House music lovers look no further for their festival desert getaway. Three-weekend festival Splash House has announced its June 2022 lineup, celebrating its ninth year in Palm Springs, June 10-12. The triple weekend festival returns to the Renaissance, Margaritaville, and Saguaro resorts, and its roster looks to include all forms of house music. So if you're feeling the post-Coachella blues, Splash House has solidified itself as a summer festival staple.




The June lineup includes super-producer, and DJ Diplo, DJ sets by Hayden James and Channel Tres, future-funk producer Yung Bae, indie electronic artist Shallou, and a true technician behind the decks UK artist Hannah Wants.




Australian producer Kito, house producer Jerro, and producer/singer-songwriter Pauline Herr will also make their Splash House debut. The lineup also includes rare b2b sets from Manila Killa & Chet Porter, and Dombresky & Noizu.




On the late-night tip, an after-hours party with Duke Dumont and Yotto will take place on an open-air dance floor under the stars at Palm Springs Air Museum.




Spread out between the three resorts, Splash House looks to provide festival-goers a pool-side getaway with resort amenities, including pool-side stages, panoramic balcony views, and pool decks for dancing. All hotel packages include a 3-night stay at the hotel of your choice, general admission to the festival, and shuttle transportation between the three resorts.




June passes are on-sale May 6th at noon PT. All currently available pass types and hotel package options can be viewed at splashhouse.com. General admission passes for the June edition start at $189. Guests must be 21+.




Follow Splash House on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.



Palm Springs Festival Splash House Announces June 2022 Line-up

Avant Gardner has unveiled their programming and a massive renovation for the highly-awaited season opening of The Brooklyn Mirage. The return of one of the nation’s most uniquely designed outdoor venues is finally upon us, with a stacked calendar running from May to October.




The venue’s remodel features a gorgeously intricate design centered around a one-of-a-kind massive video wall displaying over 1000 LED panels at 15k ultra-wide resolution. A custom-built roof caps the stage creating a breathtaking floating effect thanks to its modular spaceframe system.




“The Mirage was always meant to adapt and change, to appear and to disappear. Every new generation of the Mirage innovates with new custom methods of building modular structures, as well as with non-traditional use of the latest multi-media and entertainment technology available,” Billy Bildstein, Avant Gardner’s founder, owner, and chief creative officer, explained In a press release. “This year we’re introducing the third generation of our Mirage concept and while it will bring a lot of improvements and upgrades and will set new standards on many levels, we found a way to keep the soul of the last generations alive.”




Other touches include new immersive and interactive areas dispersed throughout the grounds for attendees to explore and enhanced unobstructed views of the spectacular new stage no matter where in the venue attendees reside. The Brooklyn Mirage continues to revolutionize the concept of live music venues.




Easily New York City’s most praised live music venue, Avant Gardner and The Brooklyn Mirage, never cease to amaze attendees with unparalleled production and exquisite hospitality. The new and improved Brooklyn Mirage also upgraded its food and beverage options for 2022.




This year’s Brooklyn Mirage opening weekend kicks off with quite the lineup. Internationally admired progressive house DJ and producer Alesso will take over the decks on Thursday, May 5th, and Friday, May 6th, to christen the newly redesigned Mirage.




On Saturday, May 7th, The Cityfox Experience: Regenerate will take attendees straight to house and techno heaven with Dixon, Ida Ingberg, Stephan Bodzin (Live), The Martinez Brothers, Tony y Not, and Colyn.




The first captivating weekend of the season closes out on Sunday, May 8th, with the 25th-anniversary daytime celebration of Body & Soul with François K, Joe Claussell, and Danny Krivit.




Later this season, the Mirage celebrates the summer with Charlotte de Witte, David Guetta, Disclosure, Gorgon City, Kaskade (Redux), Boris Brejcha, MK, Nora En Pure, Tiësto, and many more.




The Brooklyn Mirage will also host legendary event brand takeovers by All Day I Dream, Anjunabeats b2b Anjunadeep, Boiler Room, Honey Dijon’s Ladyland Festival, Drumcode, Nora En Pure’s Purified, and elrow.

Brooklyn Mirage Unveils a Breathtaking New Redesign

After a stellar first year Auris Presents, the team behind ARC Music Festival persists in proving that they want to be at the forefront of the house and techno festival scene. Their debut edition of ARC in Chicago last year was only the beginning. The upcoming iteration on Labor Day Weekend (September 2-4) will blow attendees away. 




