Having blazed a trail throughout his career, Fatboy Slim will headline the jaw-dropping Forest Stage next Spring.

Maribou State (DJ set) and Honey Dijon are two more marquee names joining him between 4th and 9th April, with the latter set to be part of a Glitterbox street party.

Mamma lines up alongside fellow party affiliates Folamour and Melvo Baptiste, while TSHA, Sherelle, Kettama, Logic1000 and Dombresky continue the list of names.

Big Miz, Catz N Dogz, Fabio & Grooverider and HospitalityDnb complete this stage of announcements.

Add them to the previously announced Bicep (Live), Andy C, CamelPhat, Kurupt FM and Rudimental, and the Alpine adventure is coming together perfectly.

After a 2 year absence, Snowbombing’s return to Austria is set to deliver phenomenal live moments, amazing pop-up parties and an assortment of wacky and wonderful characters. That includes takeovers from Sink The Pink, HE.SHE.THEY., UKG Brunch, Bongo’s Bingo and ’90s icon Mr Motivator.

Exploring stunning vistas, unique locations and a village bursting with activity, Snowbombing is more than just a week-long ski and snowboarding getaway. It’s not called The Greatest Show On Snow for no reason.

For packages, head to the Snowbombing website and book your place on the piste today.

The post Snowbombing announces Fatboy Slim for 2022 appeared first on Data Transmission.

Taking place from 3rd to 7th July, Hideout 2022 promises 5 stages, filled with a diverse assortment of talent. Want some names?

CamelPhat, Jamie Jones, Fisher, Skream, Solardo and Sonny Fodera are the acts who have already been unveiled as next year’s headliners.

Those heavyweights are joined by TSHA, Jayda G, Krystal Klear and Folamour to complete a strong phase one line-up.

Other confirmed artists include Andy C, Flava D, Franky Wah, Harriet Jaxxon, Hot Since 82, Jaguar, My Nu Leng and Shy FX. In total, phase one contains over 50 names. See below for the full list of acts so far.

Although these are just early shoots, Hideout is shaping-up to go all out for its 10th edition. We’re looking forward to getting back to open-air dancing, surrounded by the natural beauty of Zrce Beach.

For tickets and further information, visit the Hideout website.

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FUSE’s (long overdue) maiden voyage at Printworks couldn’t have arrived at a better time. The city is smarting from the mid-October announcement that potentially jeopardises the site’s function as a music venue.

Since its January 2017 launch, London has formed an emotional bond with the venue. Now British Land, the property developer collaborating with Southwark council on the area’s ongoing £4M regeneration, has confirmed intentions to transform the space into offices.

CGI mock-up of Printworks post-regeneration

While it isn’t a foregone conclusion, questions are raised about how it can exist in its current format with business neighbours and, prior to that, extensive construction work.

FUSE‘s imminent landing on Sunday 21st November offers a distraction. Originally scheduled for the party’s 12th birthday in 2020, the postponed date is delicately poised between hedonistic escapism and cold, hard reality.

Few club brands command citywide affection while staying true to their underground roots. FUSE is a party born on the dancefloor. Community is at its heart. And it’s quintessentially London.

It’s easy to feel glum about the potential loss of a cultural landmark. Choosing to remain upbeat and resolute, we look at the reasons why next weekend’s party is unmissable. Here’s what we’re looking forward to…

London looks ahead to FUSE’s debut at Printworks

A birthday-sized line up

Seasoned FUSE residents Rich NxT and Rossko will be stamping authenticity all over proceedings. Between them, they represent the unadulterated sound of FUSE.

Do you want some big guests? Silly question. Dyed Soundorom is known as one-third of French trilogy Apollonia, but he’s also been a frequent face at the party down the years. A chance to hear him play solo in London should not be overlooked. Traumer, too, is another DJ capable of getting down and dirty.

Personally, we’re looking forward to seeing Mr Limousine Dream, Gene On Earth throw his cosmic beats around Printworks. One of the breakthrough DJs of the last three years, the German-based brings intrigue as well as reputation.

Sunday 21st November represents a rare chance to catch Gene On Earth in the UK

Another act worthy of your attention is Cristi Cons. The rominimal sound has a lot of overlap with FUSE, so this could be a marriage made in heaven.

Support acts such as Fabe, Laidlaw, Michael James and Thomas Melchior are familiar with FUSE. All four have operated around the INFUSE/LOCUS label and party series. They know exactly what the FUSE philosophy is all about.

Next door in Inkwells, Anthea and Fumiya Tanaka won’t be there just to make up the numbers.

However, we’d be lying if we said anything other than Enzo Siragusa‘s closing set in the Press Halls being the main pull. There’s no early exit next Sunday. We’re there until the lights come up.

Printworks’ production capabilities

FUSE is a party that places emphasis on sound and vibe. Normally, anything else is an unnecessary distraction. All good. We’re thinking that ethos might be adjusted briefly next Sunday.

