Summer Festival Guide

AFRICA RISING MUSIC CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES 2026 RETURN

September 19, 2025 by Alex Jukes

Africa Rising Music Conference Launches for 2026, leading the way for the growth of Africa’s music industry

After the stellar success of its 2025 edition, Africa Rising Music Conference is excited to announce its return to Constitution Hill, Johannesburg on 22–23 May 2026. With artist and speaker applications now open (deadline: 25 September 2025), and tickets officially on sale, ARMC is once again championing underrepresented voices and innovation in the global music ecosystem.

Year-on-Year Growth & Social Impact – ARMC continues its momentum
The 2025 edition broke all previous records, welcoming 1000+ registered attendees from across South Africa and the globe, representing countries including the UK, Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden, Switzerland, the US, and beyond. ARMC hosted 76 speakers from 7 countries, with 58% of attendees identifying as female, further reinforcing its commitment to inclusivity. Over 140 jobs were created during the six-month build-up to the conference in 2025 in areas such as content creation, sound, staging, and event production.

Social media also saw exponential growth, with over 630,700+ Instagram views between March and May 2025, and projected follower numbers expected to surpass 10,000 by 2026. Key audience hubs included Johannesburg (13.2%), Cape Town (10.3%), and Nairobi (4.7%), while South Africa, Kenya, and Germany led the top five countries engaging with ARMC online.

This year’s Cradle Crew initiative brought 15 underserved rural youth to the event — next year, the aim is to scale to 100 beneficiaries.

2025 Highlights & Real-World Outcomes
Busiswa launched her newest EP Honey & Grace — produced in Berlin via the SAMPRA Development Fund in partnership with ARMC and Paradise Worldwide. Strategic partnerships like Jägermeister’s Global Pass saw KMAT perform at Ibiza’s International Music Summit, Money Badoo traveling to Germany to perform at Reeperbahn Festival, Europe’s biggest cub festival with more exports to be announced soon. The first-ever Mamas in Music roundtable also took place at ARMC 2025 and featured icons like Yvonne Chaka Chaka and was more than just a conversation. It became the launchpad for a new community – the official Africa Chapter of Mamas in Music which will be launched in the coming weeks.

Get Involved — Apply & Attend
Artist & Speaker Applications are now open until 15th October 2025. Selected UK-based artists may receive travel support via PRS Foundation, Goethe-Institute, British Council, and other mobility schemes.

Artist Applications: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPpXIv0XYc2APe_Y4vein0rCp7AmxVcQoWtRRo7oyIo_5G2Q/viewform?usp=dialog

Speaker Applications:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWcBrvfaeLYefG1cWcW-U_FAEHMJeO8NhLFAA6PHvRvHK3UQ/viewform?usp=dialog

Tickets
Tickets to daytime talks, workshops, and showcases are now available via Quicket. The first 100x tickets are FREE. Limited VIP tickets are available (includes exclusive sessions, networking, & lounge access).

ARMC 2026 Tickets: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/321748-africa-rising-music-conference-2026/

Why ARMC 2026 Matters
ARMC isn’t just a conference — it’s a catalyst for growth. In just five years, it has evolved from a local meet-up to a high-impact global platform that creates real opportunities.

What You’ll Experience at ARMC 2026
Thought-leadership panels, high-impact keynotes, hands-on workshops and electrifying artist showcases through “ARMC by Night” can be expected at ARMC 2026 at Constitution Hill. In addition to that, ARMC will expand their focus on tech and innovation with their demo labs as well as strategic industry networking.

Join Us in 2026 at Constitution Hill to amplify African creativity worldwide.

