Techno fans will immediately recognize Hungarian producer Jay Lumen. A familiar and much-loved artist in the scene, Lumen is known to have a longstanding relationship with Adam Beyer’s legendary label Drumcode. First releasing an EP with the label in 2011, Lumen has steadily contributed to the sound of Drumcode through his hammering, heady style that draws in crowds across the globe.





He made his Drumcode debut with Lotus, a collaboration with Glasgow techno producer Gary Beck. “The first [release] was my special collaboration EP with Gary Beck on Drumcode,” Lumen said during his Gray Area Spotlight interview. “It was very successful; the B side of the release was the best seller in five years of Drumcode. I was very happy with it. After this, [Adam Beyer and I] have been in contact for the past 10 years.”



Following the success of Lotus, Jay Lumen continued to create pumping tracks for the Swedish techno imprint with singles on four of the label’s annual A-Sides compilations.



Finally, in 2021, Lumen made his solo debut on Drumcode with the release of Returning, a two-track EP that showcases his energetic sound. A hit with listeners, Returning helped set the stage for what Lumen teases as “very special plans” with the label. 



“It's top secret, but we are working on something special at Drumcode,” he said. “I cannot tell any other details yet!”





His next single with the label comes via Drumcode’s next A-Sides compilation, which spans a massive range of subgenres and features friends of the label. “It’s amazing to be onboard because I’ve worked with Drumcode for 10 years already,” he says. “I’m always happy to get requests from them.”



As Jay Lumen continues to plan for the future with Drumcode, he builds a legacy with one of the top techno labels in the world that inspires awe from his peers. His next releases will feature an evolved sound—but if the past years are an indication, its certain that he will have the support of Adam Beyer.

A Timeline of Jay Lumen’s Drumcode Releases

Netherlands

Gashouder

Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the Gashouder is a breathtaking venue synonymous with techno music. It's one of the fountainheads of early dance music and has hosted some of the biggest names and events in electronic music. But before the fabled club became "The Pride of Westergas," it endured a less glamorous role from the 1800s through the turn of the century as a storage facility for the fuel that powered Amsterdam.




The now idyllic grounds of Westergas were once home to Amsterdam's gasworks, a cluster of 22 stark, industrial buildings that created and housed fuel for the city. The buildings were designed by prominent Dutch architect Isaac Gosschalk and constructed in 1880 by London Imperial Continental Gas Association for coal gas production. The gas replaced oil in the late 1800s to light the streets of Amsterdam with an amber glow. However, as the city modernized, gas production faded, and the factories soon became obsolete.




By 1967, the Westergas factories had ceased operation, leaving to question the future use of the abandoned spaces. For decades, the city and local businesses used the buildings as storage and workspaces.






Never leaving a good warehouse to waste, European DJs began hosting raves at some of the facilities in the early '90s. And in 1992, local entrepreneurs gained interest in the untapped potential of the polluted and decaying brick structures. Eventually, new renters and the City Council poured in over 31 million euros to renovate the space. What used to be a source of pollution was transformed into a beacon of culture, commerce, and sustainability.




By the late '90s, the forgotten cluster of dull industrial buildings had become a colorful and bustling hub of arts and entertainment with Gashouder as its celebrated centerpiece. The imposing monolith of stone transformed into a world-class entertainment venue that could comfortably house 3,500 visitors in the inner space of the former gas storage tank. The rise of techno in Amsterdam in the '90s, coupled with the newly renovated space, created the perfect storm for Gashouder to become globally synonymous with techno and house.






Electronic music was becoming an international sensation, and Amsterdam had a foothold in defining the sound of early European dance music. In 1996, Amsterdam Music Event (ADE) hosted its first three-day conference, with performances by 30 DJs and attendance of 300 industry delegates. And in 1997, Awakenings held its first techno night at Gashouder with DJs Angelo, Billy Nasty, Derrick May, Dimitri, Godard, and Nick Rapaccioli. Today, ADE is a mecca for music professionals, attracting over 400,000 attendees to 200 venues. The conference began incorporating Awakenings early on, which now hosts 300,000 visitors yearly at some of the most renowned techno events worldwide. As the home to Awakenings, Gashouder is now an essential stop on any ADE trip.











