Psychedelic Gaff: 9th Anniversary

Braincell & Juilo

In the lead-up to the 9-year anniversary, we at IED dropped into The Racket Space to catch up with the Psychedelic Gaff crew. The venue was already buzzing with that familiar warm-up energy. We found Julio, Tami, Pedro, and Braincell in great spirits, smiles wide, radiating positivity and welcoming vibes that instantly set the tone for what was to come. The excitement was contagious, a tangible hum in the air as everyone prepared for the night ahead. As the night unfolded, Psylo Verse, Meerkat, Octahedron, and Braincell each brought their own flavour to the decks, taking the crowd on a journey through deep grooves, twisting textures, and full-power psychedelia. Under the vibrant UV glow crafted by the incredible Fractal Soul Decor crew, any past challenges melted away in the pulsating rhythms of Braincell’s mind-bending live set.

Celebrating nine glorious years of Psychedelic Gaff, the energy in the room was absolutely electric. Looking around, it was palpable, faces from across the years had gathered: friends, ravers, crew, all part of the journey. Every nod, cheer, and stomp on the dancefloor was a testament to the deep respect and appreciation for Julio and the unique, uncompromising space he has cultivated. This anniversary gig wasn’t just a look back, it felt like a powerful injection of momentum for the future.Psychedelic Gaff, the name itself was born from a lucky mash-up of Dublin slang and the quiet reflections of a kitchen porter on break, now it pulses through the city’s underground like a deep sub-bass rumble. For Julio, who’s been behind the decks, the flyers, and the floor since day one, it’s much more than just a name, it’s a nine-year journey, personal, relentless, and electric. A living tribute to the raw, ever-shifting pulse of Dublin’s psychedelic trance scene, marked by euphoric peaks, hands-on hustle, and the constant struggle to keep a dream burning in a city that doesn’t always play nice.

Julio’s arrival in Ireland in the summer of 2014 wasn’t marked by the thumping rhythms of a sound system, but by the pursuit of something quieter. Fluency. A transformative trip to Argentina, where he connected with a global tapestry of travellers, had opened his eyes to the international psytrance community, and highlighted the limits of his English. A friend in Dublin offering language courses became the anchor. The year leading up to the move was full of anticipation and planning, the decision cemented during the buzz of the World Cup back home in Brazil. He landed in Ireland as a student, the psytrance energy that had flickered during his late teens in Brazil now just a memory, but not for long.

Back in Brazil, around the age of eighteen in 2008, Julio had dipped his toes into event organizing with a small, local gathering called "Aztec." Hosted in a bar near his house, it was a simple affair fueled by the camaraderie of friends who performed, spinning minimal tech and electro sounds. They charged a small fee at the door, enough to cover the basic costs. This early experience, though modest, planted a seed, a nascent understanding of the energy that could be created through shared musical experiences.

"I never thought about making parties here" Julio reflects, the memory of "Aztec" feeling like a lifetime away amidst the backdrop of Dublin's grey skies. University life became his primary focus, the occasional casual gathering – a party in a rented farmhouse – serving as a low-key reminder of his latent passion. These were informal affairs, friends coming together to create their own sonic escapes. Yet, the underlying desire to curate and share music was quietly simmering.

The catalyst for "Psychedelic Gaff" was unexpected: a birthday celebration in December 2015, followed by a free-spirited gathering on January 2nd, 2016, in the intimate downstairs space of Turk's Head. This wasn't intended as the birth of a movement, but rather a simple act of generosity. Attendees contributed what they could at the door, with all proceeds going to Oxford Ireland. The atmosphere that night was electric, a confluence of good vibes and shared purpose. "Everybody loved it and started to ask me, ‘Can you do another one? Can you do another one?’" The demand was organic, a genuine desire for more of that shared energy.

The name itself emerged from a chance encounter and the mundane reality of his day job. Working as a kitchen porter, with hours spent washing dishes and his mind free to wander, Julio was contemplating a name for these burgeoning gatherings. A casual online conversation with a girl he'd met, where she used the word "gaff" for "house" sparked a connection. "Psychedelic Gaff" the phrase echoed in his mind amidst the clatter of plates, a perfect blend of the music's vibe and the intimate, home-grown feel of the early parties.

Julio's initial foray into the Irish psytrance scene revealed a landscape that felt both promising and somewhat constrained. "My first impression was that there were not many [events]," he recalls. He noted Pedro Squee as a prominent figure doing parties at that time. A significant cultural difference struck him immediately: the early closing times. "It was really sad that the party's finished at three because you know in Brazil they never finish, they go until the next day, but yeah, that was a bit of a shock." This stark contrast fueled his desire to inject some of the vibrant, extended energy he was accustomed to.