ARC stunned with an even more in-depth lineup drop. Pulling in superstars such as Acid Pauli, Pan-Pot, De La Swing, Mark Farina, and Öona Dahl to grace the decks. The stacked initial lineup for ARC already included legendary artists like Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, Fatboy Slim, Skream, and Gene Ferris. This announcement only heightens the appetite to attend.




ARC also announced other artists playing the ARC Car Stage. The GoodBus is a converted school bus with a mean 10,000-watt speaker system. Set to host supporting artists including Alex Kislov, Dangerwayne, Dani Deahl, and to be announced which true to form with the main bill will bring some heat to the tunes.




Additionally, beloved party conglomerate Elrow has announced its theme for their festival stage, Rowmuda Triangle. Elrow’s stage design, entertainers, and hijinx have made them one the most celebrated party purveyors in the world. So anticipate a party of epic proportions at their wildly curated stage in the Windy City.




As with the first-year, attendees can expect, on top of a world-class lineup, a specially and carefully curated exhibition stacked with elements and art to usher them between four distinctly different and immersive stage environments. All while truly showcasing Chicago’s distinct and beloved culinary scene and showcasing what midwest festivals are all about.




GA, VIP, and VIP+ pass for ARC Music Festival are on sale now via their website.



ARC Music Festival's Stunning Lineup Keeps Getting Better

UK super producer, songwriter, and performer SG Lewis has now released the electrifying DJ set from his surprise Do LaB performance on Coachella’s weekend one. SG Lewis’ dazzling three-hour DJ set was one of the weekend’s most talked-about surprises, drawing in over ten thousand fans to the Do LaB stage for a mix of atmospheric disco, house, and a range of eclectic stylings.


As the creators of Lightning In A Bottle and Coachella’s most immersive stage, Do LaB has built a strong reputation on the Polo Fields for hosting legendary electronic acts alongside next-generation rising stars. One of the stage’s most anticipated aspects is its nightly surprise headliners, with SG Lewis joining other weekend one headliners such as Diplo, Dom Dolla b2b John Summit, and Subtronics. Weekend two welcomed Yung Bae b2b Madeon, Hayden James, LP Giobbi, and DJ Hanzel aka Dillon Francis.


Many of these secret sets are only experienced onsite and quickly fade away into the public consciousness as a singular moment in time. SG decided to release this special set for fans to relive the magic or experience it for the first time.


“The 3-hour set at the Do LaB was probably my favorite experience DJing to date. The extended slot allowed me time to really dive into genres that inspire my own music, and to build slowly in energy over time,” SG said about the set. “I was hesitant to upload the set, as it felt like one of those moments where you had to be there - but listening back to it brings about so many great memories, and so many of you asked so nicely for it. I’ve never received so many messages about a DJ set before, so thanks to everyone for the lovely words. Chopped off the first 15 mins due to an audio issue, but it took me that long to settle in anyway. Hope this recording brings back some great memories to a lot of you too.”





The thrilling Do LaB experience at Coachella is just a taste of what the brand has in store for this year, including the return of their premier multifaceted boutique festival Lightning in a Bottle. The five-day experience fuses a forward-thinking musical lineup, immersive art installations, and cause-driven educational yoga and art programming within a sprawling lakeside venue in beautiful Buena Vista Lake, California.


Follow SG Lewis on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify | SoundCloud

Follow Do LaB: on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify | SoundCloud





SG Lewis Releases Surprise Coachella Set From the Do LaB 

In time for Earth Day, SkyNRG, CHOOOSE, DGTL Festival, Revolution Foundation, and Bye Bye Plastic Foundation announced their joined forces on a new launch of a new climate action tool named The Climate Gig.


This new application, available on both desktop and mobile, enables artists, fans, and venues to sustainably appreciate live music voyages. With the common goal of reducing the carbon footprint of journeys to and from events with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and/or carbon offsets from ground transportation.


The tool was created by five leading organizations, all with the foundation of sustainable lifestyle changes to benefit long-term climate sustainability while enabling traveling freely to experience global festivals live. There are separate portals for fans and artist with different functions that give greater visibility to the environmental impact of travel.


For music lovers, The Climate Gig computes and recedes the carbon footprint of their trip based on their choices of transportation and travel destination. Fans can then pick any mix of SAF and high-standards carbon offsets to lower the impression associated with that travel.


The fans’ page differs from artists and music venues as the tool offers a more comprehensive view. Allowing artists to create a profile lets them calculate and reduce the carbon footprint of entire events, staff, transport, lodging, and more. It is also feasible to view detailed order history, including access to in-depth climate project content, and track the positive climate impact.