Apply by 15 October  2025

BLOODSTOCK ANNOUNCES 27 MORE BANDS FOR 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

October 13, 2025September 16, 2025 by Anna Hyams

As plans for BLOODSTOCK’s 25th anniversary get underway, the festival has unveiled another 27 bands for 2026’s monumental event. With heavyweights, cult favourites, and rising stars joining the awesome bands already announced, this year’s line-up is shaping up to be one for the ages. And there are still plenty more names yet to come, with approximately 125 bands in total set to appear. Did you know? BLOODSTOCK is going to open the Ronnie James Dio main stage on Thursday now as well! Early bird, campervan, and VIP tickets are already sold out and weekend tickets are over 90% gone, so act quickly to get tickets if you don’t want to miss out!
And so to the bands…

THURSDAY – RONNIE JAMES DIO STAGE

Headlining the opening night on the Ronnie James Dio main stage are none other than British heavy metal legends SAXON. With over four decades of anthems and an iron-clad reputation for blistering live shows, SAXON’s triumphant return to BLOODSTOCK will kick off the weekend in classic style. Expect a masterclass in pure heavy metal power.

Also joining Thursday’s main stage are BLOODSTOCK favourites EVIL SCARECROW, who bring their eccentric, theatrical brand of tongue-in-cheek metal mayhem, and HEAVYSAURUS, the dinosaur-costumed heroes delivering family-friendly metal fun. Previously announced for the Sophie Lancaster stage, HEAVYSAURUS now stomp onto the RJD stage for maximum roar.

FRIDAY – RONNIE JAMES DIO STAGE

Prepare for the unnerving, true crime inspired, industrial sounds of SKYND, the outrageous brutal slamming, death metal riot of PARTY CANNON, and the serpentine heavy rock theatrics of BATTLESNAKE.

SATURDAY – RONNIE JAMES DIO STAGE

Warm up your necks, thrash-fuelled crossover aggression comes courtesy of London’s INHUMAN NATURE, flying the flag for the new generation of feral thrash.

SUNDAY – RONNIE JAMES DIO STAGE

Closing the weekend in ferocious style, BLOODSTOCK is thrilled to host the BLOODSTOCK debut of Canadian alt-metal pioneers KITTIE. Joining them are occult doom bringers CASTLE RAT – all hail the Rat Queen, boundary-smashing modern hardcore crew GRAPHIC NATURE, and Wild West metal rabble rousers BOOTYARD BANDITS (from Worcester no less).

FRIDAY – SOPHIE LANCASTER STAGE

Unleash the chaos with German grindcore absurdists EXCREMENTORY GRINDFUCKERS, Australian thrash squad HIDDEN INTENT, UK medieval power metallers SELLSWORD, Danish death metal beasts NECKBREAKKER, electro nu-core party-starters SEETHING AKIRA, and rising Scottish extreme metal outfit HAMMER.

SATURDAY – SOPHIE LANCASTER STAGE

Expect no compromises from UK hardcore institution STAMPIN GROUND, genre-bending heavy hitters URNE, death metal purists CELESTIAL SANCTUARY, swaggering stoner rock bruisers VIKING SKULL, down-tempo brutality from BOUND IN FEAR, technical groove maestros IMPERIUM, and amphibian doom oddballs FROGLORD.

SUNDAY – SOPHIE LANCASTER STAGE

Round off the weekend with the masked industrial spectacle of MUSHROOMHEAD, soaring alt-rockers DREAM STATE, and blackened extremists TRIVAX.

CHARITY FUNDS RAISED AT BLOODSTOCK 2025

BLOODSTOCK is also proud to share the incredible fundraising achievements from the 2025 event, supporting charity partners Metal For Good and The Sophie Lancaster Foundation. Guest & media donations raised a fantastic £11,698, with the always popular T-shirt Amnesty adding another £2,120, making a grand total of £13,818 – split equally to provide £6,909 for each charity. In addition, Shepherd Events, who run the BLOODSTOCK bars, made an extra contribution to The Sophie Lancaster Foundation by donating bar tips and running ‘spin to win’ competitions, plus Christopher Roberts and Taylan Rodgers, who worked tirelessly on the bars all weekend, generously donated their entire earnings. That pooled £1725 and Alan Shepherd then rounded it up to give The Sophie Lancaster Foundation an additional £2000.

Katy Baker, Co-Founder of Metal For Good, said:“We have been blown away by the generous support of the Bloodstock team and their wonderful festival goers. We raised a huge amount of money from our stand and through donations from the festival and the merch amnesty, all of which will support incredible community projects using music to change lives. The weekend itself was amazing, so many great bands, smiley faces and brilliant partners – including The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, who we are honoured to share the charity donations with. Thank you to everyone for putting on such an incredible event!”