His approach was to bridge the gap, bringing international artists whose sounds resonated with him and pairing them with the burgeoning local talent. The first official Psychedelic Gaff event, in February 2016, was a testament to this vision, a collaboration with the "Respect Festival" from Brazil. The organizer was touring Europe, and Julio seized the opportunity to bring a taste of the Brazilian scene to Dublin. The event, held once again in the small room of Turk's Head, exceeded his expectations. Decorated collaboratively with his friend Oggy (a video of which still exists on YouTube), the atmosphere was infectious, the energy palpable. "Everything went well. It was better than I thought, you know, it was amazing."

The following years saw a period of growth and momentum. In 2016, Julio organized six parties, each featuring an international DJ alongside local support, creating a buzz and a loyal following. 2017 saw fewer events but maintained the quality and the core ethos of bringing international sounds to Dublin. The culmination of this early period came in 2019 with a coveted monthly residency at The Sound House. This marked a peak, with consistent crowds, filling the venue each month. This stability allowed him to take more risks, booking bigger international names, confident in the enthusiastic audience that awaited them. "It was going amazing until the lockdown,” Julio remembers, the memory tinged with a bittersweet nostalgia.

The COVID-19 pandemic, however, brought an unforeseen disruption. While it initially fostered a deep yearning for communal experiences and the release of the dancefloor, it also inadvertently led to a saturation of the local electronic music scene. "What happened during COVID? What I felt is, many crews were born during the COVID times, because there was nothing to do. People need to do their own events. So loads of crews were born." This sudden influx of new promoters created a crowded market, further exacerbated by the limited number of suitable venues in Dublin. "And now there's too many options [events] in Dublin. And not many venues as well.” The audience, once more dedicated to specific nights and genres, now had a plethora of choices, diluting the attendance at individual events.

This echoes a theme we keep returning to at IED, that Dublin’s underground music scene isn’t just alive, it’s overflowing. With new crews constantly popping up and infrastructure failing to keep pace, the city’s creative energy often finds itself squeezed into too few spaces.

A persistent challenge for Julio has been the composition of his audience. While his Psychedelic Gaff nights foster a vibrant multicultural atmosphere, the core attendees remain predominantly Brazilians and other international residents, with a noticeable absence of young Irish-born individuals deeply engaging with the psytrance scene. "What I think is missing” Julio says “we don't have too many Irish people that get hooked by the Psytrance scene. What I see is mostly foreigners from everywhere." This creates a dynamic where the community experiences a constant ebb and flow, as international residents arrive and depart, hindering the establishment of a deeply rooted and consistently growing local Irish psytrance family.

Reflecting on the journey since the first beat dropped nine years ago, it's clear that Julio, with the steadfast support of his amazing crew – including the ever-inspiring Tami and Pedro who has been an integral part of this adventure – has built something truly special. While the audience may have evolved, the passion and the unifying power of the music remain a constant. This anniversary gig wasn't just a celebration of the past; it felt like a powerful injection of energy for the future. Throughout the night, the genuine smiles and heartfelt greetings directed towards Julio underscored the profound respect he has earned from this community over these nine years, a testament to the countless unforgettable nights he has orchestrated. The sheer dedication of everyone involved, from the artists and decorators to the tireless individuals behind the scenes, underscores a deep commitment to nurturing and growing the psychedelic trance scene right here in Dublin.

The vibrant atmosphere of the 9-year bash, the smiles, the shared energy, it all points towards a bright future for Psychedelic Gaff. This isn't just about overcoming challenges; it's about building on a solid foundation of passion, community, and unforgettable sonic experiences. With renewed energy and a continued commitment to quality, Julio and the entire crew are poised to keep the psychedelic spirit thriving in Dublin for many more years to come. The journey continues, the bass keeps thumping, and the "Gaff" remains a vibrant home for all who seek that transcendent connection on the dancefloor. Here's to many more years of cosmic journeys together!" Follow Julio and his Psychedelic Adventures here: Instagram | Facebook Click here for details about Julio’s Next Event (info below)

Psychedelic Gaff and Galactic Groove Records are teaming up to bring back one of the finest names in forest and dark psytrance: ANTONYMOUS!

After his unforgettable Irish debut in 2019, where he packed out the venue, it’s finally time to welcome him back for a night of Greek-style psychedelic madness! 🇬🇷✨

Get ready to lose yourself in deep, hypnotic forest sounds. 🌲🔊

Location:

The Racket Space

Date & Time:

May 9 · 10PM – May 10 · 3AM (GMT+1)