With more to be announced, supporters and endorsed by artists and festivals already using the tool include Deer Jade, SHARE, BLOND:ISH, and DGTL Festival.



DGTL Festival’s Artist Handler Jelle Lobbes said of the project, “When we reached out to artists about this project, we found out most of them were already engaged in more sustainable travel. Agencies already implemented offset programs for their roster and really thought about their journeys. This showed we’re all on the same page and motivated us to join forces and take the next step forward.”


To learn more about the initiative and check out this fantastic new tool, head over to their website at: www.theclimategig.com.





DGTL and Bye Bye Plastic Launch Climate Impact Tracking Tool

The dream of merging the thrill of racing with the art and culture of Miami is coming to life. With leading cryptocurrency exchange FTX partnering with Mercedes AMG, and Club Space for the Miami Beach Race Weekend Sunset on the Sand.

Taking place on The Sand on 10th and Ocean in Miami Beach from May 6 - 8, 2022, the event will deliver constant energy to the event. Local DJs will keep the crowd moving during the day as they explore everything FTX Off The Grid offers. The sunset will bring the transition into a three-night ticketed concert series called Sunset on the Sand produced by David Sinopoli, the man behind III Points and Club Space and Insom. The lineup is exactly what you'd expect from the group behind trendy festivals and 24 hours parties featuring epic sets by Jamie Jones b2b with Michael Bibi, Ms. Mada, Disclosure, Kaytranada, and Jamie XX. 

The event will bring motorsport fans, friends, collaborators, and culture seekers across music, sports, fashion, technology, and hospitality together in one space. It's an unparalleled three-day series of unique and immersive experiences at the intersection of crypto, culture, and cars during the most anticipated race weekend on the sporting calendar. 

Complementing the natural magnificence of Miami Beach, FTX Off The Grid will transform over 165,000 square feet of oceanfront stretch into an "Electric Beach" themed entertainment venue that captures both the city's style and the innovative nature of the blockchain ecosystem and FTX.

Guests can anticipate three exciting days of multilayered activations showcasing first-class entertainment, performances, and surprise musical and celebrity appearances. All topped off with local cuisine and beverages, NFT art galleries and creation stations, a locally inspired fashion show, and Mercedes-AMG car displays. 

To learn more about FTX Off the Grid, including lineup, activities, and schedule, at www.ftxoffthegrid.com



Club Space, III Points, and Insomniac Partner for Sunset on the Sand

For many electronic music fans, the festival lineup is only a piece of the pie when counting down the days to our favorite festivals. As fans dance through the day and into the evening, the real magic often comes alive at after-parties. DJs dig deeper into their record boxes, fans bring more energy, and intimate and unique venues provide the backdrop for truly memorable shows. One of the best underground promoters in the country, Framework, will bless the Coachella fans with three incredible after-parties this year on April 15-17. 

Framework has long been a part of the Coachella after-hours scene, bringing their forward-thinking approach to the desert year after year. Their new Coachella Valley home is a never before used venue at Thermal Airport. To elevate the mood, they are teaming up with Yuma Tent lighting designers SJ Lighting. And for the first time, there will be a walk-in Framework merch pop-up.

On the first night, they will host Purple Disco Machine, SG Lewis, and Jayda G in collaboration with Rhonda to revive the iconic Queen of the Desert concept. Black Coffee will go BTB with the Martinez Brothers on the second night, and Peggy Gou will round out the lineup. To close, Framework is partnering with Las Vegas' Art of the Wild for a special affair, including Bedouin, Dixon, Damian Lazarus BTB Michael Bibi, and Layla Benitez. 




Tickets for all three nights are available below:

Tickets for Rhonda International here

Tickets for Desert Air here

Tickets for Art Of The Wild here 



Framework's Coachella Weekend One Afterparty's Bring the Heat

This week, Miami Beach will declare a state of emergency after a dangerous Spring Break weekend left five people shot. The midnight curfew begins Thursday, March 24, 2022.

City Manager Alina Hudak announced the news in a press conference following two separate incidents on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach.

The curfew will cover all of South Beach, starting on  23rd Street. It begins Thursday and will end Monday, March 28 at 6 am. City policy only allows for an emergency order to extend for 72 hours, so Hudak will push to have the order extend to the following weekend as well.

What this means for events after dark during Miami Music Week is still unclear. Stay tuned to Gray Area for updates.

Miami Beach Declares State of Emergency During Music Week

We Are FSTVL is returning to its home at Damyns Hall Aerodrome, Essex aka The Airfield of Dreams. For almost a decade now, We Are FSTVL has been one of Europe’s most highly regarded electronic and urban music festivals. Set to take place in London over the weekend of August 6-7, We Are FSTVL has unveiled their complete star-studded lineup, headliners and all, for this year’s 2022 iteration.

