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Labyrinth Announce Black Coffee for Labyrinth on the Thames

Labyrinth, the renowned independent UK promoter, is proud to announce the first headliner for its groundbreaking new open-air live music series, Labyrinth on the Thames.

GRAMMY Award winning South African DJ and producer, Black Coffee will make history on 1st August 2025, becoming the first-ever DJ to headline London’s iconic Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This exclusive performance will also be Black Coffee’s only London show this summer.

Known for his innovative fusion of house, soul, and traditional African rhythms, Black Coffee‘s genre-defying sound, Grammy-winning talent and collaborations with the likes of Pharrell Williams, Usher, Diplo, RyX, David Guetta and more earned him the title of the World’s Best DJ of 2024. Black Coffee‘s career has seen him rise from local township roots to global superstardom, becoming an emblem of innovation and cultural pride.

Black Coffee on the Thames will launch the new and ambitious six-day series Labyrinth on the Thames, celebrating contemporary dance music, taking place during the first two weekends in August.

Each day of the series is uniquely crafted by the headlining artist, and on 1st August, Black Coffee will present his own meticulously curated line up and live production. Staged across the afternoon and evening until 11pm, this innovative event combines the breathtaking backdrop of the Thames riverside and London’s skyline with the artist’s vision.

Black Coffee
Black Coffee on the Thames

In selecting Black Coffee as the inaugural performer, Labyrinth aims to not only highlight one of the world’s most groundbreaking artists but also underscore the importance of cultural exchange and celebrate our heritage.

Black Coffee‘s performance at the Old Royal Naval College will be elevated by world-class production from High Scream, the creative force behind his acclaimed residency at Hi Ibiza.

Known for their boundary-pushing work on global stages such as the Paris 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony, Madison Square Garden and Coachella, High Scream will bring their unparalleled expertise to London, transforming the iconic riverside venue into an immersive, multi-sensory spectacle. This production promises to blend cutting-edge audio-visual artistry with the beauty of the Old Royal Naval College, delivering a show that redefines the possibilities of live performance.

In addition to its cultural significance, Labyrinth is offering priority tickets for residents, partnering with local suppliers, and collaborating with cultural institutions to create opportunities for emerging talent and youth development.

Nick Castleman, founder of Labyrinth, said: “As someone of South African heritage myself, it brings me great joy to announce Black Coffee as the first show at this breathtaking location. Black Coffee’s story and achievements throughout his illustrious career are forever inspiring and we couldn’t dream up a more fitting act to launch the venue with”.

Pre-sale tickets go on sale on 30th January at 10am GMT / 11am CET.

Sign up for pre-sale ticket access HERE.

Lee Foss, Detlef & TheConnect unite on Repopulate Mars for ‘Pony’

Hot off the heels of his mammoth revisit of Joe Smooth’s timeless house track ‘Promised Land’, Chicago-born trailblazer Lee Foss returns to his renowned Repopulate Mars label with a super-group collaboration with Detlef and TheConnect.

On ‘Pony‘, Lee Foss unites with Repopulate Mars core artist Detlef and LA-based talent TheConnect to deliver six minutes of hip-swinging dancefloor pandemonium. All about the bassline, ‘Pony‘ bubbles with energy as trippy synth details and raunchy vocals from Spektrum cast an almighty spell over the kinetic beats to make for a classic anthem destined for heavy rotation throughout 2025.

Heading up one of the most popular modern house labels of now, Lee Foss‘ influence can be heard across clubs, charts, and radiowaves worldwide.

Lee Foss, Detlef and TheConnect
Lee Foss, Detlef and TheConnect -Pony

Founded in 2016, his Repopulate Mars imprint and its subsequent offshoots have unearthed and provided a home for some of modern house music’s biggest stars, from Mau P to John Summit.

Following another wildly successful year of powerhouse collaborations, Lee Foss sets the stage for an even bigger 2025 with his first release of the year, ‘Pony‘.

Listen to the track below.

Dekmantel 2025 Festival Reveals Lineup With 100+ Acts

Dekmantel Festival photo by Carmen Vollebregt

Dekmantel proudly presents the lineup for its 11th Amsterdam festival, taking place from Wednesday, July 30 through Sunday, August 3.

Over 10 editions, Dekmantel Festival has become synonymous with electronic music’s most adventurous realms. While timeless sounds remain central, its multidisciplinary program fosters a cutting-edge vanguard, with immersive visual experiences and stage design. After last year’s ten-day celebration, 2025 marks a return to the original format—beginning a new cycle by extending Dekmantel‘s musical lineage into the future.

