The ultimate raver reunion descends on Las Vegas in the form of the annual Electric Daisy Carnival May 19-21, 2023. And while Insomniac Events remind the fans that YOU are the most important headliner, myriad headlining artists are stepping behind the decks on more than 10 stages, from the massive mainstage Kinetic Field to the smallest art cars throughout the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. 



The team at Gray Area has compiled our picks for don’t-miss DJ sets during the 2023 edition of EDC Las Vegas, celebrating 30 years of being “wide awake”!

1. Ben UFO

Hailing from the celebrated U.K. rave culture, an amalgamation of electronic music influences punctuates the genre-blurring productions of Ben UFO. From a blending of bass music to techno, house, and more, Ben UFO co-founded Hessle Audio with Pearson Sound and Pangaea. Wowing the world for over 15 years, Ben pairs modern sensibilities with four-on-the-floor and percussive rhythms while working in weird and wonky surprises that never fail to delight international dancefloors. His reach extends even further across the airwaves via BBC Radio 1 Dance programs “The Residency” and “Essential Mix," Rinse FM, and more. Check out his latest offerings on SoundCloud, then head over to his 12 a.m. Saturday set at the Bionic Jungle—the newest new addition to the EDC experience—for “a journey deep into the wild with a carefully selected roster of house artists” at a “small but mighty stage.”



2. Christopher Lawrence

If you’re not at Christopher Lawrence’s set, are you even really #TranceFamily? Peer-pressure your peeps to be front-and-center when the dance music legend and Pharmacy label boss returns to EDC. With more awards, honors, and accolades over 20+ years than we have space to list, the underground vibes will be curated to perfection. Lawrence has garnered the unwavering respect of legions of DJs and fans worldwide, from the biggest festivals to international listeners of his long-running “Rush Hour” radio show and mix compilations. And if you’re a trance n00b, all are always welcome to the fam, and we guaranteed you’ll get a life-changing lesson from a true master of the genre. Add him to your schedule on the Insomniac app from 3-4:15 am Friday late night at the Parliament 2.0 30th Anniversary Art Car.



3. Capozzi

When we realized Capozzi was already an artist we know and love, adding her to our picks of sets to check out was a no-brainer. ICYMI, Jordan Capozzi already has a loyal following for her 420-friendly rap persona as Lil Debbie, but her range for bringing beats now extends to her house music alias Capozzi. A black-and-white, stripped-down contrast to her colorful alter-ego, Capozzi has solidified her studio skills spanning a gamut of bass-forward house sounds that all deliver on the dancefloor. Catch her on the last night of EDC from 8-9:30 p.m. at the Cosmic Meadow, then 10-11 p.m. at the Allegiant Rave Hangar (located in the Carnival Square area of the festival grounds).



4. 8Kays

An impressive production resume that spans the gamut of go-to record labels, Kyiv’s Iryna Shvydka, aka 8Kays, creates a delicate dance of melodic grooves. She’s caught the attention of heavy hitters such as Above & Beyond’s Ajnunabeats, Renaissance Records, Booka Shade’s Blaufiield Music imprint, and Eleatics Records, with her latest remix of Woo York’s “Samum” now out via Watergate Records. Show your support for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and fill the air with love for her home during 8Kay’s set over at the Quantum Valley stage on Sunday evening from 8-9 p.m.



5. Eli Brown

With a foundation of electronic music education thanks to the legendary  Bristol, U.K. scene and related bass music roots, Eli Brown broke onto the scene in 2016 with his dark dancefloor destroyers. Fans of Eli Brown include legends such as Adam Beyer, Alan Fitzpatrick, Carl Cox, Green Velvet, and Solardo. The Arcane label boss is a multi-honored producer with multiple releases earning the “Hottest Record in the World” distinction from the BBC’s resident tastemaker, Annie Mac. As a primer to the Eli Brown sound, check out notable tracks such as “XTC,” (produced with Solardo) the Moving EP collab with Calvin Harris, and “Killer,” released on Polydor Records. Check out his latest release, “Be the One,” wherever you stream tunes and see him IRL on Friday night at the Neon Garden from 10-11:30 p.m.



6. Hannah Wants

No stranger to Las Vegas audiences, Hannah Wants previously spun in Sin City during a residency at Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub on the Strip and will return to the real city that never sleeps for a Stereo Bloom stage set from 9:15-10:50 p.m. Sunday night. Also a previous regular at Chicago’s famed Spy Bar, the self-taught seasoned spinner has spent more than a decade in the scene. Her brand of house music draws upon her U.K. roots that were dominated by garage, four-on-the-floor, and bassline house, though she strives never to be restricted to a defined genre. Check out her latest single, “The One” (featuring ARA), now available on Defected.



7. Kaleena Zanders

Even if you don’t yet know Kaleena Zanders' music, you’ve likely heard her productions after her empowering anthem “Stronger Than I’ve Ever Been” was chosen for Toyota’s 2018 Super Bowl commercial. It was also a go-to track during the 2018 Winter Olympics. Her release "Set Me Off" became the theme song to MLB Network's High Heat. The immensly talented Zanders has been compared to such soulful songstresses as Robin S, CeCe Peniston, and even Whitney Houston while channeling and paying homage to house music’s LGBTQ+ origins. Zanders has two set times on the docket Sunday night (Stereo Bloom 7-8:15 p.m. and Titanic’s End Art Car 2-3 a.m.), so be sure to swing by at least one and check out her chart-topping soulful sounds like “V I B R A T I O N” with Shift K3Y.



8. Mike Dunn

Pay your proper dues with your presence at the set of a true turntable OG, Mike Dunn. Hailing from the home of house in Chicago, Dunn honed his chops spinning alongside other legends (and good friends) Armando Gallop, Ron Hardy, and Larry Heard as one of the Chosen Few DJs. His first track, “Dance You Mutha,” hit the scene in 1987, followed by numerous house and techno tunes infused with hip-hop notes, including “Let It Be House,” “Magic Feet,” and “Face the Nation,” plus a Defected Records rerelease of “God Made Me Phunky,” thus wooing a new generation of fans. Dig into the crates with one of the Chosen Few DJs when Dunn digs deep at the Bionic Jungle stage Friday night from 2-4 a.m.



