If you asked the average dance music fan to name a DJ from North Shields, they would likely stare and ask what you’re talking about. Despite that, this small town in the northern region of the UK has become a hotspot for electronic music. Paving the way is the legendary Patrick Topping. In his stead, many young artists from the region have decided to pursue DJing; one, in particular, has been a stand-out.


While he started his journey with housier offerings, Ben Hemsley was initially inspired by the sounds of Ibiza in the late 90s and early 2000s and is now helping usher in a new era of classic trance.


“During my sets I want to channel every emotion with the crowd. My music is euphoric but I don’t just want everyone’s hands to be in the air the whole time. I want to see their faces go crazy especially when I play the harder stuff. I wasn’t really sticking to a genre but now I’m trying to hone in more on the harder, faster type of music.”



Growing up in North Shields, he discovered electronic music through his mom, a woman who still significantly influences his life. She played electronic music constantly in the house during his childhood, with a major focus on trance music. At around the age of 14, Ben began DJing. It took him nearly a decade to find his footing, spending his formative years making “so much bad music” and figuring out what genre he wanted to pursue. After spending a summer season in Ibiza in the late 2010s, Ben finally understood the sounds he wanted to dive into, and his career quickly took off.


“‘Bebe Musica’ is my favorite track that I put out, it’s more trance. During lockdown, I got bored of tech house and just wanted to start making what I feel passionate about. Late 90s early 2000s Ibiza sound is what I want to start focusing on.”



Just a year before “Bebe Musica,” Ben had a chance meeting with Patrick Topping. His brother knew Patrick, and they connected at a birthday party at a bowling alley. Patrick had heard that Ben made music and invited him back to his house to play some tracks. Luckily for Ben, Patrick took to his music.


“He liked them and started putting them in his sets and then eventually asked for an EP to release on the label [Trick]... He was the first DJ to really support me, and he’s been a mentor my whole career. The fact that we’re from the same town and I’m on his label now is just incredible to me.”

For Ben, success seems to follow him everywhere. His first official release, “Caress Me,” received immediate support from the likes of Solardo and Latmun. It also caught the eye of Calvin Harris, who eventually invited Ben out to a show in the states, and has since begun supporting Ben’s releases.



The future is bright for this young star out of the UK. His favorite BPM to play at is 135, and he is now at the forefront of a new wave of high-energy, uptempo electronic music that is taking the UK scene by storm.



Ben Hemsley on Patrick Topping's Mentorship

Songs like Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River,” and “Not Gon’ Cry” by Mary J Blige would have us believe that the only people who can make us weep are our respective love interests. However, that’s not entirely true - sometimes, those who make us shed absolute waterfalls are actually our heroes. And it’s not always a bad thing.




This is certainly what happened for Scottish DJ and producer Ewan McVicar. In an interview with MistaJam for Capital Dance, Ewan revealed that his hero and mentor, Patrick Topping, has, in fact, made him cry on multiple occasions.




The first time was over Whatsapp when a message from Patrick acted as the signal to Ewan that he could finally stop feeling like he was in limbo and could pursue his music career full-time - understandably, he was “in flood of tears.”

The second time was when the pair finally met in person. Ewan was driving down to Creamfields Festival in 2019, only expecting to camp with his mates. However, Patrick had other ideas. After receiving loads of tracks, Ewan had sent him he had played ‘Street Rave’ (Ewan’s first release) out in clubs like DC10 in Ibiza and had seemingly fallen in love with the track.




Patrick played it cool when Ewan asked if it would make it into his Creamfields set. “He told me he wasn’t sure it would go well with the rest of what he had planned,” says Ewan. However, the track actually opened his set. “I went mad for it on stage - but as soon as I came off, I just burst into tears,” says Ewan. “I’m just an emotional guy, and you can definitely see that in videos!”




After the show, Ewan was hanging out backstage, and someone came up to him and asked if he was ok. “I was like, ‘what are you talking about,’ and he told me that I looked so upset he thought someone had died,” laughs Ewan. “I was like: ‘no, he (pointing at Patrick) just played my tune - I’m emotional!’”




For Ewan, this moment was the realization of eight years of hard graft. “That was when dreams turned into reality. Everything I had worked so hard for just paid off in that moment.” And it was all down to Patrick.




Before they both recently took to the stage in Cardiff, Ewan told his mentor: “I’m never, ever, ever going to let you forget what you’ve done for me.”




I’m not crying - you are.






