This year’s We Are FSTVL event, presented by fashion website PrettyLittleThing,​​ will feature performances by Adam Beyer, The Blessed Madonna, CamelPhat, Carl Cox, Jamie Jones, Luciano, The Martinez Brothers, Deborah De Luca, TSHA, Rudimental, LOCO DICE, Dennis Cruz, Michael Bibi, Ferreck Dawn, Sonny Fodera, John Summit, and many more.Five expertly curated stages will be hosted by a plethora of today’s acclaimed artists as well as many of your favorite labels and brands of the likes of: Ibiza’s CircoLoco; label heads from Afterlife and Tale of Us; Defected and their disco offshoot Glitterbox; and UK Drum and Bass heads, CruCast.

Don’t miss out on one of the UK’s biggest FSTVLs to date—get your tickets now at wearefstvl.com.

WE ARE FSTVL Announces Full 2022 Lineup 

Desert Hearts announces the lineup for its 10th anniversary of Desert Hearts Festival, to take place April 28-May 2, 2022.

The festival is sure to deliver its ethos of “house, techno, and love” as it boasts a star-studded lineup including Carl Craig, Doc Martin, Francesa Lombardo, Kevin Knapp, Mary Droppinz, Tara Brooks, Yulia Niko, and, of course, the Desert Hearts crew itself: Mikey Lion, Marbs, Lee Reynolds, and Porky Plus. Indeed, the lineup keeps in step with the eclectic style that the crew is known for.

House and disco will soundtrack beachside daytime raving, with DJ Harvey, Juan MacLean, Ann Foxman, DJ Heather, and Doc Martin delivering the vibes the Desert Hearts community craves. In addition, the melodic subsidiary of Desert Hearts’ parent imprint, Desert Hearts Black, will get behind the decks, growing the music curation. Techno tastemakers Township Rebellion, Yulia Niko, Oscar L, and RINZEN are also slated to perform, as well as recent Desert Hearts Records signees Kevin Knapp, Lubelski, RYBO, Andreas Henneberg, Evan Casey, and Beth Lydi.

The love-swept global community relocates to Lake Perris, Calif. this year—the event has was previously hosted at Los Coyotes Indian Reservation. The new destination in Southern California is less than two hours from Los Angeles and San Diego. In addition, the location boasts more amenities than ever before, including premium campsites, bathrooms with showers, and an endless grass dance floor beneath snow-capped mountains adjacent to a beach and lake for swimming access during the daytime festivities. From the crew’s first renegade party in the Mojave Desert to the snow-covered hills of Apple Valley and more, the Desert Hearts community has proven to expand its festival footprint. 

Tickets are available here. 







Desert Hearts Celebrates 10-Years of Desert Hearts Festival  

ARC Music festival will return to Chicago's Union Park Labor Day Weekend, September 2-4. After a massively successful first year, the event has grandly announced its expansion from two to three days.   

As with its inaugural year, ARC is paying homage to the city by featuring a large majority of Chicago-born acts, including Honey Dijon, Derrick Carter, DJ Lady D, Gene Farris, Green Velvet, Chip E., Ron Carroll, Mike Dunn, and up and coming Chi house artist, Kryptogram. 

Alongside the Windy City vets, the lineup features industry-heavy hitters such as Carl Cox, Charlotte de Witte, Fatboy Slim. Ricardo Villalobos, Ann Clue, and The Other Side label head Maher Daniel. The festival will also feature modern house sounds, melodic house, international techno artists, and Chicago house music.


"Part of our mission was to take all the artists that are part of the Chicago house music community through the years, people without whom this sound would not be around, and put them right next to the larger artists that are playing this music nowadays." Says an Arc rep of the event.  

They are accomplishing their mission; not only did they up the ante from last year's production with the stellar lineup and the added day, they are also bringing back the beloved Elrow stage known for its colorful dance floor experiences. Who knows what other goodies will be announced in the months to come. ARC Festival is quickly becoming one of the most crucial house and techno festivals to grace the United States.  

Do not sleep on your ticket as the ARC ticket unlocks rewards courtesy of the festival's promoter, Auris Presents. Giving pass-holders will gain access to tickets to sold-out shows, private pre-sales, exclusively priced tickets, and guestlist adds to over 40 of the company's events in spring and summer. 

General tickets will release on March 17th and can be purchased here.






