Tributes have been paid to Liquid’s Eamon Downes following the information of his demise.
Downes, who shaped one half of breakbeat hardcore legends Liquid, was revealed to have handed away by DJ and good friend Billy Daniel Bunter. “It’s with heartbreaking disappointment that I’m letting the world know we’ve misplaced Eamon Downes, devoted husband to Stella, proud dad to Bea, and one in every of my closest pals ever,” he wrote. “This one actually hurts”.
Based on Bunter, the DJ had been affected by a mind tumour for the final 5 years. “I nonetheless keep in mind him enjoying me “Candy Concord” down the cellphone earlier than it acquired reduce,” Bunter mentioned of Liquid’s seminal observe. “When XL signed it, he was buzzing. Sending dubplates by bike to Pete Tong after which straight to me at Labrynth, he beloved that facet of issues.
“Each time I play a tune from ’89–’92, he’s with me,” Bunter added. “Each time I have a look at Bea or communicate to Stella, he’s with me. Each rave, each radio present, each second. I miss you already, Eamon. I really like you all the time”.
In the meantime, XL posted their very own tribute to the DJ, writing: “XL has had the good pleasure of releasing Eamon’s music and dealing with him throughout totally different many years. With everlasting classics like ‘Candy Concord’ and ‘Liquid is Liquid’, Eamon helped outline the sound of ’90s rave and past. Our ideas are along with his household, pals, and everybody touched by his music.”
See extra tributes beneath:
Lengthy reside Eamon Downes of Liquid ❤️
XL has had the good pleasure of releasing Eamon’s music and dealing with him throughout totally different many years. With everlasting classics like ‘Candy Concord’ and ‘Liquid is Liquid’, Eamon helped outline the sound of 90s rave and past. Our ideas are… pic.twitter.com/86FcctdH2K— XL RECORDINGS (@XLRECORDINGS) July 21, 2025
Unhappy to be taught at the moment of the passing of Eamon Downes of “Liquid “. – Candy Concord was such a stupendous document that jogs my memory of blissful occasions within the early 90’s UK Rave period – together with my Kiss100 days and our Astoria Raves ….ideas along with his household and pals RIP x pic.twitter.com/2EXDVF0I7W
— Dave Pearce (@dj_davepearce) July 21, 2025
Such unhappy information that our good friend Eamon from Liquid has handed away. We had sooo a lot enjoyable through the years.
Gonna miss you brother 💔 😪https://t.co/9LuiKJQNda
— Slipmatt (@Slipmatt) July 21, 2025
Liquid was XL head honcho Richard Russell’s first signing as a then-A&R, and the discharge of ‘Candy Concord’ in 1992 would assist cement rave and breakbeat because the important soundtrack to British counterculture on the time.
The duo would go on to launch 5 EPs and one album with the label, which was lately re-released on digital codecs earlier this 12 months.
For a month, XL Recordings uploaded Liquid’s catalogue onto streaming providers. It additionally marks the primary time a few of their work has been obtainable to hearken to digitally, together with EPs like ‘One Love Household’, ‘Nearer’ and ‘Time To Get Up’.