When you’re given the keys to Printworks, suddenly you have lots of industry-leading tech at your disposal. Might as well use it! So long as the crowd and the music play their part, we see no reason why the venue’s incredible spec can’t be deployed to maximum effect.

It seems unlikely the music will be anything other than front-and-centre. Just as it should be. Now let loose with the lights and lasers and see how the crowd takes it. It might end up the biggest, most memorable FUSE in history.

The sound and vibe of FUSE

Although, generally, we subscribe to the idea that FUSE’s signature sound is best suited to low-ceilings and intimate settings, there are of course exceptions to the rules. And if ever an exception was called for, then a birthday celebration definitely fits the bill. C’mon, we all go a little bit super-size on our birthday. Right?

Plus, having recently caught Enzo Siragusa play the cavernous Depot at Mayfield, we’re fully aware he has it in his locker to upscale. Perhaps he went a bit faster and played a few more bigger records. Yet it was still that distinct FUSE sound: smoking, rolling grooves.

Enzo Siragusa brings the heat to Manchester’s Mayfield Depot last weekend

But as long-time FUSE attendees, we can vouch that the most important factor is the atmosphere on the dancefloor.

FUSE has spent 13 years fostering this vibe. A strict entry policy and a commitment to a single vision in the past, has paid dividends in the now. There are few crowds as loyal or as clued-up as FUSE’s. It borders on sacred. While the venues have increased in capacity, the party has worked hard to maintain that community feel.

There’s nothing like a FUSE crowd – and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

London looks ahead to FUSE’s debut at Printworks with eager anticipation. Although the road beyond is less clear, in the short and medium-term, there’s plenty to be excited about.

If you can’t join us for FUSE, see below for the rest of Printworks confirmed house and techno events up to 01.01.2022:

Printworks London autumn/winter schedule 2021/22

Sun 21 Nov | FUSE’s 13th birthday
Sat 27 Nov | Afterlife Day 1
Sun 28 Nov | Afterlife Day 2
Sat 04 Dec | MK presents
Fri 10 Dec | Noisia
Sat 11 Dec | Anjunadeep
Sun 12 Dec | Bugged Out!
Fri 17 Dec | Gorgon City presents Olympia
Sat 18 Dec | Richie Hawtin presents From Our Minds
Fri 31 Dec | Defected NYE
Sat 01 Dec | Glitterbox NYD

For the last remaining tickets for this season, visit here. Don’t forget, Printworks will be back in early 2022 with its spring programme, of which the first events are already confirmed.

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Last week, Pioneer DJ, a subsidiary of the AlphaTheta Corporation, revealed the latest piece of kit to hit the market.

The new all-in-one, 2-channel DJ system boasts all the features of its predecessor, as well as packing in a host of new ones. Essentially, the XDJ-RX3 combines the best bits from the club-standard CDJ-3000 and DJM-900NXS2 mixer, plus a brand-new 10.1-inch touch screen.

It’s easily portable set-up lends itself for hassle-free configuration at private events, home settings or even smaller public spaces.

As before, you can opt to play Rekordbox-analysed tracks from USB drives or connect a laptop to unlock Rekordbox Performance mode. Support for Serato DJ Pro is coming in early 2022.

Turning our attention to the 10.1-inch touch screen, the XDJ-RX3 has both a higher resolution and frame rate than previous models. A  brand-new interface that makes it quicker and easier to browse your music and control effects.

The new Playlist Bank feature rapidly accesses your 4 favourite playlists at a single touch. Meanwhile, Touch Preview gives you the choice to listen to any part of a track without having to load it.

And for those who want to make every mix sound different, 14 Beat FX and 6 Sound Color FX explore fresh ways to manipulate your music.

With unwanted external noise eliminated thanks to the new audio design, the XDJ-RX3 is finely-tuned. The end result is unparalleled natural sound that true audiophiles will appreciate.

Want to learn more? Head here.

The post Pioneer launches its flagship XDJ-RX3 appeared first on Data Transmission.

Her DJing journey began 6 years ago. Since then, she has held residency for The Social festival, Thirty3Hz and her hometown’s Junk, as well as adding a list of international bookings to her CV. Producing was the next career step, with Caruana already counting Resonance Records and Swerve Digital amongst the labels she has released on.

Although the south coast producer has weighed in with some remixes and V/A contributions in the meantime, it’s been two years since her last solo EP.

Keen to show us what we’ve been missing in the interim, Caruana picks up right where she left off. The 3-track ‘Lost Minds‘ contains two originals and a remix courtesy of another burgeoning producer in MKEY.

The release is set to be Little Festival Record’s last output until June, as the label postpones all forthcoming music from next Friday onwards.

‘Lost Minds’ itself is a tech house foot stomper. Its rumbling bassline and rhythmical percussions means it will slot seamlessly into Caruana’s own energetic sets around the 3AM mark.