Lewis Capaldi announced as BST Hyde Park 2026 headliner

February 25, 2026September 15, 2025 by Anna Hyams

American Express presents BST Hyde Park is thrilled to announce its latest headliner, Lewis Capaldi for 2026. The beloved musician will make his debut solo appearance on the Great Oak Stage on Saturday 11 July 2026. Tickets for his monumental show will go on general sale on Friday 19 September. Visit www.bst-hydepark.com for more information.

Breaking out in 2019 with his record-breaking single ‘Someone You Loved’, Capaldi followed up with BRIT-nominated debut album Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent. Capaldi took a hiatus following the release of his sophomore album, but returned with an inspirational, triumphant surprise show at Glastonbury in 2025, featuring his new song ‘Survive’, and a joyous appearance at Noah Kahan’s set this year, sparking a rapturous welcome from fans. The single became the fastest-selling single of 2025, and that success has also seen his biggest-ever opening week sales for a single. Capaldi now joins esteemed company with the likes of Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Drake, Lady Gaga & Queen to achieve six UK number 1 singles, beating David Bowie, Katy Perry, The Police & more.

A headliner-sized Pyramid Stage crowd embraced the emotion of Capaldi’s return – one of the cultural moments of the year – for a powerful, hit-laden half-hour Glastonbury set. “I just wanted to come and finish what I couldn’t finish last time,” said Capaldi. That he emphatically did, with his soaring vocals leading the crowd through classics, as well as a first live showing for ‘Survive’, and a unifying performance of ‘Someone You Loved’.

Now, Capaldi is making his ultimate comeback and will be performing at BST Hyde Park, joining the illustrious line-up of world-renowned artists who have graced the stage, from Stevie Wonder and The Rolling Stones to Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift and many more.

The beloved Scottish singer is currently making his way through a sold-out 17-date UK arena tour, having been met by rapturous crowds so far in Sheffield, Aberdeen & Glasgow – a powerful reminder of the connection he commands. The response to the tour has been electric, with critics unanimous in their praise, delivering four and five-star reviews across the board.

Prior to his comeback, Capaldi played a run of Scottish warm-up shows in May that saw him return to the stage as a guest of mental health charity CALM, in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Week. Capaldi’s last release, the hit-stacked record Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent, scored him his second UK number 1 album, creating another three heartbreaking UK number 1 singles, ‘Pointless’, ‘Wish You The Best’ and the Platinum-certified ‘Forget Me’.

April 2023 saw the global Netflix release of Capaldi’s’ compelling, raw and honest feature-length, GRAMMY®-nominated music documentary ‘Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now’ – available to watch on the platform now. The documentary shot straight to the top of the Netflix chart, making it the most-watched film on the platform since its release.

Capaldi’s subsequent success stems back to 2019’s multimillion-selling debut Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent, which propelled Capaldi from bedroom musician to superstar. Few had seen a debut release quite like it, becoming the biggest selling UK album of both 2019 & 2020, spawning two UK number 1 singles, bagging a few BRITs and a GRAMMY® nomination, with one of those number 1’s becoming a smash hit on both sides of the globe in ‘Someone You Loved’, which as well as recently going 10x Platinum, is also the UK’s most streamed song of all time & the world’s fourth highest ever streamed song.

As he continues to mark a new era, Capaldi has returned even stronger, heart wide open, and ready to step out again. Capaldi has also been announced to headline the inaugural Roundhay Festival on Saturday 4 July, visit roundhayfestival.com

Jim King, CEO of AEG Presents UK and European Festivals: “Announcing Lewis Capaldi as a BST Hyde Park headliner for 2026 feels absolutely perfect. He is fast becoming a legend for a new generation and will take his place comfortably among the great BST headliners. We had a glimpse of the magic when he joined Noah Kahan on stage this year, but this will be the true comeback that everyone has been waiting for, and we are so proud to host it.