ARC Music Festival Announces Stellar Full 2022 Lineup 

The wait is finally over. Detroit’s Movement Festival returns to the mecca of techno for Memorial Day Weekend 2022. With over 110 acts set to perform, this year’s festival lineup is one of its best to date.

Over three days of music by today’s rising techno talents and revered producers, await you at downtown Detroit’s beautiful waterfront, inside Hart Plaza from May 28 through 30.

Headliners announced today include a surprise b2b set from Detroit Techno legend Carl Craig and LCD Soundsystem’s frontman James Murphy, a performance from Kevin Saunderson under alias E-Dancer, and a b2b set from UK Drum and Bass icons Goldie and LTJ Bukem. 

Traditionally, the festival is notorious for celebrating techno music and its subcultures—this year's lineup isn't straying far from tradition. Movement has selected some of the most prominent artists of the techno genre, and many rising talents from its own city and beyond. 

With a genuine commitment to showcasing genuinely diverse lineups, this year’s scheduled acts are many of your festival favorites and hottest up and comers—perfect for an audience that’s composed of both new and old generations of Movement devotees.


Joining Movement’s headliners Memorial Day Weekend are acclaimed artists of the likes of: Jeff Mills, Richie Hawtin, 2 Chainz, Adam Beyer, Natasha Diggs, Anfisa Letyago, Blawan, DRAMA, Blaaqgold, Claude Von Stroke, Jon Hopkins, Skrillex, Waajeed, The Martinez Brothers, Maya Jane Coles, Duck Sauce, Chris Lake, Joe Kay, Hiroko Yamamura, The Blessed Madonna, ANNA, Stacey Pullen, Sama’ Abdulhadi, DJ Minx, Louie Vega, Loco Dice, Maceo Plex, DJ Tennis, and so many more. 

Weekend and Single Day Passes for General Admission and VIP are available now at movementfestival.com. Payment plans are available.




Movement Detroit Drops Its 2022 Lineup

The dance music capital of the world is about to begin one of its most awaited seasons ever. After a two-year hiatus, the mega clubs on the White Isle are announcing their opening events. So start planning that dream holiday and pack your dancing shoes because Ibiza is back!

The Mediterranean breeze and mild temperatures make Ibiza a great choice year-round. The mecca for hedonists has been the ultimate summer clubbing destination since the mid-1980s, when the Balearic island became a music paradise. 

Yet, the musical footprint of the island dates back even further. The hippies arrived in the '60s, bringing the psychedelic beats of the era. Some of the island's most prominent clubs were born a decade later. 

Pacha Ibiza anchored the scene with its opening in 1973. Amnesia followed in 1976. Privilege (now the world's biggest nightclub) opened as Ku Club in 1978. And by 1986, the legendary Space Ibiza transformed Ibiza from a hidden gem into a clubber's paradise. 

By the '80s, the big raves arrived. The '90s ushered in the growth of Balearic Beat. And since the turn of the Millenium, Ibiza has been a mecca for everything from disco to techno. Ibiza is a magnet for clubbers and music lovers from all over the globe.

This season is promising not just for party goers but also for the entertainment and hospitality industries. Many bars and restaurants on the island are already open. Beach clubs and hotels will welcome guests from the beginning of April. The pre-season excitement is palpable throughout the island. Happiness and positive vibes permeate the air as everyone is more than ready to embrace a new music era in Ibiza after two consecutive years of postponements. 

To start Ibiza's 2022 summer season, the long-delayed premier platform for business, culture, and education in global electronic music, International Music Summit, will host its thirteenth edition with the theme "In Pursuit Of Purpose." 

IMS has long been the traditional start of the summer season. From April 27-29, a series of keynotes, workshops, and lectures will be led by thought leaders in dance music, including IMS founder Pete Tong. For those in the industry, it's an excellent opportunity to network and build connections. 

The Grand Finale party in the ancient walls of Ibiza's old town, Dalt Vila, will close the conference out on April 29.

Ibiza is almost ready to celebrate the return of large-scale music events and reunite the global community of music fans. Live music returns with a  very special concert from Duran Duran. The famous 80's new wave band made up of Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, and Roger Taylor will perform together in Ibiza for the first time in 30 years. 

Here's some more of what's in store during Ibiza's most anticipated opening weekend:




IMS Ibiza Summit - April 27-29

The International Music Summit April 27-29 at Destino Pacha Ibiza. IMS Ibiza badges are now on sale. There is tiered pricing ranging from 163-740 USD.

Pacha Grand Opening - April 29

Solomun plays all night long on Friday, April 29 at Pacha, Ibiza. Tickets are available now for $76.27 GA. You can also book a VIP table.
     