Featuring playful chimes, an expletive female vocal and a flirtatious giggle that build into a rambunctious drop, B-side ‘B!TCH’ is equally deserving of peak time status.

Finally, MKEY’s rub on the title track falls within the deep tech territory. Moulded for those evanescent hours, the filter effects sound like emerging from a comatosed state in the middle of a popping afterhours.

This is merely the beginning. Caruana has more new music scheduled for later in 2020. In the meantime, you can fill an hour’s worth of isolation by listening to Caruana’s AAA Mix. It contains both originals and will give listeners a feel for what to expect from a club set.

The EP is released on Friday 10th April and will be available from all reputable download stores.

The post Caruana debuts on Little Festival Records with ‘Lost Minds’ appeared first on Data Transmission.

Being based in the South East, we can often take things for granted. Our proximity to London just makes social calendar planning easy. Too easy. Each and every weekend, you can guarantee that something good is going on. But that comes with its own pitfalls. Often, we self diagnose our numbness to the rest of the region. In actuality, we’re shooting ourselves in the foot.

From Brighton’s mod past to Camber Sands’ Funk & Soul weekender, infamous festivals held in the grounds of Hertfordshire stately homes to the electronic music hotbed of Maidstone. And let’s not forget the M25 raves pre-Criminal Justice Act. The South East is steeped in musical heritage and musical revolution.

Comprising of a bar, club space, an outdoor terrace and hovering just below a modest 200 capacity, Thirty3Hz in Guildford is the small club punching well above its weight division. Keen to show ambition, the low-profile sanctuary is not only offering itself up as an alternative to London but willing to take the fight to the door of the ultra-competitive, saturated market place. That degree of separation that some might dismiss as a hindrance, may well prove to be its biggest USP.

Located a five minute stroll from lively Bridge Street, Thirty3Hz is inconspicuous enough that it still needs to be sought out. You won’t find many opportunistic stragglers here, but a knowledgeable and enthusiastic crowd of music lovers.

Past acts to pass through the doors include Josh Butler, Secondcity, Weiss and Low Steppa when he played at our Shanghaied Records party last year. While MistaJam, a certain Darius Syrossian and another Toolroom affiliate in Michael Gray are all scheduled for upcoming dates.

Thirty3Hz has admirers in high places. Danny Howard and Sam Divine consider it amongst the most underrated, intimate venues the UK has to offer. Mark Knight has even immortalised his admiration of the soundsystem on the venue’s wall of fame. Glowing endorsements aside, its well-honed programme and wallet-friendly pricing structure that should appeal to Surrey’s underground fan base.

London’s charm as a party destination is polarising, not least in cost. Even its biggest cheerleaders would point to other grievances: congestion, pollution, Instagram crowds, homogenised bookings. Thirty3Hz offers an attractive alternative minus many of these transgressions, and that’s before you even broach the city limits. Arguably, the catchment zone is far wider. Partygoers in Sussex, Berkshire and Hampshire take note.

Proactive in nurturing talent, the venue and its management are committed to a forward-thinking booking policy. Particular praise should be aimed at the balanced approach taken to booking, in a famously imbalanced industry. Thirty3Hz is a club that puts female performers on a level playing field to their male counterparts. This weekend’s upcoming event with Maxinne & Friends is no exception.

Let’s take a look at reasons to divert from the obvious choice and head to Guildford on Saturday night. These are the females of the future.

Maxinne

Returning from Balearic shores to her UK-base of Worthing, Maxinne was a belle of Ibiza’s 2019 season. For seventeen consecutive weeks, she was installed as the resident during Toolroom’s return to the island whilst continuing her association with Tantra.

Justifying the faith entrusted in her, Maxinne was a clear highlight in an otherwise challenging campaign that saw her grow with each passing week. It wasn’t only at San Antonio super-club Eden where she was making a name for herself. Releases on Toolroom over this period, in addition to being the face of the label’s clothing range have solidified her position in the family set-up.

Since the season ended, Maxinne’s kept busy by playing a debut show in Paris before reconvening with the Toolroom family at their UK party dates. Next up on the release front, she has been handed the duty of curating and mixing Toolroom’s latest V/A album. That profile – that trust – just gets bigger.

Immediately after the gig, Maxinne flies to Belgium and then it’s back to the UK the weekend after. This time supporting Klingande at Ministry Of Sound in London. ‘Ms. International’ racking up more air miles.

Looking back to her career before she became such a huge part of the Toolroom set-up, Maxinne started out with frequent appearances at Thiry3Hz. She even supported Mark Knight on his first ever gig at the club. Look at how that relationship has blossomed in the interim.

Given the stage of her career, it’s poetic that Maxinne would return to that same venue with the momentum of Toolroom behind to host her own party.

Carly Carmen

Our hostess is joined by a fellow academy member from Toolroom’s #WEARELISTENING initiative. Carly Carmen has been putting in some serious hours in the booth on London turf. Almost every weekend, you can find her name nestled amongst the listings.

Shoreditch, Hoxton, Brixton – Carly can regularly be found dropping beats at their most prominent underground establishments. Commitment is everything. Presence, more so. Most recently, she added an appearance at Tobacco Dock as the latest feather in her cap.

Having played at Thirty3Hz before, Carly returns no longer an unknown quantity, but one of the most promising rising talents in the industry.

Caruana

Another guest making her way from the south coast is Southampton native, Caruana. Slight of frame, it would be wrong to form preconceptions based on appearance. The petite DJ with Maltese heritage has a consistent record for energising the dancefloor. We can attest to as much.

Vibey, engaging crowds have always come as part and parcel when Caruana has been steering the controls. Since plying her trade at former south coast haunt, Junk, she has quickly risen up the ranks, thanks largely to some notable explosive sets.

Now, she’s throwing her own parties at her hometown’s Switch and added to an already impressive list of European festival appearances. Turning her hand to production, the burgeoning musician has graced the likes of Domus, TAKE and our own Shanghaied Records.

Whilst still she’s working on her sound in the studio, personally, we can’t wait to get back amongst it whilst Caruana is working the decks. Returning to her regular Thirty3Hz stomping ground, Maxinne & Friends is as good an opportunity as any.

It would be an injustice to ignore the rest of the Maxinne & Friends line-up. The big headline guests are tech house duo Prok & Fitch. No stranger to Toolroom themselves, accreditation from Green Velvet and outings on his Relief imprint lend authority to their prowess.

Guildford born-and-bred Folii and another female of the future, Jo Poole are two more acts worth travelling for.

Join the Maxinne & Friends, the females of the future and co this weekend at Thirty3Hz. Last remaining tickets are on sale now. The future is female.

The post Females of the Future appeared first on Data Transmission.

Answer: you invite East London’s finest – FUSE Records – to take charge of the club room as part of the continued A Decade Of Rave celebrations. Also – incidentally – the collective’s one and only Ibiza showcase of the entire summer. Now that’s something special. Then you insist on playing all night long, just to highlight the depth of your repertoire.

The Martinez Brothers – AKA Chris & Stevie Jr. – have a real affinity with DC-10 and a connection to its crowd. Along with their pal and label co-owner Seth Troxler, they are the recurring faces regularly found as the lynchpins of the venue’s most infamous party: Circoloco.

But following a highly successful one-off takeover last summer, DC-10 invited the Bronx favourites back for three separate occasions in summer 2019.

For the second in the series, Cuttin’ Headz again linked up with FUSE London following cohesive collaborations in London and at Amsterdam’s ADE in late 2018. As with those previous projects, the sound of both labels complemented each other incredibly well.

Cuttin’ Headz, with the Martinez Brothers’ funk, gospel and hip-hop influenced house on the terrace, and FUSE’s self-styled dubby, stripped-back fusic in the main room. To add further prestige to proceedings, Enzo Siragusa would play somewhat of an ANL himself. The FUSE guru would have a conveyor belt of B2B partners throughout the night, comprising of his party stablemates and Guti (live).

At the height of the season, slap bang in the middle of summer, we went along to get sweaty at DC-10.

Even on a stacked night, that included the ever-popular Defected at Eden, David Guetta’s FMIF! at Hï, Dixon presents Transmoderna and Solomun’s sister Magdalena throwing a free party at Cova Santa, the allure of DC-10 hedonism proved too strong for Ibiza’s underground contingent to stay away. Mobbed for early until very, very late it was the party the pinnacle of summer deserved.

Here’s the top ten tracks from both rooms that have us thirsting for more:

The post 10 tracks that have us gassed for Tobacco Dock 21/09 appeared first on Data Transmission.

Over the course of the past few months the town has been gifted by the presence of some of the biggest promoters in bass music: Def:inition, In Ya Face and Drumsoundz. The result has been an influx of talent, ranging from Eksman and Majistrate to Logan D and IC3. Undisputedly, the biggest of the lot had been reserved for tonight: Resonate: D&B present Chase & Status + MC Rage. Enough to get even the most casual observer of drum & bass excited. Christmas had arrived four nights early and the lunatics were about to takeover the asylum.

After Nic Fanciulli’s much publicised exploits in the town, you could be forgiven for assuming Maidstone might be a place unable to see past its infatuation with house music. But the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. In speaking to wily scene-veteran Jungle Ed – who would also be playing on the night – he enthused about the region’s rich bass lineage and the part it played at the dawn of rave.

We recall our own fond memories of the scene. Thursday nights at The Loft, hosted by Skibadee & Shabba. For many of us, it was our first experience of underground clubbing. Our first exposure to music away from commercial radio. In many cases, our first dabble with narcotics. Lifelong friendships were formed on those formative Thursday nights. And lifestyle paths were set, of which many of us continued on to this day.

Perhaps equally as interestingly, was the venue itself, which had recently undergone a transformation. In a past life, it was a place to go be seen; a place to go pull. Or watch the latest Z-list flavour of the month bludgeon a “DJ set”. This wasn’t a venue to get lost down the rabbithole. A glorified cattle market inspired by the likes of Sugarhut and lifted right from the script of a reality TV docu-drama. Quite literally, vajazzle-d. Or, rolled in glitter – take your pick.

But following a refurb, a new management team drafted in and rung the changes. Posturing for Instagram likes and sparklers in spirit magnums have been replaced, in favour of a relaxed dress code and renewed focus on sound quality. The installation of a suped-up Funktion One soundsystem underlining their intent. This new clubbing experience is one for audiophiles. And then there are the lasers. Oh, the lasers!

The wildcard thrown into the mixer, was the day itself. “Builders Friday” AKA the last working Friday in Advent – also referred to amongst door personnel as Mad Friday or Black-Eyed Friday, owing the scenes of mayhem often exhibited. We would later discover, that any suggestion of high-jinx and skylark would manifest in an entirely positive manner.

Drum & bass has done much to change public perception in the past decade. Arguably a change of image was highly needed. As one of the prominent crossover acts, Chase & Status have played a vital part in that rebrand. They, along with other chart invaders DJ Fresh, Pendulum and Sub Focus helped usher in an era where D&B could be found on Radio 1’s daytime playlist. Where its stars could headline stages at 10,000 capacity festivals. No longer associated with dodgy geezers wearing Stone Island, rude boys with suped-up Novas, adolescents with ADHD and resin afro-clouds. In the modern day, their success has helped paved the way for the next generation: the Rudimentals, the Sigmas and the Wilkinsons.

After huge headline shows at Motion Bristol, Printworks and Dreamland’s The Hall by the Sea, this gig might be considered a little lower key. Not that the impressive Gallery can can be accused of being intimate. The grand chandelier shimmering above the dancefloor did seem odd artefact hovering above a rowdy D&B crowd. But the high-grade lasers cutting through the vast overhead space put us more in home territory. Rage’s bark sounded as dope as always, while Saul moved through some favourites from the back-catalogue and, we assume, some of the latest material as yet unfamiliar. Short, but sweet. With imminent family-time very much at the front of our conscious, we ducked out soon after the headline act had finished-up. But we left happy to concede that our misconceptions about the validity of the venue had been exactly that. Any bruises we walked away with, were inflicted as consenting participants in over-exuberant dancefloor activity. Drum & bass is a force for good, in the season of goodwill.

During the intermission between Xmas and New Year, we got to spark those nostalgia-laced synapses, as Pure Science made a pitstop with an Atomics reunion. Perhaps more salivating still, is the prospect of Hospitality gracing the town this coming Friday (1st February). With no less than Danny Byrd and Metrik in tow. For now, we must sit idly by and wait for RTRNIIJUNGLE to finally see the light of day! (it’s soon, we’re reliably informed.) Fortune favours the patient.

Was there carnage on the streets? No. But on the dancefloor? Oh my! Annihilated. This unassuming market town in Mid-Kent has laid a claim as a utopic D&B stronghold. On reflection, we struggle to recall a time when that wasn’t the case.

Tickets for Gallery Fridays present Hospitality Kent on 1st Feb are available here

The post Reviewed: Gallery Fridays presents Chase & Status appeared first on Data Transmission.

Following an emphatic debut season, Amnesia’s new Monday night party concept Pyramid Ibiza lands in London this weekend. Taking over Studio 338’s terrace in Greenwich for one exclusive date now seems like the ideal opportunity to reflect on that blockbuster inauguration.

With partnerships with the likes of GAME OVER and Keep On Dancing, it was clear that Pyramid meant business. Filling Cocoon’s big boots was never going to be an easy task – and going head-to-head with the island’s most popular underground party in Circoloco was gutsy.

Despite the task at hand, Pyramid can consider itself one of the success stories from Ibiza 2018. Not only was the party boundary-pushing musically, but it featured bespoke production, beautiful dancers and produced the already iconic triangle hand gesture, that would come to be adopted by attendees and artists alike.

Here are our Top 10 highlights from the seventeen-week residency.

1. Charlotte de Witte at Pyramid Ibiza opening party

Monday 4th June

Kudos must be given to Pyramid for having the foresight to give Belgium’s latest techno prodigy three dates. Having only made her Ibiza debut a year earlier, Charlotte de Witte wasted little time in showing why she is so highly touted as techno’s next great hope.

Slammin’ it down at the opening with exhilarating, white-knuckle velocity, de Witte left no doubt that she is the real deal.

She ended her set on ATB’s 9PM ‘Til I Come, much to the delight of the crowd. Though, her usual tougher, no-frills palate is what she will be remembered for.

