Matt Vesey is an ALFOS and Convenanza festival regular. My old friend, The Polite Pelican, introduced us at the magic castle last September, and we bonded over tales of The Milk Bar and Essex’s early acid house rumblings.

Matt’s musical journey has seen him go from Mod to rare groove, from Southend’s Zero Six to Love at The Wag, and Balearic Beats at The Bridgehouse Pub. He currently hosts MTC Radio’s We Love Acid House show, which you can find archived on Mixcloud. Here he gives some background and insight into the various musical activities of Margate-based outfit, Evil Plans.

Tight text care of Mat Vesey.

Evil Plans are Ed Tomlinson, Jamie Tolley and Phil Blavatsky. Co-conspirators who run a successful night of the same name in Shoreditch-on-Sea, a.k.a. Margate. For the past 5 years they have, at the end of May, also hosted The Acid Barons Weekender: an intimate gathering on the Devonshire Moors, a back to basics acid house shindig held at Great Potteridge House.  I must admit I have not yet attended, my fault entirely, but I have heard extremely good things… 

Having previously been involved in the Beats for Beds fundraising for Shelter, allow me to now present to you the Evil Plans’ latest recorded musical endeavour, a compilation album with submissions from their mates, co-creators, guests and fellow Acid Barons… A veritable who’s who of UK acid house in 2026. While celebrating 5 years of the weekender, proceeds from the album will be going The Macmillan Cancer Support Charity, in memory of their dear friend, and regular, Melanie. All the artists have donated their music, and hopefully you will feel inclined to also help out and purchase the album. 

There are 20 tracks, all original compositions, aside from one edit by Peza. There are too many to describe in detail so I have selected a few of my favourites: 

Rude Audio / Matty Dread

An excursion into dub from the team that includes Mark Ratcliff, one of the people behind The Flightpath Estate. Plenty of space in the production, to let the music breathe.

Blavatsky & Tolley / Flight Into Egypt

A deep, considered track from Phil and Jamie, it would sit well alongside music from Kavinsky’s Drive soundtrack. One for late night trips along the autobahn as well as the club. 

Al McKenzie / Life Is Short, Live It Well

A proper house track, taking me back to places like the Milk Bar and Venus… Al, as part of D:Ream and later Field of Dreams, has produced so much very fine music over the years and this is no exception. Complete with vocals that impart sage advice.  Lovely. 

Jack Butters / Wonky Since ’88

Proper acid house. No need to say much more. I met Jack at Convenanza a couple of years ago. His output on Duncan Gray’s Tici Taci label has been consistently excellent, and if you don’t know Jack’s stuff this is a great place to start. 

Ian Vale / Forever Transmission

I have to commend this really, as Ian is a good friend.  He has a love of breaks as well as house and techno.  Full of energy, with a Germanic feel, its high hats and keyboards race over a catchy bassline.  You can discover more of Ian’s music via his partnership with Neil “Nein” Parnell as Parvale. 

Justin Robertson’s Deadstock 33s / Strange Angel

I have been a fan of Justin’s music since his very first Lionrock release.  This is another great example of his work under the Deadstock 33s moniker, a relatively upbeat slab of progressive house. Justin continues to create fresh and interesting productions, most recently diverting into dub as Five Green Moons.  He also is one of the nicest people in acid house – they say don’t meet your idols, but he is perfectly charming. 

The ESC / Hold You Tight

The acid house super group that is Ed Tomlinson, Scott Hutchinson and Carl Airsine, and a product of their midweek production sessions. The result is this stomper, one for about 1 AM to signal intent that things are about to get deeper and darker… 

Jezebell / Magik Remix (Blavatsky & Tolley)

Jezebell can do no wrong, so many good tracks over the past three years and two great albums.  Phil and Jamie lend a driving rhythm will echoes of Bam Bam’s Where’s Your Child.  2 AM heads down business. 

Stash Magnetic / Mystic Sea

I have been lucky enough to catch Stash Magnetic live, and meet the couple, Nick and Rebecca, behind their psychedelic sounds.  If you get the opportunity, do see them, they are also lovely, interesting people. Mystic Sea is a classic Stash M track, characterised by Rebecca’s haunting vocals. 

On Saturday April 4th Evil Plans take part in Paul Watt’s Acid  House Chancers event, at The Social, in central London, to celebrate Andrew Weatherall’s heavenly 63rd birthday. I hope to see some of you on that dancefloor. Click here for tickets.

The full Evil Acid Barons album, mostly mastered by the genius that is Rich Lane, will be released on Weatherall’s actual birthday, 2 days later, 6 April.