Ewan McVicar on the Impact of his Hero Patrick Topping

While many came into contact with classic 80’s soul and funk records via the record player in the living room, Ewan McVicar’s introduction to “Tell Me Something Good”—the rework that brought him international acclaim—came in a more post-modern way. It’s a story of how the producer revived an already legendary song for the dancefloor. Something that’s not always asked for, but in this case, resulted in a brilliant reinterpretation that elevates its source material, bringing the spirit of a late 80’s disco tech to the rave.




First released by legend Chaka Khan, Yvette Marie Stevens, and her funk band Rufus in 1987 - the song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and featured on the iconic TV show Soul Train. Despite its rampant success, the song’s original version almost ended up on the cutting room floor. Stevie Wonder, the writer, only released it to Stevens after she refused his first track and then learned her star sign. Her Aries status apparently made it perfectly suited to her.

It cropped up again in the form of more of a romantic ballad via Robbie Nevill in the early 90s. However, it wouldn’t go on to completely captivate a whole new generation of fans until it appeared in the most unlikely of places: as the opening music to animated comedy-musical Happy Feet.




This is where Scottish DJ and producer Ewan McVicar heard it for the first time. “I was just watching the film and suddenly heard it. I was like ‘what is that?’ So just like everybody else went on YouTube and Googled the acapella version,” Ewan told Mistajam during an interview for Capital Dance.




He then sat on the sample for a while, using it in a few tracks that were, in his words, “terrible.” Ewan came back to it after the release of his EP Street Rave. “I was so energized, the whole thing came together in only 45 minutes,” he says. “It’s so powerful anyway I couldn’t put too much in too soon.”




Assuming that, due to copyright, he would never get the song cleared, Ewan filed it away to only use during his live sets. However, once mentor Patrick Topping put it out on social media, it became clear this track needed a release.

The bass kicks and groove synths that Ewan has added make for an incredible number - with the proof being in the track’s popularity. “When it hit a million plays it had done everything that I wanted it to do - but it just kept going,” says Ewan. Its trajectory has even carried it out of the UK, with fans sending videos of the song on radio plays from locations as far-flung as Mexico, Australia, and Chicago. “I keep having to take a step back and ask myself ‘What is going on?’” laughs the DJ.




The song, released on Trick Records and Licensed to the Ministry of Sound, reached #15 on the UK singles chart in late 2021. “When I play it people go daft,” says Ewan, recalling a recent gig in Edinburgh where his sound was cut off to signal the end of his set. “The crowd just started singing ‘Tell Me Something Good’ on their own. I looked at my mate who’s been there since day one, and I’m just like: ‘that’s my tune, they’re singing!’”




It’s clear from public reaction that Wonder and Chaka Khan’s original still has magic to give.

Reimagining a Classic: Ewan McVicar's Rework of Chaka Khan's 'Tell Me Something Good'

The tail end of 2022 in the UK was punctuated by the crowd-jumping, fist-pumping smash hit that was “Moving All Around (Jumpin’)” by British talent, Schack. Clubs everywhere heaved with the high-speed bounce of Schack’s breakout tune, and DJs took notice. The debut single also landed #1 on the SoundCloud Chart, Spotify Viral Top 50, and at the time of writing, has 10M streams, while the official video amassed over 40K views in a few days—talk about batting one thousand.






Fellow Brit, Skream, has already remixed the exuberant tune. The garage leaning rework put a shimmering new coat on the track, but leave it to John Summit to flip it into something steamy, spicy, and ready for the dance floor.


It would be damn near impossible to name an artist taking over as readily as John Summit. Festivals clamor to add him to their lineups, artists lineup for his remixes, and labels drool to release his music. 2022 was another red-hot year for Summit, highlighted by tracks like “La Danza” on D4 D4NCE reaching more than 29M streams and the launch of his label and event brand, Off The Grid.


This “Jumpin’” (more like stompin’) new remix signals the start of Summit’s 2023 releases. He had this to say about this latest release:
“The UK hit by Schak has been stuck in my head for months and when Patrick Topping asked me to remix it I knew I had to give it my own spin.”


Same, John. Same. While the OG “Moving All Around (Jumpin’)” is still very much ringing in our heads (not complaining), it is now accompanied by not one, but two ridiculous reworks that breathe two invigoratingly unique new identities into an already instant classic. Start your weekend off right by grabbing your dancing shoes, securing your spot on the floor, and pressing play on John Summit’s sizzling new flip of Schak’s “Moving All Around (Jumpin’).”