2. FUSE come back to Amnesia

Monday 16th July

With Hyte out-going in the winter merry-go-round, it looked for some time as if Ibiza 2018 wouldn’t get any FUSE action in 2018. But Enzo Siragusa and Co. would eventually be confirmed to return to Amnesia’s club room for a one-off takeover in mid-July.

No surprise that this brought the masses. East London’s finest proved why they’re still one of the hottest collectives in underground dance music.

3. HOSH takes the dancefloor on a journey

Diynamic label takeover

Monday 23rd July

Few could dispute that the marquee draw on Diynamic’s 23rd July takeover was anybody other than Solomun. But how often is it the case, that highlight of the night falls to an unexpected protagonist. Enter stage centre: H.O.S.H.

Italian duo Undercatt did a phenomenal job of opening-up the club room as the crowd built. They alone were a tough act to follow. But the fryhide boss and long term Diynamic affiliate blew us away with an emotionally-charged and expertly layered set that drifted from ambient to indietronica to melodic techno. Spellbinding stuff.

The strings on Tone Depth’s Beirut were sublimely divine.

4. Darius Syrossian switches

Monday 6th August

Darius Syrossian made the club room his own in season 2018, as the (almost) weekly resident for Do Not Sleep – culminating with his show-stealing set at Amnesia’s closing party on Saturday 13 December. Certainly, his exploits on Thursdays fuelled the speculation that the nomadic party could finally be ready to settle roots moving forward.

However, it was his other Amnesia appearance that stood out as one of his best – a single date on the terrace for Pyramid in early August. We got to experience a different edge of Syrossian’s identity. This one became a firm favourite during his campaign, peaking our nostalgic senses.

We’re buzzin’ to see the ace return to Studio 338’s terrace next Saturday as Pyramid’s special guest.

5. Mind Against’s earthy tones

Monday 20th August

2018 felt like the year that brothers Alessandro and Federico stepped out of the shadow of mentors Tale Of Us, and started getting taken seriously as artists in their own right. Comparisons are perhaps understandable, given they share a lot of common ground. But make no mistake about it, Mind Against have a sound entirely of their own.

Teeing things up for Maceo Plex to take over the controls with heart-tugging intensity, Mind Against furthered their claim to be given higher billing in seasons to come.

6. Maceo Plex all night long

Monday 3rd September

Without the unnecessary pressure of his own weekly residency, 2018 marked a watershed in Maceo Plex’s Ibiza love-affair. Vanquishing the demons of the failed Mosaic project, it was summer in which he flourished yet again – in both the studio and in the DJ booth.

Down the years we’ve been treated to some special moments on Amnesia’s terrace courtesy of Eric Estornel – and this was another of those occasions. With the all-night-long format, we were treated to his full repertoire – including some classic Maceo.

“Is anybody out there?” 2018 was the year mutants invaded the dancefloor and Plex came back!

7. Stephan Bodzin: live magician

Monday 17th September

The German composer and marvelled live act got about in 2018, with no less than eight tantalising Ibiza dates, predominantly for Pyramid and Afterlife. It was the final of his three commitments on Mondays that underlined his star-power.

In the absence of a “bigger” headliner on the line-up, Stephan Bodzin stood up as the main crowd-puller. Justifying his DJ Award victory as Best Live Performer the previous week, he delivered a virtuoso performance bursting with enthusiasm.

Bodzin? GOD-ZIN!

8. Sam Paganini’s only Ibiza date

Monday 17th September

Less is more – that is the mantra that Sam Paganini subscribed to when it came to Ibiza dates this summer. His sole outing came for Pyramid on 17th September. Alongside Len Faki and Hybrasil in the club room, it was one for the true tech heads.

The JAM boss joins Darius Syrossian at Pyramid’s first dalliance in London on Saturday 17th November. Anyone who missed out this summer can get a feel for what the party is all about.

Paganini brings the power. His latest acid-dripped production, Pulse is out later this month.

9. Ricardo Villalobos + [a:rpia:r] = genius

Pyramid Ibiza closing party

Monday 24th September

We struggle to recall exactly the last time Rhadoo, Petre Inspirescu and Raresh all appeared together at an advertised event at one of the island’s superclubs – but needless to say, it was some years ago. Throw wildcard Ricardo Villalobos into the mix, and you had all the hallmarks of a classic for the Pyramid closing party.

The consistently inconsistent Villalobos actually had his best season ever. Securing him for six Monday terrace dates was a massive coup for Pyramid Ibiza. The mere thought of him alongside the Romanian soundsystem was a salivating prospect that more than lived up to the expectation.

We’d be lying if we told you we could identify any of the music. And if truth be told, we were so lost in it, we didn’t even bother reaching for our phone. But we imagine something like the above got played. Probably.

