Born and raised in the picturesque suburbs of Auckland, New Zealand, brothers Ben and Louis Helliker-Hales form this talented duo, Chaos In The CBD, whose music carries an unmistakable touch of their idyllic upbringing. Their journey from the beaches of New Zealand to the bustling dance community of Peckham, London, has seen them rise as one of the hottest acts in the house music scene.

Guided by their music-loving parents, who introduced them to bands like The Cure and Joy Division, Ben and Louis initially explored their passion through various genres, playing in jazz and indie bands during their teenage years. However, it was their discovery of electronic music in the mid-2000s that sparked their fascination with house and techno.

Influenced by the pulsating rhythms and infectious energy of the Chicago house sound, Louis' conversion from rock to house music during a Melbourne rave became the catalyst for Chaos In The CBD. Returning from the rave with newfound inspiration, Louis guided his brother Ben's exploration of electronic production, ultimately leading them to craft their signature sound.

Midnight in Peckham

The brothers' accidental move to Peckham led them to cross paths with Bradley Zero, a local influencer and key player in the emerging Peckham dance scene. Their meeting led to a fortuitous collaboration, with Bradley later releasing their breakthrough EP, 

, through his label, Rhythm Section. The record was met with critical acclaim, characterized by intricate drum patterns and the enchanting trumpet sounds of Isaac Aesili.

As Chaos In The CBD gained momentum, they embarked on a journey of studio work and intense DJ touring, earning a reputation for their remarkable live sets. Their productions evolved, embracing the jazz influences from their earlier years. Notable releases such as "816" to "Nunhead" and "No Signal Found" showcased their ability to seamlessly blend jazz, disco, and techno.

In addition to their own releases, Chaos In The CBD co-founded In Dust We Trust label alongside fellow Kiwi Jon Sable. The label has become a platform for their artistic vision, nurturing their creativity and enabling them to release music at their desired pace.

From performing at renowned festivals to sharing their passion for house music with audiences worldwide, Chaos In The CBD has established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Their music carries a distinct chillness, reminiscent of their upbringing by the beach, while their live sets pack a powerful punch.

Amadeus sees it’s catalog graced yet again by New Zealand outfit Chaos In The CBD. The kiwi brothers, birthed Ben & Louis Helliker-Hales, are no new faces to the label, or the wide variety of genre-bending acronyms they encompass. Having recently relocated from tropical Auckland to damp London earlier this year, the two take their productions along with them in their latest efforts, 816 To Nunhead.

Title track and aside, “816 To Nunhead,” is tinged with what’s left of summer. A nostalgic tune built for the sun and soaked in funk. It’s a track reminiscent of early french disco, almost as if built for the two robots themselves. Guitar plucks and hi hats flow seamlessly throughout the tune, aided by a glorifying vocal, “I would like to think of my music as just an extension, an extension of me of today or whatever.” 

What emotion of freedom and escape evoked on the Aside can be contrasted on the flip, “78 To Stanley Bay,” a tune built behind the ever looming theme of loneliness. Accompanied by a live trumpet courtesy of Isaac Aesili, ’78 To Stanley Bay’ tells us a story, or rather a journey, built behind dirty hats and delayed keys. This is a track fashioned for everywhere but the club, and we absolutely love that.

Chaos In The CBD - 78 To Stanley Bay by Chaos In The CBD

As they continue to shape their career, Chaos In The CBD stands at a crossroads, taking stock of their accomplishments and looking ahead to the next ten years. They are keen to collaborate with external labels, expanding their horizons beyond their own creations and embracing new creative opportunities.

New Zealand

float house

jazz house

nz electronic

Chaos In The CBD

United Kingdom

PAWSA

pop dance

uk dance

uk funky

Rudimental

Brazil

Mochakk

electronica

future garage

uk bass

wonky

Joy Orbison

breaks

experimental house

Interplanetary Criminal

ukg revival

salute

Max Dean

Rossi

Australia

australian house

ghettotech

Partiboi69

Ireland

Sally C

Netherlands

dutch tech house

Luuk van Dijk

Paige Tomlinson

latin house

Enzo is Burning

Murphy's Law (UK)

Inafekt

Joëlla Jackson

’s roots trace back to a student festival known as 

, essentially an end-of-year party thrown by students at Platt Fields Park in south Manchester​. Over a decade ago, the first Parklife Weekender took place there, born directly from the Mad Ferret experiment. Realizing the event’s potential, the original student founders sought help to take it further - they teamed up with local music impresario Sacha Lord, famed for Manchester’s 

 club nights, to build a proper infrastructure and bigger lineup. With a new company and Lord as co-founder and curator, Parklife Festival as we know it was born. It quickly outgrew its humble beginnings, soon moving from Platt Fields to the expansive Heaton Park in north Manchester to accommodate the exploding crowds​. (Heaton Park, one of Europe’s largest municipal parks, had itself hosted legendary concerts by Oasis and The Stone Roses – a fitting new home steeped in musical heritage​.) To this day, Parklife is guided by the vision of the Warehouse Project team, ensuring the festival maintains its independent spirit even as it partners with major promoters to thrive​.