Tickets:

Amex presale begins – Monday 15 September, 10am

Artist presale begins – Thursday 18 September, 10am

General on sale – Friday 19 September, 9am

www.bst-hydepark.com | @bsthydepark

New Venue ‘77’ Reveals Skepta and Kerri Chandler for landmark Opening Weekend in London

September 12, 2025 by Alex Jukes

Tickets | Website | Instagram

Hidden beneath Marylebone’s The BoTree, a new frequency in the capital’s nightlife begins. 77 is an intimate, high-spec destination designed for deep sonic visual immersion and real dance floor connections. To mark the launch of this bold new space, 77 opens with two genre-defining icons across a landmark opening weekend.

And it all starts on Friday, 26 September with New Jersey deep house pioneer Kerri Chandler. The American has long been shaping the sound with his famously punchy kicks and soul-infused records that always come from the heart, with support from Puerto Rico-born DJ Daisybelle, whose groovy, soulful sets draw on disco, funk, Latin, Balearic, and house influences.

On Saturday, 27 September, legendary grime pioneer, Más Tiempo boss and founding Boy Better Know member Skepta steps up for one of his eclectic DJ sets. The three-time Brit Awards nominee is a fearless selector who mixes up all forms of house, garage, bass, and plenty of in-between sounds that tap into a rich lineage of party-starting UK sound, with support from tech house DJ Meeshy, a rising name in London’s scene known for her energetic, groove-driven sets, and OSSIE, the London based artist and DJ whose forward-thinking productions have landed on crucial imprints like Hyperdub, Madhouse, Exploited and Brownswood, making him a fixture of cutting-edge electronic music.

Eniz Hilmi, Director of Music, says: “We’ve designed 77 to deliver the same world-class production experience you’d expect from a huge venue, whilst ensuring the connection between the artist and the audience is at the forefront. Our focus is on creating a one-of-a-kind experience where both DJs and live acts can truly connect with the crowd. That’s why we’re thrilled to be welcoming Skepta and Kerri Chandler for our opening weekend – two artists who embody everything we stand for.”

The venue is fully soundproofed and acoustically treated, making it an adaptable setting for club nights, album launches, fashion events and brand activations. Every detail, from the modular design to the service style, has been shaped to heighten connection between artists and audiences.

Behind 77 is a team of industry leaders: Jonathan Wade, nightlife veteran and former Tao Group executive; Eniz Hilmi, tastemaker and programmer with credits across Rinse FM, Mas Tiempo and a host of major UK festivals; and Sebastian Banovic, hospitality operator with experience across some of London’s most iconic venues including KOKO, The Roof Gardens and Tramp. Together, they’ve turned an idea into a cultural movement, creating a space where music, people and culture stand together on equal footing.

The Opening Weekend events set a high benchmark from the off, with much more to come. Tickets will be available at ra.co from 12 noon on Wednesday 10 September.

New Dance Club Refuge NYC Drops Opening Season Lineups

September 12, 2025 by Alex Jukes

Floorplan, DJ Seinfeld, Paranoid London, Antal, Stacey Pullen, Kenny Larkin, Danilo Plessllow (MCDE) and more play in September and October

Refuge NYC is Brooklyn’s brand new, high-definition dance club that opens its doors with a series of carefully curated events that usher in a raw, unfiltered return to underground music culture and community with bold lineups featuring Floorplan, DJ Seinfeld, Paranoid London (Live), Stacey Pullen, Antal, Kenny Larkin, Danilo Plessllow (MCDE) and many more.

This fall, John Dimatteo and legendary sound system innovator Craig ‘Shorty’ Bernabeu unveil Refuge, a sanctuary for high-fidelity sound and pure dancefloor connection. Located in a standalone industrial complex dating back to the mid-1800s in the creative corridor between East Williamsburg and Bushwick, the venue has been fully reimagined by Dimatteo and Bernabeu with one purpose: to prioritise sound, space and spirit above all else.

The heart of Refuge is its custom-built REX analog sound system, a 10-foot tall, 4-point creation by Shorty, who is the mind behind legendary installs at Nowadays and Analog BKNY. Hand-built amplifiers, bespoke filters and rotary mixers deliver a warm, rich sound that remains full and easy on the ears.