Amnesia Pre-Season Warm-Up - April 29

Pyramid's pre-season warm-up pops off at Amnesia featuring Luciano, Ben Clock, Amelie Lens, and more. Tickets are available now from $49.94 for GA to $244.16 for bottle service.


 Defected Opening Party - April 29 

The lineup is yet to come, but with Defected's stable of stellar in-house residents, it surely going to be a banger. They've also priced tickets at a reasonable $23.97. 

Speaking on the price point Defected said on their website, "Making clubbing accessible for all generations has been a core part of our Ibiza offering since launching our weekly residency at Eden in 2017, allowing clubbers from all walks of life to enjoy the unique brand of house party and DJs of the highest calibre."

Better Together - April 30 - May 1

On Saturday afternoon, April 30, the 24-hour Better Together extravaganza begins at Ushuaïa and will continue at Hï in the evening through Sunday, May 1. The lineup includes Paul Kalkbrenner, Adam Beyer, Anfisa Letyago, Kölsch, Damian Lazarus, Charlotte de Witte, The Martinez Brothers, and more. 

Tickets are available now. Separate Day and Night passes are $87.17 or you can do both for $182.55.

Duran Duran - May 1

Duran Duran's first concert in Ibiza in 30 years is being presented by Pollen at Ushuaïa. . All-inclusive packages with hotel, tickets to the event, and an outdoor film screening are availlable from $260.67.




Circoloco at DC10 - May 2

Circoloco at DC10 opens on May 2 at 4 pm with Maceo Plex, Peggy Gou, Red Axes, Seth Troxler, Tale Of Us, &Me vs. Rampa, Adam Port, DJ Tennis, Ellen Allien, Luciano, and many more. 

Tickets are now available from $73.24.

You'll have plenty of opportunities to party in Ibiza this season as the island will be alive until the closing parties in late October. However, after the two-year wait, you may want to plan to experience Ibiza's openings. You'll be in for a treat!



Ibiza’s Most Anticipated Season Kicks off With a Massive Opening Weekend 

COVID-19 vaccinations have been mandated in New York since summer 2021 for those looking to gain entry to any of the city’s nightclubs. 

New York was the first US city to implement the requirement. Now, as the virus continues to mutate and preventative measures shift local and national policies, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on March 4 that vaccination proof would no longer be mandatory to attend live events in the city.

At a Times Square news conference, Adams stated that beginning March 7, vaccination status would no longer be necessary to attend New York concerts or patron restaurants, bars, and gyms. 

Based on data analyzed, Adam explained that the rates of Covid cases in New York are currently low enough to justify removing current COVID mandates set in place for businesses and nightlife venues in the city.

“We’re going to follow the numbers and the science, that’s how we got here. [New York] is far from out of the woods, and COVID is still here, but we are beating it back. New York is back,” said the Mayor.

Large-scale festivals of the likes of Coachella and Stagecoach announced last month that they would no longer require attendees to show proof of a negative test prior to entry, leaving many to wonder if the recent overhaul of mandates will set a precedent for other festivals to follow suit with scrapping COVID-19 preventative measures and entry policies.

Adams also stated that New York restaurants may choose to keep preventative policies if they choose, but overall the city-wide restrictions will be removed.

Watch the press conference in its entirety here.

New York Mayor Lifts City-Wide COVID Mandates

Highly respected UK-based house label, Defected Records will be returning to the US while laying plans for its busiest year of shows yet. After kicking off 2022 right with Defected Malta and Croatia completely sold out, it's clear Defected is on a serious tear. The crew is gearing up for its first tour since the pandemic started, and it is sure to be a doozy.   

The seven-date, seven-stop tour spans March and April 2022 and touches down in house music's most stalwart cities, LA, San Francisco, Miami, NYC, and Austin. Then it migrates south to beautiful Brazil. The tour will feature many A-List artists, including A-Trak, Floorplan, John Summit, Catz' N Dogz, Ferreck Dawn, Eats Everything, Sam Divine, and others. Celebrating the first time the London-based music institution has performed in the United States since 2019 and the first time in Brazil in over a decade.

 

Key Stops in the Americas 

The tour stops at epic locations in superb venues such as the West Coast's Los Angeles' expansive Hollywood nightclub Sound and futuristic warehouse-style venue Halcyon San Francisco. Going cross country for a pitstop at Miami Music Week to throw a pool party of epic proportions during the festival at the enchanting Island Gardens before heading to renowned Brooklyn warehouse The Great Hall at Avant Gardner. Defected's conclusive stop on the United States tour is The Concourse Project in Austin, a massive space with world-class production capabilities.

