As we get into the elevator for Giolì & Assia's green room after a rousing and intensely powerful ARC Music Festival DJ set, they break into a quiet and cozy conversation in Italian. I'm unsure of the context, but it seems like the kind of chat a couple shares while downloading from an intense day. And as we begin to set up for our interview in a green room high above the festival grounds, they break into a polite argument. It's the kind of thing that a couple does when one person misremembers a story, and the other insists that their memory is the only one fully functioning. Her tour manager later reveals that he knows they are disagreeing when they switch to Italian as the intensity rises. In these moments, I'm struck by the authenticity of their ten-year relationship, a link that's such a salient trademark of their musical DNA.



They agree that the music and their relationship are symbiotic. Because of their relationship, the passion in their music is visceral.



"The relationship is the best part of it." Assia explains, looking at Giolli while she speaks. "The fact that we are so chemical together is what we are, and we are where we are because of that."







It's also the reason that they have such electricity on stage. Despite being self-professed introverts and homebodies, their performances are an extension of their union and studio chemistry.



"It's not that that we open up when we are on stage. When we are a stage, we recreate that intimacy that we do in the studio. So, it's like we are living in two different worlds," Assia says.



The relationship, however, isn't without its highs and lows. Assia reveals candidly with a laugh," It's very beautiful and unique, but at the same time we are two, so we got period, two. So, we have some drama plus some other drama. It happens. it's normal. Especially if we are working together. We have been growing through this kind of thing. Every fight we have, we grow stronger than ever."



The couple arrives at ARC just ahead of the release of their third album, Fire Hell and Holy Water (out now via Ultra Records). And they should be in the States for its release as it was a month-long tour in the US in 2021 that inspired them to write it in the first place.



"We were saying, 'we have to do more. We have to play more instruments. We have to sing more. We have to communicate more.'" Giolì explains, "So, after this month, we came back in January. And we did all the album in three or four weeks. We were very inspired."







She adds that while much of the album came together quickly, two of their favorite songs have more history. "I'll Be Fine" was written at the height of the pandemic. And "Bittersweet Love" had been sitting shelved for four years.



"We did the melody of the piano back in 2018. But unfortunately, the song never had lyrics. So, one morning I woke up, because we have our studio in our home. And I love playing the piano. Everything that we've done so far is thanks to the piano, I guess because I started playing piano when I was eight. And this passion for music has always been part of the person that I am. I said, we have to write the lyrics and the verse of the song today. And now it's one of our favorites."



Being on tour is often the source of inspiration for Giolì & Asia. Besides being known for starkly beautiful music that bridges the gap between techno and pop, they are also stars on YouTube. Their picturesque YouTube streams reflect the beauty of their music. Traveling to exotic locations like the inside of a volcano, on a rocky deserted island near Palermo, Sicily, and a windswept cliff overlooking the ocean in Krysuvikburg, Iceland, they have earned nearly one million followers and even more streams.



After their 2018 residency at Privilege, Ibiza, they returned with a need to prove themselves as artists beyond their Dj sets, Assia says. "After the summer, we were like, 'maybe we should add more of who we really are as musicians and singer.'"



Before becoming Giolì & Assia, Giolì was a solo act. And as they began to strike out as a duo, they needed to find a way to prove that it was more than just DJing for them.



"Year after year, we were trying to be this duo and we needed to show to the buyers, to the promoters, to our fan base, who we really are," Assia explains. "And this video just helped us to show them. And it was very easy after this video to find the new team, to find new fans, and love and support from all over the world."



The streams also offered a portal into the rhythmic interplay of their union. There is a delicate balance to both their musical and personal relationship. And watching them perform together makes clear that Giolì & Assia's music is the physical manifestation of love.



The livestreams are a window to the immense talent that they possess. More than just producers, they are creating on the spot. Their intensely musical live shows showcase their ability to seamlessly bring together voice, a DJ setup, and multiple instruments, including the piano and the hauntingly beautiful trademark of their sound, the handpan.



The unique instrument features heavily throughout their new album, which comes with fresh support from Spotify, who illuminated an LED-lit photo of the duo on a billboard in Time Square. They are bringing light to women identifying figures in music as part of Spotify Equal.



As they emerge as role models for other women in dance music, they are sure to mention that they look forward to a time when these programs are unnecessary.