Inside the club, details have been carefully engineered to enhance every moment from the floated Malpe wood dancefloor built to absorb shock and return energy, to the custom DJ booth, acoustic design by Al Fierstein of Acoustilog (Studio 54, Sound Factory) and 35-foot ceilings and original brickwork that preserves the venue’s historic character. Nightlife visionary Gregory Homs (Sound Factory, The Tunnel) is also on board as the creative director tasked with pushing the NYC legacy forward with an eye on innovation and authenticity. Zero residential restrictions allow for true late-night and after-hours sessions in the 500-capacity, 3,200 sq ft space.

Says Dimatteo, “We’re proud to unveil our first line-ups and show what we’re all about: namely serious sounds only from a mix of originators who shaped house and techno to DJs defining the sound of the NYC underground and European talents developing the conversation on their own terms. This is just the start, we’re confident that we have created a place for everyone to call home”

The venue launches on September 21 with a double-header Sunday ’preview’ program including a day party featuring Rush Hour label and record store founder and globe trotting crate digger Antal, twin sister DJ duo and New York deep house favs Analog Soul and the vital Razor-N-Tape crew, followed by an intimate night session with the euphoric, genre-spanning sounds of DJ Seinfeld.

From there, Refuge leans into its marathon ethos with a Grand Opening Marathon across September 27–28 and a 24-hour (or longer) dancefloor journey led by Detroit techno royalty Floorplan, rough and ready acid house punks Paranoid London (Live), the Motor City’s space tech innovator DJ Holographic, The Bunker resident and master of deep tech Mike Servito, plus Miss Parker, Bruno Schmidt and others.

On October 4, Danilo Plessllow (fka MCDE) brings his dusty house and disco sounds, the inimitable Dam Funk (Live) will mix up neon synths, funk and brilliant boogie with support from Lloyd, and on October 11, more Detroit pioneers line up when Blackflag’s Stacey Pullen and the OG Kenny Larkin are joined by Heidy P., John Dimatteo, Michelangelo and Kofman .

Refuge is built on principles, not gimmicks, so phones are discouraged, there’s no VIP and no bottle service, just a return to uninhibited dance culture. All parties will permit re-entry with food and coffee fueling the dancing marathon sessions. Full programming will span open-to-close sessions, Sunday day parties and true after-hours.

Tickets for the opening parties are on sale now at: eventbrite.com

Refuge will be located at 360 Ten Eyck Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11206

For more information on Refuge head to: refuge.nyc / @Refuge.NYC

Superclub Takes Over Student Digs: Ministry of Sound Announces House Party Tour with Lab54

September 12, 2025 by Alex Jukes

This September, Ministry of Sound, in collaboration with pop-up specialists Lab54 and joined by iconic fashion brand Von Dutch, is stepping out of the club and into student living rooms with a first-of-its-kind Fresher’s House Party Tour. For one month, the South London club will swap its renowned dancefloor for kitchens, gardens, and lounges across the UK, bringing the decks, dance music, and three decades of club culture straight to the heart of student nightlife.

“Club culture is always shifting; today’s students discover music, connect with artists, and build communities in new ways. This tour is a chance for us to break out of our own four walls and bring that Ministry energy directly to the next generation of ravers. Many of our team and resident DJs started their journeys in student houses just like these, and we know how formative those first parties can be. We want to be part of that story.” – Matt Long, Club Director at Ministry of Sound.

To bring the concept to life, Ministry of Sound is joined by Lab54, the team behind April’s infamous ‘Ministry break-in’ stunt that transformed the girls’ bathroom into an illegal rave. This autumn, they’ll bring the same energy to student houses in Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Leeds and Newcastle, with performances from Ministry artists New Era, Skepsis, Disruptor, with more to be announced.

“Lab54 has made a name for itself by throwing the most outrageous parties in anywhere but a club. We have continuously brought people together, especially students, through our pledge to make our parties inclusive to every member of the community. This tour is about tapping into this energy to create nights that are actually remembered for years to come.” – Audrey Stiffle, Head of Partnerships.

Joining the party is Von Dutch, the reborn noughties label that recently launched its music-focused fashion sub-brand, Von Dutch Loves. Already making waves as one of the industry’s most exciting new players, the music-meets-fashion arm made its mark this summer with a debut collaboration alongside Brazilian powerhouse Vintage Culture, before going further by giving 20 rising DJs the chance to perform on its own stage at Brunch Electronik Festival, positioning itself as a future scene-shaper.

That spirit of pushing culture forward is shared by Ministry of Sound Records, whose legacy has evolved beyond being a London tastemaker. Its DIY origins are rooted in the rebellious heart of dance music, its club has hosted dancers from all over the world for over three decades, and its label continues to shape the sounds of today, having nurtured some of music’s most notable names, including Eric Prydz, London Grammar, Eats Everything, Duck Sauce and Dom Dolla.

This tour signals the next step for Ministry, bringing its sound beyond the club and into the homes of a new generation of ravers.

Tour Dates

13.09 Bristol New Era

18.09 Liverpool Special Guests TBA

19.09 Manchester Special Guests TBA

25.09 Nottingham Ely Oaks

26.09 Leeds Skepsis & Disruptor

03.10 Newcastle Special Guests TBA

More names to be announced.

Follow Ministry and Lab54 to keep up to date with all announcements, as well as access to event tickets, and more.

Ministry of Sound

Website | Instagam

Lab54

Website | Instagram

Von Dutch

Website | Instagram

Von Dutch Announces First Ever London Fashion Week Takeover at Gallery Club, Kensington

September 12, 2025 by Alex Jukes

Instagram | Website

On Sep 18 Von Dutch Loves welcomes DJs Rossi, Halfpint and Delilah for first ever London Fashion Week Takeover

Von Dutch Loves, the bold new label from the iconic Von Dutch brand, is coming to West London’s Gallery Club for a London Fashion Week takeover this month.

The event will display exclusive new Von Dutch and Von Dutch Loves pieces and feature a giveaway of Von Dutch Loves Trucker Caps and t-shirts for the first 100 partygoers through the door. The event will also feature limited edition, bespoke Von Dutch artworks created on-site by street artist Dondy who’s renowned for his bold murals and evocative portraits.

“We’re incredibly proud to bring Von Dutch Loves to London Fashion Week,” says Jack Sabbagh, CEO of Von Dutch. “The brand has distinctly counter-cultural roots, growing in stature thanks to its organic links to various musical subcultures. It’s great to be mixing it up with the fashion establishment at Fashion Week and combining our collection with some of our favourite names in electronic music, alongside artists from across the broader underground and alternative scenes.”

Featuring sets from London house-music favourite Rossi, rising talent Delilah, with her blend of soulful house and brooding bass, and fabric regular Half Pint. The event is a must-do for anyone who wants a slice of rave action during Fashion Week.

Von Dutch Loves is the latest sub-label from the iconic Von Dutch fashion house, known for its fearless designs and connection to music, nightlife and rule breaking creativity.

Launched earlier this year, Von Dutch Loves brings a subtle update to Von Dutch’s iconic apparel offering and has already collaborated with on-fire Brazilian DJ and producer Vintage Culture.

For tickets and more information head to; ra.co/events/2219240

VON DUTCH LOVES LONDON FASHION WEEK

THURSDAY 18 SEPTEMBER | 22:00 – 03:00

AT GALLERY CLUB, 2A KENSINGTON HIGH STREET, W8 4RE

22:00 – 03:00

Peak Moods Announces Free Courtyard Party with Play Piem, Better Listening and Wing Stop at Ministry of Sound

September 12, 2025 by Alex Jukes

Thursday 18 September

Ministry of Sound, 6pm-10pm, Free Entry

Sign up for free tickets here; https://itspeakatministry.london/

Ministry of Sound has teamed up with Peak, the game-changing new ‘Mood Drink’ brand that’s fuelling a new generation of artists, thinkers and makers, to create a one-of-a-kind party with two different experiences reflecting the two different drinks, Hype and Calm. Together, they are blending music, art, nightlife, wellness and innovation to showcase some of London’s most exciting cultural elements, bringing them under one roof in a truly multi-faceted collaboration.