All this before making its way down south to stunning Brazil for their first time, hitting up the beautiful country in over a decade. Making this one for the books, the first stop is taking over for the first time ARCA, a 6400 capacity venue in the heart of So Paolo. The following night, Defected will perform at Cambori's Green Valley, located in the heart of the Brazilian jungle, a truly unique clubbing experience often described to be closer to that of a festival. Green Valley has been an unmatched success story in the Brazilian electronic scene.

To learn more about the tour taking place March 12th-April 2nd, including tickets and further information, head to the Defected Website. 

 

Defected North + South America Tour 2022 – Dates & Venues:

Saturday, March 12 – Sound – Los Angeles

Saturday, March 19 – Halcyon – San Francisco

Thursday, March 24 – Island Gardens – Miami

Friday, March 25 – The Great Hall at Avant Gardner – New York

Saturday, March 26 – The Concourse Project – Austin

Friday, April 1 – Arca – Sāo Paolo

Saturday, April 2 – Green Valley – Santa Catarina

 

 

Defected Records Announces Seven-Date Tour of North America

Richie Hawtin, AKA Plastikman, has reworked his classic 1998 album, Consumed, with the help of Grammy Award-winning pianist Chilly Gonzales. The new project will release a triple vinyl set via Turbo Recordings on April 1st, 2022. 

This contemporary reinterpretation is presented as a new record called Consumed In Key. Like the original, it features ten atmospheric techno tracks but with reenergized piano parts composed by Gonzales.  

This innovative project goes back to the 20th anniversary of Consumed, released in 2018. Gonzales heard the album and thought it could be worked within his repertoire. So he created demos using unique loose melodies, time structure, and flow, creating piano-led counterparts within the standing tracks.  

After pitching this to Tiga, a mutual friend of Chilly and Hawtin, the project began to take shape. Tiga, as executive producer, became a sounding board for ideas, helping to translate the thought processes of two artists coming from distinctly divergent worlds. 

Chilly recorded his solitary arrangements, and upon completion, Hawtin came on board to meld the new combined work. This process allowed each artist their own space within the project, allowing them to have a "sonic conversation" rather than a conventional collaboration or remix. 

Consumed in Key will be available digitally and as a deluxe triple vinyl LP on April 1st, 2022. The artwork is a reinterpretation of the original album sleeve, flipped to black and white and with the cutout size transposed to the dimensions of a piano key. The vinyl and packaging were made with recycled materials.

You can now hear the first song from the LP "Contain (In Key)." 

Classic Plastikman Album Gets Reworked

Defected has long been the gold standard for house music. The UK-based label had a strong start in 1998 with Soulsearcher's debut record and an undisputed disco-house classic "I Can't Get Enough." Over the years, the lauded imprint helmed by Simon Dunmore, a fierce champion of house music culture, expanded to include 18 sub-labels, including Glitterbox and DFTD. They also run a series of fan-favorite festivals and one-off events worldwide. 

They have a fierce group of resident DJs, including veterans like Sam Devine, Low Steppa, and Gorgon City. The label is now offering the opportunity for up-and-comers to join the flock for the 2022 festival season. Unsung Heroes "will give up-and-coming DJ talent access to Defected's growing community of dedicated house heads and residencies across our offering of overseas events and live streams," said Defected. 

They are asking all entrants to submit a 60-minute mix along with a recommendation from a club owner, promoter, or established DJ that supports their efforts to push the culture forward in their scene. 

A panel of esteemed judges including Roger Sanchez, Cinthie, Yousef, Sef Kombo, Melvo Baptiste, Sam Divine, and Mambo Brothers will judge the entires.

Being an opening DJ is an often unrecognized art. Setting the vibe for the night is a talent that comes from years of experience and understanding what it takes to start the journey and successfully build a dance floor. 

"Unlike any other DJ competition or search for talent before it, Unsung Heroes is all about recognising the vital part resident DJs play in the makeup of clubland and giving recognition to the often under-appreciated art of the warm-up set," Defected explains. "Winners will be welcomed into the Defected family, contributing to parties across the globe from London to Ibiza, Croatia and Malta. With an array of judges across the breadth of the house music spectrum recruited to help with the search, Unsung Heroes is a statement of our ongoing dedication to investing in fresh talent and club culture as a whole."

You can enter the Unsung Heroes content via the Defected website.

 

Defected Is Searching For a New Resident DJ

On Thursday, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian missiles assaulted the country's capital Kyiv as families hid in shelters and subway stations. Harrowing video of bombings has come in from across the country as a catastrophic humanitarian crisis mounts. 

