Southpoint Records marks a decade championing UK garage

Southpoint Records has entered its second decade as one of the most consistent independent platforms for UK garage and bassline. Founded in 2015 by Josh Gunston and Jay McDougall (KXVU), the Brighton-based label has accumulated over 50 million streams, 1,500 releases, and official chart successes while developing artists including Hamdi, MPH, Badger, Silva Bumpa, and Bushbaby.

From estate pirate radio to Ibiza and America

UK garage has moved from a hyperlocal sound confined to pirate radio and 90s London dancefloors into a global market. The bounce of 2-step and the weight of UK bassline now appears in Australia, Ibiza, and the United States.

Gunston describes the shift as deeply personal. "I grew up with garage around me, so seeing where it is now feels quite personal," he says. "For years it was often treated like a nostalgic UK sound, whereas now I am watching our artists connect with people all over the world. Bushbaby can make something rooted in UK club culture, then play it at DC10 in Ibiza or across America and see people instantly respond to it. At the same time, artists like SHUFFA, MUCKANIKS and BUTCHABOI are all taking that UK influence somewhere completely different. That is what feels powerful to me. It is not one sound or one moment anymore. It is a new generation pushing the culture forward globally without losing where it came from."

McDougall attributes part of the resurgence to nostalgia layered across generations. "The children of garage have always been present in the UK scene, whether grime, dubstep or bassline," he explains. "I think the nostalgia around garage is a big driver, from the fashion and language to its accessibility across generations. My generation grew up hearing garage as pop music without really knowing what it was, so the sound carries real nostalgia. For younger generations, it's the first time that sound has been at the forefront, creating this unique generational energy that everyone gravitates towards."

House-party A&R and producer identity

Southpoint's signing process remains hands-on. Gunston tests unreleased demos by slipping them into playlists at house parties with friends outside the music industry. If a track survives in a room full of casual listeners without anyone asking to skip it, he considers it a potential release.

The test distinguishes between a "producer's record"—appreciated for intricate sound design—and a "people's record," which carries immediate, raw energy. McDougall adds that the label prioritizes producers whose creative DNA is unmistakable. If you can identify who made a record after hearing it, that's the sonic identity Southpoint aims to develop.

Long-term careers over viral moments

While tracks can go viral overnight, Southpoint focuses on building careers through storytelling that unfolds over years. "I have seen first hand how quickly music can move now," Gunston reflects. "A record can become huge almost overnight, but attention can disappear just as quickly. What makes me properly care about an artist is understanding who they are, why they make that music and what they are trying to build. That does not always mean having some dramatic backstory or constantly turning your life into content."

Southpoint Records continues to operate as the label enters 2026, maintaining its emphasis on artist development over algorithm optimization.