9. Miss Dre

Fresh off the release of her new single on Insomniac Records, “Holla,” catch that tune and more courtesy of Drea Kaplan, aka Miss Dre. With support from other fab females spinning at EDC, such as Anabel Englund and J. Worra, the Bay Area’s Miss Dre is making her mark and making all the right moves as a house music triple-threat: singer, DJ, and producer. Heavy hitters have even directly tapped her to support their shows, including Justin Martin, Prok & Fitch, Walker & Royce, Sacha Robotti, Ardalan, and more. You’ve got two chances to see Miss Dre and send those cellphones-in-the-air EDC-sponsored Snaps at both the Stereo Bloom stage Friday evening from 7-8 p.m. and the Allegiant Rave Hangar later in the night from 2-3 a.m. (located in the Carnival Square area of the festival grounds).



10. Nala

The multi-talented Miami native Nala has wowed the world of electronic music thanks to her blend of influences ranging from house and indie dance to electro and breaks paired with live “Riot Grrrl-style” vocals. The Claude VonStroke protégé has followed in her mentor’s footsteps in creating a tastemaking record label dubbed Mi Domina—a femme-dominant electronic imprint. Nala’s also currently up for the 2023 “Breakthrough Producer” award in DJ Mag’s Best of North America competition. Having previously played numerous top festivals including Ultra, Coachella, Electric Forest, and Electric Zoo, she’ll take on one of her biggest gigs yet at the expansive Cosmic Meadow stage on Saturday night from 7-8 p.m.



11. Salute

Fresh off the release of the new Shield EP on May 5, the U.K.’s Salute will bring a slew of originals to EDC 2023. From bumping selections supported by a who’s-who of dance music (including Disclosure full-on fangirling on Salute’s Insta posts), the Rinse FM resident also recently dropped the highly awaited banger “Peach” with Sammy Virji. Salute brings his “pretty people music” to EDC on Saturday night from 9:30-10:30 p.m. at the Bionic Jungle stage, that’s shaping up to be one of our definitive destinations for numerous ways to dig deeper at this year’s festival.

Looking for even more tunes to get hyped for Electric Daisy Carnival 2023? Check out the official festival Spotify playlist by Insomniac. 

11 DJs to See at EDC 2023: Gray Area's Picks for Don't-Miss Sets

Looking for something groovy to get you through the week or help you escape reality for even just an hour? Gray Area invites house music newbies and die-hard fans alike to join us on an expertly curated house music odyssey from 20+ year veteran DJ/producer Matthias Tanzmann. With this exclusive Spotify mix, the German native showcases his deep and tech house influences mixed with originals off his Moon Harbour Recordings label, as well as his Better Lost Than Stupid trio collab with Martin Buttrich and Davide Squillace.




We caught up with Tanzmann about his new Spotify mix that perfectly reps the roots of proper house mixed with an international flavor, a dash of warm wonkiness, and even nods to hip-hop.




“I wanted to create a mix that bridges both home listening and club vibes,” says Tanzmann of his new Spotify offering. “My DJ sets are usually very groove driven; for my Spotify mix, I wanted to make sure it includes more musical elements so the set also works on home sound systems.”




With a proliferation of classic dance music tracks being sampled (and even re-sampled) for pop superstars, now’s the perfect time for a mix like Tanzmann’s that channels the roots of the Chicago-originating sound while sharing its ability to make nearly anyone move. “House music came up at the end of the 1980s and was mainly created by young producers in their home studios with very limited equipment,” explains Tanzmann. “It kind of followed up on disco music. Due to the technical limitations, there was a lot of sampling involved, so house music naturally merges a lot of musical styles, which makes it very versatile.”




Fast forward to the present day, and quantity vs. quality is often debated—yet another reason why now’s the perfect time for Tanzmann’s mix as he’s done the legwork for us of showcasing the best of fresh deep house and tech house. But if he had to pick one, Tanzmann cites the Michael Bibi remix of Guy Gerber’s “Bocat” as his favorite on the mix. “This was one of the stand-out tracks of 2022 for me,” he says. On the flip side, there was also the difficult decision of which tracks would ultimately make the final cut. “I wanted to include Deetron’s ‘Glass,’ but in the end, it didn’t really fit in.”




If Tanzmann’s Spotify Mix has piqued your interest for more from the artist, look out for even more original music as the year progresses. “I have been working a lot at the studio lately, so I will be releasing more than ever this year,” he says. “I’m looking forward to getting all the music out soon.”




Until then, enjoy Matthias Tanzmann’s masterclass in seamless mix creation, available now on Spotify.

Digging Deeper with Matthias Tanzmann’s Exclusive Spotify Mix

The reverberating electronic beats emerging from the Mediterranean will soon be joined by the contemporary sounds of rising British producer Franky Wah. The English DJ has announced his debut Ibiza residency, where he will showcase his revered avant-garde production, SHÈN.




Poised to take over the island’s much-lauded Club Chinois, the venue will host Wah’s eclectic performances beginning Sunday, June 18. For 16 weeks, each Sunday, the halls of the recently renovated club will be enveloped by the forward-thinking, ear-catching project created by Wah.




Speaking on the partnership, Wah exclaimed, “I’m absolutely buzzing…to be bringing the brand over to the island.” He continues, “This has always been on the bucket list for me, and when starting SHÈN, an Ibiza residency seemed like a distant dream.”






As a brand, SHÈN stands out for illustrating boundary-pushing fashion and conceptual music under the influence of Chinese mythology. As the label head, Wah has garnered the attention of artists like Sasha, Cristoph, Korolova, and Shadow Child, who have all released records under the imprint.




In 2022, Wah released his debut mixtape, This Is SHÈN, a three-hour-long playlist that encapsulates the ethos of Eastern philosophy through the mind of Wah’s captivating productions. More recently, Wah teamed up with fellow British producer Cristoph, to deliver the chart-topping hit “Darkest Hour” featuring Diana Miro.