Following Ministry adding a fresh no/lo option by putting Peak Hype and Calm behind all four bars and in the Green Room, the event series collaboration launches with a free and immersive “Choose Your Mood” Courtyard Party during Freshers’ Week on Thursday 18 September. The unique experience brings together a fresh lineup of DJs, food, fashion, and art to celebrate individuality, mood expression and creativity.

Says Joe (Head of Marketing) at Ministry of Sound, “Ministry has always been about pushing culture forward and creating spaces where music, creativity and community collide. Partnering with Peak allows us to explore that in fresh ways, bringing music, creativity and individuality together under one roof. We were particularly drawn to Peak due to its positioning as a “Mood Drink” – with the two signatures ‘Hype’ and ‘Calm’. This launch party will explore both of these and is just the start of what promises to be a really exciting journey…There’s plenty more to come.”

Set across two rooms at Ministry of Sound, the event is designed to reflect Peak’s two signature drinks: Hype and Calm. Far from your average energy drink, Peak is a “Mood Drink” designed to support and heighten your state of mind and wellbeing. Whether you’re in the studio, the gym or getting ready for a night out, Peak lets you choose your mood with Hype for dopamine-driven focus and lift, and Calm for serotonin chill and clarity. Both function as stand-alone drinks or as the base for the perfect cocktail and are backed by real science.

Says Louie from Peak, “We created Peak to give people a choice in how they feel – whether you want to dial up with Hype or dial down with Calm. It’s for people who want to have fun and party without sacrificing their health, a drink that fits the studio, the gym or a night out. Teaming up with Ministry lets us bring that idea to life in a way people can actually experience.”

Hype in the Courtyard is for Peak party vibes hosted by Play Piem, who bring their full sound system and since launching in 2022 have been a driving force in the new era of Black British nightlife known for platforming exciting new talent in Paris, London and NYC. Adding extra levels and vibes in the Courtyard will be Wingstop who will serve up their legendary chicken wings free of charge, exclusive tattoos by The London Social and custom grillz by Loud Mouth. The first 100 attendees will also receive a free glass of Champeak plus more exclusive giveaways throughout the night.

Calm in The Box, meanwhile, is a bold and never done before transformation of a world renowned club environment into a cosy and intimate candle-lit listening space. This unique listening experience is for introspection and laid-back grooves from Better Listening, which was created by David, co-founder of No Signal And Recess, and has an obsession for high quality and focused listening sessions in soulful spaces. Special guests Channel One will be putting the legendary 6-point Martin Audio sound system through its paces with a fine curation of seriously heavyweight roots and rare dubs. Add in luxury candles by Cent and visuals by Kino Studios and you have a seductive sensory experience like no other.

The Ministry of Sound × Peak partnership continues with a string of creative moments through Autumn 2025 including a Peckham Cornershop takeover and VIP Takeover at the Mak 10 Show at Ministry of Sound.

Sign up now for free entry at https://itspeakatministry.london/

Halfmoon Festival Reveals Next Wave of Line-Ups For A Dream Winter Getaway in the Thai Jungle

September 11, 2025 by Alex Jukes

halfmoonfestival.com

Names like Blazy, Blastoyz, Ghost Rider and Reality Test are set to light up the Magical Forest on Koh Phangan from now until December

As Europe heads into winter and the festival calendar quiets down, Thailand’s iconic Halfmoon Festival is heating up and offering the perfect way to escape it all. From now through December 2025, Koh Phangan’s open-air jungle celebration will host a fresh run of bi-weekly shows featuring major international talent including WHITENO1SE, Blazy, Querox Berg, Ghost Rider, Blastoyz, Silver Panda, Mr.Black, Blanka, Ranji, Tezla, Reality Test, IRA, Tali Muss, Don’t Blink, Dirty Andy and Javier Gonzalez.

