Australia

AK Sports

United States

acid techno

italian techno

999999999

Germany

Clara Cuvé

Italy

electra

Deborah de Luca

United Kingdom

pop dance

uk dance

Jazzy

Ireland

irish electronic

KETTAMA

Patrick Mason

Helena Hauff

 is one of the UK’s leading electronic music festivals, celebrated for its uncompromising dedication to techno, house, and everything in between. What began as a one-day event in Edinburgh in 2017 has grown into a phenomenon that draws tens of thousands of ravers from across the globe. Set against the expansive backdrop of the Royal Highland Centre, Terminal V has earned its reputation through bold production, forward-thinking lineups, and an unwavering focus on delivering an unforgettable experience.

At its core, Terminal V is defined by its curation of some of the biggest names in electronic music. Over the years, the festival has welcomed a who’s who of the global scene, hosting headline sets from heavyweights like 

. These world-class acts have played alongside a diverse roster of underground talent, blending cutting-edge techno, house, electro, and beyond across six meticulously designed stages. The scale of the festival has increased rapidly, now accommodating upwards of 20,000 attendees per day while maintaining an intimate, high-energy vibe that resonates with dedicated music lovers.

What sets Terminal V apart is not just the quality of its lineups, but its commitment to fostering the next generation of artists. Through initiatives like 'The Secret Stage,' the festival has provided a platform for emerging Scottish talent, spotlighting over 30 up-and-coming DJs and producers. This focus on supporting local artists has helped nurture Scotland’s electronic music scene while adding fresh energy to the overall event experience.


Beyond Scotland, Terminal V has expanded its footprint internationally. Recognizing its growing appeal, the festival launched an edition in Croatia at the idyllic Garden Resort in Tisno, blending the festival’s signature sound with a sun-soaked beachside setting. This move signals Terminal V’s ambition to evolve into a global brand, offering their distinct festival formula to new audiences and destinations.

The festival’s impact has not gone unnoticed within the industry. It has been consistently recognized in 

 polls and has even earned the accolade of ‘Best Festival’ at their Best of British Awards. With its immersive production, carefully curated programming, and dedication to both established icons and fresh talent, Terminal V has firmly cemented itself as a standout fixture on the global festival calendar, continuing to grow and push boundaries year after year.

Terminal V

The Royal Highland Centre

Terminal V 2025

house

schranz

uk tech house

Carl Cox

Spain

Indira Paganotto

Ukraine

ukrainian electronic

Miss Monique

France

deep minimal techno

french tech house

french techno

minimal techno

Popof

Brazil

brazilian techno

dark techno

deep techno

Victor Ruiz

tech house

techno

Oscar L

brazilian edm

Vintage Culture

Aaron Suiss

Canada

Julian Prince

melodic techno

melodic house

indie dance

Magit Cacoon

MANTi

organic house

deep house

Sinca

minimal tech house

Traumer

Janeret

 is not your typical electronic music festival. It’s a sunny open-air rave with a twist. Born in the parks of Montpellier in southern France, this lively gathering combines the underground dance music spirit with the laid-back vibe of a Sunday picnic. Attendees lounge on blankets under the trees, kids play and dance alongside grown-ups, and world-class DJs spin techno and house music from morning until midnight. The atmosphere is friendly and accessible, making seasoned clubbers, curious newcomers and future ravers all feel welcome.

From a Picnic in Montpellier to a Movement

Family Piknik began as a local passion project in 2012, dreamed up by Montpellier DJ Tom Pooks as a day-long festival that people in their 30s (and their kids) could enjoy together. The key idea was to blend top-tier underground electronic music with a family-friendly atmosphere. Early editions took place right in the heart of Montpellier, where party-goers could bring their own food, dance barefoot on the grass, and soak up the music under shady park trees. This open-minded concept, uniting all generations around house and techno, was something very new in France at the time, and it quickly caught on. Year after year the event grew, drawing thousands of attendees from across Europe even in its initial seasons. What started as a humble picnic party soon became a movement, turning lazy Sundays into an all-ages dance celebration.

As the festival’s reputation spread, Family Piknik evolved from a one-day gathering into a full-blown multi-day extravaganza. Growth came naturally: more stages, longer hours, and ever-bigger crowds, all while keeping its uniquely welcoming vibe. The festival has even been recognized among DJ Mag’s Top 100 festivals worldwide for its special blend of big-room energy and underground soul. Over the years, Family Piknik’s stages have been graced by a who’s who of electronic music. Techno legends and crowd favorites like 

 (to name just a few) have delivered unforgettable sets under the open sky. Thanks to its consistently stacked line-ups, the festival has solidified its standing as one of France’s top electronic music events, even being hailed as 

“the biggest underground French festival”

. And with tens of thousands of “party-people” joining in from over 30 countries, it’s clear that Family Piknik has grown into a globally recognize

In recent years, Family Piknik expanded beyond its original city setting, finding a new home in the nearby coastal town of Frontignan. This move, about a 20-minute hop from Montpellier, gave the festival more room to spread its wings (and speakers) while retaining its open-air charm. The current venue is a picturesque park in Frontignan, lush with old trees and natural shade, just minutes away from the Mediterranean’s sandy beaches. Dancing here comes with a sea breeze - an added bonus to an already magical atmosphere. The transition to Frontignan marked an exciting evolution: the festival could welcome larger audiences and experiment with new stage setups, including a now-iconic giant pink flamingo art installation watching over the crowd. Through this expansion, Family Piknik proved its resilience and creativity. Even when a partnership with Montpellier’s city hall ended and new locations were needed, the organizers seamlessly transformed venues like a bullring in Lunel and the park in Frontignan into their electronic playground, without missing a beat. The result is a festival that feels both fresh and true to itself - bigger in scale but still as intimate and free-spirited as ever.

A One-of-a-Kind Atmosphere and Cultural Impact

What truly sets Family Piknik apart is its inclusive, multigenerational atmosphere. It’s one of the only electronic music festivals where you might see children blowing bubbles and dancing next to veteran ravers in the afternoon, and grandparents nodding along to the beat by early evening. The organizers actively welcome all ages, offering free entry for kids (typically under 14) and even for seniors over 55 – because they believe electronic music should bring everyone together. They back this up with thoughtful touches: a dedicated Kid Zone with games and water fun, chill-out areas for relaxing, and the freedom to bring your own picnic treats. Yet, despite the family-friendly feel, the party never loses its edge. When night falls and the lights glow, the dancefloor is in full throttle, united by music and positive vibes rather than VIP barricades or ego-driven antics.

Culturally, Family Piknik has made a significant mark. It has put Montpellier and its region on the map as a hotspot for electronic music, showing that a festival can be world-class in talent and production while remaining warm and community-oriented. Each edition injects energy into the local scene and economy, attracting international tourists and showcasing the south of France’s love affair with dance music. More importantly, it has pioneered a new kind of festival experience – one where 

 meets a family picnic ethos. In doing so, Family Piknik has nurtured a loyal following that spans generations, proving that great music and a welcoming spirit are truly universal. Friendly and accessible, this festival continues to grow and inspire, all while staying true to the joyful, inclusive culture it started with in Montpellier’s parks.

Family Piknik

Parking du Stade Lucien Jean

Family Piknik 2025

Netherlands

dutch tech house

Chris Stussy

Doc Brown

Belanuit

Picard Brothers

BERK

Matt Martinez

SunrYse

Rebelski

Eelke Kleijn

Vanjee

If you're looking for explosive sets that blow the lids off of warehouses around the globe, look no further than AK Sports. Fusing techno hybrids, acid house, and rapid breaks into a unique vision of high NRG nu-rave, she continues to release high-powered material from her twin bases of London and Los Angeles. 

events play a pivotal role in bringing the LA underground to new heights, igniting it with the inimitable flavor of UK styles, and underscoring local and international talent. But, more importantly, her events focus on elevating gender minorities, queer, and BIPOC artists. 

Growing up on the sunny shores of Bondi Beach in Australia, AK Sports – aka Madi Carr – was surrounded by a band scene. Her dad opened the gateway into electronic music. He introduced her to the sounds of big beat artists like Fatboy Slim and Groove Armada. And timeless icons like Moby and 

A tight-knit relationship between electronic music and her love for skateboarding and skiing blossomed. Listening while cruising around bends put her in a rhythm and groove that heightened the overall experience. She also noticed she improved much faster. 

"When I was younger my dad would drag me down to CD stores and definitely encouraged me to get into big beat … we were also obsessed with Blink 182 and the whole punk scene … just like a bit of everything when I was younger," she remembers. 

Crazy - AK Sports Acid Remix

"It always crossed across from band to electronic, because I actually grew up skateboarding and my dad would make me listen to my discman [whilst skating]. I think most parents would probably say, 'Absolutely not … you need to make sure that no one's going to run into you.' But yeah, it was a range for sure."

While attending university on the Gold Coast of Australia, she was disappointed to discover a music scene tinged with touristic tackiness and commercialism. Her subsequent return to Bondi took her on an upswing and paved the way for her entrance into the music industry. 

Becoming a promoter plunged her into a scene replete with incredible DJs, creatives, and artists. The events she threw proved successful and sparked a domino effect. She quickly climbed the ladder of the events industry throwing bigger parties at every rung. 

Become a Gray Area member for access to exclusive perks!

"That's how I got my start in the music industry because I wanted to chat to the hot band guys. I just started to become a promoter. I went up to this cool bar and asked them who books the bands and asked if I can give it a go."

Dissatisfied at her pay rate, AK Sports' first shot at DJing stemmed from a lightbulb moment. 

"In Australia, unless you're an artist, the money's pretty bad. I would complain to my bosses about getting a pay rise, and they told me, 'We can't give you any more money, but you can teach yourself how to DJ, and then DJ at your own events and get paid by the venue.' So, I would hang back at the office after work, set the decks up myself, and practice."

For her first gigs, she chose to team up with a friend. It wasn't long before she had bigger slots at better events. These days, when AK Sports performs, it'd be hard to detect the slightest ounce of anxiety in her appearance. But starting out in her career, she recalls that a degree of nervousness was sometimes unavoidable. 

"There was one time I remember driving to a club for a solo headline gig or closing for someone. I was so panicked about my abilities. The taste was there, but my abilities … I felt like it was a little bit too premature to be playing, or maybe it wasn't… I don't know. I remember driving there and thinking, 'I don't have to put myself through this stressful experience. I don't know why I'm doing this to myself!' Once you get past a certain technical ability, I think it's smooth sailing. Those were my own experiences of DJing, and it was always very rewarding and always lots of fun."

When asked about her first significant achievement in music, her eyes light up. Several vital moments spring to mind within seconds. The release of her debut EP was a big one and happened organically through a friend who had set up a record company called Gallery Recordings, based in Sydney. 

Over time, her music has evolved and taken on new forms and trajectories, with releases on Club Glow, Tooflez Muzik, Start Local Records, and Of Leisure. 

Playing shows in other countries always felt great, but a key highlight was a gig in Edinburgh. She was also immensely proud to have gotten a show on BALAMII Radio, one of London's top electronic institutions. In a world increasingly influenced by music streaming services, she insists that radio appeal is unique.

Club Glow, Vol. 3

"I started out in a similar one in Australia called FBI Radio. That was another big achievement actually, getting a show on there. These smaller stations, and even the bigger ones like Jaguar, the work she's done on BBC Radio 1 with her show

, it's all about community. You feel connected to everyone … for me, I really found my community in BALAMII. I was playing a certain type of jacking house, breaksy stuff, but I always wanted to play crazy breaks and heavy techno and just go a bit psycho. I wasn't getting the gigs at the time, or they weren't the right time slot or whatever to do that, so the radio show gave me the opportunity to go wild. Also, I took different shows to explore different genres, so I did the history of jungle in one show, the history of DnB in another show. Radio was also a place for DJs to practice during COVID when all these gigs were cancelled. So yeah, I think that it's an exciting new place to do things that you wouldn't necessarily do in club spaces, get some work, and connect with the online community and producers and fans that we love."

Passionate to embrace creative expression in all its forms, AK Sports has released several music videos to accompany her tracks, which showcase the skills of various female, trans and non-binary artists. 

plunges you into a Matrix-inspired reworking of a Brixton night out, all transmitted through the lens of a retro video game. These imaginative and vibrant videos bring music to life in a new way, yet it was a shame to reflect on the general absence of music videos in the dance music industry as a whole. 

"I wanted to put out a video with my first single but I was advised that it wasn't cool to do a video. It's just an untapped market, so let's go crazy. I particularly like to work with female, trans, and non-binary artists, so I'm trying to find those people and any other way, shape or form that I can connect with them to help me express myself and themselves."

Step into the rave with one of the characters at the forefront of the nu rave sound - we welcome AK Sports to the guest mix! 

1. Mary Droppinz, Danny Goliger - Modbo$$
2. DJ Wiggle - Tanker
3. Charlotte de Witte - Rave On Time
4. Warp Brothers, Aquagen - Phatt Bass (Warp Brothers Bass Mix)
5. Human Movement - Rude Boi
6. AK Sports - Cops in the Club
7. Pagan - Like A Fool (Dub Mix)
8. AK Sports - ??
9. AK Sports - ??
10. Dagga - Proximity
11. Aloka - Love Drug (Jensen Interceptors Blue Suede Rave Remix)
12. Mani Festo & Ravetrx - Dope
13. Wave Corners - Even Mike (Dissolver Remix)
14. Sara Landry - Peer Pressure

We Are The Brave
https://www.instagram.com/wearethebraveofficial/
https://www.facebook.com/wearethebraveofficial
https://twitter.com/weare_thebrave
https://soundcloud.com/wearethebraveofficial

Alan Fitzpatrick 
https://www.instagram.com/alanfitzpatrick/
https://www.facebook.com/officialalanfitzpatrick/
https://twitter.com/AlanFitzpatrick
https://soundcloud.com/alanfitzpatrick

We Are The Brave Radio 188 (Guest Mix from AK Sports) by Alan Fitzpatrick

"I think we could do more, but sometimes people just don't have the time or the money," she posits. "This animator from Berlin, Stacie Ant, did the video for 'Tank Girl.'

She basically made avatars of me and my friends. It was amazing, her style was very cool. It was influenced by the Berlin underground - very sexy, very female gaze. But the hours that go into making those sorts of things are not cheap. So, it's not always that viable to get music videos, unless you've got a big label who are going to pay for it, or if you've got homies that I was lucky enough to find to help do it for the cheap, sometimes free, because they were just down to jump on."

Her dedication to her craft is uncompromising. Despite a hand injury that left her arm in a splint for several months, she chose to carry on DJing regardless; her one-handed mixing soon gained her a reputation as the 'bionic-armed Aussie DJ.' Thankfully, the splint's now off, and a current of new material continues to flow.  

Cops In The Club

She finds inspiration through real-life experiences. For example, her recent release on Justin Jay's Fantastic Voyage, "Cops In The Club," resulted from a warehouse rave gone wrong.

"I wrote it after a warehouse party that I was at got raided, and it was terrifying. It's a bit tongue in cheek with the vocalI put on like a European accent to kind of express the universal voice and connect the experience to [people] all around the world because it's just a thing that can happen everywhere."

If you're looking for explosive sets that blow the lids off of warehouses around the globe, look no further than AK Sports. Fusing techno hybrids, acid house, and rapid breaks into a unique vision of high NRG nu-rave, she continues to release high-powered material from her twin bases of London and Los Angeles. 

Her Warp Mode events play a pivotal role in bringing the LA underground to new heights, igniting it with the inimitable flavor of UK styles, and underscoring local and international talent. But, more importantly, her events focus on elevating gender minorities, queer, and BIPOC artists. 

Growing up on the sunny shores of Bondi Beach in Australia, AK Sports – aka Madi Carr – was surrounded by a band scene. Her dad opened the gateway into electronic music. He introduced her to the sounds of big beat artists like Fatboy Slim and Groove Armada. And timeless icons like Moby and Daft Punk. 

A tight-knit relationship between electronic music and her love for skateboarding and skiing blossomed. Listening while cruising around bends put her in a rhythm and groove that heightened the overall experience. She also noticed she improved much faster. 

"When I was younger my dad would drag me down to CD stores and definitely encouraged me to get into big beat … we were also obsessed with Blink 182 and the whole punk scene … just like a bit of everything when I was younger," she remembers. 

"It always crossed across from band to electronic, because I actually grew up skateboarding and my dad would make me listen to my discman [whilst skating]. I think most parents would probably say, 'Absolutely not … you need to make sure that no one's going to run into you.' But yeah, it was a range for sure."

While attending university on the Gold Coast of Australia, she was disappointed to discover a music scene tinged with touristic tackiness and commercialism. Her subsequent return to Bondi took her on an upswing and paved the way for her entrance into the music industry. 

Becoming a promoter plunged her into a scene replete with incredible DJs, creatives, and artists. The events she threw proved successful and sparked a domino effect. She quickly climbed the ladder of the events industry throwing bigger parties at every rung. 

Become a Gray Area member for access to exclusive perks!

"That's how I got my start in the music industry because I wanted to chat to the hot band guys. I just started to become a promoter. I went up to this cool bar and asked them who books the bands and asked if I can give it a go."

Dissatisfied at her pay rate, AK Sports' first shot at DJing stemmed from a lightbulb moment. 

"In Australia, unless you're an artist, the money's pretty bad. I would complain to my bosses about getting a pay rise, and they told me, 'We can't give you any more money, but you can teach yourself how to DJ, and then DJ at your own events and get paid by the venue.' So, I would hang back at the office after work, set the decks up myself, and practice."

For her first gigs, she chose to team up with a friend. It wasn't long before she had bigger slots at better events. These days, when AK Sports performs, it'd be hard to detect the slightest ounce of anxiety in her appearance. But starting out in her career, she recalls that a degree of nervousness was sometimes unavoidable. 

"There was one time I remember driving to a club for a solo headline gig or closing for someone. I was so panicked about my abilities. The taste was there, but my abilities … I felt like it was a little bit too premature to be playing, or maybe it wasn't… I don't know. I remember driving there and thinking, 'I don't have to put myself through this stressful experience. I don't know why I'm doing this to myself!' Once you get past a certain technical ability, I think it's smooth sailing. Those were my own experiences of DJing, and it was always very rewarding and always lots of fun."



When asked about her first significant achievement in music, her eyes light up. Several vital moments spring to mind within seconds. The release of her debut EP was a big one and happened organically through a friend who had set up a record company called Gallery Recordings, based in Sydney. 

Over time, her music has evolved and taken on new forms and trajectories, with releases on Club Glow, Tooflez Muzik, Start Local Records, and Of Leisure. 

Playing shows in other countries always felt great, but a key highlight was a gig in Edinburgh. She was also immensely proud to have gotten a show on BALAMII Radio, one of London's top electronic institutions. In a world increasingly influenced by music streaming services, she insists that radio appeal is unique.

"I started out in a similar one in Australia called FBI Radio. That was another big achievement actually, getting a show on there. These smaller stations, and even the bigger ones like Jaguar, the work she's done on BBC Radio 1 with her show Introducing, it's all about community. You feel connected to everyone … for me, I really found my community in BALAMII. I was playing a certain type of jacking house, breaksy stuff, but I always wanted to play crazy breaks and heavy techno and just go a bit psycho. I wasn't getting the gigs at the time, or they weren't the right time slot or whatever to do that, so the radio show gave me the opportunity to go wild. Also, I took different shows to explore different genres, so I did the history of jungle in one show, the history of DnB in another show. Radio was also a place for DJs to practice during COVID when all these gigs were cancelled. So yeah, I think that it's an exciting new place to do things that you wouldn't necessarily do in club spaces, get some work, and connect with the online community and producers and fans that we love."

Passionate to embrace creative expression in all its forms, AK Sports has released several music videos to accompany her tracks, which showcase the skills of various female, trans and non-binary artists. 

The clip for "Houdini" plunges you into a Matrix-inspired reworking of a Brixton night out, all transmitted through the lens of a retro video game. These imaginative and vibrant videos bring music to life in a new way, yet it was a shame to reflect on the general absence of music videos in the dance music industry as a whole. 

"I wanted to put out a video with my first single but I was advised that it wasn't cool to do a video. It's just an untapped market, so let's go crazy. I particularly like to work with female, trans, and non-binary artists, so I'm trying to find those people and any other way, shape or form that I can connect with them to help me express myself and themselves."

"I think we could do more, but sometimes people just don't have the time or the money," she posits. "This animator from Berlin, Stacie Ant, did the video for 'Tank Girl.' She basically made avatars of me and my friends. It was amazing, her style was very cool. It was influenced by the Berlin underground - very sexy, very female gaze. But the hours that go into making those sorts of things are not cheap. So, it's not always that viable to get music videos, unless you've got a big label who are going to pay for it, or if you've got homies that I was lucky enough to find to help do it for the cheap, sometimes free, because they were just down to jump on."

Her dedication to her craft is uncompromising. Despite a hand injury that left her arm in a splint for several months, she chose to carry on DJing regardless; her one-handed mixing soon gained her a reputation as the 'bionic-armed Aussie DJ.' Thankfully, the splint's now off, and a current of new material continues to flow.  

She finds inspiration through real-life experiences. For example, her recent release on Justin Jay's Fantastic Voyage, "Cops In The Club," resulted from a warehouse rave gone wrong.

"I wrote it after a warehouse party that I was at got raided, and it was terrifying. It's a bit tongue in cheek with the vocalI put on like a European accent to kind of express the universal voice and connect the experience to [people] all around the world because it's just a thing that can happen everywhere."

AK Sports

Past events

Other artists