Known for hosting some of the most epic techno events in Europe, Gashouder has become a destination venue for music festivals, concerts, conferences, exhibitions, and more. Patrons have dubbed it the "Temple of Techno" and Amsterdam's most spectacular venue, not only because of the lineups but also the quality of production and the space's vacuous nature.




The round stone behemoth boasts massive, nearly 50 foot ceilings and an iron roof, with no pillars to obstruct views of the stage. Because of its colossal size, party-goers are often dazzled by indoor fireworks displays launched from the ceiling 3.5 stories overhead. Thoughtfully crafted showcases mean no two performances are alike, but they always meet and exceed the same high standards of the venue.




Shivani Murthy of THE - Music Essentials described her first techno experience at Gashouder, "Being the techno virgins that we were, we went in with zero expectations and had absolutely no idea about who and what we were going to witness there. To summarise what we experienced, all I can say is, by the end of the night, we were baptized at the 'Techno Temple' and came out yearning for more!"









Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the 2019 edition of ADE Awakenings was streamed online as a free event. DJ performances were filmed at Gashouder and streamed into fans' living rooms across the globe via social networking platforms. As live shows return triumphantly, ADE and Awakenings are back in action. Awakenings will present six ADE shows in 2022, back where it all started, at the legendary Gashouder.





You’d be hard-pressed to find a techno fan who hasn’t heard of Ida Engberg. The Swedish techno DJ and producer has performed in almost every major dance music market globally, making a lasting impression on fans everywhere she goes.




It comes as no surprise, then, that many of her DJ sets have been recorded and uploaded for online enjoyment. Some, explore the ethereal, melodic side of techno. Others highlight the harder end of the spectrum. Altogether, they speak to the versatile style Ida has developed over the past two decades.




We’ve collected five of Ida Engberg’s best sets from the past few years. Listen for yourself — after you get a taste of her skills behind the decks, we’re guessing you’ll feel compelled to see her play in person.




1. Drumcode OFFSónar 2019

Barcelona dance music fans like their techno dark and driving, and it’s safe to say Ida played to that crowd during her performance at Drumcode OFFSónar in 2019. Plaza Mayor de El Poble Espanyol’s exquisite architecture provided an unforgettable backdrop for the festivities.




2. B2B with Adam Beyer at Exit Festival 2018

Drumcode boss Adam Beyer and Ida have a long history of B2B sessions at world-class festivals. At the 2018 edition of Exit Festival in Serbia, thousands of fans witnessed their creative chemistry firsthand. They ripped through Drumcode cuts (on which Ida has several releases) and challenged the audience while including the necessary amount of vocals and melodies to keep things accessible enough for a crowd of that size.




3. April 2021 BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix

Landing a BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix is a momentous occasion for any dance music DJ. In her April 2021 appearance on the series, Ida Engberg took those tuning in on a serene, two-hour journey replete with lush synth melodies and progressive house overtones that veered into more challenging territory in the second half.




4. Awakenings ADE 2021

Netherlands-based Awakenings is one of the world’s leading techno festival brands, so the gatherings they curate during Amsterdam Dance Event cater to diehard fans of the genre. This was certainly not lost on Ida, who played one of her hardest sets in recent memory at Awakenings ADE 2021.




5. Zurich Street Parade 2021

On the other hand, the festive, open-air atmosphere of the 2021 edition of Zurich Street Parade called for more mass appeal. Ida Engberg still found opportunities to take listeners slightly outside their comfort zone, executing a push-pull tension dynamic that kept the crowd anticipating her every move.






5 Absolutely Spellbinding DJ Sets by Ida Engberg

Fuelled by support and encouragement from friends, family, and a sense of altruism, many dance artists contribute their time and energy toward philanthropic endeavors. Whether through volunteer work, scholarships, educational programming, or advocating for important issues like suicide prevention and mental health, many of your favorite artists are championing efforts for good across their communities and abroad.




Here are ten artists lending their efforts and wallets to noble causes when they’re not in the studio producing music or commandeering the decks at the club.




1. Ida Engberg and Adam Beyer



Techno, a genre notorious for its hedonistic sounds and stoic noir-clad DJs, isn’t often associated with philanthropy. However, one techno heavyweight who isn’t showy about her philanthropic work is setting out to make this world better with her partner. Since 2019, Swedish DJ Ida Engberg, along with her husband, Drumcode founder Adam Beyer, has headed Drumcode Festival in its efforts to raise money for an environmental cause close to their hearts. The event doubled as a joint Greenpeace project, with funds raised at the festival going directly to Amazon Watch—a nonprofit whose work supports indigenous Amazonians and the rainforest they call home.