With over 150 acts representing the global electronic music expanse, Dekmantel Festival welcomes back originals like Jeff Mills, Four Tet, Avalon Emerson and Shanti Celeste. Enduring icons such as Richie Hawtin and Honey Dijon, who laid the groundwork for dance music today, will make their Amsterdamse Bos debut.

Meanwhile, sound visionary Floating Points is back for a very special collaboration, transforming the Greenhouse with his custom hi-fi ‘Sunflower Sound System,’ and co-curate the stage lineup, including a 10-hour B2B set with festival favorite Palms Trax.

In addition, two days ‘Aan het IJ‘, including an extensive conference program, will spotlight experimentalists and live acts such as Moritz von Oswald, Leftfield, Jlin, and Sega Bodega.

Dekmantel 2025
Dekmantel 2025 lineup

This year, it all begins with an opening concert at Amsterdam’s Oude Kerk by producer/composer Moritz von Oswald, who will premiere Silencio with a 16-voice choir. Fresh off last year’s grand closing, Jeff Mills returns to live-score the film Metropolis Metropolis at EYE Filmmuseum. In addition, Richie Hawtin brings an exclusive performance on Dutch soil, reviving his 1995-2005 compilation series with DEX EFX X0X.

Other not-to-miss live acts for 2025 include improvisational techno trio WSNWG (Rødhåd, Fadi Mohem, and JakoJako), Detroit ghettotech group HiTech, UK cult act Leftfield, Blawan performing a new album Japanese deep-house master Satoshi Tomiie, Danish avant-pop star Erika de Casier, and Ugandan ensemble Arsenal Mikebe performing alongside legendary Italian drummer Valentina Magaletti.

Thirty years since their last release, seminal Warp act The Sabres of Paradise return to the stage—performing in honour of their late founder, Andrew Weatherall. Representing Dekmantel‘s own label roster, house trailblazers Steffi & Virginia deliver a one-off live performance, showcasing their forthcoming LP on the imprint, while multidisciplinary artist Polygonia will present the live debut of her upcoming Dream Horizons album.

Of course, the sound of the Amsterdamse Bos is the sound of the world’s most exciting DJs—fuelling a total of seven festival floors. Making their Dekmantel debut this year are DJs such as Honey Dijon, Two Shell, Philippa Pacho, DJ K, and evilgiane.

Special B2B pairings for the ’25 edition include dBridge & Donato Dozzy, Bashkka & Roi Perez, Djrum & Objekt, who will unite for the first time. Dekmantel mainstay Young Marco will play alongside ’90s hero Sasha at the Amsterdamse Bos, and perform as Dead Sound—his psychedelic sound project with pop auteur John Moods—at Muziekgebouw.

Standout solo slots for 2025, which are sure to become festival highlights, go to CCL, Quelza, Ogazón, British Murder Boys, Call Super, mad miran, Coki & Joker, Freddy K, Kia, Oscar Mulero, upsammy, Verraco and Yaeji (DJ).

Shlømo & Zorza Unite on Expertly Crafted Hyper-Techno Collab “I WANNA FEEL”

Shlømo, one of France’s most in-demand techno exports, and Zorza, the hyper techno faerie that is reinventing uptempo dance music, are teaming up for “I WANNA FEEL.” This new single is as dreamy as it is hard-hitting, making it a perfect addition to the ever-evolving HARD Recs catalog.

Both of these adept artists have proven themselves masters of the high-flying kick. Even at their preferred higher tempos, when the pulse has far less time to resonate, they always synthesize a slamming low-end drum that digs right into the soul.

On their debut collaboration, Shlømo and Zorza double down on this skill, creating a four-to-the-floor drive that not only supports the beautiful, swirling melodies but emphasizes them. It’s as if each element—from the thumping kick to the ghostly, pitched-up vocals to the electrified layers—is bound together by a unified spirit while each phrase is separated by intricate instrumental breaks constructed of pure sound design bliss.

Shlømo Zorza – I Wanna Feel

Shlømo shares his appreciation for working alongside the Canadian sensation to create the resulting new single, saying “I loved doing this collab track with Zorza, since she’s one of my favorite artists since I discovered her. This release is very interesting from both our perspectives in music!”