John Summit Flips Schak’s 'Moving All Around (Jumpin’)' Into a Steamy Tech House Sizzler

EDC Orlando 2022 has officially come and gone. This year over 200,000 festival-goers reunited “Under the Electric Sky” for Insomniac’s flagship East Coast event. The threat of Hurricane Nicole, which passed through the Orlando area the day before the festival, left many with flight cancellations. However, the festival grounds remained unscathed, and those who could arrange other travel plans experienced an unforgettable weekend.






Each EDC Orlando stage encompassed a unique vibe and genre. With more than five to choose from, there was a little something for every dance music fanatic. But for the house heads and techno tourists, all feet were glued to the dancefloor at the neonGARDEN with acts like Charlotte de Witte and CamelPhat throwing down.




On Friday, in-house underground house and techno brand, Factory 93 partnered with Patrick Topping to bring his legendary Trick brand to the United States for the first time. And on Saturday Green Velvet presented his La La Land party brand and stage takeover where attendees were lucky enough to witness a rare triple b2b as Green Velvet, Dom Dolla, and John Summit closed out the stage.

As we predicted, Insomniac repurposed the neonGARDEN stage from this year’s EDC Las Vegas. Out with the old hangar-style tent and in with the new open-air warehouse setting. Shipping containers splattered with graffiti surrounded the stage in a one-of-a-kind 360-degree fashion, offering an exclusive urban jungle experience.









The success of neonGARDEN wouldn’t have been possible without the help of stage-curators Factory 93. In fact, it was one of their most memorable stages yet. Each year they explore the depths of creativity and innovation while preserving the authenticity of the underground. Since they began curating the neonGARDEN stage in 2018, their love and appreciation for house music has ignited a country-wide movement and mass admiration for its distinctive culture. Outside of EDC Orlando, they have hosted stages at other Insomniac festivals like EDC Mexico and one-off events at their warehouse in Los Angeles.



Factory 93 has risen to be one of the reigning brands for all things house music. Last year, Insomniac announced another addition to their evolving catalog of record labels, Factory 93 Records. Honing in on the worldly sounds of underground house, techno, tech house, and even disco, listeners can discover established and rising artists from across the globe. Factory 93 Records is the next big step in achieving its goal to grow its platform and the culture within it. Insomniac founder, Pasquale Rotella, released the following statement in a press release:




“Factory 93 represents the beginning of Insomniac. Underground dance music will always be the roots of everything we do. Factory 93 is a very passionate part of the Insomniac portfolio worldwide, which makes this new record label even more exciting for us. With the addition of Factory 93 Records, our team will be able to carry over its vision from the live events side into a carefully curated catalog we can’t wait for you to hear.”




Factory 93’s involvement with Insomniac doesn’t stop there. Last May, they teamed up to premiere a brand new two-day festival dedicated to underground house music called Skyline. Taking place at Lot 54 at The Vanguard, festival-goers experienced a mesmerizing display of digital & street art exhibits, graffiti murals, and of course, non-stop heart-pumping house and techno beats.

Inspired by EDC’s neonGARDEN concept for its second edition this year, Skyline did not feature a single LED wall. Instead, they enclosed the main stage with their graffiti-laden shipping containers. By focusing on the basics and providing an intimate environment for attendees, they cultivated the ultimate underground experience. Skyline even expanded to the West Coast in Los Angeles, so no matter where you’re from, Insomniac and Factory 93 have got you covered.




Since Factory 93 was founded, they have shown no signs of slowing down. As our underground community continues to grow increasingly popular across the country, we are excited to see what the future holds for Factory 93’s impact on the neonGARDEN stage and the festival community.



Factory 93 Continues to Bring House & Techno Heat to EDC Orlando

We’re just days away from Miami’s infamous iii Points Festival. Since its debut in 2013, it’s won praise for its musical diversity, cultural art collaborations, and eye-popping art installations. iii Points offers a wide range of musical acts from hip-hop, pop, mainstream/ rock, and dance. Here are picks for the top house and techno artists to catch while you're in Miami.







Jamie xx

A forward-thinking beatmaker and producer helped shape the sound of the late 2000s and beyond with his English indie group the xx. As a solo artist, he tempered the restraint of his other work with his reverence for dance music's power to move bodies and hearts. His artful blend of kinetic and atmospheric is equally innovative and evocative.




Nicola Cruz

Latin American DJ and producer has always been captivating. His creative process involves a careful curation of life, nature, and sound to form a unique vibey rhythm that speaks to his roots. Intertwining the siku into his melodies, a wind instrument of Andean origin, is highly symbolic in ancestral rituals. Cruz continues to expand his vision towards new stories and other cultures as sources of inspiration. 