Throughout the summer, SHÈN should more than feel at home in Club Chinois. The island hotspot pulls its influence from the Chinese megacity of Shanghai, where its 1930s jazz club culture is exhibited throughout its granite floors and golden-sculpted columns.




Franky Wah recently shared with Gray Area that the club shares a deeper connection with the inspiration behind SHÈN. Wah takes his name from his Chinese grandfather, Harry Wah. His grandfather owned a pottery shop. The sinks in the Club Chinois restrooms are nearly identical to a matching pottery set Harry gave his mom and two sisters as wedding presents. Running through the club are three large pillars covered in gold feathers, a gentle nod to the feather that floats over the logo for SHÈN.




The synergy between Club Chinois and SHÈN is undeniable, and the recently renovated club should be a hotbed of activity this season. Wah praises the upcoming collaboration, concluding, “...this is undoubtedly one of the highlights of my career to date.”




Frank Wah’s SHÈN will take place every Sunday from June 18 - October 1, 2023, at Club Chinois in Ibiza, Spain. For tickets and more information, click here.









Franky Wah’s SHÈN Lands Ibiza Residency at Club Chinois

With a history steeped in memories year after year on the beautiful Balearic island, Defected returns for its 22nd consecutive annum in Ibiza, claiming its rightful spot at San Antonio megaclub Eden, every Friday this summer.

Under their 2023 campaign, “It’s all about house!”, Defected announced an incredible lineup of DJ’s every week of the season, commencing April 28, through September 29.

Championing international house music stars from every corner of the genre, the OG event brand, label, community, and all-encompassing music organization have returned every summer since its first party in 2001, and have danced shoulder to shoulder with ravers from all over the world. 

This year, they go bigger and better than ever before, for what's set to be the brand's best summer yet. 

From house music originals to today’s club favorites and the hottest newcomers in the scene right now, they’ve covered it all.

Defected favorites Melé, Darius Syrossian, Eats Everything, Hannah Wants, Sam Divine, and Riva Starr will all return to the White Isle this summer, as well as other top-rated house music megastars Mike Dunn, Todd Terry, David Penn, Groove Armada, Shermanology, and more! 

Rising stars the Dunmore Brothers, Paige Tomlinson, and Rio Tashan are all set to grace the booth of the San Antonio hotspot. A great opportunity to see the next generation of talent perform in the home of house music.

It’s fast approaching and we cannot wait to be back on the dancefloor of Eden every Friday with the beloved Defected.

General release tickets and lineup breakdowns for all dates have been released and can be found here.





Defected Announce Full Ibiza 2023 Residency Lineup at Eden

Some of France’s most iconic clubs, including Club La Machine du Moulin Rouge, Le Rex, Badaboum, and Le Sucre, have teamed up with Bye Bye Plastic to eliminate plastic and find new solutions to make the switch. By joining this initiative, the clubs will receive guidance on best practices, collective help, and Bye Bye Plastic’s certification once they become plastic-free.




“This is a landmark movement of nightclubs getting together for the sake of the planet. By joining up on this campaign, they recognize the climate emergency we all are a part of, and choose to walk collectively to progress out of this situation,” said Camille Guitteau, Bye Bye Plastic’s co-founder and Managing director.




Today, a 2,000-capacity club serving single-use plastic cups, straws, and bottles throughout 110 days of operation generates a yearly carbon footprint equivalent to the production of 10,000 beef burgers. Water bottles alone represent 12 tons of CO2. Bye Bye Plastic Foundation, an environmental nonprofit, is behind the Zero Plastic Club initiative, intending to encourage nightclubs to stop selling single-use plastic water bottles entirely within the next two years.




“We are calling upon other clubs to voluntarily join us on this journey, and commit to eliminating plastic water bottles from their venues by the end of 2024,” Guitteau continues. “Live music is one of the most polluting cultural sectors. We don’t have time to wait around for laws to be created. By the end of 2024, we choose to become key actors of the environmental transition for our spaces and for our communities, despite the indisputable risk we run of losing a major income source.”




Clubs are essential nightlife spaces. They are vital to any territory’s social cohesion and cultural diversity. These areas foster communication and social harmony while acting as safe havens for numerous communities. Bye Bye Plastic has inspired thousands of DJs and event promoters to back the initiative since launching in 2018 through the #PlasticFreeParty movement. They invite every club to sign up and take the initiative toward plastic-free dancefloors.




To get involved, check out their website.






French Nightclubs Come Together for Plastic-free Dancefloors

The three music mavens got behind the decks to deliver a multi-genre show in Brooklyn’s Good Room on Tuesday, February 14. It’s safe to say that the Pangbourne House Mafia (PHM)—which refers to the house where Fred Again.., Four Tet, and Skrillex stayed together in England while working last year—delivered a stellar four-hour set.




“This show was absolutely phenomenal,” says attendee Daniel Scott. “It was amazing from start to finish. I hit the lottery.”




The trio announced the surprise show on Tuesday afternoon, and tickets went on sale shortly after, selling out immediately. They performed another pop-up show on Thursday, February 16, and announced a massive set at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, February 18, where tickets also sold out at high speed on Wednesday, February 15.






The Tuesday event went down at Good Room, a small venue located in Brooklyn. Fred Again.. had teased a run of New York City shows on his Discord server, posting, “02.15-19 PHM NYC.”




“I love how excited they were to play an intimate Valentine’s [Day] show for us,” says attendee Alex Genito. “To see the support and care they give each other is a beautiful thing to see—brotherly love bonded by music.”




Fred Again.., Skrillex, and Four Tet played numerous hit tracks, including “Butterflies,” “Jungle,” “Hannah (the sun),” “Billie (loving arms),” “Delilah (pull me out of this),” and, of course, “Turn on the Lights again...” and “Rumble.” The trio indeed played a set across a variety of genres, with Skrillex even coming in hot with the classic hit “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites.” The three teased their collaborative track, only hinting at it instead of providing an official statement.




“[I] love how relaxed [they] were, like they were just hanging out and playing a show for their close friends,” says attendee Yvonne Thea.