Shedding light on how the collaboration came to fruition, Zorza explains:

“Since we first met, Shaun [Shlømo] and I have always found common interest in our musical inspirations. The more we worked together, the more we realized just how similar our musical taste was, which led us to the idea of collaborating on a track. ‘I WANNA FEEL’ was made one afternoon in Shaun’s studio earlier this year.

We went into the session with no expectations, just the idea that we wanted to make something new and different, combining our styles and shared inspirations. We spent the first couple hours showing each other songs we love and from there, the track came together so naturally.”

This will be the first release of 2025 for both collaborators, who are coming off an equally exciting 2024. Zorza released her ‘Hyperdream’ EP, played Boiler Room at Teletech Festival, and spent September through January bouncing around Europe, South America, the UK, and North America on her ‘EVERYTHING YOU NEED’ TOUR.

On the other hand, Shlømo had a series of impressive collaborations with the likes of Sara Landry and Vortek’s, in addition to playing the debut Verknipt France, and donned the cover of Mixmag Germany’s special ‘ADE’ edition.

Now, they are joining forces to launch 2025 at the top of their game. As they allow the intoxicating highs of “I WANNA FEEL” to start coursing the underground’s veins, Shlømo and Zorza ensure this will be another huge year for the hard dance wunderkinder.

Shlømo and Zorza’s new single “I WANNA FEEL” is available on all platforms via HARD Recs.

Listen to the track below!

Ministry of Sound launches 2025 with new event concept URGE

Ministry of Sound URGE

London’s iconic Ministry of Sound continues to lead from the front with the arrival of URGE, a brand new and underground celebration of gritty, on-the-edge tech house. The party launches on Saturday 1st February with David Squillace, Cuartero, Rennie Peters, Jan, Sanne Dammers, Travis Casa, Metronomy’s Olugbenga and Batida Perfeita.

Designed for the hedonistic and music-obsessed late night dancer, URGE strips away the unnecessary and hones in on the essence of tech house, a genre born in the clubs of London back in the 90s.

Parties will feature raw, gritty beats from the underground and a minimalist, low-lit and hazy yet immersive production aesthetic which allows the music to take centre stage and for meaningful connections to be made between DJs and dancers.

Ministry of Sound URGE
Ministry of Sound URGE

The first event kicks off in style with tech house titan and Italian tastemaker Davide Squillace who heads up the This And That label. He is joined by fellow underground favourite and Spanish mainstay Cuartero who has long been at the sharp edge of the scene.

Also playing are Rennie Peters who is a key member of the INLV crew, DJ and Metronomy bassist Olugbenga, Dutch selector Sanne Dammers with a seductive take on tech house, plus EDD, Travis Casa and Batida Perfeita.

This pure celebration of tech house, house and techno excellence from across the ages will take place across all five rooms of Ministry of Sound. Recent refurbishments include a new lighting rig in The 103, and an all-year-round canopy in the courtyard while The Box, The Baby Box and The Loft all continue to lead from the front with their own unique atmospheres, immersive audio-visuals and punchy sound systems.

Here’s what Travis Derrick, Head of Promotions & Talent at Ministry of Sound had to say about URGE:

“Shining a light on the headsier side of tech house, house and techno with elite headliners thrown in for good measure. We wanted to refocus a tech house brand on underground talent: raw, garish, daring, with minimal yet impactful branding that provokes something in you so the senses will tune in.”

URGE is an unmissable addition to the offerings from Ministry of Sound which continues to innovate…. It’s time to feel the Urge.

For updates and early access to tickets sign up HERE!

BLOND:ISH Will Take You “Higher” with New Single

Blond:ish

DJ, producer, activist, and entrepreneur BLOND:ISH unleashes her new single, “Higher,” a collaboration with Black Circle, via Insomniac Records. The track, which has served as one of the most rapturous moments in her live sets and Abracadabra parties over the last year, is out now.

Higher” marks the tipping point of album anticipation, with BLOND:ISH‘s sophomore album, Never Walk Alone, right around the corner. With its vocal that repeats, “You take me higher, baby,” the track echoes BLOND:ISH’s paramount intention to push the planet closer to Happy Happy World, an inclusive place of sustainable unity, respect, and nourishment.

In step with her career-spanning mission to eliminate plastic from the music industry, BLOND:ISH announced in December a special BioVinyl release for her forthcoming studio album Never Walk Alone. The release, which utilizes a recyclable material that is identical in quality to conventional pressing, is set for February 14th, 2025.

