Magic on the Rooftop: Shimza's Epic Set and a Surprise from Black Coffee

Shimza

GQ South Africa Talks with Shimza: From Local DJ to Afro House Ambassador

The Sound of Self-Acceptance: Spencer Brown’s Story of Coming Out

Spencer Brown

Bender Mode Activated: ARC After Dark Party Series

Eats Everything

Chalkboards to Soundboards: Wakyin's Rise

Wakyin

Juicy Hit: Wakyin’s Chart Topping-Delight

The Burning Man Influence on Spencer Brown

Spencer Brown: Balancing Duke University and the Avicii Tour

Gray Area Unveils Its First Wave of Resident DJs

Luna Mar

Wakyin in Conversation: Exploring the Fusion of Cultures in Music

A Trip Through Time: Eats Everything's History of Rave

Bromance in the Beat: The Eats Everything and Fatboy Slim Story

Eats Everything Studio Sanctuary

Hungry for More: Eats Everything's Insatiable Appetite for Success

Desert Dreams and Dancefloors: Mikey Lion's Musical Odyssey

Mikey Lion

Spencer Brown: Trusting the Heartbeat of the Dance Floor & Igniting the Flow

A Buffet Of Eats Everything's 7 Best Tracks

Justin Martin and Eats Everything: A DJ Brotherhood

5 Brilliant Justin Martin & Eats Everything Collaborations

The Deep Dark Soul of Desert Hearts Black

South Africa

south african house

south african pop

United States

melodic house

progressive house

progressive trance

United Kingdom

Lee Reynolds

Earth Signs

Robidio

deep disco house

house

raw techno

This Labor Day weekend, experience over 10 hours on the breathtaking Creekside waterfront stage 

 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. This open-air festival is part of Gray Area’s 

 series, a concept we launched 18 months ago to produce en plein air shows that transcend musical genre boundaries with unique lineups. This meticulously curated edition aims to deliver a festival-like experience with a clear purpose.

Our mission is to unite different micro-tribes and dancers, intertwining various styles of house music and talent to create an energetic atmosphere on the dance floor.

We chose this incredible open-air waterfront location in the heart of Brooklyn for our biggest 

 show yet because it offers a raw, remote, and ravey feel where we all can let loose and dance like no one is watching, melting into the music, with no worries and the world on pause. Time ceases to exist. 

After a series of sold-out performances in New York, the Afro-tech sensation 

makes his triumphant return to Brooklyn for what promises to be one of Gray Area's most monumental 

 editions yet, set against the iconic open-air backdrop 

Keinemusik Radio Show by Shimza 14.04.2023 by Keinemusik

Known in the industry as the "Effect Master" and "Vinyl Assassin," Ashley Raphala, aka Shimza, stands as a shining star in the global afro house scene. As the founder of his very own Kunye Records (meaning ‘together’ in Xhosa/Zulu), Shimza isn't just a musical phenomenon; he's an artist celebrated for his philanthropic endeavors and initiatives across South Africa, championing the local music scene in all his endeavors.

Shimza's passion for DJing sprouted from the music-saturated environment of his upbringing. Music was a constant presence at home, further fueled by the influence of South Africa's youth radio station Y-FM, which debuted in 1997 and molded his musical palette, sparking his determination to delve into the art of DJing. 

Uwrongo - Edit

Despite the challenges of mastering the craft initially, 

 has risen as a prominent figure in South Africa's musical panorama, doubling as a historian of his nation's soundscape. Just take a glance at his groundbreaking live stream music set from Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in 2020. It's a gig unmatched by any other DJ, etched into our collective memory for eternity.

Fight to Love by Shimza

We're also thrilled to announce that American DJ and producer 

A Burning Man regular with a drumming background in jazz, funk, and metal, Spencer began DJing at a young age and quickly made waves in the music scene. At just 18, he opened for Avicii at the Hollywood Bowl and released his debut EP on Avicii's LE7ELS label. 

Illusion of Perfection

, came out in 2018, and his track "Windows 95 on Acid" topped Beatport's techno charts. Brown's ability to cross genres has garnered support from legends like Above & Beyond, deadmau5, Paco Osuna, and Marco Carola.

As a former Duke University student who spent his college years juggling touring with Avicii and studying, Spencer is one of a kind. When he’s not touring the world, he's releasing progressive house and techno bombs on his record label Diviine.

. The Puerto Rican and Dominican rooted artist made his New York debut with us back in March, and now he’s returning for Round 2. You might know him from his famous track “Beso (Fruta Fresca),” which recently surpassed 25 million streams on Spotify. 

Beso (Fruta Fresca)

Having just come off a tour with Gordo, playing in his hometown of Orlando at The Vanguard and at Jolene Soundroom in Miami, Wakyin has been experiencing an incredible rise in the house music scene, and we are all here for it!

 is ready to throw down Under the K Bridge with us. Most known for his beloved record label and event series, Desert Hearts, the San-Diego native brings with him an arsenal of beats that span the tribal to the psychedelic.


When I'm With You

Another family member of the Desert Hearts crew joining the fun is 

! His journey, rooted in the UK rave culture and flourishing in California, showcases constant evolution and his standout tracks like "Moon Matrix" and "Puma Punku" transform any set into a unique party.

, which is composed of the iconic shuffle queen 

and Adam Friedman, are bringing their exciting dynamic to the decks, as well as Brooklyn-based redhead queen of Puerto Rican descent, 

! Another sweet addition to the party is 

, who has spun with us at the Knockdown Center for the memorable Desert Hearts party!

Our upcoming gathering unfolds at the cutting-edge K Bridge Park, a dynamic 7-acre urban haven situated beneath the Kosciuszko Bridge in Brooklyn, New York. Renowned for its ingenious transformation from an overlooked space into a lively public destination, this park seamlessly resonates with our values. Boasting a blend of recreational, cultural, and ecological features, including a lush canopy of over 20,000 trees and indigenous flora, it stands as a distinctive setting that echoes our dedication to environmental stewardship and community engagement.

This event promises an opportunity to immerse yourself in an unforgettable trance of afro house beats, curated from Shimza's journey collaborating with emerging artists from his homeland. Anticipate an electric ambiance and an enthusiastic crowd, all eager to catch a glimpse of the burgeoning superstar fresh off his 2024 world tour.

Blue: Shimza, Spencer Brown, Mikey Lion, Lee Reynolds, Wakyin + MORE

Upcoming events nearby