"The point of Equal [is to] recognize that a woman is a human. So, we don't have to specify this is a man so it should be more valued. Or this a woman, she should work twice more than a man. No, it's just about, do you like the music? All the rest is not important," Giolì explains.



Amid the whirlwind of a festival weekend, a slew of US tour dates, and their new album drop, they remain calm, collected, and genuinely grateful for what lies ahead.



Their emotionally reverent and raw brand of instrument-led techno is perfectly en vogue at the moment. Yet, it's clear that the moment won't be fleeting. Like their relationship, their gorgeously orchestrated melodic techno carries a timeless quality that reflects the beauty and tenderness of existence in a world rapped by emotional highs and lows. And as they reveal, the new album has given them the chance to tell an even more genuine story about the realities of being in a modern relationship.



Giolì & Assia's Music Continues to be an Extension of Their Bond

The women of progressive house and melodic techno are a formidable bunch. Not only are they inspired, but they’re innovative, evocative, and impressively industrious. These women are from all over the world and come from a menagerie of influence and inspiration. If it were possible, we’d celebrate every single one of them.




The 11 women on our list are an inspiration to fellow females and all burgeoning young producers in the genre. Between the lot of them, they’ve graced the biggest festival stages in the world, released magnificent music on the industry’s biggest labels, and made a name for themselves doing what they love. Let’s hear it for the girls.




1. Miss Monique

The eclectic mix of techno, trance, and progressive house that Miss Monique creates has racked up a severe online fanbase. The producer turned to her YouTube channel through the pandemic to connect with fans and play music. There, her Livestream sets have racked up millions of hits. She also has a fan-favorite podcast, Mind Games, where listeners are treated to a fresh DJ set every month.




2. Gioli and Assia

As two multi-faceted, creative women, Giolì & Assia started as an artist/manager duo. Assia was the practical, get-it-done accomplice to Giolì’s burgeoning sound as a DJ and producer. After opening their label, Diesis Records, and finally landing on a clear direction forward as the melodic techno / electro-pop duo Giolì & Assia. Their music is often flavored with a bit of the Middle East, adding hand pans, steel drums, and other fun instruments.






3. Korolova

Born in Kyiv, Olga Korolova is a rising superstar in melodic techno. Her visually stunning YouTube videos and intimate performances have earned her a mass of dedicated fans and critical acclaim. Melodic techno is a somewhat new direction for Ukranian artist who started her career in EDM. She feels that she's truly found her dance music calling now, evidenced by her domination of the club charts and support from industry luminaries. She even recently went back to back with Gordo on one of her livestreams.




4. Maya Jane Coles

Maya Jane Coles is usually involved in every aspect of her work. From writing, production, engineering, mixing, and even cover design. She has a vision. The London-based producer / DJ has collected a staggering three million followers on Soundcloud, 20+ magazine covers, and countless worldwide fans thanks to her effortlessly chic take on house and techno.




5. Sinca

Sinca has a multicultural and vastly artistic background. The Montreal native is a fast-emerging DJ and producer whose already been named a rising star in her field. Her debut release, the instrumental progressive house track “Mancora,” was picked up by UK label and global tastemaker Anjunabeats.




6. Anfisa Letyago

Anfisa Letyago debuted on the iconic Dutch label Spinnin’ Records in 2016 with “Stop Talking.” Her style is a mix between hard-hitting melodic techno and deep house grooves. In 2021, she officially launched her label, N:S:DA. Toss in a BBC Radio 1 Residency, an official Moby remix, and a digital Mixmag cover, and it’s apparent Anfisa is here to stay.




7. Giorgia Angiuli

Giorgia Angiuli is a classically trained musician, composer, and multi-instrumentalist from Italy. Through her solo productions, she moves seamlessly between techno, house, and electro-pop. She’s also a big fan of toys. In addition to her dreamy vocals, during her live sets, she uses a theremin, toy flute, sax, trumpets, and just about any instrumental toy she can get her hands on.




8. Eli & Fur

This London-based duo created a truly mesmerizing sound. Eli & Fur marry mysteriously moody melodies with evocative vocals and cascading synths with a flair for dark, emotive dance anthems. With a steady stream of releases on their own NYX Music and seminal imprints like Anjunadeep and Sony RCA, they’ll undoubtedly continue to mesmerize dancefloors for years to come.




