Jaden Thompson Makes the Dance Floor 'Shimmer' with Effervescent New Groove

How Jaden Thompson Scored a Residency at Iconic London Club fabric

Jaden Thompson's Label Midnight Parade Extends His Sonic Footprint

Music with a Groove: The Jaden Thompson Story

Let's Talk About Deep Tech

During an era of pre-packaged, corporate-ready DJs falling off a production line, Jaden Thompson is not just an outlier, but he might be the antidote.

Radiating calmness and modesty in contrast to the extroverted, media-thirsty nature of many of his contemporaries, Jaden takes a studious approach to music production. His inward confidence and cool exterior point to an artist who takes his craft very seriously. Yet somewhat paradoxically, his material is fresh, fun-loving and edgy.

His runaway hit Closer and the remixes that followed propelled him into the industry’s wider consciousness. As clubland emerged from lockdown, the track would dominate dancefloors around the world in 2021.

This visibility also saw him rack up DJ bookings across Europe and North America, presenting a man in increasing demand.

Despite that success, Jaden has taken his time to mature as a producer, adopting a less-is-more mentality that prioritizes quality above all else.

Though he might still be a relative newcomer, Jaden’s talent and work ethic betrays his junior years.

After only a handful of active years, he has already attracted the attention of the biggest promoters, personalities and labels in the business. Perhaps most notable of these relationships, is the connection between Jaden and underground elder 

. The pair would not only start working in the studio, but go on to share DJ booths and curate line-ups together. Endorsements don’t come much bigger.

In his newly launched Midnight Parade, Jaden has an outlet through which to truly express himself. It also seems certain he will continue to court house music’s most forward-thinking record labels. His burgeoning career can already count releases on Cuttin’ Headz, Crosstown Rebels, PIV, and Kitsuné. The impressive resumé continues to grow.

Jaden Thompson has the world at his feet, but he won’t feel pressured into squeezing into a one-size-fits-all box. He’ll be doing things his way.

United Kingdom

Jaden Thompson

United States

Jesse Calosso

Blas Cordero

Gabriel Torres

Gray Area's new venture, "Debut," aims to bridge the international house music community by bringing established and emerging artists to cities they've never performed in. This initiative seeks to expand artists' fan bases and provide fans with fresh, exhilarating musical experiences. Having played a role in introducing major artists and brands like elrow and Awakenings to new audiences in the past, Gray Area believes in the magic of first-time experiences. By promoting artists in new venues and cities, they hope to cultivate a thriving, unified house music ecosystem. Debut is not merely a marketing strategy but embodies Gray Area's commitment to fostering collaboration, unity, and musical discovery.

Debut

Superior Ingredients

Debut: Jaden Thompson New York Headline Performance

Italy

Joseph Capriati

Germany

Paul Kalkbrenner

Türkiye

Carlita

Murphy's Law (UK)

Spain

Indira Paganotto

Dax J

Luigi Madonna

Markantonio

Richey V

Simone Zino

Amnesia Ibiza

Joseph Capriati presents Metamorfosi

Switzerland

Adriatique

United Arab Emirates

Butch

FJAAK

Gerd Janson

Honey Dijon

Loco Dice

DC-10 Ibiza

Circoloco

AJ Christou

Bastian Bux

Croatia

Matroda

Max Dean

Nala

Riva Starr

Tara Brooks

OCHO 17

Dennis Cruz

Hot Since 82

Michael Bibi

Seth Troxler

France

Oden & Fatzo

Solid Grooves

Netherlands

Prunk

Quantum Brooklyn

PIV Records New York Showcase: Prunk & Jaden Thompson

Dombresky

Duke Dumont

James Hype

Low Steppa

MEDUZA

Miane

Tinlicker

J. Worra

BLOND:ISH

Claptone

Kaysin

Australia

Dom Dolla

Noizu

Ron Carroll

Lee Foss

Walker & Royce

Archie Hamilton

Brazil

Beltran

Eli Brown

Josh Butler

South Africa

Nora En Pure

Secondcity

Insomniac

Queen Mary Waterfront

Day Trip Festival

IMOGEN

Dusky

Ukraine

NASTIA

Dajae

Breakbot

Mochakk

Airrica

Skepta

Curaçao

Shermanology

Between a fabric residency, US tours, and the launch of his 

 has covered a lot of ground for a 20-something house music DJ and producer. To be fair, though, he had a head start.