As the northern hemisphere heads into cold, grey months, Halfmoon offers the perfect alternative with sunshine, sea views, incredible music and a global community of like-minded travellers. Over more than two decades, Halfmoon Festival has been a bucket list getaway bridging international electronic culture with local artistry, spectacular visual performance and soul-stirring and spiritual celebration. For content creators, travel influencers, music lovers and thrill-seekers alike, this is the ultimate winter destination.

With its unique two-day format and famously high definition and super sized production, all in idyllic island setting, Halfmoon Festival has long offered one of the most transportive dance music experiences in the world. From beach bliss to forest rave, each edition kicks off at the stunning Harmony Beach Club where you ease in with beachside beats, fire dancers and exotic performers, making for plenty of daytime fun. There are pool parties, games and endless tropical cocktails to enjoy as the sun sets over the Gulf of Thailand and leads into day two.

The second night then transforms the Magical Forest into a surreal nighttime playground. Surrounded by palms and jungle canopy, three custom-built stages – The Prime Stage, G Floor, and The Cave – are all curated with their own soundtrack and host everything from melodic techno and psychedelic trance to house, indie, hip-hop and experimental live sets. Fire shows, LED visuals and vivid production make this a vibrant, sensory stimulating rave like no other.

With over 2,000 accommodation options on the island ranging from beachside bungalows to luxury resorts, Koh Phangan offers easy access to wellness retreats, waterfalls, hiking, local markets and the festival itself. Daily ferries from Koh Samui and a growing number of direct flights into Surat Thani and Samui Airport mean it’s never been easier to escape to paradise.

For full artist lineups, ticket packages and travel tips heads to www.halfmoonfestival.com

For more information about this unreal weekend experience visit halfmoonfestival.com.

Blacklist Festival Unveils Full Lineup for 2025 Edition at Turbinenhalle, Oberhausen

September 9, 2025 by Alex Jukes

New Additions Include Whales, Bou B2B Hedex, Flowidus, Holy Goof, Koven, VISSA’s floor takeover and more

Date: 11th October, 2025

Location: Turbinenhalle in Oberhausen

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Germany’s Blacklist Festival cements its place as the premier bass event of the year, unveiling the full lineup for its highly anticipated return to Turbinenhalle in Oberhausen on October 11, 2025. Following an already explosive phase one reveal, the final additions bring even more global firepower across dubstep, trap, drum and bass, bass house and beyond. In all, over 50 acts will serve up 12 hours of music across four high-production stages for 7,000 bass fans from across the world. It’s an unmissable day of immersive production, heavyweight sets and unmatched atmosphere in an industrial temple of sound.

Newly announced highlights include Whales bringing his melodic-meets-heavy bass sound to the Blacklist stage, Bou B2B Hedex, who are two of the most in-demand DnB producers and team up for an explosive b2b, while high-octane energy comes from Australian / New Zealand drum & bass duo Flowidus, marking their only announced European date of the year so far.

Elsewhere, multi-genre maverick Holy Goof promises his signature bassline and UKG hybrid sounds, Koven is a cinematic UK powerhouse known for electric live sets that collide trap, bass, house and drum & bass, and Mozey, Used and Murdock represent the cutting edge of the drum & bass underground.

There will also be a special floor takeover by ultimate rave practitioners VISSA featuring a genre-blurring mix of talent and collectives including Autodrive, Hammerhead, Explorers of the Internet, EH!DE, Terminite, Gladde Palling, Different Heaven, Dubtendo and STVG.

These names join a stacked lineup that already features Black Tiger Sex Machine, Sullivan King, DJ Snake presents: The Outlaw, Habstrakt, Code: Pandorum, Reaper, Modestep (Classics Set) and many more.

Known for championing both mainstage heavy-hitters and forward-thinking underground artists, Blacklist has grown into a cultural movement for the European bass community. Each year it transforms Turbinenhalle into a true bass haven with smart curation and mind-bending lights and visuals on a scale that cannot be experienced anywhere else.

Tickets are now available, starting from 45€, with VIP options also on offer. For the full lineup, travel info, and more visit https://blacklist-festival.com