9. Dinka

Tamara Hunkeler, better known by her stage name Dinka, describes her sound as “Multicultural Dance Music.” The Swiss DJ taps influence from world music to add to her uplifting brand of progressive house. From 2007 - 2017 she couldn’t be stopped, snagging deals with both Anjunabeats and A State of Trance. Though we haven’t heard much from her since then, she’s still earned a well-deserved spot at the top.






10. Eleonora

The genre palette of Eleonora almost reads like a drink menu: dark pop, cold wave, downtempo, and trip-hop. And much like a good bartender, she blends it all seamlessly together. Her chill variety of techno lends itself well to her sultry voice, as apparent in tracks like “Awake.” Besides her experimental electro, she’s also fronted several inspired jazz projects.



10 Women of Progressive House and Melodic Techno

When Giorgia “Gioli” Lipari and Assia Nani met in 2014, they had no idea what would be in store for their relationship. As two multi-faceted, creative women, they started as an artist/manager duo. Assia was the practical, get-it-done accomplice to Giolì’s burgeoning sound as a DJ and producer. After opening their label, Diesis Records, and finally landing on a clear direction forward as the electro-pop duo Giolì & Assia, they also discovered they had fallen in love.




Though they never seem to play the martyr, their public relationship hasn’t come without its moments of doubt. In late 2017, the pair publicly announced that theirs was more than just a songwriting partnership. Their music videos for singles “Starry Nights” and “Borderline” solidified their happy love in the face of the public. Giolì & Assia say they haven’t experienced much resistance to their public lesbian relationship — except for one trip to Malaysia.




What was passed off as “problems with their visas” turned out to be an act rooted in the homophobia that still plagues the country’s policies. The two were slated to play at the W Hotel Malaysia Wet Deck in August 2019.






As with all international artists, the Central Agencies Committee for Applications for Filming and Performances by Foreign Artists did a background check on the girls before their performance. When it came back that they were open lesbians, the show was swiftly canceled. The hotel announced that the cancellation was due to “unforeseen circumstances.” Assia later explained the authorities saw their lifestyle as a threat to national security, believing that “we can stimulate the people to be gay.”




“It’s weird that this kind of reality still exists, and music should be universal, but I think this will just need time,” Assia told Out Front Magazine. “There will be a moment where everyone will be free in those countries, but we already have the support from the [fans] there.” While some more remote areas of the world might still be warming up to it, LGBTQ culture has seen a broad surge of acceptance and celebration over the past few decades, much ado to dance music.




Urban discos and underground raves of the early ‘70s were assembled by a rich network of artists from the gay communities in New York, Detroit, and Chicago. From the glitz of Studio 54 to the extravagant excess of the New York club kid era, dance music has been the slow burn that helps bring LGBTQIA+ culture into the mainstream. In the present day, it’s the openness and empowerment of artists like Giolì & Assia that are helping to open the eyes of people around the world.




How Giolì & Assia Got Dropped from a Gig After Coming Out as a Couple

Sicilian musical duo Giolì & Assia propelled themselves into headliner status with their YouTube streams and irresistible energy. Their relationship goes deeper than the music as they are a happily dating couple, however, this facet of their life provided some challenges in the beginning of their career. The relinquishment of those duties allowed them to play in spaces that were conducive to their style.




Dance music has always thrived in the LGBTQIA+ genre with its ingenuitive approach to expression. From the underground parties in New York to the industrial style of Berlin - Dance music culture became a lifestyle involving fashion, science, art, theater, and dance in a progressive environment.




Giolì & Assia's live show is unique because of the showcase of talent between handpan drums, live vocals, piano, guitar, and mixing. With their signature flare and passionate demeanor, Giolì & Assia spread love across the universe. Some locations they have performed at are the Aeolian Islands, Mykonos, Agrigento, Brooklyn, Ibiza, and Fagradalsfjall Volcano in Iceland.







As far as eclectic electronic acts are concerned, it doesn’t get much more multifaceted and history-laden than the Italian femme powerhouse duo Giolì & Assia. Armed with an exciting combo of instrumental know-how and a layered, years-long romantic relationship, the European couple have dominated the electronic landscape over the last half decade. From the confines of the illustrious, pulsating Ibiza nightclubs to the desolate, hazardous grounds of an active volcano, Giolì & Assia have crafted a distinct sound that’s elevating dance music.




Like most 21st century love stories go, this one unraveled itself within the extensive labyrinths of cyberspace. Shortly after their fates collided over social media, the duo entered a manager/artist partnership where photographer and talent manager Assia represented Giolì, a budding DJ and producer. Over time, the two developed an emotional attachment to each other, a love that reveals itself through their artistry.




