Leading the charge, globally acclaimed dance music icons Jungle will deliver a headline DJ set, bringing their signature blend of funk, soul, and electronic grooves to the Stowaway stage. Reggae legends The Wailers, known for their timeless hits and connection to Bob Marley’s legacy, will bring an authentic roots reggae experience. Another pioneer of reggae and punk, Don Letts, will be behind the decks, spinning an eclectic selection that embodies his genre-crossing legacy. Groove Armada’s Tom Findlay makes a welcome return following the duo’s unforgettable 2024 set, promising another journey through house, funk, and electronic classics.

“I had a ball playing twice at the brilliant Stowaway last summer and so happy to be invited back this year to play disco on the Listen Here stage either side of some of my favourite DJs…. see you on the dance floor!” – Tom Findlay (Groove Armada)

The second wave of artists also features jungle trailblazer DJ Storm, a key figure in the Drum & Bass scene, and NTS selector Shy One, known for her genre-fluid approach to DJing. Festival favourite Luke Una will go B2B with the ever-eclectic Prosumer, delivering a set brimming with deep cuts and dancefloor energy. They join an already stacked line-up featuring previously announced headliners Fabio & Grooverider and The Outlook Orchestra, Shy FX, Derrick Carter, Horse Meat Disco, Seun Kuti, Anna Erhard, James Alexander Bright, Cousin Kula, and Webmoms. Our very own Hobbs & Ron Mexico will also be there for their debut at Stowaway and will bring their usual energy, vibes and fun! With this stellar selection, Stowaway continues to raise the bar as one of the UK’s most exciting rising festivals, blending electronic, jazz, reggae, and leftfield sounds into an unmissable weekend.

“The Stowaway lineup is designed to offer something for every musical taste, showcasing a diverse range of sounds across the festival each night. From late-night discos to family-friendly singalongs, each day brings something new, with our stages offering fresh experiences every evening. We want to take you on a musical adventure, whether it’s exploring the woods, relaxing by the jetty, or hunting down our secret late-night ‘covers’ bar…” – Festival founder Duncan Wheeler

Launched in 2022, Stowaway Festival was created as the perfect escape from modern-day distractions, offering an immersive weekend of music, nature, and connection. Set against a breathtaking backdrop, the festival brings together world-class DJs and live acts for an uplifting, genre-spanning experience. Its popularity continues to soar—this summer, attendance grew by over 20%, defying the odds in a challenging festival climate. The festival prides itself on its intimate atmosphere, where like-minded music lovers can dance beneath the stars, explore hidden woodland stages, and discover new sounds in a truly unique setting.

Beyond the music, Stowaway offers a thoughtfully curated selection of artisan food and drink, with everything from locally sourced street food to craft cocktails and independent breweries. Adventurous festival-goers can take part in wild swimming, canoeing, and paddleboarding, while those looking to unwind can experience wellness sessions, yoga, and the lakeside woodland spa. Families are well catered for too, with a full programme of kid’s activities, all included in the ticket price.

Made by friends, for friends, Stowaway Festival is more than just a weekend of music—it’s a hidden world of discovery, connection, and pure escapism.

Tickets for Stowaway Festival 2025 are on sale now and start at £209 and payment plans are available. Don’t hang about, secure yours today from their website!

The post Stowaway Festival 2025 Drops 2nd Wave Of Artists appeared first on Data Transmission.

Stowaway Festival 2025 has just dropped their first wave of artists. The festival will take place between 15th and 17th August in the beautiful ancient woodlands and lakes near Stowe, Buckinghamshire.

Topping the bill are Fabio & Grooverider with The Outlook Orchestra, the first headliners to be announced. They’ll be joined by a killer lineup that includes Shy FX, Derrick Carter, Horse Meat Disco, Sean Kuti, Anna Erhard, James Alexander Bright, Cousin Kula, and Webmoms. And don’t worry, there’s loads more to come—more headliners and acts will be revealed early next year.

