Sculpting Sounds: The 2024 Blueprint for UK Garage by Interplanetary Criminal

B.O.T.A and Beyond: Charting Interplanetary Criminal's Rise

Races to the Future: Reinventing UK Garage with Interplanetary Criminal


Interplanetary Criminal, known offstage as Zach Bruce, hails from Manchester, UK, and has carved a niche for himself within the UK garage scene, blending traditional elements with a modern twist. His journey into music was sparked in 2012, influenced by the deep impact of Huxley's house track "Box Clever," which led him to explore the realms of music production and DJing. This moment marked the beginning of a path that would see him delve into various genres, eventually finding a strong connection with garage music, driven by his northern roots and a keen interest in underground sounds.

The collaboration with Eliza Rose on "B.O.T.A. (Baddest Of Them All)" marked a significant point in his career, achieving UK #1 and showcasing his ability to create tracks that resonate well beyond the underground scene. This success did not deter him from his roots; instead, it reinforced his dedication to the genre he loves.

Bruce's influence extends across the globe, with notable performances at Boiler Room in Sydney and Berlin, CRSSD Festival, and One Out Festival, among others. These appearances have not only solidified his reputation as a skilled DJ but also as a significant figure within the garage music community.

His work with Locked On Records, especially the "All Thru The Night" compilation, demonstrates his respect for the genre's history while also highlighting new talent within the scene. This project, among others, illustrates his role in the current resurgence of UK garage, balancing respect for its origins with a clear vision for its future.

Interplanetary Criminal's story is a reflection of his journey through the music world, marked by a deep appreciation for his musical roots and a keen eye for the future of garage music. As the genre continues to adapt and grow, Bruce remains a key player, guiding its direction while staying true to the underground ethos that originally inspired him.

United Kingdom

breaks

experimental house

Interplanetary Criminal

house

pop dance

uk dance

Sonny Fodera

uk tech house

Danny Howard

bass house

old school bassline

Sammy Virji

Spain

Amnesia Ibiza

Amnesia Presents Week 11

Amnesia Presents - Sonny Fodera and Danny Howard

PAWSA

uk funky

Rudimental

Brazil

Mochakk

electronica

float house

future garage

uk bass

wonky

Joy Orbison

ukg revival

salute

Max Dean

Rossi

Australia

australian house

ghettotech

Partiboi69

New Zealand

jazz house

nz electronic

Chaos In The CBD

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

deep disco house

melodic house

BLOND:ISH

Italy

italian techno

Davide Squillace

Eliza Rose

France

lo-fi house

Sweely

Tania Vulcano

United States

minimal tech house

minimal techno

The Martinez Brothers

DC-10 Ibiza

Circoloco Week 5

Circoloco

Girls Don't Sync

electro house

tech house

Dombresky

Amnesia Presents Opening Party

experimental club

Ahadadream

Ammara

deep minimal techno

techno

Alan Fitzpatrick

charva

Belters Only

uk house

Ben Hemsley

ambient house

Bicep

deep rai

Darius Syrossian

DJ EZ

raw techno

Eats Everything

scottish techno

Ewan McVicar

Flava D

Fleur Shore

Gorgon City

Hannah Laing

drum and bass

liquid funk

Hybrid Minds

K Motionz

irish electronic

KETTAMA

LALA

LF SYSTEM

deep groove house

Low Steppa

aussietronica

Mall Grab

Oden & Fatzo

Paul Woolford

Prospa

Sam Divine

Sarah Story

Curaçao

dutch house

Shermanology

classic dubstep

Skream

Solardo

Sosa

modern jungle

Special Request

 is a premier electronic music festival held annually on the stunning Zrce Beach in Croatia. Since its inception in 2011, the festival has grown into one of Europe's leading destination festivals, attracting thousands of music enthusiasts from around the globe. Known for its exceptional lineup, breathtaking location, and impeccable atmosphere, Hideout Festival offers an unforgettable experience for all attendees. Zrce Beach hosts some of the world’s best beachfront clubs, including Papaya, Aquarius, Noa, and Kalypso, which serve as the main venues for the festival's events.

Hideout Festival offers more than just music. Attendees can enjoy sun-soaked pool parties, boat parties, and raves across five beachfront stages. Each venue features mesmerizing lighting, world-class sound systems, and an unparalleled party atmosphere.

In addition to music, the festival provides a variety of adrenaline-pumping activities such as water sports, banana boats, jet skis, pedalos, and the famous bungee jump. For those seeking relaxation, there are beachside massages, as well as opportunities to rent quads, boats, and pedalos in the nearby town of Novalja.


Interplanetary Criminal

Articles

Other artists