One of Parklife’s greatest strengths is its musical diversity. The festival predominantly features electronic and dance music, but its stages champion everything from hip-hop and grime to pop, indie rock and house. It’s not unusual to wander from a thumping DJ set straight into a live band or a grime MC’s explosive performance. This broad palette means Parklife attracts a wide audience, united by a love of live music and a good party. Despite its massive scale, Parklife is a non-camping city festival, meaning the party winds down each night as attendees head home or into town (only to return the next day for more)​. This setup gives the event a unique day-party atmosphere and keeps it closely tied to the city. In fact, Parklife has been described as encapsulating the very energy of Manchester’s rave and music culture, with its high-BPM dance stages pulsing alongside blockbuster live acts. The vibe is electric, youthful, and inclusive - a celebratory mash-up of muddy sneakers, bucket hats, and hands-in-the-air euphoria.

The move to Heaton Park marked a turning point in Parklife’s evolution. What began as a 20,000-person gathering of students has swelled into a capacity of roughly 80,000 attendees each day at this vast park venue​. The festival’s expansion in size came with an expansion in scope: more stages (nine major stages running across the park​), more elaborate production, and a broader audience from all over the UK. Heaton Park’s rolling green fields and open space allowed Parklife to blossom into a full-fledged metropolitan mega-festival while still remaining within the city limits. Notably, local authorities and the Parklife organizers have worked hand-in-hand to manage this growth, from security operations to transportation plans. Over the years, the site itself has seen tweaks and improvements - new stage arenas, art installations, even the addition of carnival-style attractions like a ferris wheel - all enhancing the experience as the festival continues to refine its layout. Through these changes, Parklife has managed to keep its Mancunian charm intact: it’s a massive party in the park, but one that feels like part of the city rather than a remote island. The festival’s evolution in venue and scale mirrors the rise of Manchester as a music capital, proving that a homegrown event can explode into a world-class festival without losing its local soul​.

Over the years, Parklife’s stages have been graced by a who’s who of music superstars, reflecting its multi-genre ethos. The lineup is renowned for mixing huge international artists with breakthrough talent and local heroes​. For example, rap icons like Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent have delivered crowd-roaring headline sets, while legendary hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan brought classic East Coast swagger to Manchester​. On the flip side, indie and pop royalty such as The 1975 (hometown heroes turned global stars) and R&B innovator Frank Ocean have captivated Parklife audiences in past editions​.

Electronic music is always front-and-center too - from the chart-topping house of 

 to the rave anthems of The Prodigy and drum’n’bass duo 

, dance acts consistently energize the massive crowds​. The festival also champions UK urban talent: grime king Skepta and Manchester’s own Aitch and Little Simz have all ignited the Parklife stages, underscoring the event’s commitment to homegrown music​.

Parklife is not just about big names, however, it’s about big moments. Fans still talk about the time dance legend 

 led tens of thousands in a moving sing-along of “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” turning a moment of local tragedy into a communal triumph of spirit​. They remember surprise guest appearances, like when Stormzy jumped on stage for an impromptu duet, or when supermodel-turned-singer Grace Jones defiantly performed while ill, hula-hooping onstage in true diva fashion​. Each year brings its own highlights, but the common thread is an atmosphere of shared joy and musical discovery. Whether it’s a blockbuster headliner closing out the night or an up-and-coming DJ throwing down beats at a smaller tent, Parklife delivers memorable experiences that have secured its place in Manchester’s music history.

