Defected Records are to host a stage at the upcoming Sunburn Festival in Goa this December, headlined by Shapeshifters, ATFC and ex-M People percussionist Shovell. The UK house label will also be releasing a tie-in triple compilation ‘Defected In the House – Goa 08’ and spoke enthusiastically this week about the prospects for the three day event. “Of all the festivals around the world none can claim to be as alluring as this. As a location it is inextricably linked with dance music,” Defected’s press release proclaimed. “Goa is the place to rediscover modern rave culture in a free-spirited and untainted environment.”

Their use of the term ‘rave culture’ came days after the Indian Government’s law and order minister Ravi Naik told reporters ‘we will not allow the drug trade or rave parties to be held this year’ in what’s becoming a traditional pre-season rave crackdown claim. His pledge followed unprecedented bad publicity about Goa’s numerous drug mafias, corrupt cops and hardcore criminals preying on Western backpackers, prompted by the ongoing investigations into the still unsolved murders of Goa backpackers Stephen Metcalfe and 15 year old Scarlet Eden Keeling. Supporters of jailed in India Irish backpacker Patrick Malluzzo also stepped up their campaign to free him from a 10 year sentence for trumped up cannabis charges this week, persuading his local newspaper the Kilkennyman Advertiser to start publishing a blog written by Patrick.