Caprices Festival‘s landmark 20th anniversary edition is fast approaching and now unveils its final and full line up. Playing in the Swiss mountains of Crans-Montana across the two unmissable weekends of April 7-9th and April 14-16th will be new additions including a ground breaking Agoria presents One Life Two Bodies show, Claptone, Dubfire presents Evolv, Bedouin, Osunlade, Satori(live), TSHA, Peredel, Andhim, Anfisa Letyago, Tripmastaz, Yulia Niko and Djaax all join previous names such as Jamie XX, Fatboy Slim, Black Coffee, ARTBAT, DJ Tennis, Jeff Mills, Zip, Loco Dice b2b Seth Troxler, Luciano b2b Ricardo Villalobos, Richie Hawtin, Sven Väth, Arapu b2b Gescu, Archie Hamilton, Raresh, Sonja Moonear and many more. Tickets will sell out so head to https://capricesfestival.com/ before it’s too late.
Switzerland’s breathtaking Crans-Montana resort – which has become culturally significant around the world once more thanks to Caprices – is the famous home of this unrivalled mountain-top festival. It provides an unreal backdrop to what is an experience unlike any other with its mix of world class music, cutting edge audio-visual technology, luxury gastronomy, an eco-museum, mountain activities, spa and wellness centres and of course over 100km of snowy paradise and a snow park for skiers and snowboarders to explore.
That music comes this year on five stages split across day and night, each with its own carefully curated sound and bespoke look, rich mix of performing arts such as dancers, actors and art installations and many more surprises. Daytimes are all about the famous greenhouse that is Modernity Stage 2,200m up the Swiss Alps, while adjoining The Club stage has sweeping views over the alps. When night falls, The Moon Stage is a core part of Caprices festival with its innovative audiovisual production, while the Forest Stage is a fully themed and escapist trip into towering alpine forests. The Dome Stage completes the picture with more high-level audio visuals.
In terms of the final line-ups, Weekend One (April 7-9th) will now feature Bedouin, Satori(live), TSHA, Adolpho & Franky, Aracil, Djaax, Dymos & Shizzo b2b Jay Fase, Healdreams, Jad Alexander, Ła Foret, Mario Persic, Megablast, Osunlade, Peredel, Raphael Graham, Rolbac, TT, Vincent and Yulia Niko. These arrive on top of Jamie XX, Fatboy Slim, Black Coffee, ARTBAT, Monolink (live), Adriatique, DJ Tennis, Blond:ish, Who Made Who (live), 8Kays, Amine K, Brina Knauss, Fiona Kraft, Layla Benitez, Magda, Modal Tune (Guti b2b Sarkisi live), Themba and YokoO.
Weekend Two adds a Agoria presents One Life Two Bodies show in which the French multi-disciplinary artist and DJ create a conceptual “Agoriaverse”. It is a link between our physical and our digital bodies in which dancers will be able to scan a QR code that will trigger experiences including the live minting of an NFT.
He is joined by Claptone, Dubfire presents Evolv, Andhim, Anfisa Letyago, Apoteoz, Dan Ghenacia, Flabbergast, Flyuko, Fraderik, Giorgia Angiulli, Lidlaw, Lea Kadoche, Manolo, Nesta, Nicolas Duvoisin, Olivia, Roman, Romano, Tripmastaz and Vito. They play alongside first wave names Jeff Mills, Loco Dice b2b Seth Troxler, Zip, Luciano b2b Ricardo Villalobos, Richie Hawtin, Sven Väth, Arapu b2b Gescu, Archie Hamilton, Cobblestone Jazz (live), Djerry C, East End Dubs, Janeret, Manda Moor, Miroloja, O.Bee b2b Tomas Station, Raresh and Sonja Moonear.
Lastly, the Sunday afterparty on Weekend One will be hosted by UNKNOWN tribe, a brand from Geneva that deals in stylish melodic house direction, and Weekend Two’s host is Zurich brand Under The Tree that is known for its organic and hypnotic sounds.
Caprices offers hotel packages and a rich array of additional services and access to the region’s many different activities so the potential for new experiences and unforgettable life memories is endless at Crans-Montana. Do not miss this unique mix of travel, winter sport and world class music.