Stowaway is only in its 3rd year but is already establishing a reputation for balancing the sometimes incompatible concepts of ‘electronic music’
and ‘kid friendly’. – The Guardian, Festival Guide 2024

Since kicking off in 2022, Stowaway Festival has been all about giving people a break from the everyday grind. It’s the kind of weekend where you can vibe to top-notch music in a jaw-dropping setting, surrounded by amazing people. The festival’s been on the up too—2024 saw a 20% boost in attendance, a big win in what’s been a tough time for festivals.

But it’s not just about the tunes. There’s loads to dive into: mouth-watering artisan food and drink, wild swimming, canoeing, paddleboarding, and wellness activities to help you chill out. Got kids? No problem—there’s plenty for them to do too, all included in the ticket. And if you’re after something a bit more indulgent, the lakeside woodland spa’s got you covered.

To mature revellers who still love the thud of bass but want a festival which is clean, safe, beautiful, friendly and fun, Stowaway is a gift. – Oxford Mail

The festival’s also big on doing things the right way. They work with local suppliers, focus on eco-friendly practices, and keep the vibe community-centred. There are recycling points all over, and they’re all about cutting down on single-use plastic—so don’t forget your reusable bottle. Plus, they’re teaming up with local charities to give back.

For the explorers out there, there’s plenty of adventure to be had. Think hidden trails, secret stages, and surprise pop-up performances that keep things fresh. Workshops like yoga, mindfulness, and crafting make sure there’s a little something for everyone.

For a small festival, Stowaway packs a lot in, especially given everything – including the fairground rides – is free, something we’ve never seen before. With an ethos that seems to prioritise love over money, its future feels assured. – Record Of The Day

So, whether you’re raving under the stars, soaking up the natural beauty, or uncovering the festival’s hidden gems, Stowaway is the perfect place to make memories with your crew. Keep an eye out for more updates—2025’s shaping up to be something special!

Tickets for Stowaway Festival 2025 are on sale now and start at £209. Don’t hang about, secure yours today from their website!

The post Stowaway Festival 2025 Announces 1st Wave of Artists appeared first on Data Transmission.

While packing out the lineup on Sunday 18th August, hosted by Charlie Tee’s vital drum ‘n’ bass club brand, Unitee, are Clipz, Gardna, Lens, and enough MCs to send a shockwave through the city.

This latest lineup follows the previously announced headliners, which included the hot house heads East End Dubs and SOSA (17 Aug), and BBC Radio 1’s Charlie Tee and D&B legend, Shy FX (18 Aug).

With the huge success of SOSA’s latest single “BLOW (White Girl In Town)” featuring Kilo Ali, which hit No.2 on the Beatport Top 100 Chart, expect the floor to be shaking when SOSA drops the biggest house track popping off in the UK right now.

Fans of house music with depth, melody and groove need to get a ticket for the Saturday at Under to catch one of Hamburg’s finest exports, Sidney Charles as he spins tunes from his Heavy House Society label and beyond. For minimal and deep cuts, Ozzie Guven will have it covered, playing out a catalogue of tracks that have signed to Sidney’s label, Seven Dials Records and drawn support from such heavyweights as Marco Carola and Michael Bibi.

You can also catch our very on Loz Seka on Saturday in the VIP Arena fresh from playing Hidden Festival on the Data Transmission stage and his current smash Súbele, which came out on Data Transmission in June and has been supported by Arielle Free, MK, Solardo and Fatboy Slim!

For bass music heads, Sunday at Under will be a playground of all things jungle and D&B. Original noughties junglist Clipz has made a welcome return to the scene and now arrives at Under, after conquering all corners of the dance music circuit under the alias, Redlight. MC-songwriter Gardna will be showcasing the same energy-driven live performance that saw him scoop BBC Radio 1’s Dance Award. While rapidly rising star Lens will be unleashing her imaginative and eclectic selections that’ve seen her tour with bass music royalty, Chase & Status and Hybrid Minds. 

Since its inception as a one-day event three years ago, Under has morphed into a vital dance event that rivals any UK production of its size. Its remarkable setting beneath the Nene Parkway Flyover makes for no ordinary clubbing experience; a juxtaposition of concrete and industrial wasteland with the beautiful, scenic landscape of the River Nene and Nene Park off in the distance.