Skrillex has been off the radar as of late, but he has emerged in recent months donning a new look of shorter hair, leaving behind his long, curly locks and glasses. He marked his recent return with his “Rumble” collaboration with Fred Again.. and Flowdan. Skrillex released his single “Don’t Get Too Close,” featuring Bibi Bourelly, on Monday, February 13. His new album “Quest for Fire” dropped on Friday, February 17, which includes a flurry of top artists such as Missy Elliot, PEEKABOO, Pete Wentz, Noisa, and Porter Robinson. Four Tet has also been on the down low as of late, however, he’ll be emerging from the studio for a run of massive upcoming shows in New York City, Los Angeles, and London, featuring lighting by Squidsoup.




“Fred Again.., Skrillex, and Four Set truly delivered,” says attendee Karrah Goldberg. “They matched our energy and created an immaculate vibe for everyone to dance to. Especially with Skrillex keeping such a low profile lately, it was dope to see his new look and tease some new music. More Brooklyn pop-up shows, please!”

Fred Again.., Skrillex, and Four Tet Play a Sold-Out Pop-Up Show in New York City 

The most anticipated weekend in the Ibiza clubbing calendar awaits - BBC Radio 1 has announced the return of its acclaimed Dance Weekend to the white isle for 2023.

For those unfamiliar, BBC Radio 1 is the largest, most popular and most listened to radio station in the UK, airing an around-the-clock program of fresh new dance music from the most exciting upcoming and established artists.

Every year during peak summer, BBC R1 takes to Ibiza for an extended weekend of live broadcasts and explosive sets from the best artists and DJs in the scene right now.

Friday, July 28   is the start date you are looking for, with the program continuing through to Sunday, July 30  (which, from experience, typically means a Monday morning finish), don't worry you've got plenty of time to plan your trip accordingly.

Announced by the long-reigning host of BBC R1's Friday night Dance Party, tastemaker and DJ Danny Howard proudly confirmed the unexpected change of venue for this year's weekender live on air during his weekly slot.

Formerly broadcasted from the island's most famous sunset spot Cafè Mambo as well as from live takeovers at some the island's best venues, this year the BBC are taking it up a notch to give us a weekend like we’ve never seen. 

The eccentric 528 Ibiza (former home of the island’s infamous Zoo Project party) will be taking the lead for 2023. The first time hosting an event of this caliber, the quirky venue will lay on four epic stages including Radio 1 Dance, Radio 1’s Dance Anthems, Radio 1 Relax, and BBC Music Introducing.

Keeping us firmly on our toes, they have revealed the first five names on the line-up and as always, they have not disappointed. Eats Everything, Hannah Wants, Fisher, Patrick Topping, and LP Giobbi are set for San Antonio at the end of July, with many more names still to be announced. Keep your eyes peeled.

With international flights currently at the cheapest they’re likely to be, now is the time to act and get booking your once in-a-lifetime vacation to the White Isle.

For now, we’ll leave you with a knockout set from Diplo recorded live at Café Mambo, for Radio 1’s Dance Weekend 2022.

You can buy tickets from 02.24.23. 


The Most Anticipated Weekend in Ibiza: BBC Radio 1 Dance Weekend 

ULTRA Worldwide’s esteemed underground concept, RESISTANCE is coming home in 2023. This spring, the global events brand debuts its inaugural U.S. residency at M2, the newest nightlife hotspot in Miami Beach. With an impressive first wave of Season 1 headliners and epic showcases scheduled for Miami Music Week, RESISTANCE Miami might become the hottest residency in the States.




For the last eight years, RESISTANCE has transformed into a global powerhouse in underground curation. Their stunning programming and formidable lineups have graced stages across 35 countries. Always known to swing big, RESISTANCE debuted its first-ever residency in Ibiza at the world’s largest nightclub, Privilege, in 2017. The following year, only in its sophomore season, RESISTANCE Ibiza was awarded the coveted title of ‘Best Ibiza Night 2018’ by DJ Awards.




Following three award-winning years in Ibiza, ULTRA will now launch its inaugural U.S. club residency. From Ultra Festival’s beloved hometown of Miami Beach, RESISTANCE Miami will transport the fully-immersive Ibiza clubbing experience to America for the first time. The new home base will be M2, the newly-minted nightclub in the heart of the Art Deco District.




“The RESISTANCE Ibiza club residency at Privilege is legendary on the island, and now we’re bringing the magic of that immersive underground clubbing experience home to showcase in Miami,” Ultra Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO Russell Faibisch says.




RESISTANCE Miami will kick off during the illustrious Miami Music Week in March 2023. To start the weekend, Adam Beyer and his highly-regarded imprint Drumcode will do an official label takeover on Thursday, March 23. On Friday, RESISTANCE hosts British underground legends Sasha & John Digweed for the duo’s exclusive Miami Music Week performance. ULTRA rounds out its MMW debut with another underground event on Saturday and the Official MMW Closing Party on Sunday, March 26, with headliners yet to be announced. 




After another pop-up of various events during Race Week in early May, RESISTANCE will begin its weekly Saturday programming on Halloween weekend and run through to the closing party on May 11, 2024.




Their first round of Season 1 headliners include a bevy of underground titans. Performers include fast-rising Italian talent Anfisa Letyago, illustrious Ultra veteran Carl Cox, DJ Mag 2022 Alternative #1 DJ Charlotte De Witte, Italian producer Enrico Sangiuliano, Claude VonStroke b2b Green Velvet as Get Real, Oliver Heldens’ darker moniker HI-LO b2b contemporary techno-wizard Layton Giordani, and many more.




In true ULTRA fashion, The debut season of RESISTANCE Miami promises to curate an elevated nightlife experience for both VIP guests and dance floor denizens, soundtracked by the world’s most celebrated house and techno maestros.



Ultra’s RESISTANCE Debuts Inaugural U.S. Club Residency at M2 in Miami

What started as a stage concept at the 2015 edition of Ultra Buenos Aires now encompasses events across the globe and a residency at Privilege Ibiza (from 2017-2019). Now, RESISTANCE is returning to the city where Ultra Music Festival started. Ultra Worldwide has announced RESISTANCE Miami, an event series slated to kick off at M2 in 2023.



