, with four DJs of different styles, took a risk by playing Drum & Bass, jungle, and Techno at 180bpm. While 2step.png usually plays at 140bpm/Garage, he also contributed liquid jungle and techno. The set ended with Selecta J-Man & Suku's "Couple Guinness," featuring MC Dez the Menace chanting "One Spliff, Couple Guinness" and even starting a mosh pit.

Sharpson explained that Choki Biki aims to emulate UK collectives with multi-genre sets, multiple DJs, spin-backs, and MCs. He was pleased to see a large Irish crowd responding positively to their Drum & Bass and Jungle selections. He praised the THC crew for their continued success and noted the increased musical variety at the event compared to five years prior, which gives him hope for the scene.

Looking ahead, the organizers are clearly buzzing with future plans. "Blaze 2026 is definitely happening, so mark your calendars!" exclaimed Intervention with infectious energy. "As for something sooner? We’re having a THC debrief this Friday, and we’ll chat about it then, but yeah, you’ll be seeing us again soon." It sounds like the momentum from this event is already fueling their next moves.

photo by: @the_luna_lens

Eskay affirmed the long-term vision: "Absolutely! Blaze is an annual event now. We’ve started something special and have no plans to stop. We’re also hoping to do more Blaze-style events throughout the year, maybe one in the summer, so keep an eye out!" This commitment to building on their success is exciting for the Dublin scene.

And the ambition doesn't stop there. 23-DB hinted at even bigger dreams: "I think the plan is to see how far we can take this. Maybe even a festival down the line?" The prospect of a Blaze festival speaks volumes about the impact of this event and the potential for growth within this vibrant community that IED has been witnessing firsthand. It's clear that this is just the beginning of something special.

As the conversation wrapped up, the organizers were keen to express their gratitude. Intervention gave a hearty shout-out: "Massive shout out to the legends at IED, Pavel (Absys Records) and all the crew at the Bernard Shaw and Racket Space. And to all the crews who joined us to make it happen. But most of all, to all the little ravers and party people who bought tickets and came along, YOU made it the experience it was. We just facilitated it."

Eskay echoed this sentiment, adding, "We did goody bags for the early birds this year, thanks to some amazing sponsors: Owls Oil, theBudtender.com, Stoned Takeaway, Hemp Store, and Silver Smoke Dublin, big thanks to them! Also, a massive shout out to Pawel from Absys Records for securing The Bernard Shaw, it was the perfect spot. And I can’t thank everyone enough who came, played, danced, and laughed. You made this year’s event incredibly special."

23-DB added his thanks, highlighting key collaborators: "Big up the Bernard Shaw crew, Pavel from ABSYS RECORDS for being our man on the ground, and of course, Eskay, who is the real driving force behind all this. And a huge thanks to all the crews involved and everyone who came and filled the dancefloor." Adding a final, enthusiastic note, THC simply stated: "Yupp the DJs!"

On a humorous note, the IED team had their own memorable moment from the event. Mikey from IED, in a stroke of pure luck (and perhaps a testament to his punctuality as an 'early arrival’), actually won the raffle for early attendees. This unexpected win led to some wonderfully confused and hilarious phone calls within the IED crew as they pieced together what had happened. In a funny twist, Mikey ended up winning one of the bigger prizes! While genuinely appreciative of the goodie bag, the IED team decided to share the contents with fellow attendees throughout the event and afterwards, spreading the good vibes even further.

As Eskay proudly detailed, Blaze assembled an impressive array of talent – 40 DJs from 14 different crews, all integral to the Dublin scene.

For those wanting to connect with the artists who made the day so special, here's the lineup with their Instagram handles, as provided by Blaze: 

@mood.drogheda, @decorum_music, @eimearsullivan_x, @jaakeyy, @foxgluv_club, @lunasa.wav, @chokibikirecords, @sharpsonmusic, @frame_shift_rob, @2step.png, @mickoffcut, @astra1ize, @jordannn_w, @kukturelleskollektiv, @pass_the_auxiliary, @lunaks.dj, @ruan.mccabe, @rory.kinane, @instinctsociety_, @culchee_, @jennhession, @disc_jacob, @sliotar.wav, @musicmachinesmasters, @reosc313, @elaine.wong82, @nocturnaldublin, @groove.controlla, @jakebrenna.n, @joe.allidine, @relentlesstechno.rec, @analograge_ofi, @hamzah.hayabusa, @apophis_dj, @sliotar.wav, @ovrkll_music, @djmanbun_, @absysrecords, @eskay.lovesyou, @intervention_dj, @dpaw_offical, @bobski2012, @alex23_db, @injector_sound, @dez_the_menace, @cjay__ie, @ciarangraham, @natureboyslimcharles, @ulaapse, @_dj_oddity, and @kiano.dj.

Blaze 2025 was a vibrant eruption of Dublin's underground spirit, leaving an indelible mark on all who experienced it. THC DJS, fueled by their unwavering passion and collaborative ethos, have cultivated more than just a party, they've fostered a thriving community. As IED, witnessing this collective energy firsthand, we're certain that Blaze's influence will continue to resonate, shaping the future soundscape of Dublin for years to come. The anticipation for Blaze 2026 and the exciting ventures THC DJS have hinted at is already building, this is a force that's here to stay.

The energy and talent showcased at Blaze extend beyond the THC DJS crew. Sharpson himself has a bassy garage track with London-based grime MC Lost Souljah that was just released on South Point (@sthpnt) on April 25th. The future of Dublin's underground is sounding bright.

The anticipation for Blaze 2026 and the exciting ventures THC DJS have hinted at is already building, this is a force that's here to stay. Looking ahead, fans won't have to wait until next year to catch the THC DJS in action, with several upcoming gigs planned across Dublin: June 2nd will be at a venue to be announced, followed by two dates at Buck Mulligans as part of the dlr Summer Fest on July 5th and July 12th, and another event at Racket Space with a similar set up to Blaze on July 19th.

With their infectious energy and a clear vision for the future, THC DJS and the spirit of Blaze are undoubtedly key players in the ongoing evolution of Dublin's dynamic underground music scene.