Adriatique, Artbat, Bedouin, Black Coffee, Blond:ish, Dj Tennis, Fatboy Slim, Monolink, Satori(live), TSHA, WhoMadeWho
8Kays, Adolpho & Franky, Amine K, Aracil, Brina Knauss, Djaax, Dymos & Shizzo b2b Jay Fase, F.O.E. Live, Fiona Kraft, Gene On Earth b2b Dyed Soundorom, Giorgio Maulini, Healdreams, Jad Alexander, Joh Erba, Ła Foret, Layla Benitez, Los Refrescos, Magda, Mario Persic, Masaya, Megablast, Modal Tune, Osunlade, Peredel, Raphael Graham, Rolbac, Shaun Reeves b2b Ryan Crosson, TT, Themba, Vincent, YokoO, Yulia Niko
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WEEKEND TWO
Agoria presents One Life Two Bodies, Claptone, Dubfire presents Evolv, Eats Everything, Jeff Mills, Loco Dice b2b Seth Troxler, Luciano b2b Ricardo Villalobos, Richie Hawtin
Alci, Andhim, Anfisa Letyago, Apoteoz, Arapu b2b Gescu, Archie Hamilton, Cesar Merveille, Cobblestone Jazz (live), Dan Ghenacia, Djerry C, East End Dubs, Flabbergast, Flyuko, Fraderik, Giorgia Angiulli, Janeret, Laidlaw, Lea Kadoche, Manda Moor, Manolo, Mike Shannon, Miroloja, Nesta, Nicolas Duvoisin, O.Bee b2b Tomas Station, Olivia, Raresh, Roman, Romano, Sonja Moonear, Sven Väth, Tripmastaz, Vito, Zip
Soul Town Festival is back once again with a stunning line-up of the best soul, disco, motown and reggae on September 2nd and 3rd 2023. This year’s festival returns to the bigger and better Croydon Recreation Ground in Beckenham, Kent which was such a success last year and the first wave of names includes Sister Sledge ft Kathy Sledge, UB40, Tunde Baiyewu (Lighthouse Family), Desmond Decker & The Aces, Edwin Starr Band, Omar plus more to be announced. Super Early Birds tickets sold out fast so move quickly to get the best ticket deals at https://soultownfestival.com
Soul Town Festival is a perfect two day escape with plenty of musical magic, more than 65 artists, over 40 food vendors as well as dancers, rides, attractions, live steel bands, face painting, glitter stalls, hair braiding, fashion and craft stalls and so much more. The new and improved location is a beautiful lush green space in Beckenham with more bars, more staff, more toilets and improved disabled access and viewing points.
You have a wide range of food and drink to keep you fuelled across the two days. New for this year is the Pimms bus which has a terrace on the top deck, a premium gin garden and cocktail beach, plus many more exciting drinks for everyone. Food-wise, every stall has been hand selected from Caribbean food, wood fire pizzas, vegan wings and more plus meals, desserts, sweet treats and more.
There is also a mix of special VIP areas and VIP tickets include separate queuing for fast track entry, a drink and food voucher (beer, wine, spirit and mixer), Soul Town merchandise, private bar, luxury toilets, makeup bar, prime stage viewing area at both stages and more.
The music comes across two spectacular main stages with immersive light, sound and visuals set to provide the perfect summer sound explosion. Headliners include the legendary Sister Sledge ft Kathy Sledge who are one of the most iconic American acts in the world, the seductive soul sounds of Omar, uplifting pop and soul from Tunde Baiyewu (Lighthouse Family), classic reggae from the one and only UB40 and iconic vocalist Desmond Dekker and the Aces plus the soul and Motown greats that are the Edwin Star Band and many more to come.
The compact and cultured Soul Town Festival is a real music lover’s haven, so don’t miss out on the fun and get your tickets now.
As part of the historic final run of parties at London’s iconic Printworks, Volaris is to make his much anticipated debut at the renowned club supporting Deadmau5 and Kaskade as they bring their K5 collaboration to the UK for the first time on February 3rd. Having recently signed to the Canadian electronic giant’s influential Mau5trap label, Volaris will also support Deadmau5 on his world tour, including a huge party at Miami Music Week 2023.
Volaris’s “Hand of God” is an epic track and is his first signed to Mau5trap, dropping on February 21st. It is a huge new progressive house track with lush signature melodies sure to take crowds into the next dimension next to an iconic vocal and powerful drums. High profile support has already come in from tastemakers such as Vintage Culture, Solardo, Joseph Capriati, Above & Beyond and many more while Radio 1 and KISS FM have also being giving it major plays.
The track is the latest in a long line of successes for Volaris which is now fronted solely by Nathan Cozetto, with Rhys Buckley joining for studio duties. They have been crafting forward thinking sounds now for over 18 months. In that time, releases on John Summit’s Off The Grid, Armada and Sola have gained global attention, picking up a Beatport No. 1 with “Slow Motion” whilst racking up many millions of streams. With a wealth of new music all lined up for this year across labels including Armada, Purified and more, 2023 is set to be a significant year for Volaris.