RESISTANCE became a fixture of Ultra gatherings at a crucial turning point in which a new generation of dance music fans began to outgrow commercial EDM in favor of techno and house. Headliners like Adam Beyer, Chris Liebing, Hot Since 82, Sasha, and John Digweed have performed on iconic RESISTANCE stages such as the Arcadia Spider and Carl Cox Megastructure. 





In the years since its inception, RESISTANCE has become a staple at events in 35 countries as well as full-fledged tours through Latin America. 2017 marked the debut of the concept's first club residency, RESISTANCE Ibiza. Lineups for the series have included headliners such as Seth Troxler, Charlotte de Witte, Loco Dice, and Joris Voorn.



The flagship M2 is a well-known New York City club that opened in the 2000s whose Miami incarnation is located in the 35,000-square foot space at 1235 Washington Avenue. In 1935 the historic venue housed The French Casino; it would go on to become Prince's club Grand Slam, Club Z, Club 1235, Paragon, Level, and most recently, Mansion. Its new tenants have spent millions on renovations, and RESISTANCE Miami attendees will get to enjoy the event brand's distinctive atmosphere across two floors.



"In addition to booking some of the most sought-after underground acts, RESISTANCE promises to curate an elevated nightlife experience for both VIP guests and dance floor denizens," according to a press release. Ultra Worldwide has yet to announce dates or artist billings for RESISTANCE Miami at the time of writing. 





Ultra Worldwide Announces First-Ever U.S. RESISTANCE Club Residency 

Vinyl sales have been on a steady incline for 15 years, fueled mainly by a thirst for the nostalgia of physical media. Sales are nowhere near their 1970s peak of 530 million units per year. Yet, in 2021, vinyl consumption eclipsed CDs for the first time since 1986 with 17 million sales. As seductive as the pure analog sounds from those black plastic discs may be, they do irreparable damage to the environment. The process used to produce PVC vinyl is responsible for 12 times the greenhouse gas emissions of other physical media.




Evolution Music has developed an innovative solution that draws from the natural world. In partnership with Bye Bye Plastic, they've created the first record made entirely from bacteria. Classed as a PHA, a group of sustainable materials made from microorganisms, the plastic-free innovation is compostable and biodegradable in any environment, even the ocean. If a PHA record eventually enters the sea, it can provide nutrients for living organisms.




It's also a fully sustainable and scaleable solution for traditional pressing plants. The process uses the existing vinyl manufacturing infrastructure and is energy efficient. Evolution Music observed a 10-15% savings in energy costs in manufacturing the product.




The first release on the groundbreaking biopolymer record will be a physical pressing of #PlasticFreeParty, the album curated by Parisian duo Chambord for BLOND: ISH-led label Abracadabra.




The album's 14 artists—including Shiba San, BLOND:ISH, Millad, Luzi Tudor, and Urmet K—have all committed to Bye Bye Plastic's Eco-Rider, promising to request that the venues they perform in have a plastic-free DJ booth.




If you ask audiophiles why they chase vinyl, it's always the robust and warm sound quality. There's nothing like setting the needle down on a record and hearing that faint crackle. It's taken Evolution Music four years to fine-tune the sonics to ensure top-drawer audio quality.




"Creating a robust non-toxic alternative to PVC is one thing. Getting the material to press and sound like traditional vinyl is another," says Marc Carey, CEO of Evolution Music. "We are seeing incremental improvements in the sound quality. The Evo-Vinyl product still has some surface noise in the lead, but it is barely audible. We hope to achieve the same great sound with this next bio compound."




Bye Bye Plastic co-founder Camille Guitteau explained in a press release that a green wave is set to take over the dance music industry. "This is a HUGE milestone, not just for us as a collective, but for the entire vinyl industry. We're helping our industry, and the planet evolve in the right direction."




Bye Bye Plastic and Evolution Music are leading the way to a more sustainable future and protecting the most important dancefloor we have, the planet. 



Pre-order the very limited edition version on Bandcamp. All proceeds from the release will support Bye Bye Plastic Foundation.

Bye Bye Plastic and Evolution Music Create First LP Made From Bacteria

Dance music imprint Anjunabeats has partnered with MIT’s Environmental Solutions Initiative on a dynamic environmental project to engage music fans about climate change and foster awareness about sustainability. With this collaborative project, the label ultimately hopes to convey a plethora of actionable solutions that music enthusiasts and those who care about the climate on a more expansive scale may begin to take small steps on a personal scale to contribute positively to the bigger fight against climate change.




The partnership with MIT’S Environmental Solutions Initiative will enable the label to “apply scientific rigor in our sustainability efforts,” said Anna Johnson, the label’s Sustainability and Environment Officer. “Music events provide an opportunity for testing new ideas and experimentation around pressing global challenges. We hope the Gorge project contributes to a growing body of research with the objective to scale-up sustainable behavior changes.”







MIT’s initiative will use multi-disciplinary research (yes, they’re tapping into more than just tech and engineering experts for this collaboration), education, events, and partnerships to help propel our society toward a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.







Directly raising awareness through live music and art is Egyptian-born Boston-based recording artist Norhan Magdy Bahomi, better known by her artist name, Nourey. The MIT Ph.D. student-producer conducted a pilot study at Above & Beyond’s Gorge Weekender event earlier this summer.







According to the label, her climate study was active for 16 hours, and more than 500 people experienced the interactive augmented reality ‘Art Wall’ experience she created. The Anjunabeats artist said she believes that “music unites us, and so can science and Technology.”







“During the ABGT weekender this year, we were blessed with the opportunity to work with Anjunabeats/Involved Group on a beta project for Climate communication. Fusing AR technology with collaborative arts, we believe this could be a stepping stone in a broad space where audiences can better engage in climate change issues during live events,” said Nourey.







Professor John E. Fernandez, head of MIT’s ESI program, shared his excitement for the Egyptian producer’s project and the newly unveiled collaborative project with Anjunabeats.