BLOND:ISH Higher
BLOND:ISH – Higher

This special release takes BLOND:ISHs “#PlasticFreeParty” movement, the vision from which she launched her foundation Bye Bye Plastic, to the next level. Leading by example in an industry that relies heavily on fossil fuels to create vinyl records, her next body of work will be pressed on Bio-attributed PVC.

The material is mainly made from biogenic waste (e.g., used cooking oil), is 99.98% petroleum-free, and cuts 90% of the carbon dioxide emissions in a mass-balanced approach. This initiative (learn more here) will be used for BLOND:ISH‘s first-ever vinyl release.

Listen to the track below!

Alok, Reinier Zonneveld, K1LO & MadGuss present ‘Just Wanna Dance’

alok

Filth on Acid kicks off 2025 in style with the release of the new single, ‘Just Wanna Dance’. The track features an all-star collab between label boss Reinier Zonneveld, global superstar Alok, K1LO, and MadGuss.

Widely regarded as one of the most influential Brazilian artists of all time, Alok is a bonafide dance music A-lister, holding the title of the second biggest Instagram following of any electronic artist globally, with over 26 million fans and 28 million monthly listeners.

Filth on Acid founder Reinier Zonneveld is a new schoolyard techno, rave and acid leader. His live sets and label have very much defined the revolution in recent years and he continually puts out electric cuts both solo and in collaboration with a range of like-minded peers. He does that again here with his trio of Brazilian talents – Alok, being joined by K1LO and MadGuss.

Alok Reinier Zonneveld
Alok, Reinier Zonneveld, K1LO, MadGuss – Just Wanna Dance

Just Wanna Dance’ is a dark, slamming peak-time techno track with driving kicks. The synths are raw and strobe-lit, while sweeping pads and saw tooth leads add gritty texture. Throw in trance-like breakdowns and flashing acid motifs and you have a monstrous track capable of destroying the club.

This is a powerful single uniting some of Brazil’s finest talents together with Dutch techno titan Zonneveld.

Listen to the track below!

Balad Beast festival is back for its 2025 edition

Balad Beast 2025 returns to Jeddah for a two-day extravaganza featuring a curated lineup of artists from across the globe. The highly anticipated festival, renowned for delivering unforgettable experiences, has officially unveiled its stellar lineup, promising an electrifying weekend of world-class performances across various genres. Taking over the UNESCO World Heritage site of Al-Balad, Balad Beast is truly a festival unlike any other.

The festival will feature performances by modern trap and hip-hop legends 21 Savage, Gunna, Metro Boomin‘, and Wiz Khalifa. Balad Beast also brings together some of the biggest names from diverse genres, including Michael Kiwanuka, Ghostly Kisses, and Zeyne. True to MDLBEAST‘s mission, the festival will champion local and regional talent, spotlighting acts such as Dish Dash, Biirdperson, and Vinyl Mode.

Balad Beast 2025 continues its tradition of showcasing leading names in electronic music. Festival-goers can look forward to sets from Alexander Skancke, Brawther, Maceo Plex, Mau P, and many more.

 

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Scheduled to take place on the 30th and the 31st of January, Balad Beast 2025 will transform the heart of Jeddah into a vibrant celebration of music and culture. MDLBEAST has meticulously curated a lineup that blends international sensations with local talent, offering attendees a one-of-a-kind musical experience tailored to every taste.

Tickets for Balad Beast 2025 are now available for purchase, with various options catering to different preferences, including VIB packages for an enhanced festival experience. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of Jeddah‘s most anticipated event of the year.

KTRL Returns With Haunting New Single ‘Jinzo’ on HypnoVizion

KTRL

Chicago-based producer/DJ KTRL is back with his new single ‘Jinzo’ out now via HypnoVizion. The single serves as the first off KTRL’s upcoming Jinzo EP.

Jinzo‘ is a haunting introduction to KTRL‘s impending EP of the same title. Taking a minimalistic approach, KTRL has crafted a dark and wobbling bass track that creeps with anxious anticipation and spine-chilling energy. Amidst foreboding samples and distorted basslines, KTRL has built a masterfully engaging original that teases what’s to come on his Jinzo EP.

Here’s what KTRL had to say about the release:

“I wanted to write something different but also bass heavy. I was listening to some more minimal stuff prior to writing ‘Jinzo’ and I wanted to make sure it was powerful without a ton going on. Capturing the vibe early, ‘Jinzo’ builds a story and I’m excited for you all to hear it!”