This career defining show at Printworks sees Volaris line-up in the famously vast halls with all the mesmeric production sure to add an extra dimension. Also playing are Deadmau5 himself as well as fellow electronic luminary Kaskade as well as British DJ and producer Brad Littler aka OCULA, a rising star in the melodic house scene.
This is a great chance to catch Volaris drop his huge new tune in a perfectly epic setting.
The next Italian Easter weekend stands out with some of the very best electronic music thanks to Decibel Presents Easter Edition, which will be held in April 2023, Sunday 9th and Monday 10th (noon-midnight) in Florence, at Mandela Forum (Piazza Enrico Berlinguer).
Thanks to Decibel Presents Easter Edition, Florence is confirmed as one of the most important musician Capitals in Europe, waiting for Decibel Open Air 2023 Edition, scheduled in September, Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th at Parco delle Cascine in Florence. 2022 edition was attended by around more than 50,000 people with 30% of the visitors coming from outside of Italy.
Decibel Presents its Easter Edition line up including many techno and house heavyweights: Marco Carola, Nina Kraviz, Loco Dice, Ilario Alicante, Deborah De Luca, Chris Liebing, Cloone, Patrick Mason, Chelina Manuhutu, Mattia Trani (live), U.R. Trax, Sara Mozzillo and The Florentian Cabaret.
Marco Carola is a global ambassador of techno. From Napoli in the South of Italy, Marco was instrumental in the development of the electronic scene in the early 90s, he took the flourishing techno scene to the rest of the world. Producer, occasional vocalist, and DJ, Nina Kraviz is well known as a passionate record digger and for her outstanding taste in idiosyncratic electronic music, which lead her to create her label трип (pronounced trip). Every so often a DJ or producer comes along who inspires the collective imagination. If you’ve seen Loco Dice in his sets all around the world, in the most important clubs and festivals, you will have clicked on this. Loco Dice is someone who can puzzle together intangible moods with a direct approach.
SXM Festival returns from March 8-12, 2023 for a musical and cultural experience like no other. It is the only festival in the world that takes over an entire island – the Caribbean gem of Saint Martin | Sint Maarten – and is the ultimate destination experience. Prepare for a week of world-class electronic music immersed in stylish, sumptuous, and often surreal locations dotted around this idyllic island. Beach, villa, and boat parties, hilltop sunrise sessions and peak-time boho parties are all featured alongside French style champagne sipping afternoons by the pool, incredible food, boat activities, and culturally diverse explorations. Define your own unique adventure and rest assured that every day will be different – one never to forget.
Since its debut in 2016, SXM Festival has proven to be so much more than just another festival. This life-enriching experience quickly became one of the most talked about musical gatherings in the world. It’s a mix of Caribbean, French and Dutch culture, with an audience of worldly adventurers from over 35 countries and local enthusiasts gathering for some of the best underground electronic music talent on the planet. SXM Festival is a 5-day and 5-night electronic music escape and breeding ground for musical experimentation and discovery – eclipsed only by the beauty of the festival’s host location.
SXM Festival’s Phase 2 lineup adds a new batch of talented names to the fold, starting with Grammy Award-winning South African artist Black Coffee and Desolat label co-founder Loco Dice, plus Puerto Rico’s own Natalia Roth, the stylish sounds of Moody Jones, and Anthony Middleton of Audiofly. Highlights on the Phase 2 lineup continue with Moroccan electronic music ambassador Amine K, members of the Scenarios collective and label Emanuel Satie and Maga, and respected French export Oxia, along with a diverse mix of veteran and rising names including Jean Pierre, Layla Benitez, Paolo Rocco, Ms Mada, Paso Doble, Underher, Airrica, Wahm, and more.
These phase two additions join an already packed lineup featuring previously announced names including Grammy-nominated, triple platinum production duo CamelPhat, Music On leader Marco Carola, pioneering electronic producer Dubfire, and the musical experience of Astra Club – a b2b set from DJ Tennis and Carlita. Additional highlights include beloved Italian artist Francesca Lombardo, the reinvented house sensation Gordo, Brazilian stand out DJ and producer Mochakk, the return of Swiss favourite Sonja Moonear following her memorable 2022 performance, and a live set from visionary melodic house and techno veteran Rodriguez Jr.
The lineup’s global depth extends further with emergent West African DJ and producer AMÉMÉ, Palestinian DJ Maher Daniel, French exports Apollonia and YokoO, Berlin-based DJ and producer Gene On Earth, and German producer and co-founder of the Common Sense People event series Konstantin Sibold. A diversity of styles round out the lineup from the likes of acclaimed selector Doc Martin, Moscow Records and Moss Co. imprint head Archie Hamilton, the mystical melodic sounds of Deer Jade, and psychedelic house producer Mita Gami among others.
The party venues are simply incredible, starting with the legendary Happy Bay. The secluded private beach nestled in the jungle serves as the main evening venue and is home to the iconic Arc Main Stage and the immersive Ocean Stage. Other highlights include Boho Beach Club, the perfect place to chill out and escape during the day, and the infamous Villa Party, accessible only with a VIP ticket. Experience a revival of the luxury only bygone movie idols of the 60s jetset have lived, combined with modern-day luxury and design. This party is definitely one of the highlights of the festival. This exclusive estate, Sandyline, is a showcase for the chic, a day time rendez-vous for your inner rock star.
VIP Ticket holders receive access to exclusive areas with lush amenities at Happy Bay, priority table service, a chill-out area, a dedicated VIP bar and special cocktails, pop-up bars, VIP washroom, surprises and more.
VIP Ticket holders are also guaranteed first access to tickets for the ultra-exclusive limited capacity Satellite events; The Panorama Party and Boat Party. The Panorama Party gives attendees the chance to party at the peak of Sint Maarten’s highest mountain with breathtaking 360-degree views of the best Caribbean sunset. That Venue has been used for the Cercle live stream and has to be seen to be believed. Other Satellite Parties include the Boat Party, setting sail on the largest lagoon in the Caribbean with the most colorful sunset. Also this year, a new Catamaran Cruise will take 100 people to the most beautiful spots with food, drinks, swimming and a surprise DJ. VIP Tickets also allow advanced table bookings for each venue.
Those seeking the best possible experience should book their Villa directly with SXM Festival for added benefits such as Private Airport transfer, Admission directly in the Villa, Ultra VIP parking at Happy Bay, Dedicated VIP Host & Concierge Services, Priority Table Service, Photo Shoot, Pre-Festival styling sessions, hosted backstage visit and more.
For the 6th edition, the event will continue to build upon its deep connection with the cultural and ecological fabric of the beautiful host locale of Saint Martin | Sint Maarten. SXM Festival is also dedicated to leaving a smaller footprint and helping replenish natural environments. With initiatives that include going paperless, planting palm trees, saving energy with LED and solar lights, and eliminating plastic waste throughout the festival while collaborating year after year with local talents, it is the mission of SXM Festival to become increasingly sustainable throughout their growth. The festival also has a no-trace policy: every venue is transformed to be more beautiful at the end of each event.
Whether you are a returning vet or a first-timer, SXM Festival and the beautiful island of Saint Martin | Sint Maarten holds rich cultural surprises behind each twist and turn. It is truly a sum of its parts and a voyage of a lifetime.
Tickets for SXM Festival are available now on the festival’s official website.
Techno giant Reinier Zonneveld heads into 2023 in monstrous style with the release of his fierce remix of D-Devil’s iconic hard trance classic ‘Dance With The Devil’, out on Zonneveld’s own Filth On Acid imprint. This follows several standout collaborations and is another track that proves no one in techno is in better form than this man.
Dance with the Devil (The 6th Gate) [Reinier Zonneveld Remix] is a high-energy techno banger with a powerful beat that soon consumes your entire body. It has quick, punchy kicks and warm, rumbling bass. Over the top are sleek 90s trance chords and frazzled stabs that will make a huge impact in the club for sure.
Says Reinier: “It’s always an honour to get a chance to work on tracks I love so working on a remix of D-Devil’s classic ‘The 6th Gate (Dance With The Devil)’ has been one of my favourite projects lately. I’ve been road-testing the remix at almost all of my shows the past months already and the response from the crowd has been insane!”
Artist(s): Reinier Zonneveld, D-Devils
Title: Dance with the Devil (The 6th Gate) [Reinier Zonneveld Remix]
Record Label: Filth On Acid
Cat.Number: FOA124
Release Date: 27th January 2023 [Beatport (2 weeks)], 10th February 2023 (all other download stores)
Tracklist:
1) Dance with the Devil (The 6th Gate) [Reinier Zonneveld Remix]
‘Forced Adaptation’ growls with ominous venom. Midway through, we encounter a neon-tinged breakdown designed to ignite the dance floor. ‘Reflected Wisdom’ has a little more urgency and jaunty energy, Innellea bringing the electrified funk…
*Five Phases is a series of releases and an upcoming extended Live Set journey, taking the audience in five phases from birth to death. From light to light in an audiovisual reflection of life: The Awakening – Rebellious Learning – Forced Adoption – Reflected Wisdom – The Conclusion. This EP represents the third and fourth phase of life. Forced Adoption and Reflected Wisdom.
