Back in November last year, there was much controversy reported on this site when the MDL Beast Soundstorm festival was due to take place in the human rights abusing Saudi Arabia. A lot of DJs came under heavy criticism for agreeing to do the gig – and most responded in cowardly fashion by ignoring it.

But Jeff Mills decided to do things differently. He put out a very long explanation about why he was doing it whilst simultaneously getting into the Saudi spirit by stopping anyone else from responding to him. His pathetic attempt at a defence didn’t convince anyone, naturally enough.

Mills claimed his sets provided “mental escape” and “that inviting DJs to play unrestricted might make some difference”. It’s with this in mind we note that Jeff Mills is due to visit British shores later this year – appearing at The Warehouse Project in Manchester this coming September. He’s appearing alongside Fred Again, Nightmares On Wax and apparent rising star Ash Lauryn.

Whilst few would object to Mills providing a few hours “mental escape” from life under Tory Britain, we somehow don’t foresee Boris Johnson worrying that his set will encourage a more rebellious mindset in his detractors…