The Swindon-born, Manchester-based artist started learning to produce music at only 11 years old. “I’ve always been interested in music since I was very young, and that sort of just came from listening to all sorts of soul music, funk, R&B, hop-hop,” he tells Gray Area. “And then I slowly became interested in making music.”

His first exposure to production came courtesy of Timbaland’s Playstation Portable game called 

. “I was making beats, putting together loops and trying to make hip-hop/R&B,” he says. “And then I slowly got into house through YouTube, 

, that sort of stuff, and then got more involved.”

All Day EP

It’s true: Jaden Thompson set his sights on house music before he was old enough to set foot in a club. When, at last, he was able to experience dance music in its proper setting, he got his first taste at the Warehouse Project in Manchester.

Jaden was only 16 or 17 when he got to see 

 perform at Store Street, considered by many to be the spiritual home of the Warehouse Project series. Around the same time, he delivered his debut release, the 

, via Cuttin’ Headz. Stripped-back and to the point, each track on the effort reflected an innocence reminiscent of early Chicago house records.

Not long afterwards, Jaden’s parents took him to see Seth play once again at nightlife destination DC10 during their family trip to Ibiza. It just so happened that Seth’s parents were present as well. The two made a strong connection, and Seth continues to play a key role in Jaden’s career to this day.

“He's like a mentor, and a friend to me as well,” Jaden says. “He’s just been very supportive of my career. I feel like he’s very much trying to help push forward the young dance music scene, not just myself but other artists.”

Jaden Thompson landed his first gig at the Bay Bar Beach Club in San Antonio, Ibiza, and then he played one-off sets in Newcastle and Nottingham. After racking up releases on labels like New State Music and Material Trax, he turned a major corner in his career. At only 20 years old, he became a resident DJ of world-famous London club fabric.

“It was around the time when they were looking for new Friday night residents,” Jaden recalls. “And Ellis Coles, who's actually now my one of my managers, he works for fabric. He approached me about becoming a resident, and this was actually before he started managing me. It was such an amazing honor, and I was very shocked, as well, to get it so early on in my career.”

Jaden credits his fabric residency as teaching him how to hold a crowd’s interest once he’s caught their attention. He says, “Creating the vibe is one thing, but actually maintaining it and keeping the crowd entertained for hours is another, especially when you only play like an hour and a half to two hours, which is what I was used to.”

Jaden Thompson - Only One by Jaden Thompson

When the COVID crisis put nightlife on hold, Jaden Thompson shifted his focus back to his first love, music production. His single “Closer” landed on Three Six Zero Recordings, and “Only One” arrived by way of Kitsuné Musique.

Then, shortly after nightlife resumed, Jaden made a power move. He launched his artist imprint Midnight Parade with “Move Your Body,” a single he said was influenced by the likes of Kerri Chandler, Derrick Carter, and Omar S.

“Starting my own label was something I've been wanting to do for a long time; I was sort of debating for a while whether it was the right time to start it,” Jaden recalls. “And I just thought you know, there's never really a wrong time to start it.”

On the contrary — his timing couldn’t have been better. In October of the following year, Jaden Thompson embarked on his first of many US tours. From Spybar Chicago to Art Basel in Miami, Stateside dance music fans welcomed his distinctive sound signature with open arms.

Jaden says US crowds can be quite different from those of the UK. “In some areas, they’re more switched on and aware of the underground scene, not just the more commercial side,” he says. “But certain places, like Miami and New York, are among my favorite places that I’ve been able to play.”

We're giving the people what they want! 🔔 Here it is... we’re dropping the 9!

9 hours of straight up B2B beats from the EPIC at @fabric a few weeks ago ✌🏽

RUN IT UP 

Enjoy!

@jaden_thompson

Seth Troxler B2B Jaden Thompson | 9 hrs open - close | fabric London | 27.3.2022 by Seth Troxler

But perhaps one of the biggest full-circle moments in Jaden Thompson’s career came when he got to play back to back with his mentor, Seth Troxler, in fabric for 

 in 2022. “It was incredible,” he recounts. “One of my favorite nights.”

