N-Trance is Reviving Their ’90s Legacy for a New Generation of Ravers

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Co-founder Kevin O’Toole swung by to chat about N-Trance’s first single in 22 years, the evolution of the music industry, and the group’s 2026 tour plans.

For fans of the ’90s club culture, N-Trance needs no introduction. Iconic anthems like “Set You Free” and their cover of the Bee Gees‘ “Stayin’ Alive” helped define a generation of dance music lovers, soundtracking the late-night raves across European dancefloors.

And while the group have not released new original music in more than two decades, founder Kevin O’Toole never stopped working behind the scenes. “It’s all I know,” he said. “I have a private studio in my house, and I’m always being told to keep the volume down when I’m working on one song or another.”

Now, 22 years after their last release, N-Trance is stepping back into the spotlight with their new single, “Higher.” Their return feels less like mere nostalgia and more like newfound momentum.

For longtime fans, it’s a reminder of why the group has become one of Britain’s most influential crossover dance acts. For the younger generation discovering Eurodance through modern platforms, it’s proof that the genre is still relevant in today’s club culture.

“It definitely feels great to be back after all this time, and getting back to the studio feels just right,” Kevin said. “Recording new vocals feels just as good. You just hope it sounds as good as you imagine.”

His return to recorded music feels familiar. Using the same mixing desks, monitors, and microphones that he did to produce their ’90s hits, Kevin has ensured that the sonic DNA that made N-Trance authentic and recognizable is preserved.

The group’s vocalists, Rachel Chambers and Tricia McTeague, remain central to that process, alongside longtime collaborators Jay McCurdy and MC B, who continue to work together in the studio. “Our vocalists are phenomenal to work with, and they nail it every time,” Kevin said. “They are just as good live as they are on recordings. Jay and MC B are always sending me rap ideas, and we never really stop working on new ideas. I’ll only release something if I’m 100% happy with the finished product.”

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. The rawness of the vocals is what I love, and I don’t ever try to digitally perfect a vocal. It’s the imperfections that create authenticity and uniqueness. A lot of recordings these days all sound almost robotic and devoid of character; I sometimes struggle to recount a song I’ve just heard on the radio as my ears shut off when I hear that robotic autotune sound. I want vocals to feel raw and real. If you sound the same as everybody else, who are you? You’re not going to be around for very long if you sound just the same as everybody else.

Kevin O’Toole

Over the last two decades, the music industry has transformed significantly. From the explosion of digital platforms to shifts in the way fans discover and consume music, artists have had to constantly adapt and evolve.

Having witnessed the change firsthand, Kevin said, “In the early 90s, you needed record labels as it was so expensive to record, produce, and manufacture a record and they were selling actual physical copies on cassette, CD, and vinyl. Even making a video was incredibly expensive, and the record labels would be able to recoup these high costs from sales.”

Despite these shifts, N-Trance remain committed to their signature sound. On “Higher,” they deliver infectious hooks, soaring vocals, and euphoric Eurodance energy that fans have come to love.

Kevin attributed that sound to something almost intangible, and what he called “an other-worldly element.” He explained, “The music sort of carries you away to another frequency. At least, that’s what it feels like for me. I grew up during the rave era and like to bring that vibe to people who weren’t old enough at the time to experience it firsthand. Lots of my old equipment is called ‘vintage’ now and worth a fortune to collectors, but to me, it’s the only way to do it.”

Due to technological advancements, it’s now mainly all streaming, and the cost of making music and videos is just a fraction of what it used to be. There’s much more competition now as you don’t have to be signed to record labels, but that makes it much harder for new artists starting out to become established because there’s so many more records being released all the time. In the old days, you would have had to gig all the time, but now it’s a lot more about how good you are on social media.

Kevin O’Toole

The return arrives at a moment of newfound independence for N-Trance. “Higher” marks the group’s first release under their own label, DaForce, named after bandmate Ricardo Da Force, giving them full autonomy. “It’s total artist freedom to release music via your own record label,” Kevin said.

Looking ahead, N-Trance is gearing up for an ambitious 2026 touring run with their current live lineup of Rachel Chambers, Tricia McTeague, MC B, Jay McCurdy, and N-Trance DJ Junior K. Festival and club appearances include We Love The 90’s Festival, In It Together Festival, Back to the 90s Summer Festival, and more.

Kevin shared that the tour will feature exciting visual upgrades that combine nostalgia with new production elements. “We have added a new video wall to our live PA, which syncs with the music, and that means we can add an extra element to the shows, including a visual intro which really builds the emotion before the show starts,” he said. “We will be performing all our classic hits and the new ones yet to be released as well.”

As the tour approaches, Kevin remains focused on balancing legacy with evolution, ensuring that the past and present are still connected.

“The new music has to have a connection with the old music so it would all work together on the live shows,” Kevin said. “I wanted to pay tribute to where we came from and the sounds that made us. When making a comeback, you have to return with something familiar but true to who you are now, and it has to be original and identifiably your unique style. The rave sound also sounds amazing in big stadiums and outdoor festivals, and I’m always drawn to that sound. I seek it out, I revert to it. It’s my default setting.”

Even the rollout of “Higher” carried a special kind of classic showmanship. The group had been performing the song live for a while before announcing it as a new release to test the crowd’s reaction in real time.

“If you tell a crowd you’re about to perform a new song, half the audience naff off to the bar,” Kevin explained. “We knew it was good, as the first time we performed it, people started to sing along to the chorus after the second verse, and we became inundated with people asking where they could listen to the new tracks.”

It’s easy to see why N-Trance’s music continues to resonate across generations. Decades after their earliest hits first lit up the dance floors, the group continue to appeal to fans, sometimes in unexpected ways.

“We sometimes get new fans saying that their mum and dad love our music. We tell them to get their mum and dad back watching our shows. It’s a great cardio workout,” Kevin laughed.

Stream N-Trance – “Higher” on Spotify: