Frankie Wah dove into dance music somewhat late in life. Formerly a footballer and bodybuilder, it wasn’t until 2017 that he dropped his debut single, “House Party.” He’s made up for lost time, though, if his trajectory since then is any indication.




Case in point: the caliber of artists on his growing list of collaborators in the past two years alone. Frankie’s music speaks for itself — and it always will — but it certainly doesn’t hurt that tastemakers at the highest level of the industry have cosigned on his talent in the studio.




More importantly, his club-ready brand of melodic house music has proven to mesh well with the styles of these world-renowned acts. Below are six such tracks that have resulted from Frankie Wah’s high-profile collaborations since the end of 2020.




1. Sasha and Franky Wah - Haunted

When longtime progressive household name (see what we did there?) Sasha joins forces with an up-and-coming artist, the world stops and listens. The dusty broken beat and reverbed melodies of “Haunted” holds the listener captive throughout its seven-minute duration, subtly building tension by introducing symphonic elements near the halfway mark.




2. Cristoph, Franky Wah, and Artche - The World You See

Cinematic sound design frames a sterling vocal in “The World You See” by Cristoph, Frankie Wah, and Artche. Released only a few months after “Haunted,” it proved Frankie versatile enough to collaborate with artists representing both the past and future of progressive house.




3. Lee Foss and Franky Wah - Name Of Love ft. SPNCR

Frankie Wah’s collaboration with Lee Foss signaled something of a departure from the chugging tech house rhythms characteristic of the latter artist’s output. SPNCR’s radio-ready vocal sets the tone in “Name Of Love,” whose soft melodies suit it well as a closing track for DJ sets.




4. Carl Cox and Franky Wah - We Are One

Is there a stronger endorsement than getting enlisted to work on a track alongside dance music titan Carl Cox? We can’t think of one. After a chill-inducing spoken word sample delivered by the British house and techno icon himself, “We Are One” drops into equally uplifting lead synths set off by an infectiously danceable breakbeat.




5. Franky Wah and Pete Tong - Out of the Blue ft. Jules Buckley

Closing out the end of 2021 was Frankie Wah’s collaboration with Pete Tong, a DJ, producer, and broadcast journalist who played no small role in introducing house music to the U.K. in the ’80s. “Out of the Blue” featuring Jules Buckley is defined by big, trance-inspired synths and soothing atmospheres.




6. Carl Cox and Franky Wah - See the Sun Rising

If it seems odd that we included two separate Carl Cox collaborations on this list, keep in mind how much you have to impress an artist at his level to compel him to work with you a second time. His second joint effort with Franky, “See the Sun Rising,” melds the galloping percussion of techno with fittingly futuristic chords.




“I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with Carl on a record prior to this one, so to work on a second track is just a testament to how smooth the writing process between us is,” Wah told Dancing Astronaut. “I visited his home last year and he mentioned he had an album coming out but I had no idea he’d ask me to be a part of it, so when the opportunity came, I was honored.”



From Sasha to Carl Cox: 6 of Frankie Wah’s Biggest Collabs

You can’t make everyone happy, as Carl Cox seems acutely aware. The globetrotting superstar DJ was recently targeted by an inexplicably angry internet commentator. Rather than let it get to him, he demonstrated how to handle a techno heckler (techler?) gracefully.




The exchange took place in the Facebook group Real Techno. Members of the online community share classic tracks from the genre’s formative years and more recent cuts they perceive as remaining true to its challenging philosophy.




One participant from Brighton made a post wishing Cox a happy 60th birthday while he visited the city. The ensuing thread was where the troll made their jab.




https://www.facebook.com/groups/therealtechno/permalink/797367007935668/




“Carl Cox is over,” wrote the commenter, not likely expecting to receive a reply from the longtime Space Ibiza resident. “I can’t believe this guy still has fans.”




“I cannot believe it also [sic],” Cox himself quipped a couple of comments later. “A 40 year [sic] career, who would have thought.”




Cox erred on the conservative side when casually dropping how long he’d been working as a DJ. He was given his first set of turntables and began working as a mobile DJ at age 15, putting the beginning of his origin story back in 1977.




A decade later, Cox would go on to make a name for himself for mixing on three decks at seminal acid house parties like Danny Rampling’s Shoom events. 1991 marked his debut recording on Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto Records: “I Want You (Forever).”




Techno absolutists who denounce the more accessible style of tech house Cox has championed in recent years as a betrayal of his roots seem oblivious to his early history. He first collected music during disco’s heyday, and his aforementioned first release fell closer to breakbeat hardcore.




Carl Cox will Bring Carl Cox Invites to Electric Zoo on Sunday, September 4. It will be his first time back at the festival in 11 years.









Carl Cox Takes the High Road While Shutting Down Troll

Carl Cox Invites

Spain

DC-10

One of the world’s most beloved DJs is back with a residency at Ibiza institution DC10.










DC-10, the small farmhouse near Salinas, first opened up as a music bar with an 80-person capacity by two Spanish brothers, Deogracias lara Moreno and Antonio Lara Moreno. In 1999 Circoloco took over Monday mornings and put DC-10 on the map.






Unlike a Circoloco party, Carl Cox Invites will only be utilizing the indoor spaces of DC10. The terrace is where Cox will play alongside handpicked DJ friends, whereas DC10’s Main Room will be looked after by the live acts on Coxy and Christopher Coe’s label Awesome Soundwave.








The excitement for this residency caused shockwaves in the electronic music scene, and there have already been rave reviews of the first event.







Terrace






Hailed as one of the most charming DJs and producers in the electronic music industry, Carl Cox’s career has been nonstop since he started DJing at the age of 15. He’s well known for being at the forefront of the British rave scene throughout the 80s and 90s and for streaming over ten years of live mixes from the infamous Space super club (now Hï Ibiza). There’s not a festival stage or club worth mentioning that Carl Cox hasn’t played. His immense talent and loyal following make any night he plays a huge success, and his residency at DC10 in 2022 will be no different.









Bushwacka has been DJing for over 30 years and has been a consistent presence in club culture since the 80s. He’s famous for remixing the likes of Depeche Mode, Sueño Latino, Carl Cox, and UNKLE and his mix of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” is always a crowd-pleaser.









John Digweed is a legendary English DJ, producer, and record label owner whose entrance to club music in the 90s marked the beginning of an era of progressive house music that defined a generation of dance music. Famous for marathon sets and for playing clubs and festivals across the globe, both solo and alongside frequent collaborator and friend Sasha - he’ll be back on the DC10 terrace again this July 12th.










Dubbed by Resident Advisor as the “Gentleman of Techno,” Steve Bug’s love for techno and acid house will be showcased in his performance at DC10. He is a true master of production and brings incredible energy to every show.









Main Room | Awesome Soundwave






Techno-head Christopher Coe will bring his live performance to DC10’s Main Room. Previously known as Digital Primate, he ran the Beatport Amsterdam Studios and produced tracks alongside the many artists that came through there.










Bulgarian DJ KiNK started performing live over ten years ago and now presents one of the most captivating live performances in the electronic music world. Watch his mastery at DC10!












Carl Cox and Joseph Capriati have a history of teaming up for showstopping b2b sets at some of the world’s best festivals. Their recent pairing at Kappa FuturFestival, which takes place annually in the northern Italian city of Turin, proved to be no exception.




For two hours, the techno heavyweights rattled the stages of the Parco Dora with adrenaline-inducing mayhem. Despite their mighty beats, the pair have infectiously light-hearted chemistry behind the decks that never fades.




Born in December 2008 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Futurism, Kappa FuturFestival is one of Italy’s best urban electronic festivals. In 2019, the festival attracted 60k attendees from 105 countries and was awarded Best International Festival at the DJ Awards. This year, the festival extended its program to three days.







Capriati has crafted his brand of slick and emotive techno since his production debut in 2007. First stepping foot behind the decks at just 11 years old, he’s gone on to play at some of the world’s best-known clubs and festivals, including Time Warp, Monegros, Kazantip, Sonus, Fabric, and Berghain.




Cox is widely regarded as one of the most iconic names in dance music. Gravitating towards disco, rare groove, hip-hop, and electro in his early years, he later shifted his focus to techno. A legend on the Ibiza circuit, Cox held a residency for 15 consecutive years at Space Ibiza until its closure in 2016.




Catch Capriati at Amnesia for Paradise in Ibiza and ARC Music Festival in Chicago. Cox will play at DC-10 in Ibiza, and We Are FSTVL in London.










Follow Joseph Capriati on Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud

Follow Carl Cox on Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud

Follow Kappa FuturFestival on Twitter | Instagram |





































































Carl Cox and Joseph Capriati Drop a Mighty b2b Set at Kappa FuturFestival

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

Ultra’s return to historic Bayfront Park in Miami gets a touch sweeter today with the announcement of the Resistance lineup. The underground house and techno off-shoot of Ultra has a well-documented reputation for curating forward-thinking lineups. And next March 25-27 they’ve upped the ante with an impressive array of world-class talent that spans the expansive diversity of the underground community.


The Resistance lineup gives some context to some of the incredible artists already announced on the Phase 1 lineup.  Melodic techno duo and Afterlife Records head honchos Tale Of Us join progressive titans CamelPhat, veteran and legend Dubfire, and Resistance champion Carl Cox who debuts his all-new three hours hybrid performance exclusively for Ultra Miami 2022.

What’s truly striking is the diversity in the rest of the lineup. The representation of fantastic women in house and techno can’t be undersold. And this year’s lineup includes venerated acts alongside exciting rising stars. Amelie Lens, ANNA, Anfisa Letyago, Nina Kraviz, Sama’ Abdulhadi, Ann Clue, Georgia Anjuli, and Nala will all take the stage.



The lineup is also diverse in sound with a broad sonic footprint, from the grooving bassline of Dom Dolla and John Summit to the sweeping melodics of Hannes Beiger’s live performance. The pounding beats of Adam Beyer to the sun-soaked Beatport topping tech house of Solardo and the legendary progressive sonics of Sasha | John Digweed. The Resistance lineup overflows with talent. There’s so much there that you’ll never have to leave the revamped Resistance area of Ultra Miami.



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Resistance will take residence in a new section of Ultra’s fabled home on the park's northern perimeter. The new location allows house and techno fans to spread amongst multiple areas, including the Carl Cox megastructure and an all-new concept called The Cove. Beneath the palm trees overlooking Biscane Bay, Resistance fans will feel a hint of nostalgia for 2019’s Resistance Island.

Tickets on sale now at https://ultramusicfestival.com/tickets/miami/

Ultra Miami Unveils the Resistance Lineup for 2022

Hailing from London, Carl Cox is one of the most well-respected DJs in the world. He’s earned many labels over the years— acid house and techno pioneer, label head, and King of Ibiza, just to name a few. Cox has done it all, from performing on main stages around the world to holding record-breaking residencies in Ibiza.

Active for nearly five decades, Cox’ first gig was at the age of 15 when he bought a set of turntables and began working as a mobile DJ. Originally captivated by disco, the young DJ found his place performing rare groove, New York hip-hop, electro, and soul in the early 80s. This aligned with the beginnings of Chicago house music, which Cox has been heavily influenced by his whole career.

As a pioneer, Cox was at the head of the exploding British rave scene in its earliest days, and continues to be to this day. Some of his earliest accomplishments include playing opening night at Danny Rampling’s legendary Shoom, held a residency at the Zap Club in Brighton and at the Sunrise rave in 1988, co-promoted The Project with Paul Oakenfold, hooked up a third turntable for his dawn-breaking set, and so much more.

Over a decade into his music career, Cox made his original production debut in 1991, releasing his first single via Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto label, titled “I Want You.” This track made it to the top 30 and earned an appearance on Top of the Pops. His following tracks also hit the charts. However, Cox leaned more into his humble beginnings in the club and underground techno world, rather than continuing on the path to becoming a mainstream pop star— although his popularity level has reached that level over the decades.

"Techno drives home somewhere," Cox says. "It takes you to an element of surprise, not knowing where you're going. It's scary but wonderful at the same time.”

Some of Cox’s most notable releases include the 1995 techno benchmark mix CD ‘F.A.C.T,’ selling over 250,000 copies, as well as the 1996 EP ‘Two Paintings and a Drum’ and single “Sensual Sophis-ti-cat,” both adding to his list of top 30 titles. Cox’s third album, 2005’s ‘The Second Sign,’ also gained critical acclaim. Other noteworthy singles, “Dirty Bass” and “Give Me Your Love” were both released on 23rd Century Records, his own label created as an outlet for his consistent releases.

Cox has performed all around the world with countless residencies and events under his belt. He’s known as a legendary resident in Ibiza, celebrating fourteen consecutive years at Space in 2015. His weekly residency is one of the island’s most popular nights, with always impressive lineups and state-of-the-art production. Beyond Ibiza, his Carl Cox & Friends stage has been a highlight of Ultra Music Festival for over a decade.

Aside from performing and producing, Cox is deeply involved with the business side of the electronic music industry. In 1999, he formed his own industry-leading label, Intec Records, staying at the forefront of the genre for eight years. It closed in 2006 but eventually relaunched in 2010 as Intec Digital.

And still, Cox somehow fits in his ‘Global’ radio show, breaking records. He reaches 17 million weekly listeners worldwide across 60 stations throughout 35 countries, and is the number one most followed DJ on Mixcloud.

Carl Cox

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