In just a little over a decade, Parklife has solidified its status as a cornerstone of the UK festival circuit and a point of pride for Manchester’s music scene. It’s curated by a passionate team who keep the festival’s identity authentic and forward-thinking​. Crucially, Parklife never forgot its origins - the community vibe and fearless booking policy remain, even as international acclaim grows. The result is an event that feels both globally relevant and distinctly Mancunian. For one weekend every summer, Heaton Park becomes a mad microcosm of music culture, where graffiti-tagged bucket hats mingle with designer festival outfits, and underground club beats collide with mainstream hits. Parklife is more than just a festival; it’s an annual celebration of everything Manchester stands for: musical innovation, diversity, and an unyielding love of a good time. It’s no wonder Parklife is often hailed as a spirited cultural force for the city - a festival that started small, dreamed big, and continues to embody the loud, loving heart of Manchester’s youth and nightlife.

Parklife

Heaton Park

Parklife Festival 2025

ambient techno

intelligent dance music

microhouse

shiver pop

Daniel Avery

Germany

deep disco house

german house

minimal techno

Dixon

lo-fi house

DJ Seinfeld

United States

Gene On Earth

electro

outsider house

techno

DJ Stingray 313

australian experimental

HAAi

electra

Helena Hauff

Uruguay

Nicolas Lutz

Switzerland

swiss techno

Sonja Moonear

swiss house

Jimi Jules

Albania

Dhërmi, Albania

ION Festival 2023

dancefloor dnb

drum and bass

Chase & Status

acid techno

italian techno

999999999

Sweden

dark techno

raw techno

schranz

swedish electronic

swedish techno

Adam Beyer

Italy

Adiel

hard techno

Alignment

Spain

spanish techno

Andres Campo

jungle

uk dnb

Andy C

Anfisa Letyago

dark minimal techno

hardgroove

minimal dub

Truncate

german techno

Ben Klock

Tunisia

Cera Khin

Belgium

belgian techno

Charlotte de Witte

Chelina Manuhutu

Clara Cuvé

latin tech house

De La Swing

Demi Riquísimo

italian electronica

melodic techno

DJ Tennis

house

Eats Everything

Fatima Hajji

nu gabber

Héctor Oaks

France

deep house

HUGEL

french techno

industrial techno

I Hate Models

Ilario Alicante

Indira Paganotto

deep groove house

James Hype

Joseph Capriati

Joyhauser

deep euro house

Klangkuenstler

Kobosil

Marc Maya

MARRØN

tech house

Mau P

Paco Osuna

Patrick Mason

Regal

Reinier Zonneveld

Sara Landry

detroit house

detroit techno

minimal tech house

Seth Troxler

deep techno

SHDW & Obscure Shape

tINI

Traumer

Nestled in the heart of Spain's arid landscapes, Monegros Festival has carved out a niche as an unparalleled electronic music experience. Known for its intense energy and immersive environment, this festival offers more than just music—it's a pilgrimage for electronic and techno enthusiasts.

Launched in 1994, by the family which are now known as the 

 family, Monegros Festival began as a small gathering among friends and family on a farm in the Monegros desert, quickly evolving into one of Europe's most iconic rave experiences. Over the years, the festival has seen exponential growth, morphing from a modest event into a massive 24-hour non-stop party. It has hosted legends of the electronic music scene, including 

, among others. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2014, Monegros further solidified its status with a record attendance, proving that it remains a staple in the festival circuit.

 specializes in electronic music, primarily focusing on genres like techno, drum and bass, and hip hop. Its lineup consistently features a blend of well-established global icons and emerging talents, creating a dynamic sound landscape. The festival's dedication to electronic beats and bass-driven rhythms creates an electrifying atmosphere that resonates through the barren desert, making every beat and drop feel like a discovery.

Situated in the desolate beauty of the Monegros Desert in Northeast Spain, the festival's location is as integral to its identity as the music itself. The remote setting creates an otherworldly vibe that allows attendees to disconnect from the outside world and plunge into an immersive experience. The stark contrast between the vibrant festival activities and the serene, expansive desert creates a backdrop that is both captivating and inspiring.

Attendees at Monegros can expect an adventure that transcends ordinary festival experiences. Apart from its stellar musical offerings, the festival is known for its elaborate stage designs, stunning visual art installations, and a multitude of performers that transform the desert into a surreal spectacle. The community atmosphere is palpable, with festival-goers from all over the globe coming together to share in the unity and escapism that Monegros provides.

Monegros Festival is more than just a music event; it's a destination for those who seek to experience the raw and unbridled joy of electronic music in a setting that defies the ordinary. Each year, the festival continues to innovate and inspire, offering a unique escape into a world where rhythm and dance reign supreme. Whether you are a returning enthusiast or a curious first-timer, Monegros promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of electronic music culture.

Chaos In The CBD

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