As electronic artists, Giolì & Assia are unmatched, having concocted a blend of genres that sit comfortably in their own unique wheelhouse. Although primarily situated within the house and techno lanes, the pair elevate their sound with influences of indie, pop, melodic, and ambient.




As individuals, they radiate as their raw talents are on full display. Giolì’s background in classical music — trained in piano, cello, drums, and the infamous handpan — has bolstered her abilities as a producer and is showcased during their live sets. Not one to be outdone, Assia holds down the fort with her haunting vocals and grip on the guitar.




Their versatility within those key musical styles has allowed the pair’s creativity to run wild. In order to retain control of their vision, they launched their own imprint, Diesis Records, in 2016. The following year, their fully realized project was born, emerging professionally for the first time as Giolì & Assia.


The first single to introduce the world to their airy yet multi-layered productions was “Stay Closer,” followed by “Paradise to Share,” “How Can I,” and the techno-driven “Endless.” These four cuts garnered the duo instant recognition, laying the foundation for their eventual debut album, Instantanee.




Instantanee provided a flurry of strong singles, but it was their release under the popular label Spinnin Records that would land them their first residency in Ibiza. That track was “Something Special” — literally and figuratively— and it allowed the girls to immerse themselves in the nightlife that lives in Spain’s legendary island. Their time spent on the shores of the fabled Balearic isle inspired the creation of their sophomore album, Night Experience.




Undoubtedly, Night Experience set the tone for the trajectory that Giolì & Assia have continued on to this day. It is a course that flows with melodic techno infused with pop elements and brooding tones. Follow up singles like “Blame on Me” and “Inside Your Head” are examples of the fruits this path has borne, both sitting among their top-played tracks.




In a full circle moment, Giolì & Assia returned to the internet In 2019 — where they first met — to demonstrate their outstanding talents to the world. As part of their #DiesisLive series, the pair began livestreaming full performances from some of the most scenic and unique places on earth. This allowed millions of viewers to consume the experience that is Giolì & Assia. An immersive affair with live instruments, vocals, and panoramic backdrops.




Post-pandemic, Giolì & Assia have continued their sonic exploration, releasing their EP, Moon Faces, in early 2021. The extended playlist generated popular tracks like “Rollercoaster” and “Lost” featuring Mahmut Orhan. Outside of the EP, Assia has taken to writing two records in Spanish: “Bebe” and “Quedate” featuring Brazilian drag queen superstar Pabllo Vittar.




The next chapter of Giolì & Assia will see the couple embark on their largest effort to date, Fire Hell & Holy Water. The sixteen-track album is set to be released in September 2022, and will tackle issues like pandemic loss and their power couple dynamic.




Innovative and expressive to their core, Giolì & Assia have carved out a unique path for themselves. The couple’s partnership is always front and center, both visually and sonically.








Giolì & Assia: A Creative Partnership that Continues to Unfold

You would be hard-pressed to find a dance music fan who isn’t familiar with Giolì & Assia nowadays. Once upon a time, however, Giorgia “Giolì” Lipari worked as a solo artist, with Assia Ninia simply representing her as manager.




Before the celebrated duo fell madly in love and found their enchanting fusion of light and dark, techno and house, pop and indie dance, Giolì delivered nonetheless compelling soundscapes. Her signature handpan performances feature heavily in her early work, complemented by deep, progressive overtones made more accessible through radio-friendly song structures.




It’s safe to say Giolì’s solo releases laid the foundation for the worldwide phenomenon that is Giolì & Assia. The following five tracks defined her early music before Assia became a crucial part of the equation.






1. Istanbul

Giolì delivered “Istanbul” via Italian label Claw Records while Assia worked as her manager and photographer. Key hallmarks of the Giolì & Assia style can be heard in this world music-influenced release.




Underscoring an intoxicating vocal is a handpan rhythm delivered by Giolì accompanied by a dance floor-ready rave piano lead. Around the 1:40 mark, the handpan transitions into higher notes that harmonize sublimely with the other melodies.




2. Heji Yah

It didn’t take long for Giolì & Assia to realize that they were meant to work more closely with one another. In 2016 they launched their own label, Diesis Records, allowing Giolì to explore her budding sound free from inhibition.




The debut release on Diesis Records was the young multi-instrumentalist’s upbeat single, “Heji Yah.” Accompanying the progressive house-tinged track was a music video featuring the dance moves of Kendra “K.O” Willis.




