SCENE REPORTS A dip into Ballista, operating beneath Naarm's surface Having just wrapped up its fourth year, the small-scale festival has proven that for many punters and artists alike, quality always beats out quantity.
FEATURES Is 'The Sesh' starting to catch up with Millennials? Attitudes to drugs have changed significantly since the late '80s, becoming more widely used and socially acceptable. But while Gen Z are embracing sober curiosity, the toll of sustained drug use is becoming more pronounced in older generations. David Hillier reports.
COMMENT 2024 Year in Review: Hyper-detailed, hyper-fast and hyper-connected As we start to catch our breath, let's ask ourselves, "what did we really learn this year?"
FEATURES Culture & Kaupapa transmitting on a Twisted Frequency As one of Aotearoa's favourite community festivals prepares to celebrate a decade, we spoke about what makes it what it is.
LISTS Willaris. K shares the playlist that got him through recording his latest record With the release of 'Everything Is As It Should Be' still very visible in the rear view, the artist shares a vulnerable list of tracks that pushed him through it.
FEATURES "The ultimate diversity": Gaytimes is your favourite DJs favourite queer festival As the much loved queer community festival approaches its 2025 edition, Michael Ahari provides a glowing review.
COVER STARS ATARANGI is a leader in Aotearoa's next generation queer underground The Māori DJ is paving his way through Australia's club & festival circuit. He is Mixmag ANZ's Cover Artist for November 2024.
ARTISTS From Durban to Naarm: Sandy B’s charm offensive plays a part in his enduring success The Kwaito legend talks about career longevity, going on tour and keeping head above water by staying true to his roots.
FEATURES Label Spotlight: Amniote Editions An unlikely collaboration between Copenhagen & Naarm/Melbourne, Amniote Editions is proof that passion & friendship are the backbone of modern electronic music.
COMMENT Can music be used as an effective tool for mutual aid? Charity-based releases & compilations are no new concept, but are they actually doing the right thing?
FEATURES Strawberry Fields Forever: 15 years & counting for one of Australia's most beloved festivals From its humble beginnings as a psytrance doof to becoming one of the world's most respected & eclectic events, this is a brief history of Strawberry Fields.
CULTURE Celebrating UNDR CTRL: An Australian icon turns 10 One of the country's most celebrated musical communities celebrates its first decade.
COVER STARS “What I like is all I have,” the meteoric rise of FUKHED The Meanjin turned Eora-based artist is moving, quick. She is Mixmag ANZ's Covert Artist for October 2024.
FEATURES Could the Netherlands become the first country to legalise MDMA? Prohibition of the party drug has been standard across Europe since the late-'80s, but scientific studies on medical use, an interest in a harm reduction-led approach, and a push to counter gang violence is seeing a movement for legalisation and regulation gather momentum in the Netherlands.
COMMENT Mode Naarm 2024, in review The move from PICA to Melbourne Pavilion clearly didn't stop the excitement, Farah Azizan writes.
LISTS September Wrap Up: The Best Local Releases of September 2024 Mixmag ANZ's guide to the best local releases in the month of September.
FEATURES Many hands make lighter work at Tessellate-topia The Naarm event's first year was a case study on what it takes to run a grassroots festival.
CULTURE Skylab’s ‘Front Left Cup’ is a celebration of community outside of the club We sit down with Skylab Radio head honcho Simon TK to get a read on who's worth betting on this weekend.
CULTURE Designer Spotlight: Passive Kneeling & the 'unseen' nature of music's visual identity "If we are being real here, let's be honest, its 50% of the performance."
LISTS August Wrap Up: The Best Local Releases of August 2024 Mixmag ANZ's guide to the best local releases in the month of August.
COMMENT Hasvat Informant's push for dance music accessibility “I don't think people with disability in a dance music context would expect everything to be perfect for them.”
SCENE REPORTS 