“Working with Anjunabeats at the Gorge was a unique experience in projecting into the future – a more climate aware, sustainable, and equitable future. Bringing science into the heart of a music experience is not only a powerful way in which to engage people on the challenges of climate change but also inspires the potential for transformation. Anjunabeats has been a leader on these issues, and MIT has deep expertise and engagement activities on climate change and many other environmental challenges. Working together at the Gorge proved that there is much we can do to enhance learning and prompt real action for a better planet,” said the professor.







A presentation on the study’s findings will be unveiled at a special live-streamed event on Zoom and Twitch on Wednesday, September 21, at 11:30 EST. The stream will be hosted collaboratively by MIT and Anjunabeats as part of the ongoing sustainability project initiated by the revered music imprint.

Anjunabeats Partners with Tech Institution for Climate Change Study

Located on Kudryavska Street in Kyiv, Ukraine, newly opened ABO Records is doing their best to convey a feeling of normalcy for their community.



Founded last month by three music-enthusiast friends, Amir Hanani, Borys Stepanenko, and Oleh Baranovskyi, the store was set up at an abandoned liquor factory. Faced with a complete absence of music gatherings due to the ongoing conflict in their country, the friends decided the time to begin their well-intentioned business endeavor was now.



"The idea to open the store was in our mind for a while," the founders told Resident Advisor. "Now, while all our clubs remain closed due to war, we took the plunge."



An “alternative place” to dial in and relax with other musicians, producers, and music lovers, the shop is becoming a hub for the community at large, which spans fans of electronic music and vinyl collectors.



"We live in truly dark times, but still try to remain optimistic and are happy to see people visiting us and digging into records for hours," they shared.



The friends explained that though it hasn’t been very easy so far opening a business during a war, they reckon that their vinyl shop will be paramount in keeping their community’s morale up and their DJ scene alive.



"Even in such dark days, we want to keep it going," the friends said.





Currently, abo records’ stock includes vinyl that spans house, techno, ambient, downtempo, breaks, and trance.



The store owners believe that helping their community is vital to also provide aid for the Ukrainian soldiers fighting in the war. As such, a percentage of what the abo records shop makes in profits will go toward helping Ukrainian soldiers and a foundation for local volunteers.



The vinyl shop is open on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 4 PM through 9 PM.

New Record Shop Opens in Kyiv, Ukraine

A drug testing clinic in Canberra, Australia, determined that 40 percent of all cocaine tested was tainted with coke-less substances. The facility’s service, CanTest, is Australia’s first on-site pill and drug checking service. The researchers examined cocaine from 58 samples for the study. All cocaine tested by CanTest indicated purity levels below 30%, and 40% of the samples contained no cocaine at all.




Researchers led by Associate Professor Malcolm McLeod at the Australian National University’s (ANU) Research School of Chemistry determined that samples were cut with fillers like dimethyl sulfone, sugar, and talc.




Of the Ketamine samples tested, much of them contained a majority of the substance. Only 65% of MDMA samples had the majority of the drug, and heroin samples tested indicated purity levels ranging from 31% to 63%.




The study’s findings provide an insight into what kinds of drugs are sold in the local market, explained the professor in a report by the Guardian. “They also suggest the service is reaching a far-broader cross-section of the drug-taking community than what was possible from Australia’s first festival-based pill testing services conducted in previous years,” he shared.




The CanTest clinic service won’t adjourn until after six months. The trial run is a collaborative effort with a few of Australia’s pioneering health, harm prevention, and drug testing organizations: Directions Health Services, CAMHA, Pill Testing Australia, and ACT Heath.




An Associate Professor from ANU’s medical school, David Caldecott, who maneuvered the study and guided researchers throughout it, shared that he felt it was vital to engage “a new generation of young consumers, many of whom have never sought advice on their drug consumption before.”




As the drug overdose death toll numbers continue to climb across North America from tainted fentanyl and cocaine consumption, studies like this could pivot the conversation surrounding the opening of drug testing sites to move forward.

Australian Drug Clinic Finds 40 Percent of Cocaine is Coke-less

Nearly 1,500 pounds of alleged cocaine was seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the U.S.-Mexico border, according to officials. The estimated street value of the narcotics is $11.8 million.



Approximately 1,500 pounds of cocaine was seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers on Friday, August 26 at the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge—the US-Mexico border—shared the agency in a news release.



“Officers assigned to CBP cargo facilities ensure effective border security by preventing and countering the flow of suspected narcotics entering the country,” said the Port Director Alberto Flores of the Laredo Port of Entry. “This seizure is a prime example of border security management and how it helps prevent dangerous narcotics from reaching our communities.”



The shipment’s street value totaled over $11,800,000. Colombia-Solidarity Bridge officers at the site on Friday recommended that a 2016 Stoughton trailer toting the massive shipment of baby wipes receive a second inspection. The truck was then pulled aside to get an extensive canine and non-intrusive examination. The exam revealed the discovery of “1,935 packages containing 1,532.65 pounds of alleged cocaine within the shipment.”



CBP has since seized the narcotics and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations agents continue to investigate the expensive shipment.







Director of Operations Randy Howe of the CBP office in Laredo called the bust a “colossal, recording setting seizure” and the "largest cocaine bust in 20 years" in a tweet on Monday. 



According to Border agents, drug seizures have been on a downward trend this summer.  In June and July they reported that they found a shipment of alleged cocaine worth more than $600,000 hidden in the tires of a trailer said to be shipping juice. They also found over $1M of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine at the same border crossing hidden in a shipment of statues.





Seized Shipment of Baby Wipes at US Border Revealed $11.8 Billion Worth of Cocaine

House heads, it’s that time of year to make the annual pilgrimage to the place where it all began—Chicago. ARC Music Festival is returning to the birthplace of house music once more this weekend September 2-4 with its biggest lineup to date.

Featuring some of house and techno's most iconic talents, and plenty of emerging and local acts, this is one multi-day event you won’t want to miss.

From 2:00 pm until 10:00 pm each day, immerse yourself into the genre that was born in the Windy City.