2. Avicii



Though he is physically gone, Tim Bergling, aka Avicii’s legacy, lives on through the Tim Bergling Foundation and its charity work. Since his early days of notoriety, Tim’s altruistic nature led him to raise funds for food security in cities across the US. After his sudden death, his family vowed to continue the artist’s philanthropic work by launching the aptly named foundation, which continues to advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention and, most recently, raising awareness to the climate crisis and other environmental issues.




3. LP Giobbi & Lauren Spalding



The Femme House founder has made it her life’s mission to make the world of electronic dance music a more equitable place for women and LGBTQ+ artists to grow and thrive in. LP Giobbi and Lauren Spalding founded the Femme House nonprofit organization in 2019, vowing to “create safe spaces to learn, and always keep marginalized communities first and foremost in our minds,” she explained in an Instagram post announcing new programming aimed at creating new pathways for LGBTQIA+ artists. Through the new Theresa Velasquez Memorial Scholarship honoring DJ and Live Nation executive Theresa Velasquez, LP Giobbi will donate a portion of her booking fee for every LGBTQIA+ centered event she plays.






4. Shimza



South African DJ-producer Shimza’s penchant for philanthropy began at an early age. Today, the award-winning Tembisa-born artist has turned his large-scale philanthropic fundraising event into an annual event. Shimza’s One Man Show is an immense outdoor party in the DJ’s hometown in South Africa and often features the latest and greatest names in dance music. Proceeds from the charitable showcase benefit the town’s underprivileged children and drive job creation.




5. Alok



Brazilian dance music artist Alok is one artist looking to give back tremendously. The producer recently founded the Instituto Alok to combat poverty and other issues in his home country, Africa and India. Alok initially kicked off the initiative with a whopping $5.2 million donation from his wallet. Since its founding in 2020, the foundation has focused on food security, entrepreneurship, and human development.




6. DJ Bone & Ahnne Dulan



World-renowned Detroit artist DJ Bone officially began his philanthropic project in the early 2000s with support and encouragement from his wife, Ahnne Dulan. Together, they run the Homeless Homie charity organization, raising money for local homeless shelters. After years of charitable work, the nonprofit finally caught traction in 2018, as the philanthropic pair raised funds and collected toiletries for local shelters during the Christmas season. In years since, the Homeless Homies initiative has developed into a large-scale music event in Detroit and several other cities, with their biggest iterations happening at ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) in 2019 and 2021.




7. Porter Robinson



After his younger sibling was diagnosed with a rare iteration of lymphoma, indie-electronic dance artist Porter Robinson founded the Robinson Malawi Fund to raise funds and awareness for the cancer most prominently found in Malawi, Africa. The artist continues to donate proceeds from his Second Sky Festival, now in its third iteration. At the festival’s inaugural event, the dance music producer raised around $150,000. Today, Robinson’s fund continues to raise money for research and directly provides resources for children suffering from the rare form of cancer.












7 Dance Music Artists Using their Platform for Philanthropy

Desert festivals might be some of the hardest to come by, and not just because those barren spaces are few and far between. Raving in 100-degree weather is just something that most people wouldn’t dream of, and it might seem even more improbable in such a remote location. So, why do ravers take to these arid sandscapes to dwell in the desert for days on end?

Despite the unforgiving environment, desert landscapes make for some of the best festivals in the world. Often without any towns or cities within earshot for miles, the lack of noise licenses allows for larger than average sound systems with no time constraints. Deserts also provide a completely blank slate meaning they can play host to any kind of creativity or blueprint, whether stages, art installations, or campsites. After dark, once the heat settles over the planes or dunes, it’s high time to let loose, and party as the dry daytime air subsides, creating the perfect starlit setting for any eager raver.

So, with that, let’s dig into some of the best desert festivals across the globe - and no, it’s not just Burning Man!