Artist(s): Innellea
Title: Five Phases – Reflected Wisdom
Record Label: Afterlife
Cat.Number: AL074
Release Date: 27th January 2023
Tracklist:
1) Innellea – Reflected Wisdom – Five Phases Project (4/5)
2) Innellea – Forced Adaptation – Five Phases Project (3/5)
Influential contemporary house tastemaker Prunk is to serve-up his new album Le Funk on his own PIV Records in 2023. The nine track record showcases his mastery of sublime and seductive sounds from across the house spectrum.
Dutchman Prunk has slowly but surely become a real underground mainstay. He has built a fine collective of talents on his own label and spearheaded a new take on house music that is all about real feelings and effortless grooves. His standout solo and collaborative material has seen releases via the likes of Djebali, Key Records, Ewax and of course PIV, while he has headlined clubs and festivals all over the world. Next to this his own often sold out label showcases that have taken place everywhere from fabric (London) to Shelter (Amsterdam) vis The BPM Festival.
Now he makes his most completed coherent statement yet with his adventurous new album Le Funk. It is a distillation of all his influences and many years of house history with plenty of his own fresh signature touches.
Opener Mushroom Jazz is a stylish downtempo cut with lush lounge chords that immediately soothes the soul. Friday Night features Mr V and picks up the pace with the sort of vibey and dynamic house that Prunk has made his name with. The chords are balmy and bring real musical warmth while New Genesis pumps the party with well-swung drums and knotted bass under steamy and whispered female vocals.
Prunk & Ruze combine to great effect on Incredible, a brilliantly fresh and contemporary cut with seductive and bouncy drum loops and future facing cosmic synths. Prunk & M-High’s Story Of House (ft. Jovonn) is defined by its brilliant vibraphone melodies which recall the great Roy Ayers. They stay busy over soulful house grooves and after Prunk’s delightful, pad-laced deep house cut French Toast comes Drive with Dennis Quin. It’s a carefree house cut with neat jazz keys and steamy sax lines that bring the good times. Prunk’s driving remix of Jovonn & DJ Deep’s Back In the Dark is another track awash with magic synth work and heartfelt chords before a crisp club mix of Incredible closes the album down in style.
This is a timeless exploration of house music that manages to be as emotive and heartfelt as it does dynamic on the dance floor.
Says Prunk – “This album is a tribute to my entire music career. My first DJ name was ‘Prunk Le Funk’ mainly because I only played funky house in the early years. ‘Le Funk’ has been removed from my entire dj name because I didn’t want to be connected to just 1 genre. With this album I want to show that there is still enough ‘Funk’ in Prunk with a nod to the past.
My album really had to be a house album and I wanted to do this with a warm, soulful, funky sound. I have tried to make this album with young and old talent. One of my dreams was to make a track with house legend Jovonn and I succeeded because he did the vocals of ‘Story of House’. In the vocals he pays attention to how house originated with an important lesson for the new generation. In addition, I was also allowed to remix one of my favourite records of his called ‘Back in the Dark’, a classic together with DJ Deep, which can only be found on the vinyl of my album.
I also collaborated with another house legend Mr V. This track is a bit deeper with a warm disco bassline called ‘Friday Night’, of course with the vocals of the man himself.
Besides these legends I have made music with the talented Ruze, Dennis Quin and M-High. All 3 had a great year musically last year and that’s why I think it’s great that they’re also on my album.
I hope to not only appeal to DJs with my album, but also to house lovers because this album was made with a lot of love. I hope you enjoy it ‘for the love of house music’.”
Manchester-based promoters JBM Music have also announced shows from Bellaire and Oden & Fatzo at the recently refurbished and reopened Manchester venue in the first quarter of 2023
Creators of memorable live music experiences in the UK, forward-thinking events company JBM Music have announced a run of remarkable shows at the recently refurbished and reopened Manchester music venue, New Century.
The venue, which has undergone a stunning £10 million transformation, boasting an updated live music and event space as well as a modern dining concept, will see some of the biggest names in electronic music gracing its stage.
Confirmed to perform over 4 dates through February and March, dance fans in England’s second city can look forward to world-class sets from the likes of Lille-based house music producer Bellaire, deep house architect Kerri Chandler, presented in association with The Warehouse Project, techno legend Jeff Mills, with support from enigmatic Manchester DJ, Cleric, and dance trio, Oden & Fatzo. See the flyer above for more details.