A true celebration of urban clubbing, Under also showcases the talents of the region’s most reputable graffiti artists – JXC, Nathan “Nyces” Murdoch, Gnasher Mural and Hero 32 to name a few – exhibiting giant murals of the headline DJs towering the height of the bridge, and creating an eye-popping backdrop for this daytime affair. 

Various tickets are available from day and weekend passes to VIP and discounted group packages. Starting from £24.95 for a day ticket and £59.95 for a weekend ticket, Under is serious value for money. 

Powered by a Funktion-One sound system and running from 12 midday until 10pm, the Under August Weekender is set to attract thousands of clubbers and is already looking like one of the most in-demand clubbing destinations this summer. 

Tickets are on sale from £24.95 at www.under.events.

The post Full Lineup Announced for Under’s Epic August Weekender appeared first on Data Transmission.

Leading the charge are Leftfield and Orbital, ready to kick things off with their infectious beats. And if you’re into drum ‘n’ bass, you’re in luck—Sub Focus and Venbee are bringing the heat to the dancefloor. But hold onto your hats because there’s more! Crazy P, Beans on Toast, and Eva Lazarus are all on board to keep the good times rolling. And who could forget Henge’s mind-bending ‘Cosmic Dross’ and the high-energy performance from Cut Capers?

And let’s not overlook the reggae legends, The Wailers, delivering a masterclass in Bob Marley‘s greatest hits. It’s gonna be legendary! Keep your eyes peeled for some familiar faces—Happy Mondays‘ Bez, Dick & Dom, and Woody Cook will be adding their own flair to the festivities. At the heart of it all lies the Toil Trees stage, serving up killer sets from Floorplan, Mella Dee, and the one and only Mr. Scruff to keep the Sunday vibes alive.

Meanwhile, Trash Manor promises pure chaos and good vibes with Greg Wilson, Zed Bias, and SHY FX tearing up the decks. Over at The Fortress, it’s all about the heavy hitters like Fabio & Grooverider, K-Klass, and Andy Carroll, ready to blow your minds with their beats. And if you’re craving some serious MC skills, Sparkz at the Smoky Tentacles stage is where it’s at.

But wait, there’s more! Beat-Herder isn’t just about the music—indulge your taste buds with a diverse range of food stalls offering everything from gourmet burgers to plant-based delights. And for those looking for a bit of adventure, there’s plenty to explore between sets, from awe-inspiring art installations to rejuvenating wellness workshops.

So mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable experience at Beat-Herder 2024! It’s gonna be off the charts.

Aside from the killer tunes, Beat-Herder is famous for its downright magical vibe and stunning scenery. Picture this: larger-than-life sculptures, interactive art installations—basically, it’s like stepping into a wonderland of creativity and expression. Everywhere you turn, there’s something new to discover, from hidden tunnels to secret swimming spots. And how about a church with handmade hymn books? Yep, they’ve got that too!

Their attention to detail is seriously next level, earning them the title of ‘Unique Festival Arena’ at the 2019 AIF Festival Awards and the coveted ‘Extra Festival Award’ at the UK Festival Awards. Oh, and let’s not forget The Guardian naming them one of the Best Festivals for their lively atmosphere. Talk about impressive, right?

But here’s the real kicker: at the core of Beat-Herder are six pals who go way back to the wild rave days of the ’90s. They’ve poured their hearts and souls into this party, keeping it fiercely independent and true to its roots. It’s more than just a festival—it’s a gathering of like-minded music lovers. Here, strangers become instant pals, and the connections you make under that infectious energy? They last a lifetime.

Three-day tier 3 tickets are available from £182.32 inc booking fee

Four-day tier 3 tickets are available now from £253.34 inc booking fee

Tickets can also be purchased via payment plans. Glamping options are also available

More info and tickets for Beat-Herder 2024 can be found here!

The post Beat-Herder 2024 announces full lineup! appeared first on Data Transmission.

The main change this year was the festival’s reset to Chapter One – a change saying goodbye to the eleven-year-long storyline Boomtown had previously built. It wasn’t just a reset of the storyline (an interactive element of the festival we’ve come to love over the years), it was a reset of the festival layout we knew. This year, Boomtown condensed its operations into the area previously known as the downtown bowl. This meant no Lion’s Den, no Psy Forest and a lot less walking.

