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Music Journalism
Hip Hop Culture
Underground Music Culture
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Margate
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No Tags is a podcast and newsletter from Chal Ravens and Tom Lea chronicling underground music culture. notagspodcast.substack.com

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes59Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicSociety & Culture

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Artwork for No Tags

Latest Episodes

Sneaking in at the last possible moment, it's the No Tags best of 2025 show! As is tradition, we’re joined by Henry Bruce-Jones to look back on the year in tunes and spotlight some lesser-feted records that you need to hear.

We tried to avoid going ... more

First off, we’re plugging.

The second No Tags book is here – and it looks great. ‘Conversations on underground music culture, Volume 2’ compiles the best interviews and conversations we’ve had on the second year of No Tags, plus five exclusive piece... more

…And we’re back!

Yes, first episode of No Tags for a few weeks, and while we do appreciate the concern, it’s just the two of us running this show, we both have jobs that we do it around, and sometimes we get really busy. Also Tom was in Asia for thr... more

First, news: our new book is almost at the printers ahead of launching it at the No Tags live show in London on 11th December! We’ll be announcing our guests very soon, and you can grab tickets now from the ICA website.

This week’s guest is a revere... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Holly Dicker
Author of "Dance or Die: A History of Hardcore"
Velocity Press
Episode: 53: Holly Dicker will be the last hardcore raver standing
Jeff Weiss
Rap journalist and author
Episode: 50: Jeff Weiss is still waiting for Britney Spears
Grace Sands
Resident DJ at Adonis, and a significant figure in the Free Party movement.
Adonis
Episode: 47: Free parties, rave theories and a moment with Grace Sands
Paul Woolford
Prolific DJ and music producer with a career spanning over 25 years.
Multiple music projects including Special Request
Episode: 46: Paul Woolford is peaking
Derrick Gee
Australian music enthusiast and content creator
Episode: 44: Derrick Gee, the internet's most professional music fan
Liz Pelly
One of the most effective music journalists of our era, author of "Mood Machine"
Author and Journalist
Episode: 40: All the things Spotify didn't want you to know but Liz Pelly found out
Finn McCorry
Film buff and long-time friend of the show.
NTS Radio
Episode: 37: Big Beat Cinema
Ed Gillett
Music writer and author of 'Party Lines'
Episode: 30: Amy Lamé, we hardly knew yé
OK Williams
A prominent DJ known for her energetic sets and deep understanding of dance music culture.
Episode: 27: What would OK Williams do?

Hosts

Tom Lea
Co-host exploring the realms of music and subculture, sharing insightful critiques and personal anecdotes throughout episodes.
Chal Ravens
Co-host, discussing underground music culture, providing lively commentary and insights while engaging with numerous guests.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 382 ratings
  • Out of touch

    Any podcast that tries to bill itself as chronicling ‘underground culture’ & has hosts that think graffiti has no purpose (as they discussed in the latest episode, displaying a total lack of engagement with subcultural rave communities in London) is inherently politically inconsistent. It’s even more frustrating when they regularly try to present themselves as ‘rave goers’, and make sweeping statements from that position.

    Even though they’re clearly very educated on music, sadly you can tell th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    sonyawould
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • <3

    Decided to lock in at the start of the year, zero regrets. love the longer dissections of trends, love the left turns and the regular diversions out of music and into other artforms/social phenomena, love the tone of the discussions… just really great stuff guys, thanks a lot.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hughmorris98
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Less politics

    More music

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Mr Majestik
    United States2 months ago
  • 10/10

    I was in a bit of a mood and this has cheered me right up! Love the pod, essential listen!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dj_rayner
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Formidable

    There really isn’t anything else out there quite like No Tags. It’s an instant listen on arrival for me, every time. Very intrigued to see where Chal and Tom take it next, too - publications, live outings, film club… heck, a Pontins convention? The healthiest balance between parasocial activity and niche nightlife infotainment - there’s something here for just about any music super fan. Keep up the grade 1 listed work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cartier 4 Everyone
    United Kingdom8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many praise the variety of guests featured, noting their relevance to underground music culture.
A few critiques mention the need for broader perspectives, especially on accessibility in music spaces, indicating a desire for more inclusive discussions.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful deep dives into music and cultural trends, often highlighting the hosts' chemistry and insightful commentary.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#28
United Kingdom/Music
Apple Podcasts
#76
United Kingdom/Music
Apple Podcasts
#217
France/Music
Apple Podcasts
#156
Finland/Music

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

56: Burial whisperer Dan Hancox on grime reunions, the power of crowds and sodcasting
Q: Do you think Burial could be a totally anonymous artist today?
I think other people will choose to do the same, choose a similar path in future.
56: Burial whisperer Dan Hancox on grime reunions, the power of crowds and sodcasting
Q: Dan, what's your current top tip for visiting Spain as you're good on this one?
Cadiz is my sort of current favorite place to go for sunshine, it has 300 days of sun a year.
53: Holly Dicker will be the last hardcore raver standing
Q: What is the significance of the word hardcore in your book?
Holly explains that 'hardcore' means different things to different people and emphasizes the community aspect that she discovered while researching.
50: Jeff Weiss is still waiting for Britney Spears
Q: Did your character know that you had that in you (for being a celebrity reporter)?
The guest discusses that in the industry, bluffing and presenting a facade was common.
47: Free parties, rave theories and a moment with Grace Sands
Q: What was DIY different to other Free Parties in that sense?
Musically, we focused on house, which set us apart from other parties that leaned toward techno.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About No Tags

What is No Tags about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on uncovering the nuances of underground music culture, this podcast engages listeners through vibrant discussions about music festivals, industry trends, and unique cultural phenomena. With hosts Chal Ravens and Tom Lea at the helm, it explores various topics including the impact of AI on music, the evolution of rave culture, and in-depth interviews with influential guests from diverse backgrounds in the music scene. Episodes often blend personal anecdotes with cultural critiques, allowing for a rich exploration of both historical and contemporary aspects of nightlife, music festivals, and societal shifts surrounding these experiences.

The podcast stands out for its blend of humor and critical insight, making it not just informati... more

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How many listeners does No Tags get?

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How many subscribers and views does No Tags have?

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Which podcasts are similar to No Tags?

These podcasts share a similar audience with No Tags:

1. Novara Media
2. If I Speak
3. Novara Live
4. The LRB Podcast
5. The Blindboy Podcast

How many episodes of No Tags are there?

No Tags launched 2 years ago and published 59 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on No Tags?

Recent guests on No Tags include:

1. Holly Dicker
2. Jeff Weiss
3. Grace Sands
4. Paul Woolford
5. Derrick Gee
6. Liz Pelly
7. Finn McCorry
8. Ed Gillett

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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