3. Hypnos’s Call

“Hypnos’s Call” further proved the versatility of the style Giolì had developed over the years. It featured one of her signature handpan performances — but additional elements set it apart from the budding starlet’s previous releases.




A distorted electric guitar solo croons overhead throughout the arrangement, invigorating the composition with a soulful longing. Bright vocal chops round out the concept, bringing a modern touch to the timeless instrumentals carrying the track.




4. Reverse (Instrumental)

By now, you’re likely noticing a recurring trend throughout Giolì’s discography: handpan performances. “Reverse” allowed her to truly show her skills with the instrument by placing it center stage in the arrangement.




Little more than tranquil atmospheres and a straightforward drum pattern accompany the handpan recording in “Reverse.” This allows Giolì to build complex melodies suffused with vibrant harmonies in a soundscape that demonstrates her talent as an instrumentalist.




5. Echo of the woods

Giolì’s most popular track prior to launching her celebrated duo project alongside Assia is undoubtedly “Echo of the woods.” At the time of writing, it has amassed over 4.2 million streams on Spotify and more than 1.7 million plays on YouTube.




It’s not hard to see why. Another one of — you guessed it — Giolì’s signature handpan performances takes the listener through an emotive yet satisfying chord progression. Accompanied by a video of Giolì delivering the instrumental in a lush forest setting, it garnered significant attention at a time when the Giolì & Assia project was merely a glimmer in either artist’s eye.



Before Giolì & Assia: 5 of Giolì’s Early Solo Tracks

Music is a powerful medium; it can transport us back in time to the moments that shaped who we are. Imagine how it must feel, then, for a couple like Giolì & Assia to listen to the music they’ve made throughout their touching relationship.



After connecting on social media, the two Italian multi-instrumentalists first entered into a business arrangement in which Assia Nania represented Giorgia “Giolì” Lipari as manager. They couldn’t deny their chemistry, though. Before long, their intense connection blossomed into something much more beautiful.




Giolì’s spontaneous creativity beckons Assia to venture outside her comfort zone. Assia’s discipline and pragmatism keep Giolì down to earth. Between them is a perfect storm of passion and creativity that fuses techno, pop, indie, and deep house into a compelling sound signature.




The music that pours out of such a partnership is naturally brimming with a complex emotional richness that elevates it above the noise of today’s oversaturated market. Read on and listen to five tracks that chart the course of Giolì & Assia’s romance.






1. Stay Closer

2016 saw Giolì & Assia start their own record label, Diesis Records, initially to release the former artist’s music. It wasn’t until the 2017 release of “Stay Closer” that they formally launched as a duo.


As with previous Giolì solo singles like “Istanbul” and “Echo of the woods,” the video depicted a handpan performance by the young artist. Assia’s ethereal vocals ring out in the topline, but she makes no appearance of her own in the video.




2. Borderline

Giolì & Assia strongly alluded to their relationship with the 2017 single “Starry Nights.” They put any lingering doubts to rest with the January 2018 release of “Borderline.”


The single’s haunting melodies perfectly frame romantically charged lyrics like “I’m not enough / Not enough to judge you / Strong enough / To leave you ‘cause I need you.” If that wasn’t enough, their onscreen intimacy in the music video sent the message loud and clear.




3. Diesis (Milazzo, Sicily Live Performance)

Diesis is Giolì & Assia’s instrumental live show, for which they have shot in picturesque settings around the world. Arguably the most notable of these performances is the one they delivered atop the Mount Etna active volcano in Sicily.


In conversation with Out Front Magazine, Assia notes that Giolì convinced her to haul a grand piano atop the volcano for the shoot. “She is the one who always wants the craziest thing, and at first, I always say no because it’s too hard,” she said. They saw it through, however, and the end result came out nothing short of breathtaking.




4. For You

The COVID-19 pandemic posed unique challenges for nearly everyone in the world, and Giolì & Assia were no exception. They channeled these feelings into new music, the end result of which was some of their strongest work to date.


In July 2020 the duo shared one of the fruits of their labor: the slow-burning, contemplative “For You.” It was the lead single off their highly celebrated Moon Faces EP, which arrived in full in February 2021.




5. Fire Hell and Holy Water

The passing years have not made Giolì & Assia any less eager to explore their intense relationship dynamic through music. Their May 2022 single “Fire Hell and Holy Water” stands as testament to how their romance manifests as unforgettable compositions.