Monegros Desert Festival, Spain



We’re kicking off this list in Europe - an unusual spot considering the continent’s vast greenery. In the dusty region of Aragon, Northern Spain, a growing community sets up shop in the Monegros Desert, where the eponymous festival takes place. By day, festival-goers take shade under enormous fairytale-esque mushrooms, later lit up by trance-inducing lights transforming the space into a psychedelic oasis. Monegros Desert Festival is known for its prodigious lineup too. Promising one of the most exciting performances of the year as Wu-Tang Clan take to the stage in July 2022, accompanied by a slew of DJs including Adam Beyer, Charlotte De Witte, Seth Troxler, Maceo Plex, and more. This year’s event falls on July 30 for a full-frontal 24 hours.

Website | Instagram | Tickets







Transahara, Morocco



Over in the Sahara Desert, early summertime event Transahara kicks off this year on May 13th-17th deep in the barren zone amongst the “mythical dunes of Merzouga.” With a traditionally psytrance lineup, this South Moroccan festival is a great escape for fans of higher-tempo tunes. Yet, previous lineups have included house and techno artists whose soundscapes fit for the mystical desert environment like John Aquaviva, Nitin, Matt Caines, and D-Nox. Due to the fragility of the ecosystem surrounding the venue, the festival is capped at 1500 and accommodations in one of five hotels and camps nearby. Accommodations are quite reasonable ranging from $30-80 a night. Transahara beautifully fuses art, music, and culture for a grand celebration under the starlit sky every spring. 

Website | Instagram | Tickets




Burning Man, Nevada

Photo Credit: Michael Holden



Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without Burning Man. It might be the first one that comes to mind when you think of desert-based festivals, but many don’t know the full ins and outs of this unusual event. As thousands of people - 80,000 to be exact - make the pilgrimage each year to Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, festivalgoers land in the barren metropolis of Black Rock City surrounded by art installations, burning structures, adventurous outfits, and a heck of a lot of bicycles. Black Rock City doesn't have traditional stages, the music is instead hosted by sound camps that each add their own artistic aesthetic to the dusty environment. Soundcamps like the fire-laden Opulent Temple, Debouchaerous day party Distrikt, and Carl Cox led Playground have hosted some of the biggest names in house and techno, including Carl Cox, The Martinez Brothers, and Joseph Capriati.

Website | Instagram | Tickets




Ragasthan, India

Previously dubbed ‘India’s craziest music festival’, Ragasthan has a lot to live up to - and it does. The three-day camping event takes place in the medieval trading town-turned-desert of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, just off the border of Pakistan. Boasting a lineup of both electronic and indie music, India’s top-tier festival also includes cinema screenings and fly-by art on top of late-night DJ sets from the likes of Christ Burstein, Bemet, and more amongst the mystical landscape. Ragasthan takes place each year in February to ease away those winter blues.

Website | Instagram | Tickets




AfrikaBurn, South Africa



Burning Man's sibling festivals are called regional burns. Founded on the same 10 Principles of Burning Man (Radical Inclusion, Gifting, Decommodification, Radical Self-reliance, Radical Self-expression, Communal Effort, Civic Responsibility, Leaving No Trace, Participation, and Immediacy) they give the worldwide community a chance to relish in its spirit closer to home.

Afrikaburn is the second largest regional event after its sibling festival Midburn in Israel. And it's a worthy contender. Originally taking place on Stonehenge farm, AfrikaBurn later moved to South Africa’s Quaggafontein, where it sets up a similar event with the same ethos as Burning Man. The experiencial festival is said to be a ‘playground without politic’ bringing together the South African Burner community. This year’s event kicks off in the Western Cape province on April 25th until May 1st.

Website | Instagram | Tickets




Desert Daze, California



California’s Desert Daze Festival has consistently had one of the better lineups over the past few years in the arid, mountainous destination of Lake Perris. Though more a beach than a desert festival, this dry setting has previously hosted the likes of Floating Points, Boards of Canada, Flying Lotus, plus a few pop, rap, and rock numbers. Desert Daze takes place annually toward the end of the year to avoid peak summertime heat, but with a lake just metres away, there’s always room for a quick dip. Expect some more magic in the desert this year from September 30th until October 2nd.


Website | Instagram | Tickets




Sandbox, Egypt



Sandbox is a once-in-a-lifetime event taking place mid-summer. As the sun hangs low over the Gouna Red Sea next to Egypt’s El Gouna desert, almighty lineups including Folamour, Palms Trax, Mella Dee, Sweely, and more play to intimate crowds. The desert plane hosting Sandbox sits next to the turquoise waters of the red sea, making it the perfect respite for anyone seeking some time away from the unforgiving heat. This year’s dates are currently unconfirmed, although you can bank on a glorious weekend somewhere in mid June.