People were sceptical about what this meant for the festival experience. Would it be too small? Would it be the same Boomtown experience we loved? This was the first thought many had when arriving on the Wednesday. Looking down on the festival city from the downtown campsite was strange. It looked tiny and you could hear murmurs of people worrying about it being too busy at peak times. But this wasn’t the case.

Boomtown 2022 promised the new-look city, despite being smaller, would be more imaginative and immersive than ever before. They weren’t lying. Somehow, you still managed to get lost wandering the maze of streets joining the districts, there were actors everywhere bringing flair to the city, and the set design was magnificent. Even the close proximity stages, which looked like they would have sound bleeding into one another, all sounded incredible. While I heard many people complaining before the city opened, I heard barely any complaints once the city closed.

If anything, people were more concerned with the heat and dust than the changes to the festival. Usually, at Boomtown, we’re used to torrential rain (who remembers SHY FX followed by Jungle Cakes at Lion’s Den 2018?) but this year, everyone swapped ponchos for sun cream because there was rarely a cloud in the sky. While this did bring its struggles, it created a wonderful backdrop for Boomtown’s colours to thrive.

This came to the fore on Thursday when street parties popped up across the outskirts of the city. Huge rigs, good music and blue skies – what more could you want? With Born On Road and Rumble in The Jungle running a pop-up Elektrical Soundsytem stage, and Dubtendo throwing a separate one in conjunction with Swing & Bass, there was a party atmosphere in the air to kick-start the first full day of the festival.

The Dubtendo street party set the tone for the festival with its good energy. From people donning Mario costumes and mushroom hats to others waving Dubtendo signs – and not to forget the fat rig that shook your body to the core – the party was well underway here. JFB’s vinyl scratching and Foor’s mash-up bassline were highlights of the afternoon, with the latter artist bringing about a beautiful moment when he played Rozalla’s ‘Everybody’s Free’. With the sun beating down and arms waving in the air, it was a feel-good moment reminding everyone of the freedom Boomtown represents, especially this year. We were finally back at the Matterley Bowl dancing together again. Bliss.

It’s a feeling of togetherness that became a theme of the festival experience. Titled ‘The Gathering’, this year’s Boomtown was all about the community coming back together to connect and dance. Because of that, there was positive energy oozing out of the attendees, artists and workers. From food stalls battling it out with each other blaring tunes while punters decided which stall to dance in front of, to attendees lugging water spray cans and guns around the site just so they could cool off fellow attendees mid-dance.

This infectious energy carried on into Friday, which was the day when the city really came alive. All roads led to the official opening ceremony in the afternoon, which took place on both main stages – Origin (a towering industrial structure for all things drum and bass), and Grand Central (a retro-looking stage bringing Lion’s Den flavour). Boomtown’s opening shows always pack an important message, and this year’s was around unity in the world. There were #FreePalestine flags waving and lyrics around being “all together, all races, all sexualities”. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Boomtown opening ceremony without vibrant theatrics (especially the performers dangling from a crane above the stage).

While the opening show was incredible, what followed was just as memorable – Dick & Dom playing a cameo set to warm up for Arrested Development. There had been rumours flying around earlier in the day of Dick & Dom showing up, and it prompted excitement in the campsites with people screaming “BOGIES”. This was made better when Dick & Dom came on stage and shouted the famous phrase.

For many of us, watching Dick & Dom be silly on TV was part of our upbringing, so to see them on stage blasting bassline and Drum & Bass was a surreal experience – particularly when they worked the crowd with Kleu’s ‘Rudy, A Message To You’. It set us up nicely for what was going to be a festival weekend filled with good feels and plenty of hearty tunes.

Heavy music was the main course on Boomtown’s menu this year. For the first time, the organisers kept the line-up secret until days before, which was a move met with criticism. If you were more into your house or techno or hoping for huge headliners, then you will have been disappointed. But if you love heavy bass music, then you would have been ecstatic at the likes of Born On Road, 24 Hour Garage Girls, Ed Rush b2b Optical, Dutty Moonshine, Sherelle and DJ Marky.

Boomtown always reiterated this year’s line-up wouldn’t be filled with huge acts due to the financial loss that occurred during Covid, and if anything, this encouraged the team to dig deeper with their music programming for what was arguably the most diverse line-up they’ve had. From more females than ever before to acts of all colours, races and identities, it was a joy to see so much thought go into this year’s programming.

Drum & Bass heads were especially happy with the line-up as there was a phenomenal billing of artists and collectives flying the flag for the genre. Friday felt like a love letter to the underground bass music scene with The Grid, Hidden Woods and Origin stages all proudly pushing Drum & Bass and Jungle flavours to thousands of ravers. It was the latter of those stages that stood out with a Critical Music takeover featuring Kasra, Enei, Halogenix, Bryan Gee b2b DJ Die and more. As a towering behemoth of a stage looking weathered and distressed, Origin was the perfect setting for a genre of music that has been through the mill over the years, but always comes out on top.

As the weekend hit, the feeling of celebration that had been building reached a climax with Boomtown’s official celebration fancy dress day. While many didn’t bother because of the heat, those who did ran with the theme in spectacular Boomtown fashion – the actors especially.

As important as music is to Boomtown, the theatrics are just as vital. This year, there was something happening everywhere you looked. Pop-up moving mechanical stages with a DJ inside, a band of people dressed in junk parts doing the YMCA with attendees, the little room in the Metropolis district where you could sit on the sofa ‘playing’ Xbox while listening to an intense loop of gabba – the city was a full-on sensory experience. I especially loved the actors at Area 404. By day, they were spraying people from above with water guns, and by night, they were shooting fire (not at us, thankfully).

It’s these random moments that define the Boomtown experience (and why the festival didn’t need to release a line-up beforehand). You always know you’re going to be immersed in a weird and wonderful world when you step into Boomtown’s city. Those following the storyline will have known all about this as they walked into random rooms, got asked to do questionable things by actors, and often were sent on wild goose chases to find clues.

If you weren’t following the storyline on Saturday then you were probably catching some of the incredible acts on the bill. The pick of the bunch was Fabio & Grooverider & The Outlook Orchestra at Grand Central. We first saw Fabio & Grooverider perform with The Outlook Orchestra at London’s Southbank Centre earlier this year, but this festival performance was one that was three years in the making, and a moment Grooverider admitted he felt “nervous” about.

As early pioneers of jungle and D&B, it was brilliant to see them reeling through the history of the genre in a format where the duo narrated the timeline and its developments along the way. The live orchestra was the star of the show, performing swine-tingling renditions of classics including Makoto’s ‘Golden Girl’ (with sublime live vocals from Cleveland Watkiss), and Chase & Status’ ‘In Love’, which Jenna G performed live alongside epic sax solos.

One thing I noticed during this set was the crowd energy. People were dancing like crazed beings expressing themselves however they felt fit. This is Boomtown. People oozing free-flowing energy in the dance like it was their last festival. Maybe it was the influences they were under, or maybe it was the fact we were witnessing special moments all festival that called for raw emotion. Saturday night was full of them, as across sight on Origin, Noisia were performing an emotional final UK set before parting ways. It was a performance we’d been building anticipation for all weekend and the production was fitting for the occasion with lasers and flames popping off from all angles.

I was disappointed only to see Thys behind the decks when you’d think all three members would have been there for their UK send-off. Because of that, the set was more of an experimental journey than a full-on Noisia showdown, but it was still a special occasion. Thys jumping on the mic at the end to say “And now it’s over… Thank you so much for all of these years” was a tear-jerking moment that will live long in people’s memories.

The final day of Boomtown was filled with just as many big moments to enjoy. Whether it was DJ Marky & GQ shutting down Origin when Marky scratched to DJ Hazard’s ‘Bricks Don’t Roll’ – one of the festival’s best moments that had the crowd going nuts as he spans with the vinyl deck in his hands, or DLR going b2b with Break for a hefty Sunday send-off, there were some outstanding musical moments to experience.

But if you weren’t into D&B, then you were probably watching Kool & The Gang at Grand Central. It was a beautiful show you don’t get the opportunity to see often in a lifetime as they reeled through classics sparking nostalgia amongst the crowd. When ‘Celebration’ played, there was a sea of people on shoulders and everyone was singing along. It was the perfect way to close a festival return we were all celebrating.

As always, Boomtown ended with a closing ceremony on the two main stages. Origin’s saw A Little Sound and take centre stage for what was an epic finale with hearty basslines, while also relaying an important message about the planet and being connected as one. Some people clearly didn’t get the message though – leaving masses of tents and rubbish behind after the festival closed. Sustainability is at the heart of Boomtown’s mission, so to see so much disregard for it was a big shame, especially considering the messages of togetherness throughout the event.

Here’s to hoping Chapter Two: The Twin Trail brings the same positive energy and big moments we experienced this year, but with more care for Boomtown’s values.

Keep up to date with news about Boomtown Chapter Two: The Twin Trail here

The post Reviewed: Boomtown 2022 appeared first on Data Transmission.

As the sun shone down over Victoria Park in East London, we strolled into the festival along with the 50,000 other music fans with no major hold-ups, the first big tick from us. It’s definitely the most organised festival I’ve been to this summer; stewards actually knew where stages and specific areas were as opposed to other festivals I’ve been to, where I’ve asked where a stage was and been met with a blank response.

Exploring the festival grounds upon arrival, we then wandered over to the North Stage to catch Shy FX. Shy FX is just a staple booking for a summer festival, with his tunes encapsulating good vibes and energy. My only criticism is his set should have been on the Main Stage, as it felt wrong watching from inside a dark stuffy tent.

Mura Masa bagged himself a spot on the Main Stage and it was the perfect slot for the late afternoon sunshine. His newer track ‘bbycakes’ was a firm favourite with the crowd, but his classic tracks like ‘One Night’ and ‘Firefly’ still provided the nostalgia that had them bouncing. Appearing on the stage with vocalists Fliss and Bonzai whilst he played his instruments, the unparalleled momentum that these two brought to the set really complimented Mura Masa’s tracks. Weaving in a handful of new tracks from his upcoming album release too, I can’t wait to hear what he has in store for the future.

Following his boiler room set only a month ago which has now racked up over four million plays, Fred Again.. was up next on the North Stage. Having seen him before on a much smaller stage at Parklife, I knew things would be different this time; Fred Again.. is all everyone is talking about at the moment. From hearing his name mentioned on the overground to the festival more than a handful of times to hearing people play his tunes through their phone speakers whilst drinking on the way up to the festival, it’s clear that he’s become the talk of the town.

Luckily, we arrived early to bag ourselves a spot, but from the videos on social media, the tent was bursting at the seams. Fred has quickly become the voice of a generation, with his tunes echoing how everyone seems to feel. His music radiates warmth and togetherness, and you feel like you know everyone around you as a friend at his sets. “What I’m about to say, is a sentence I cannot believe I’m about to say… oh my days” he laughed in disbelief towards the end of the set before The Streets’ Mike Skinner made a guest appearance. Performing The Streets’ ‘how’s it come to this’ and ‘Take Me As I Am’, Skinner and Fred Again then performed an exclusive mash-up of The Streets’ ‘Weak Become Heroes’ and Fred’s ‘Baxter’; it was a moment I’ll remember for a long time.

Finally, it was time for the brotherly duo of Guy and Howard Lawrence, better known as Disclosure, to take to the stage. As the airy vocals of ‘White Noise’ echoed across the park, Disclosure jumped headfirst into their setlist of classics and newer tracks. Highlights included ‘When a fire starts to burn’ and ‘Nocturnal’, as the crowd produced a sea of phone torches. However, the real highlight of the night was Sam Smith making a guest appearance and playing ‘Latch’ with Disclosure live for the first time in five years. Ending their set with ‘Tondo’, they captured the party atmosphere perfectly and made All Points East a festival to remember.

The post Reviewed: All Points East 27th August 2022 appeared first on Data Transmission.

First things first, let’s talk about the stages… I’ve been to Parklife four times now, but this year was my favourite yet; the festival has evolved and adapted so much over the years. I was sceptical to return this year, thinking about the squashed tents where you can’t get in to see anyone you want to see; however, I was pleasantly surprised. Most of the tents have now been replaced with outdoor stages, meaning that almost every artist was accessible.

There has clearly been a lot of thought that has gone into the stage designs, with each stage fitting the vibe of the genre or artist they were hosting. However, the only issue with mostly outdoor stages is that you could regularly hear the thudding bass from another stage whilst seeing another artist.

Also, hosting ‘20 Years of Metropolis‘ on possibly the smallest indoor stage at the festival on the Sunday wasn’t the wisest idea. Sadly, I had to leave Dimension’s set early because there just wasn’t enough space in the tent. Next year, please don’t put the drum and bass in the tiniest tent!

Moving on to the artists, on the Saturday I was lucky enough to catch Salute, Shy FX and Chase & Status Live.

Salute stole the Saturday. His energy is so contagious, bouncing around the stage and singing along to his track, ‘Joy’ and the other tracks he mixes in so seamlessly. His sparkling euphoric track selections had the crowd captivated and he really injected the energy and good vibes into the G-Stage that I hadn’t seen until his set.

Over at The Valley stage, Shy FX warmed up the afternoon crowds nicely as the sun shone onto the fields. Varying between his hard-hitting drum and bass and reggae roots, ‘Original Nuttah’ and ‘Roll The Dice’ went down a storm with the Manchester crowd.

Chase & Status closed The Valley stage on the Saturday with a live performance which was truly mesmerising. It was a breath of fresh air to see them perform the classic Chase & Status hits, whilst intertwining in aspects of ‘RTRN ll JUNGLE’ alongside their new music. The crowd seemed to go wild at the nostalgic tracks from the early Chase & Status days, with the 2009 track with Plan B, ‘Pieces’ being a highlight.

The Sunday had the arguably better lineup for my liking, with Jayda G, Overmono, Dimension, Fred Again… and Bicep on my list. It was also the day that the ’20 Years of Metropolis’ stage was there, and even though I vowed I’d try to see artists I hadn’t already seen, it’s always too hard to resist.

Jayda G is a woman who is born to perform. Stepping out in front of the decks to dance with the crowd, her aura is glowing and soon pulled everyone out of their lulls from having partied the day before too. Donning a pink two-piece with fluffy cuffs, her outfit, her vibe and her music were electric, and I can’t wait to see where she goes next.

Onto the highlight of the whole weekend, Fred Again… I honestly haven’t stopped telling people about his set since I saw it, it was INCREDIBLE. Coming onto stage with another musician Tony, they both performed an impeccable live set and I’ve not felt that emotional whilst watching and listening to music in a long time. Fred is so humble and appreciative on stage and encapsulates a warm feeling of togetherness. Each song is an honest story and he makes the effort to involve and talk to everyone at the show. ‘Loving Arms’ was the obvious highlight and closer of his set, as everyone wrapped their arms around their friends.

The plan was to see Bicep next, but as we passed the ’20 Years of Metropolis’ Stage on the way, I couldn’t resist having a peek. I knew Sub Focus was on and I just wanted to hear one song. But that one song led to an entire set…

Sub Focus and MC ID know how to work a crowd. Dipping in between new Sub Focus music and the classics like ‘Tidal Wave’, Sub Focus tore through his dancefloor drum and bass set flawlessly; I was so glad we decided to stay for it.

I have to honestly say, before going to this year’s Parklife I was dubious as to if I would enjoy it. However, it exceeded my expectations by miles and I wouldn’t hesitate to return next year if the lineup is just as good.

The post Reviewed: Parklife Festival 2022 appeared first on Data Transmission.

Headlining Sundown for the first time this year is UK’s favourite hyper man, AJ Tracey. Off the back of his 2021 album ‘Flu Game’, AJ Tracey solidified his status as one of the most talented grime artists in recent years. AJ Tracey is set to get the whole crowd dancing and singing along all night! 

Regarded as arguably the most iconic dancehall artist of all time, Sean Paul will be headlining the main stage for a night to remember.

What would Sundown Festival be without its incredible stage takeovers? Introduced by the likes of Cogo, DnB AllStars, UKF and Gonzo’s Two Room, and with the biggest names in modern dance music, pop, garage and hip-hop, Sundown Festival sets the tone to close the summer season with a bang! Having performed on the biggest stages in the world are renowned EDM DJs Jonas Blue and Sigala, multi-genre hit maker Bru-C and multi-talented hip-hop queen Ms Banks, just to name a few. 

Joining them are some of the most iconic figures in global dance music culture such as Andy C, Charlie Sloth, Jax Jones, DJ EZ, Sam Divine, Shy FX, Arielle Free, Jamie Roy, Jess Bays, Franky Wah, Bladerunner, Promo ZO, Ewan Mcvicar, Koven, IC3, Sarah Story, House Gospel Choir and loads more!

Always offering the audience the best experience ever, this year Sundown Festival is launching its brand new VIP and Premium Camping packages. With last year’s tickets completely selling out six months ahead of the event, we suggest fans get their tickets ASAP!

More info and tickets can be found here!

The post Sundown Festival announce lineup for 2022 appeared first on Data Transmission.

El Dorado supplies more than just unthinkable beats, being previously described by visitors and media as the UK’s best kept secret music festival. Spanning across their stunning natural location, year after year El Dorado keeps revellers enthralled with their elaborate and quirky production and uplifting atmosphere. From curating a top of the line music programme to delicious gastronomy and wellness activities – the festival has something for everyone without compromising on quality and intimacy.

Bringing the smoothest liquid drum and bass, Hybrid Minds will flood Eastnor Castle with their monumental sounds alongside the mystic mania of Shy FX. The original Reggae selector and soundclash champion David Rodigan plans to shake the venue with his Jamaican mashups, joined by the electric mastermind Skream who will be sending sonic waves with his set.

Drawing on styles with electronic music from house, soca, hiphop, soul and jungle to create something entirely unique with an epic 6-piece live show, Afriquoi are an underground sensation set to stun everyone with their uplifting fusion of African music and live electronics. At the same time, party people can move like dancing queens to Bjorn Again who will be performing the greatest and best hits from ABBA.

Further acts playing at the festival’s return include Kojey Radical, Wilkinson, Horse Meat Disco, Franc Moody, SHERELLE, High Contrast, ENNY,  Ewan McVicar, Weaver Bros., Nia Archives, Riot Jazz,  and many more.

Aiming to offer the most vibrant and sustainable El Dorado yet, the four-day camping festival is working with C-Free who are assisting in the goal of becoming net-zero in the coming years. What’s more; working with the Eden Forest project in order to help the local Madagascian community, with every ticket sold El Dorado will plant a Mangrove tree in Madagascar creating their very own El Dorado forest. 

More info and tickets are available here

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Celebrating the very best in House, Urban, Bass, Techno and Drum & Bass, the UK’s biggest independent dance festival has announced its latest lineup additions, proving that this year’s music extravaganza is set to be its biggest yet. 

“The ultimate highlight of the festival calendar is returning for the hugely anticipated 9^th edition and heads back to The Airfield of Dreams, bringing together some of the most iconic names in Bass, Techno, Drum & Bass and Dance music. Stage hosts to be announced very soon.” – Steve Durham, We Are FSTVL CEO

The latest additions include more powerhouses from across the board such as legendary global techno ambassador Carl Cox and Drumcode’s influential chief Adam Beyer, plus Afterlife label heads and melodic techno kings Tale Of Us, the party-starting US duo The Martinez Brothers, UK house sensation Patrick Topping, enduring American pioneer Todd Terry and many more. 

Phase 1 acts for 2021 included chart-topping UK favourite Craig David TS5, techno royalty such as Ibiza kingpin Marco Carola, Desolate label head Loco Dice and Italian sensations Joseph Capriati and Deborah De Luca as well as homegrown Essex boy Andy C and London favourite turned international star Michael Bibi. There are also contemporary house and tech tastemakers like The Blessed Madonna, Apollonia, Sonny Fodera, Jamie Jones and legendary New York pioneer Armand Van Helden as well as Drum & Bass stars Harriet Jaxxon, Kings of the Rollers Ft. Inja, High Contrast, Rudimental, Shy FX and many more.

More info and tickets can be found here

The post We Are FSTVL announce next wave of acts for 2022 appeared first on Data Transmission.