The lyrics of the song depict a relationship with fire and hell on one side and holy water on the other. “A relationship where two people are obviously incompatible because of their differences, as black and white, and cause constant mutual harm, without, however, being capable of ever giving up on each other,” reads the duo’s description of the song.




5 Tracks that Tell Giolì & Assia’s Love Story Better than Words Ever Could

ARC Music Festival organizers have announced a multitude of afterparties highlighting both its diverse set of headliners and the strong Chicago talent on the lineup. Highlights include Eric Prydz, Derrick Carter, Carl Craig, and Vintage Culture, to name a few.


Chicago is a city ripe with incredible music venues, and ARC is taking over the best of them on Labor Day weekend after the lights go off at the festival.



Radius, a massive purpose-built warehouse-style venue, will host Boris Bejcha, Get Real, Eric Prydz, and Adam Beyer. While its next-door neighbor Cermack Hall sees ANNA, Derick Carter, Ricardo Villalobos, and Gorgon City taking the decks.


On the North Side, Concord Music Hall will host Cloonee and Miane on Friday and a rare Ben Böhmer DJ Set on Sunday.


The legendary Spy Bar, open since 1995, welcomes Skream and Eats Everything on Friday, Seth Troxler and Carl Craig at Spybar, and Gioli and Assia performing a DJ Set on Sunday to close the festival weekend out.


ARC Music Festival held its inaugural event in 2021 and quickly expanded from two to three days in 2022. The festival exclusively books underground electronic music, focusing on the brightest names in house and techno with an emphasis on interactive art exhibits, honoring the roots of Chicago and strong brand partners like Elrow.


Combining top-level underground talent with local legends, ARC lets old-school techno cross paths with new-school tech house. The ARC team is committed to creating an event memorializing all that is good about Chicago.


Read below for the full afterparty lineup.






Friday 9/2/22

Boris Brejcha at Radius

ANNA at Cermak Hall

Cloonee & Miane at Concord

Nora En Pure at Prysm

Skream & Eats Everything at Spybar




Saturday 9/3/22

Green Velvet & Claude VonStroke at Radius

Derick Carter and Ricardo Villalobos at Cermak Hall

Joseph Capriati at Prysm

Seth Troxler and Carl Craig at Spybar

Honey Dijon at Smartbar

Mike Dunn and Mark Farina at Primary




Sunday 9/4/22

Eric Prydz and Adam Beyer at Radius

Gorgon City at Cermak Hall

Ben Böhmer DJ Set at Concord

Vintage Culture at Prysm

Gioli and Assia DJ Set at Spybar

Acid Pauli at Primary

DJ Three BTB Oona Dahl at No9



ARC Music Festival Announces ARC After Dark Lineups

Bringing together innovators in music and technology, Beatport will debut their first ReConnect Summit this September in New York City. deadmau5 and Richie Hawtin will headline an impressive lineup of speakers, including artists like Gioli & Assia, A-Trak, UNiiQU3, Kerri Chandler, and Octo Octa, as well as senior executives from Meta, CAA, Women In Music, and more.




Launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Beatport created ReConnect to bring the industry together and support those impacted by COVID-19, world conflicts, and mental health. Since its inception, ReConnect has generated over $800,000 from its live stream events. The inaugural Beatport ReConnect Summit is a two-day event that will feature workshops and discussions focused on equity and health in music culture, along with dedicated activations and panels around emerging Web 3.0 technology in the music industry.




Taking place at 74 Wythe (Superior Ingredients) in Brooklyn, September 21-22, the Beatport ReConnect Summit will take over all three stages of the venue: The Roof, The Room, and The Lounge.




Guests can learn from industry discussions on wellness, diversity, and inclusion from organizations such as shesaid.so, Women In Music, and The Art of Areté while taking in stunning skyline views on The Roof.




The Room is Web 3.0 HQ—partners PIXELYNX and Audius will host headline speakers here and dig deep on the future of music technology.




Experience VR product demos and face-to-face A&R sessions in The Lounge, with activations from Beatport Group (Beatport, Beatsource, Label Radar) and event partners VOLTA XR and Red Pill VR. The weekend’s extensive programming includes nightlife safety workshops from DanceSafe and soon-to-be-announced DJ sets from their growing roster of confirmed artists.