10. Pyramid Afterparty

Tuesday 25th September

Closing parties mean after parties. That’s an official Ibiza law… we imagine. In the days preceding the event, rumours were rife as to where it would take place. Predictions ranged from Cova Santa to Pikes. In the end though, we all piled back into Amnesia for some afternoon action.

The authorities’ tightened restrictions on finishing times meant – save for a few weeks in July – dancing on the terrace with sunshine beaming through the skylight was a thing of the past. So this almost made up for that.

Villalobos and the Romanians were in tow, as were all Amnesia’s residents including Mar-T, Luca Donzelli, Les Schmitz and Caal for a carry-on for the history books.

From one terrace to another. In association with Lock N Load Events, the Pyramid lands in London this weekend.

On Saturday 17th November, headliner Sam Paganini and Very Special Guest Darius Syrossian are joined by Amnesia resident Luca Donzelli, Mason Collective, Darksiight and Piqué at Studio 338.

In addition, Moon Harbour boss Matthias Tanzmann will play B2B with Detlef. Over the summer, Pyramid Ibiza had a habit of throwing together some exciting B2B pairings, including Ricardo Villalobos & Luciano, Mar-T & Cuatero and Luigi Madonna & Markantonio. While Detlef might have grown accustomed to sharing the booth with Latmun this summer, playing alongside Tanzmann will no doubt test his resolve.

Meanwhile, T. Bunts and Bowler look after the loft room. Having been inducted at Amnesia for Together this summer, the pair knows precisely what the Ibiza institution is all about. They are supported by Too Damn Glam’s Diason.

Final tickets are on sale now!

The post Top 10 highlights from Pyramid Ibiza appeared first on Data Transmission.

2018 marks 5 years of Drumcode Halloween at Tobacco Dock. In the absence of LWE NYD in the new year (and the foreseeable, who knows?) Drumcode Halloween can assume its position as the venue’s flagship event unchallenged. What is it about this annual event that makes it so popular?

As we count down a calendar month until the ten-hour extravaganza, we give you five reasons why attending this and every year is a must-do. London has taken Drumcode Halloween to its heart – here’s why you should too.

Adam Beyer – One Of London’s Own

Outside of his Swedish homeland, the Stockholm-native can count the UK – in particular London – as his second largest fanbase. On British soil, he’s as good as a hometown hero.

Fostered by the relationship with LWE, the partnership has seen Adam Beyer’s impassioned link with the capital flourish. This connection didn’t happen overnight. It has been a strategic long-game, moulded by landmark pin-points throughout the timeline. We could reference those Saturday nights in Farringdon sandwiched between Christmas and New Year – a date which shouldn’t be heavily attended, and yet is. An annual fabric fixture that never ceases to amaze this writer in terms of turnout.

We could reference the five year anniversary of Drumcode Radio, when Beyer broadcast live from intimate MODE nightclub to 600 fanatical fans back in 2015. We could talk about those dusk to nightfall festival sets under that bridge in Boston Manor Park. Few event spaces reflect the apocalyptic backdrop of Drumcode’s vision better.

Getting back on topic, we could gush at length about Drumcode Halloween. From humble beginnings in Ewer Street Car Park back in 2011, it didn’t take long to earn a reputation, growing year-on-year. Before long, Drumcode Halloween – now a firm fixture in the clubbing calendar – needed to upsize. For the 2014 edition, the party upped and exchanged the warehouse arches of Southwalk for an event and conference centre in London’s redeveloped eastend docklands. The switch to Tobacco Dock was a revelation. If the party had already becoming a fan favourite, it was ready to make the leap to legendary status. Five years down the line, and the party hasn’t looked back. Bringing us neatly to 2018.

Perhaps it’s the configuration of the event space that means, in scale alone, this is an indoor festival for all intents and purposes. Boasting three separate music arenas, each with its own unique features and quirks, attendees can really immerse themselves and get lost wandering around a labyrinthine playground.

The walkways are lined with street food stalls and the courtyard is the setting for interactive skits by a rogue’s gallery of method actors, each portraying a fiendish villain taken right for the darkest recesses of your imagination. Then we come to the rooms themselves. The Great Gallery, with its proud beams and expansive dance floor. The dark and dingy warehouse vibe of the Car Park. A clandestine environment submerged in the pitch black. Even the Little Gallery – modest by comparison – is known to featuring emerging artists and is often a refreshing tonic from the carnage of its two larger counterparts.

Consistently selling out months in advance and capturing the imagination of London’s clubbing community – chances are you’re attending wearing Drumcode merch or elaborately-designed fancy dress. Audience participation is high. Even the guest artists seem willing to get involved with the festivities. It is a testament to all parties, that an industry too often accused of dourness, feels relaxed enough to loosen those stiff shoulders.

All of the above point to a storied love affair with the city by Beyer and his label. It is a romance reciprocated by London’s techno community. This mutual bond has been enamoured by these pivotal moments – moments on the dancefloor and moments in London’s green-belt. By day, and by night.