Having come such a long way by his mid-20s, is Jaden ready to rest on his laurels and ride into the sunset? Not even close. He’s only at the start of his journey, with bigger and better things lying out on the horizon ahead.

Between a fabric residency, US tours, and the launch of his Midnight Parade label, Jaden Thompson has covered a lot of ground for a 20-something house music DJ and producer. To be fair, though, he had a head start.



The Swindon-born, Manchester-based artist started learning to produce music at only 11 years old. “I’ve always been interested in music since I was very young, and that sort of just came from listening to all sorts of soul music, funk, R&B, hop-hop,” he tells Gray Area. “And then I slowly became interested in making music.”



His first exposure to production came courtesy of Timbaland’s Playstation Portable game called Beaterator. “I was making beats, putting together loops and trying to make hip-hop/R&B,” he says. “And then I slowly got into house through YouTube, Boiler Room, that sort of stuff, and then got more involved.”



It’s true: Jaden Thompson set his sights on house music before he was old enough to set foot in a club. When, at last, he was able to experience dance music in its proper setting, he got his first taste at the Warehouse Project in Manchester.



Jaden was only 16 or 17 when he got to see Seth Troxler and The Martinez Brothers perform at Store Street, considered by many to be the spiritual home of the Warehouse Project series. Around the same time, he delivered his debut release, the All Day EP, via Cuttin’ Headz. Stripped-back and to the point, each track on the effort reflected an innocence reminiscent of early Chicago house records.



Not long afterwards, Jaden’s parents took him to see Seth play once again at nightlife destination DC10 during their family trip to Ibiza. It just so happened that Seth’s parents were present as well. The two made a strong connection, and Seth continues to play a key role in Jaden’s career to this day.



“He's like a mentor, and a friend to me as well,” Jaden says. “He’s just been very supportive of my career. I feel like he’s very much trying to help push forward the young dance music scene, not just myself but other artists.”

Jaden Thompson landed his first gig at the Bay Bar Beach Club in San Antonio, Ibiza, and then he played one-off sets in Newcastle and Nottingham. After racking up releases on labels like New State Music and Material Trax, he turned a major corner in his career. At only 20 years old, he became a resident DJ of world-famous London club fabric.



“It was around the time when they were looking for new Friday night residents,” Jaden recalls. “And Ellis Coles, who's actually now my one of my managers, he works for fabric. He approached me about becoming a resident, and this was actually before he started managing me. It was such an amazing honor, and I was very shocked, as well, to get it so early on in my career.”



Jaden credits his fabric residency as teaching him how to hold a crowd’s interest once he’s caught their attention. He says, “Creating the vibe is one thing, but actually maintaining it and keeping the crowd entertained for hours is another, especially when you only play like an hour and a half to two hours, which is what I was used to.”





When the COVID crisis put nightlife on hold, Jaden Thompson shifted his focus back to his first love, music production. His single “Closer” landed on Three Six Zero Recordings, and “Only One” arrived by way of Kitsuné Musique.



Then, shortly after nightlife resumed, Jaden made a power move. He launched his artist imprint Midnight Parade with “Move Your Body,” a single he said was influenced by the likes of Kerri Chandler, Derrick Carter, and Omar S.



“Starting my own label was something I've been wanting to do for a long time; I was sort of debating for a while whether it was the right time to start it,” Jaden recalls. “And I just thought you know, there's never really a wrong time to start it.”



On the contrary — his timing couldn’t have been better. In October of the following year, Jaden Thompson embarked on his first of many US tours. From Spybar Chicago to Art Basel in Miami, Stateside dance music fans welcomed his distinctive sound signature with open arms.



Jaden says US crowds can be quite different from those of the UK. “In some areas, they’re more switched on and aware of the underground scene, not just the more commercial side,” he says. “But certain places, like Miami and New York, are among my favorite places that I’ve been able to play.”

But perhaps one of the biggest full-circle moments in Jaden Thompson’s career came when he got to play back to back with his mentor, Seth Troxler, in fabric for nine whole hours in 2022. “It was incredible,” he recounts. “One of my favorite nights.”



Having come such a long way by his mid-20s, is Jaden ready to rest on his laurels and ride into the sunset? Not even close. He’s only at the start of his journey, with bigger and better things lying out on the horizon ahead.

Jaden Thompson

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