ARC weekend is a music festival experience that’s as dynamic as it is euphoric. As a festival-goer, prepare to traverse between the vibracious Grid stage, the eccentric party players of Spain’s elrow and make your way to the cavernous Expansions stage, where you’ll find groovers and dance floor heaters.



The expansive city-wide celebration of house music carries over into the after hours for those who have the stamina to keep the momentum winding, from dusk until dawn.



ARC’s After Dark parties are hosted at event venues all across Chicago once festivities end for the day. Find tickets for an array of ARC After Dark parties here.

The three-day festival’s lineup features house icons continuing to champion the genre alongside performances from local and international rising talents. This year's Friday’s ARC headliners include ANNA, Ann Clue, Boris Brejcha, Chris Lake, Cloonee, De La Swing, Eats Everything, Hiroko Yamamura, Kasablanca, Lane 8, Miane, Moritz Hofbauer, Nora En Pure, Pan-Pot, Richie Hawtin, Sama’ Abdulhadi, Skream, and Tini Gessler.







House and techno heavyweights set to perform on Saturday include Carl Cox, Carl Craig, Charlotte de Witte, Chelina Manuhutu, Derrick Carter, DJ Lady D, Enrico Sangiuliano, Gene Farris, Honey Dijon, Joseph Capriati, Maher Daniel, Mark Farina, Mike Dunn, Paco Osuna, Ricardo Villalobos, Ron Carroll, and Seth Troxler.



Sunday’s ARC headliners include some of the most eclectic and revered selectors in the scene. Acid Pauli and Adam Beyer who will be playing alongside Cirez D, Ben Böhmer, Claptone, DJ Tennis, DJ Three, Fatboy Slim, Giolì & Assia, Gorgon City, Justin Martin, Kryptogram, Öona Dahl, Vintage Culture, and Wax Motif.







Complete set times for all three days of ARC are listed below along with a map of the festival grounds.



ARC Music Festival 2022 Set Times are Here

Renowned Berlin mainstay Watergate will celebrate its 20th anniversary this month, with exclusive commemorative items, showcases, events, and festivities to commence leading into the end of the year.



An iconic venue for locals and the international music community, Watergate has announced several events, a vinyl compilation, and a fashion collaboration to commemorate 20 years of music, parties, and culture.


The esteemed venue will be hosting a Watergate 20-year showcase at three locations this summer, beginning with the W Algarve in Albufeira, Portugal. This vibrant coastal city has a busy nightlife strip and has become a popular holiday destination. Headliners include Hamburg DJ Matthias Meyer, maximal house DJ Kristin Velvet, and Hyenah.



Next, Watergate residents will take over the Tanzhaus West nightclub in Frankfurt, Germany on September 3. Artists headlining the special 20th-anniversary event include Anja Schneider, Ede, Extrawelt, Jamiie, and Matthias Meyer.


The third showcase this summer takes place at SAGE, a beach bar, and cultural center in Sage Beach, Berlin. The celebration, OPEN AIR 2.0, will see performances by the club’s residents Ede and Jamiie once more as well as DJEFF, Gheist, and JOPLYN.



Richie Hawtin, Maceo Plex, Acid Pauli, and Solomun are slated to play the club in October while a collaborative fashion endeavor from Irie Daily that “matches the club's culture” is set to launch the same month. It will offer an "old-school club tracksuit,” as well as hoodies, T-shirts, and other stylish, commemorative accessories.




A special triple gatefold vinyl, aptly named 'Watergate 20 Years’, will be released by the imprint in November. The selections will span artists from within the in-house label, featuring 20 exclusive tracks by artists which include Solomun, Anja Schneider, Adana Twins, Joplyn, Kollektiv Turmstrasse, and Extrawelt.


Tickets to the 20th-anniversary showcase events and more information about the upcoming festivities are available on the venue’s official website now.


Berlin's Watergate Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Music brand Roland, creator if the iconic 808, 909, and 303, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month with the grand opening of its first brick-and-mortar showroom in London. The new building—Roland’s first independent store to open and operate in the city—will sit on Denmark Street in the very center of London.



The official-unofficial birthplace of the British music industry, Denmark Street has been seen as a notorious hot spot over the years for artists to recharge and produce music. Elton John, David Bowie, and the Sex Pistols have all frequented the spot located in the heart of London.



A collaborative effort, the new store will grant customers the opportunity to glimpse new and vintage music items, gear, and equipment by the brand and its guitar pedal manufacturer-partner, Boss. The Japanese manufacterer has been a division of Roland for years, specializing in niche music equipment and accessories—an apt addition to the brand’s first London showroom.


Visitors will be able to access onsite workshops, masterclasses, and book demonstrations in advance for all Roland and Boss products—with vintage products to occasionally be included with this service throughout the year as well.



In addition, a Jupiter-X synthesizer donning black keys and unique gold accents will be on display at the store. The company only made a handful to celebrate their half-centennial milestone.



Staffed by Roland Product Specialists who are ready to help guide and equip customers with knowledge on all things Roland, the London store will also serve as a hub for visitors to explore Boss products and the brand’s latest releases.


Roland Europe’s CEO David Vazquez shared his delight on the brand in a statement issued: “We’re delighted to be able to support our customers in central London, and our retail partners nationwide, by showcasing an exciting range of Roland and BOSS products in a brand new Denmark Street showroom.”



The CEO continued, “Having retailed in Central London previously, both in Harrods and the Virgin Megastore, we’re excited to return to this iconic music location. Our aim is to once again let musicians experience a wider range of products not currently available in Central London.”



An apt celebration of Roland’s 50th Anniversary, the store-showroom is open in London now. Visit Roland Store London online for more information.


Roland Opens its First Showroom in London

DEF is Atlanta’s leading underground music and arts collective. The organization is championing a contemporary movement of music and culture with consistently sold-out monthly parties. DEF events often take place in secluded warehouses and unconventional places like skateparks and tunnels.

Filmed cinematically the Boiler Room-esque parties are unruly, engaging, dimly lit, and headlined by tenured and rising talents. The woman-owned and operated collective is uniquely attuned to emerging artists and trends of the underground. 