A Swede who lives in Ibiza, but who feels very much at home in London. An adopted Londoner – Adam Beyer is one of our own.

The Sound of Drumcode

There’s no sound quite like Drumcode’s. After honing a distinct signature for two decades, the techno imprint moulded in Adam Beyer’s image continues to break new horizons whilst remaining faithful to those trademark characteristics that make it so recognisable.

Adam Beyer & Bart Skils – Your Mind

Juliet Fox – Wanted Me

Enrico Sangiuliano – Symbiosis

ANNA – Portable Paradise

Adam Beyer & Layton Giordani feat. Green Velvet – Space Date

The Next Generation Of Stars

Drumcode Halloween has always successfully balanced the ratio of star-power against grassroots talent – and 2018’s edition is no different. Naturally, there’s a core of label artists that have almost exclusively been brought through the ranks by Drumcode themselves (I’m looking at Enrico Sangiuliano, Layton Giordani and Dense & Pika.)

Evidently, the stable has been a perfect incubator for nurturing talent. Whilst this continues to be the case, we’ve chosen to shed the light on an outsider this time around – somebody we’ve championed heavily and is starting to get the recognition she deserves. If you catch only one act at Drumcode Halloween, make sure it’s Belgian prodigy Charlotte de Witte.

Anybody who can play the EDM-centric Tomorrowland main stage and bang-out 130bpm techno is a talent to be treasured.
The car park could’ve been custom-designed for her dark, thumping sound. Stripped-back, functional techno made for dancing. Throw in some squelchy acid basslines and some serious kick-drums, and de Witte possesses all the attributes to wrap this haunting up. Sinister vocals included. The perfect Halloween soundtrack? We reckon so. That she lines up alongside Glaswegian stalwarts Slam and Paco Osuna only further

Charlotte de Witte – Remember

Charlotte de Witte – The Healer

Charlotte de Witte – This

Did Somebody Say “Afters”?

LWE’s self-styled day parties – which they have predominantly held at Tobacco Dock – has really turned London’s clubbing habits on its head. Interestingly, whilst the “chasing the afterparty” mindset hasn’t changed, the dynamic has. Almost in reverse now, London opts to party first by day, then by night instead of the more traditional other way round. And we’re all game for that. It even means you can get a solid sleep in all day Sunday to be spritely for work come Monday morning. What a blessing.
In 2018, the official Drumcode After party will be held at 24-hour licensed FOLD warehouse in Canning Town – the newest addition to London’s ever-changing nightlife landscape. At a mere 500 capacity, it’s going to be an intimate affair compared to Tobacco Dock. The best bit? A strict no phone on the dancefloor policy!

For those who don’t fancy wandering that far from the epicentre, there is also the small matter of Maya Jane Coles & Friends happening several hundred yards away at E1. And, hey, you’re in London. Even if neither of those two options take your fancy, the city is your oyster.

The Year Of The ‘Code

At the turn of 2018, Adam Beyer proclaimed that this year would be ‘The Year of the ‘Code’. In retrospect, he wasn’t wrong – and we still have three months of the year remaining. Far from being prophecy, this was all part of a master plan by an entity finding its stride.

2018 really felt like the year that all of the pieces of the jigsaw fell into place. Junction 2 went on the road in a two-stop tour that stopped at both London at Bristol in the space of the same 24-hours. At the festival itself, Adam Beyer sparred-off against Carl Cox in a world exclusive B2B under The Bridge. Apocalyptic scenes ensued. A mere two weeks later, the scene giants repeated the feat at a packed-out Amnesia in Ibiza. Colossal isn’t the word.

It paved the way for – somewhat amazingly – Drumcode’s first jaunt on the white isle several weeks later. After years of calls for it to happen, Drumcode took over 10,000 capacity Privilege for a special one-off. One of the most popular events of the season, the showcase featured the likes of Joseph Capriati, Ilario Alicante, ANNA and Wehbba alongside Adam & Ida.

Undeniably, the biggest feather in the cap was the launch of Drumcode own Amsterdam-based festival. Landing at the NSDM dock across two floors, the stacked line-up featured an array of both established and rising Drumcode comrades. Names such as Pig&Dan, Julien Jeweil, Harvey McKay, Luigi Madonna, Roberto Capuano, Mark Reeve and Reset Robot all featured – shining further exposure on Drumcode’s vast talent pool.

And all that’s before we’ve even touched on label shows that have taken place across Europe, including Belfast, Madrid, Barcelona and those fabled Gashouder takeovers for Awakenings.

Has Drumcode hit terminal velocity? No way. Writing them off now would be foolhardy.

The stable is at the very top of its game, and Drumcode Halloween will round-off a phenomenal year. Drumcode For Life!

Drumcode Halloween takes place at Tobacco Dock, London on Saturday 27th October from midday to 22:30.

The post Five reasons to attend Drumcode Halloween appeared first on Data Transmission.