Black Coffee 

The South African DJ and producer built his career gradually over nearly two decades crafting a unique jungle house signature sound inspired by his cultural heritage and a love of house music. On the decks, he’s a perfectionist and delivers a euphoric performance each time he steps on stage. In 2010, he attained the Guinness World Record for longest-ever DJ set with a non-stop 60-hour set. As a producer, he’s collaborated with a wide range of artists including Usher, Diplo, Elderbrook, and David Guetta. He’s led the charge for an influx of talented artists from Africa and is arguably the continent's largest dance music export.










Peggy Gou

Hailing from South Korea, DJ and producer one of the leading ladies in house and techno. Gou became internationally renowned for her energetic sets and acclaimed tracks such as “It Makes You Forget (Itgehane),” “Starry Nigh”, and “I Go.” Her vibrant, joyous productions echo vintage deep house and post-disco without sounding like throwbacks.




Maceo Plex

A legend in the techno scene, Eric Estornel has produced and performed under numerous aliases like Maetrik and Mariel Ito. It’s under his Maceo Plex moniker that he is most well known for. The Miami-based DJ and producer played at countless iconic festivals and released a slew of records, singles, projects, and is the owner of Ellum Audio. His sound is dramatic and elegant, an aesthetic you can hear on the ambitious “Solar,” named after his son. He’s adept at mixing dark, more sci-fi-influenced tones with moving melodies. A true master of the craft who always performs with quality.




Patrick Topping

Hailing from England, the savvy DJ and producer has contributed a constant flow of positivity to the music scene he loves so dearly. He’s known for vibrant tech-house tracks such as “Be Sharp Say Nowt,” “Forget,” “Rocket Fuel,” and the infamous collab with Green Velvet “Voicemail.” Equally talented as a DJ, Patrick has attained international status as a headline act. His illustrious discography, blossoming label TRICK, and affiliation with party brands such as elrow prove he is at the top of his game. As he continues to inject his energy into refining his craft and building his crew of talented acts, Patrick is entering a new level of artistry.




Cristoph 

Inspired by the progressive sounds of musical legends like Sasha and Digweed, Christoph has developed his take on melodic house that’s as emotional as it is dance floor ready. He mastered his craft on vinyl and then developed a sound that gained the notice of Eric Prydz. In the last few years tracks like “Sleepless Nights,” “Out of Reach,” and “Breathe” with Camelphat have catapulted him to the top of the charts. He continues to release more music along with his radio show Consequence of Society. 




Michael Bibi

A certified icon of the underground scene, the English producer has crafted countless killer tracks. His raw passion for music began at a young age. Bibi has carved out and established a distinct signature sound translating into support from some of the industry’s biggest names. He’s also got a signature haircut that’s often imitated, but never quite duplicated. Bibi's unique production style and off-the-wall vocals are the keys to his success. 




Fjaak 

The German duo is known for their driving, energetic tracks ranging from house to storming warehouse techno. They are also known to toss in an occasional U.K. garage, dub, or breakbeat hardcore tune for good measure. The weed-loving duo consists of Felix Wagner and Aaron Röbig, who commonly perform in dark dungeonous settings, so iii Points will be a unique opportunity to experience a slice of rave in the sunshine. Filled with grit and sensuality, their tracks are all composed entirely on analog equipment. 







Danny Daze 

The Miami native is known for mixing classic electro, Detroit techno, and funk with glistening 80s-90s vibes. Daniel Gomez makes raw and authentic tracks supported by many of the other pristine techno artists who will also be playing at the festival. His radical approach to preserving music’s integrity while breaking its boundaries may seem volatile, but it’s not random. 






Get Familiar With the House and Techno Artists of iii Points Festival

United Kingdom

Patrick Topping

Circoloco Closing Party

Spain

DC-10

Paradise

Amnesia

IMS Dalt Vila

Dalt Vila

United States

Quantum Brooklyn

Eric Prydz Holo Opening Party 2023

Hï Ibiza

Elrow Town London 2023

Parsloes Park

Radio 1 Dance Weekend - Ibiza

528 Ibiza

ARC Music Festival 2023

Union Park

Siso Festival 2023 

Albania

Dhërmi, Albania

Trick Stage - Creamfields North 2022

Coming up (UK time):

3:15 pm Elliot Adamson
4:30 pm DJ Minx
6:00 pm Ben Hemsley
7:30 pm Skream
9:00 pm Patrick Topping

#cinchxCreamfields #CreamfieldsNorth #Beatport

Trick Stage | cinch Presents Creamfields North | Day 2 | @Beatport Live

Patrick Topping B2B Green Velvet

Meet Me At The Club! Patrick Topping B2B Green Velvet


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Patrick Topping

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