Artists like Dr. Fresch, Alix Perez, Freak On, Sara Landry, Shades, HELLBOUND, and SOHMI have all joined DEF’s growing roster of performers. Their latest underground events endeavor has finally been unveiled after weeks of speculation online. The ØFFLINE Project is an expansive multi-day music and arts event is taking place in the heart of Atlanta in October.



The two-day event, taking place on October 7-8, will feature some of the most acclaimed acts and emerging talents spanning house, trap, and bass. While information about the multi-day event’s location and complete lineup have not been revealed, what is known is that it will take place at “a warehouse less than ten minutes away from Downtown Atlanta.”

The ØFFLINE Project’s partial lineup includes a plethora of some of house music’s most revered headliners: A-Trak, Boys Noize, Baauer, Chris Lorenzo, and J. Worra.



Drum and Bass music duo Chase & Status, who have taken the reigns of Ibiza's only D&B residency Louder, will also perform.

Also on the lineup is the undisputed queen of Jersey Club, UNIIQU3; King of the spicy edit Wuki, Prospa, Nitepunk, and X&G. South African bass producer Chee and experimental bass act Jon Casey will perform an exclusive B2B session as ‘IT HZ.’



Among the headliners announced on August 23, supporting acts include multi-genre maven Mija, industrial pop producer girl_irl, Kyle Kinch, DJ Craze, MIZE, Township Rebellion, and more to be announced in the following weeks.


Tickets for DEF’s ØFFLINE Project are available for purchase now. 2-Day, 2-DAY PLUS, and 2-DAY (4 Pack) wristbands may be purchased here.

DEF Collective is Atlanta's Underground Gem

Beatport is dealing with fallout from an investigative report on its company culture by Annabel Ross. Black Artist Database (BAD) has suspended its partnership with the download store’s editorial arm, Beatportal.




Writing for Vice, Ross compiled anonymous allegations of sexism, racism, and bullying to paint a picture of a toxic workplace festering in various Beatport offices during the tumultuous years after its parent company, SFX Entertainment, declared bankruptcy. They involved CEO Robb McDaniels, who allegedly said “African tribesmen have been killing each other since the dawn of day” during a meeting on the company’s public response to the 2020 George Floyd protests, as well as general managers Terry Weerasinge and Romain Pouillon, who allegedly accused an employee of having sex with an executive.




“In light of the allegations regarding the safety of Beatport’s workplace for Black employees highlighted in a piece published by Vice yesterday (August 23 2022), alleging racist, sexist, and bullying behaviors by Beatport management, Black Artist Database is immediately suspending the partnership between ourselves and Beatportal, pending further internal review,” reads a statement from BAD. “Once we have conducted our internal review, we will return with a further course of action.”




BAD’s statement went on to say that the platform, a discovery tool for finding music by artists of color launched in 2020, will be forced to pull out of an August 28th event called The Carni Dance “due to a license issue” stemming from the Beatport situation. “Unfortunately, the timing has meant we’ll be unable to secure another venue with as much care as we apply to our events, so we have made the decision to cancel,” it reads.




Beatport was launched in 2004 by Bradley Roulier, Jonas Tempel, and Eloy Lopez in Denver, Colorado, offering an online music marketplace as the proliferation of CDJs increased the demand for electronic music MP3 downloads. It was acquired by SFX Entertainment in 2013; the international electronic music conglomerate rebranded as LiveStyle following its bankruptcy.




Beatport has not publicly responded to the allegations in Annabel Ross’ report at the time of writing.




Black Artist Database Suspends Beatportal Deal Over Racism, Sexism Allegations

Simon Dunmore, owner, and CEO of Defected Records, announced today that he would step away from his position at the helm of the iconic label group and cultural institution. He will hand over the role of CEO and co-owner to his longtime partner Wez Saunders.



In a statement posted on Instagram today, he said, "My last post as owner of Defected & Glitterbox. It’s been a wild but rewarding journey...an incredible ride. 23 years of iconic memories. Way more highs than lows.
Few get the privilege of working on incredible music with inspirational artists and dedicated staff…there are far too many to mention, but I thank each and every one of them. My intuition has guided me well, and I have decided that for the company to continue its progressive journey that it needs a new approach, fresh energy."



Dunmore founded Defected in 1999 with funding from Ministry of Sound. The label's first release, "I Can't Get Enough" by Soulsearcher, was a rousing success hitting number five on the UK Singles Chart. The label has been home to countless club stomping classics like Paul Johnson's "Get Get Down," Dennis Ferrer's "Hey Hey," and more recently, John Summit's breakthrough hit "Deep End."







"We first set sail on January 1st, 1999. Waving the flag for the culture we love, we marauded our way through the music industry," Dunmore continued in his statement. "Our mission was simple. Build a global reputation & a catalogue that someday might be considered alongside the great labels that always inspired me…..Strictly Rhythm, Philadelphia International, Salsoul, Prelude."



Over the last two decades, Defected has had 650 releases and built a label group that encompasses some of dance music's most celebrated imprints, including Glitterbox, Classic Music Company, DFTD, and sixteen others. They've become a staple in Ibiza, and their festivals in London and Croatia continue to wave the flag of inclusivity and universal love.



Dunmore says he will not entirely step away from the label he built from the ground up. "I am not abandoning ship and I’ll continue to be part of the Defected’s campaigns as consultant to the a&r team," he explained.



Wez Saunders, who will take over as CEO, has been with Defected for almost a decade. Dunmore said, "All captains need a first mate to steady the ship and lead the crew. Wez Saunders has been my right hand man for 8 years. Together we navigated Defected into prolific times, built an incredible team and a treasure chest of masters and publishing catalogue’s."



Among the treasured items in Defected's publishing catalog is a credit on Beyonce's recent RENAISSANCE album. The track "Cozy" was co-produced by Honey Dijon, Defected is listed as a publisher.



With dance music moving into a new era, Dunmore explained the importance of passing the torch.



"It is important to me that there is a continuum. A continuation keeping the company structure, maintaining Defected’s approach to quality music and events. To continue to deliver our promises and obligations to our community, our artists, staff, and all those that have helped us get here……Collectively we will discover new treasures. House Music All Life Long!"

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