Website | Instagram

Day Zero, Israel



Finishing off our selection is Israel's Day Zero festival hosted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Masada, not to be confused with the festival’s second event held in the jungle of Tulum. As termed by the festival itself, Day Zero is ‘a convergence of mysticism, music, natural wonder and apocalyptic sentiment’, set amongst the scenic desert space in the heart of Israel. Here, you can find a bill of impressive house and techno artists from all over the globe with previous residents including DJ Tennis, Black Coffee, Four Tet, and Dennis Cruz amongst others. Day Zero celebrates 10 years this year kicking off on September 23rd, 2022.

Website | Instagram | Tickets



Desert Festivals to Visit Around The World


Gray Area makes another step in its mission to “unify and strengthen the House Music community around the world,” today by partnering with Spotify for an official editorial playlist on the streaming platform. Gray Area Guest List launched with over five hours of house and techno from the forward-thinking and creative voices that are defining the myriad sounds of underground dance. 



Spotify’s Guest List playlists allow noted brands and artists to take over an official editorial playlist curating it from top to bottom precisely to match that brand’s unique footprint. And the Gray Area list is lovingly selected to reflect the future of dance music.



Included are songs from Gray Area Spotlight featured artists QRTR, LP Giobbi, Vintage Culture, and Will Clarke. Alongside bonafide legends like Ricardo Villalobos, Miss Kittin, Maya Jane Coles, Anja Schneider, Guy Gerber, Steve Bug, The Martinez Brothers, Joseph Capriati, Jamie Jones, Louie Vega, Pig & Dan, Royksopp, and Maceo Plex. 2022 GRAMMY Award nominee Black Coffee, Repopulate Mars boss Lee Foss, Drumcode front-man Adam Beyer, and Godfather of House Frankie Knuckles are also featured.


The Gray Area Guest List is a great way to get familiar with the sweeping sonic footprint of house and techno. Too often, we get stuck in our own lane, and the beauty of dance music is that it encompasses an array of shifting moods and aural textures. So take yourself on a journey through the expanse of underground dance music, turn up the volume and Let There Be More House Music.




Gray Area Takes Over Spotify's Official Guest List Playlist

Since 1996 Swedish DJ, Adam Beyer, has ruled modern techno, emerging from the depths of underground raves and climbing to the heights of international nightclubs. The power of Beyer remains strong today, the gravitational pull of his hard edge sounds leaving fans wanting more and more. Not only does this Stockholm-based trailblazer exist as a staple in festival lineups across the globe, his talents as a recording artist and substantial DJ presence are also hot commodities. Beyer’s expertise has shed light on the multifaceted capabilities of the techno sound, making his artistry a respected legacy of the genre.

Previous to his two decade influence and continuous growing force, Beyer proved to be extremely unique to his time, which led him to see the market for Drumcode Records, a Swedish techno label. Founded and run by this heavyweight artist, Drumcode has materialized into a dexterous and accomplished brand and label known all over the map. With its infectious musical imprint, Drumcode has produced branded events, built festival stages, and even brought its own branded radio show to more than 53 countries’ airwaves.

Adam Beyer | Awakenings Summer Festival 2022

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See you in October at Awakenings ADE 2022.  

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In 2016, Beyer celebrated the label’s 20th anniversary with the creation of 'A-Sides Vol.5', which masterfully displays Drumcode's variety of tastes within the techno genre. This fifth volume of the ‘A-Sides’ compilation, featuring artists like Alan Fitzpatrick and Pleasurekraft, also brings focus to Beyer's unprecedented skills as a curator and technical producer. The label continues to drop innovative, world-class records with Beyer’s distinctive style at the forefront. More credentials include the long-standing Junction 2 Festival in the UK, now 8 years old and developing into one of the most popular music events of the festival season. For the modern techno icon and his unparalleled musical gift, the world will keep showing up, sustaining Beyer’s well-deserved career through more electrifying global events than ever before.

Adam Beyer

Staley Sharples

Amanda Thames

John Cameron

Melisa Yuriar

Sam Morges

Alexander Dias