Tickets are available now for Beatport ReConnect Summit, starting at $225 for a full two-day pass or $125 for a single day, which grants access to daytime talks, keynotes, workshops, rooftop DJ sets, and nightly events in the club’s main room. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased via Beatport's ReConnect website.









deadmau5 and Richie Hawtin Among Speakers for Beatport’s Inaugural ReConnect Summit in New York 

In October, Gray Area launched OCHO, an eight-hour journey through the global sounds of modern house and techno. In partnership with Diplo's Revolution and Sirius XM, listeners expanded their sonic palates with a day of diverse music and fresh beats. On December 11, 2021, OCHO returns to the airwaves with a new lineup featuring Dennis Ferrer, Yulia Niko, Gioliì & Assia, Dennis Cruz, John Summit, Dombresky, Archie Hamilton, and Arielle Free.

The lineup of innovative and forward-thinking artists is another shining example of Gray Area's mission to unite the international house music community and draw lines between its rich sub-cultures and sub-genres.

Dennis Ferrer

New York-born house music legend Dennis Ferrer heads the lineup. Ferrer established his footprint in the 90s as part of the early New York techno and gospel house scene. The genre-defining producer has throughout the years continued to push the envelope with a wide-spanning output that includes hits like "Hey Hey," "Sinfonia Della Notte," and "Whisper" with Disciples and James Yuill.

Follow Dennis Ferrer on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud

Yulia Niko

Yulia Niko's worldly sound is likely a result of her travels. The Russian-born artist discovered dance music in Sochi, wrote her breakthrough music in Greece and New York, and finally settled in Berlin, where she became a resident of the iconic Watergate nightclub. Her Detroit-inspired deep minimal tech has received acclaim from Jamie Jones and Lee Foss and earned her releases on Get Physical, Crosstown Rebels, and Objektivity.

Follow Yulia Niko on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud



Tune in to Gray Area OCHO on December 11, 2021



Giolí & Assia

Multi-hyphenate's Gioli & Assia combine their deep-seated background in live instrumentation and traditional music for a lush, passionate melodic experience like no other. What started as a manager/ client relationship has grown into a creative partnership that has developed beyond their imagination. Assia's lilting vocals float over the top of scintillating sonics that exemplify the lengths to which techno can be pushed.

Follow Giolì & Assia on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud

Dennis Cruz

Dennis Cruz is a singular force in house and techno. By the time the Spanish DJ and producer was 17, he'd already been in the studio with hip hop artists and rock bands crafting hits. However, he found a home in dance music weaving together thumping basslines, Latin-tinged beats, and a wide array of musical influences. Named the Beatport Most Charted Artist of 2016, his music draws support from icons like Jamie Jones, Joseph Capriati, Roger Sanchez, and Marco Carola.

Follow Dennis Cruz on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud



Become a Gray Area member for access to exclusive perks!



John Summit

John Summit has been on a two-year tear, dropping hit record after record and dominating the festival circuit. Incredibly, the Chicago-based DJ broke through amid the pandemic with "Deep End" on Defected—the longest-running Beatport #1 of 2020. He has since collaborated with everyone from Gorgon City to Sofi Tukker and has seen releases on the industry's most lauded labels.

Follow John Summit on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud

Dombresky

Dombresky has established himself as a dynamic purveyor of classy, uplifting, vocal-driven house music. The French-born, LA-based artist has dominated the Spotify playlists and festival stages in 2020 with landmark performances at Lollapalooza and EDC Vegas. And future classic releases on Insomniac, Armada, and Toolroom.

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Archie Hamilton

In 2019 Archie Hamilton released his debut album Archive Fiction, a milestone and breakthrough moment for the producer who'd already spent years grinding and building his two record labels, Moscow Records and Moss Co., from the ground up. His rough and tumble basslines and floating synth work were the first signal that a new brand of European house music maestro was taking over the game.

Follow Archie Hamilton on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud

Arielle Free

BBC Radio 1 presenter, producer, and DJ Arielle Free has risen to be an influential tastemaker in dance music. Often referred to as Scotland's answer to Annie Mac, she's diligently spent years creating her own space in dance music. Aside from being the daytime ambassador for Radio 1's iconic dance programming, her career as a DJ exploded in 2020 with performances at Printworks, Parklife, Glastonbury, and Creamfields.

Follow Arielle Free on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud



Tune in to Gray Area Presents OCHO on December 11 from 12 PM to 8 PM ET.







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