The situation is unlikely to improve any time soon. Below you will find a list of nongovernmental organizations providing aid and help on the ground. Please head to any of these websites if you'd like to donate.

We stand in solidarity with our community in Ukraine. Several Ukrainian artists have posted messages of shock and solidarity, we've included some of them below. Our heart goes out to them.

United Help Ukraine

United Help Ukraine collects and distributes food and medical supplies to Ukrainians displaced by war. Their fundraising also helps wounded soldiers and their families.

Donate to United Help Ukraine via PayPal




Red Cross

The International Committee of the Red Cross, alongside the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, helps ensure that food is still being produced and aids in infrastructure repair. They also rebuild damaged homes, hospitals, schools, mental health facilities, and community centers.

Donate to the Red Cross once or become a monthly contributor.




Voices of Children

Voices of Children provides psychological support to children affected by the war in Ukraine. They also offer family services coping with the difficulties of rehabilitating children.

Donate to Voices of Children




UNICEF

UNICEF is the United Nations-backed agency that provides aid to children in over 190 countries. They support health, nutrition, HIV prevention, education provide safe drinking water, sanitation, and safe harbor to families in Ukraine.

Donate to UNICEF




Médecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders

Unfortunately, Doctors Without Borders had to halt all activity within Ukraine. However, they are mobilizing in bordering countries to provide humanitarian medical assistance to those displaced. 

Donate to Doctors Without Border as a one-time fee or monthly gift




Sunflower of Peace

This nonprofit is preparing first aid medical backpacks for frontline paramedics and doctors. The packs are designed for groups of five to ten and include bandages, medicine, and medical instruments.

Donate to Sunflower of Peace

Continue reading for messages from Ukrainian-born artists.


Korolova

Nastia

Artbat

Woo York

Miss K8

Juicy M

How You Can Help Ukraine

World-renowned techno brand Awakenings grandly announced earlier this year to celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2022, and they would be changing locations and adding a second festival, Awakenings Summer edition.   

The new festival edition will take place over three days, July 29-31. The summer festival in Hilvarenbeek expands on their previous festival’s two-day affairs and will include camping allowing you to enjoy the entire weekend without a fret in the world.   

Full lineup details were dropped today, and they are phenomenal. This is a techno wonderland.   

Friday will kick off the festivities with techno’s power couple Charlotte De Witte and hubby Enrico Sangiuliano, Joyhauser, Klangkunster, Kolsch, and Patrick Mason.  





Saturday keeps you going with Adam Beyer, Apollonia, Archie Hamilton, Ida Engberg, Mind Against, Nina Kravitz, Panpot, and Patrick Topping.   

If that isn’t enough to entice you to go, then the third and final mind-blowing day will surely solidify your plans. Sunday will see the likes of Amelie Lens, The Blessed Madonna, DJ Rush, Eats Everything, Jackmaster, Skream, and Stephan Bodzin with one of his unique live sets. 

Awakenings already hold the international throne when it comes to Techno events. The summer edition boasts plans to host nine fantastical stages, with all of the usual bells and whistles that set them apart, including impressive light shows and unparalleled sound design. 

This is an event you do not want to miss. Preregistration is live on the website, giving you early access to the ticket shop.

Awakenings Announces Summer Festival Lineup

Experiential party purveyors elrow have just announced the theme for their hotly anticipated Spring North American tour. The Spanish party crew will bring their Sambodromo Do Brasil concept to Miami on Saturday, March 26th, for Miami Music Week. And for the first time, a two-day stint in New York at Avant Gardner on April 9th and 10th.

You might be wondering what's in a name? The Sambodromo (or Sambódromo in Portuguese) is the given name for the exhibition space that Samba schools perform in for Carnaval in Brazil. Elrow is known worldwide for immersive environments, incredible performers, and a radically inclusive fan experience. And this theme is no different. Expect to be plunged into a world of dense Amazonian jungle, wild animals, roaming explorers, and Samba dancers decked out in a rainbow of colors.





Among elrow's twenty-plus themes, Sambodromo Do Brasil is one of its most colorful and lively. The theme also has a deep history with the brand dating back to their earliest days in Barcelona at a monthly event called Rowshow. In 2009 at their fourth event, they decided to transform the club into a jungle complete with Brazillian-themed performers, food stalls, fruit areas, and juices. 

It's a longtime favorite that has traveled to Amsterdam, Ibiza, Taiwan, Zurich, and Dubai. This will be the first time since 2017 that the theme has been state-side. 

Tickets are available now for both New York and Miami.

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