KTRL
KTRL – Jinzo

Hailing from Chicago, KTRL is quickly becoming one of bass music’s most intriguing rising talents. His dark, experimental sound has earned support from artists such as Rezz, Flux Pavilion, and Deathpact and landed collaborations with WHIPPED CREAM, LSDREAM, and YOOKiE. Following appearances on labels such as Circus Records, Dim Mak, and Wakaan, KTRL made his debut on HypnoVizion last year with ‘Form‘ alongside Malixe.

Stream KTRL‘s new single ‘Jinzo‘ available now on all platforms.

MEDUZA, MORTEN, & Jauz Breathe More Life Into HUGEL and Diplo’s ‘Forever’

Meduza MORTEN
MEDUZA, MORTEN, Jauz Freedom Remixes

HUGEL and Diplo closed out 2024 on a high note with their infectious afro house collab, “Forever,” featuring sultry vocals from Malou and Yuna. Now, the powerhouse pairing is furthering its unstoppable momentum as they offer up fresh remixes from three of dance music’s major players, MEDUZA, MORTEN, and Jauz. Taking the shape of the official ‘Forever (Remixes),’ the star-studded affair arrives as a joint release between tastemaker imprints, Insomniac Records and Higher Ground.

MEDUZA’s remix served as the lead offering to create hype around the full-fledged release, preceding the package by a couple of weeks. A masterclass in restraint, their seething reimagining builds anticipation and energy, before ramping up the energy midway through the journey.

At the midpoint, the Italian trio shifts gears, peppering in the ruminating hook in perfect measures atop swelling synthetic chords. Layers of organic beauty are implemented into the electronic construction before those two diametric sonics converge into a moody beat decorated with subtle arpeggios and syncopated sound design.

Meduza MORTEN
MEDUZA, MORTEN, Jauz Freedom Remixes

Touching on their process, MEDUZA shares:

“As soon as HUGEL and Diplo asked us to remix the original track, we knew exactly how we could recreate it in our own melodic sound. We manipulated Malou and Yuna’s euphoric vocal, whilst adding some classic MEDUZA chords and a deep bassline to create a remix that is full of energy for the dancefloor. We’re super excited to be releasing this one, which has been a staple in our sets across the last few months.”

Next up, Danish mainstay MORTEN adds his golden touch to the single. Striking the perfect balance between spellbinding and explosive, the seasoned producer manipulates the mood via a propulsive melodic house & techno framework. Complementing the breathtaking nature of the vocal, MORTEN maneuvers through expertly crafted leads and epic lulls, resulting in a track that lends itself perfectly for open-air festivals and late-night raves alike.

Last but not least, veteran producer Jauz takes the release in a whole new direction. Opting to go down a brooding drum & bass route, his version sets off with a sense of enticing mystery. Slowed-down vocals are accompanied by a haunting piano motif, before the energy explodes once the drum breaks enter the soundscape. Then, in a flash, the ringing two-note phrase elevates into futuristic synth riffs, while leaving space for fuzzy bass synths to drive the chord changes and rapid-fire percussion fills.

Sharing his decision to transport the track into a new sonic realm, Jauz explains:

“Getting to rework a hit record is always super fun but it’s even more special to do something official with a friend like Diplo, as well as an artist like HUGEL, who I’ve been a fan of for a long time. The original mix and vocal from Malou is so beautiful, I wasn’t sure where to take it at first, but ultimately my ear kept coming back to the drum & bass version you hear today.”

Originally circulating as an ID, which reaped millions of views on TikTok and Reels months prior to an official release date, “Forever” eventually materialized during a highly anticipated back-to-back set between Diplo and HUGEL at the former’s Higher Ground live showcase at the Brooklyn Mirage.

Since its release last September, “Forever” has amassed nearly 35 million streams, in addition to garnering an outpouring of editorial support across the board, including Spotify’s global mint and New Music Friday; landing the prestigious cover of Apple Music’s danceXL; topping the Beatport ‘Afro House’ charts at #1; earning coverage from Billboard, Mixmag, DJ Mag, and more; with heavy radio rotation allowing it to crack into the top 5 of Mediabase Chart.

Now, in the early days of 2025, HUGEL and Diplo are set to take their viral afro house hit to the next level, as they rope in the mighty talents of MEDUZA, MORTEN, and Jauz. With the “Forever (Remixes)” arriving by way of Insomniac Records and Higher Ground, the single is expected to continue to leave an indelible mark on dancefloors worldwide.

HUGEL and Diplo’s “Forever” ft. Malou & Yuna (Remixes) is available now on all platforms via Insomniac Records / Higher Ground.

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