electronic music festival UK

Appetite on the Farm and Beatport launch DJ competition offering two emerging artists a set at this month’s festival

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Beatport and Appetite on the Farm have announced a new DJ competition giving two emerging artists the chance to perform at this year’s festival in Essex, with winners securing a 60-minute set on The Block stage alongside festival passes, DJing equipment and more. 

Taking place across the Bank Holiday weekend of 29–30 August at Kelvedon Hall, Appetite on the Farm’s fifth edition brings together internationally recognised artists and some of the UK’s most exciting emerging talent, with this year’s lineup featuring Jamie Jones, Skream, MJ Cole, Eliza Rose, Shanti Celeste, Todd Edwards, Silva Bumpa, Max Dean and Luke Dean among others.

The competition centres around The Block, Beatport Live’s touring container stage designed to spotlight emerging electronic music talent at festivals and events. Built inside a converted 20-foot shipping container and fitted with a high-spec Funktion-One sound system, The Block provides a dedicated performance space for DJs to connect with audiences beyond the digital ecosystem.

Selected artists will each receive a 60-minute performance slot on The Block, giving two emerging DJs the opportunity to showcase their sound within the atmosphere of one of the UK’s leading independent electronic music festivals and alongside established names from the scene. Alongside their performance, winners will receive VIP festival passes for themselves and three guests, an Excite Audio plugin bundle courtesy of Plugin Boutique, three months of Beatport Streaming, a Beatport merchandise bundle and additional prizes.

Alongside their performance, winners will receive VIP festival passes for themselves and three guests, an Excite Audio plugin bundle courtesy of Plugin Boutique, three months of Beatport Streaming, a Beatport merchandise bundle and additional prizes.

Now in its fifth edition, Appetite on the Farm has established itself as one of the UK’s most exciting electronic music festivals with a booking policy that balances established international names with emerging talent. The Beatport partnership and The Block stage reflect the festival’s ongoing commitment to that. 

To enter, artists must submit a DJ mix via the competition landing page at drop.cobrand.com/d/Beatport/the-block-appetite-on-the-farm.

Entries close Wednesday 12th August at 5PM BST. 

APPETITE ON THE FARM RETURNS TO ESSEX FOR 5TH EDITION AT KELVEDON HALL THIS AUGUST

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New school house favourite Appetite On The Farm is back bigger than ever at the gorgeous Kelvedon Hall in Brentwood, Essex, on 29 and 30 August 2026. This much anticipated fifth edition is the most ambitious yet at the historic estate, with 20,000 people welcomed across several stages for one unforgettable August Bank Holiday weekend just 30 mins from London Liverpool Street Station. Sign up HERE for first access to tickets. 

A broad mix of names across house, tech and garage will serve up a fresh soundtrack across the whole site. The lineup features legends, edgy breakout stars and artists essential to the Appetite sound: hyped contemporary tastemakers Luke Dean, Locky, Jamback and Omar+ have topped charts with their tunes and are in demand across Europe. 

Elsewhere, Dr Banana brings his playful, garage-rooted selections and deep UK lineage, while Dyed Soundorom and Laidlaw deliver refined, minimal cuts. Kirollus continues to emerge as one of house music’s most exciting new voices, sitting comfortably alongside the hypnotic low end techno of Traumer and the emotive, left-of-centre sounds of Saoirse and Shanti Celeste. 

Chunky, groove-led selectors Jamie Jones, Sidney Charles and baseline whizz Silva Bumpa add high-energy while legendary US pioneer Todd Edwards brings timeless garage foundations. Elsewhere, Kolter and MJ Cole represent two generations of dance music innovation, with Eliza Rose, Skream, and Appetite founders Elliott Schooling & Liam Palmer reinforcing the festival’s high quality and future-facing sound.

There will be six stages in all, each with its own identity and well curated programming including The Barn, The Clearing, The Forest, The Jam & Doughnut, The Stables and The Record Store, all reflecting the brand’s musical roots and forward-facing approach.

Beyond the music, the event will once again host the Appetite Food Market and a tasty selection of street food and spaces designed for socialising and downtime. The overall experience is rooted in a strong sense of community with a mix of open-air dancing, immersive musical settings and a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere.

With ticket prices ranging from £40 to £120, Appetite On The Farm 2026 is an unmissable weekend that will continue the festival’s evolution while staying true to the community-led spirit that has defined it since day one.

Sign up HERE for first access to tickets. Presale tickets live at 10am on 30 Jan, General sale tickets live at 12pm on 30 Jan.

Appetite On The Farm 2026

Kelvedon Hall, Brentwood, CM14 5TN

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