Victor Ruiz announces huge Live Stream from Beirut to celebrate his newest EP on Drumcode

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The stream in association with Beatport will go live on Thursday 14th July at 7pm CET

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Trailer of Stream

Stream link to go public on 14/07 at 7pm CET – https://www.twitch.tv/beatportofficial

Brazilian underground mainstay Victor Ruiz is back on Drumcode for the first time in two years with his new Beirut EP. Victor will be celebrating the release of the EP by showcasing his all new live set during an exclusive stream with Beatport directly from Beirut on 14th July.

This much anticipated new live-stream will be the first time ever Victor’s live show will have been streamed online. It will feature all the tracks from this new Beirut EP alongside all new and on-the-fly versions of tracks from his enviable back catalogue. During the stream, exclusive Victor Ruiz x Drumcode x Customized Culture merchandise will be released and will be available for 72 hours only, with 20% of the sales donated to a charity in Beirut. Drumcode have never done a merchandise collaboration with any other artist before so this is a world first and real honour for Victor.

The EP is his first on the label in nearly two years following ‘Freedom’ and the collaborative ‘Consciousness’ with Pig&Dan, plus a standout single ‘Love Story’ on A-Sides Vol.10, which made him the imprint’s most prolific contributor in 2020. Since then, highlights for Victor include playing a Drumcode takeover at Warehouse Project, collaborating with Hannes Bieger on his acclaimed ‘Balance Presents’ album, and lining-up for the epic TimeWarp festival in Brazil.

His four-tracker ‘Beirut’ signalises another pivotal step forward for the São Paulo-born artist. Ruiz has always operated at the more emotive end of the techno spectrum and this opus exemplifies his ability to craft dramatic tension and beauty in equal doses. The title track is dedicated to one of his favourite cities. “’Beirut’ is a very emotional song and at the same time, very powerful. Just like the city. I wanted to make a track that would be beautiful and a kicker at the same time,” he says of the sublime nine-minute anthem-in-the-making.

‘Confession’ shows another side of his production palette; eerie and intense, it’s led by a searing synth lead and smoky vox. ‘Jurema’ takes inspiration from the famous Brazilian spiritual tree and features vocals in Portuguese talking about mysticism, all the while crafting a belter with organic drums and sounds of nature to transmit the feeling of being in the jungle. The EP rounds out with ‘Omen’, a peak-time piston with a huge melodic lead designed for big festival moments.

This is another big step up for the ever essential Victor Ruiz.

Wehbba releases remix of classic dance anthem Jam & Spoon “Odyssey To Anyoona”

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Marco Faraone, DEAS and Boston 168 bring their interpretations to Sam’s originals

‘Light + Shadows’ Vol.1 Out Now: https://www.beatport.com/release/light-shadow-remixes-vol-1/3777026

Sam Paganini kicks off a new series of remixes of his recent album “Light + Shadow” tracks with a first Volume featuring music from Marco Faraone, DEAS and Boston 168. Due for release on July 8th, first Sam debuts his long awaited new LIVE show in Madrid at Fabrik on June 25th. It features plenty of upgrades and new tracks from his last album Light+ Shadow with dedicated visuals all in sync to make it a hugely immersive audio-visual experience like none other, with further venues to follow in autumn and winter.

Sam is a global techno innovator who has been at the forefront for years. He has released on key labels from Plus8 to Drumcode and Cocoon and is never far from the top of the Beatport charts. He runs the JAM label and has played every major club and festival in the world. His last album showed off two very different but equally vital sides to his ever evolving sound and now comes the first of a new series of remixes.

First up, Flash (Marco Faraone Remix) is a heavy and edgy techno cut with rock solid drums. The synths are raved and the energy is tough with an unrelenting groove sure to lock in the floor. Galaxy (DEAS Remix) is then a six minute roller with frazzled synths searching across the face of the track, thunderous claps and fat bass all driving forwards. Heaven (Boston 168 Remix) closes with plenty of bright trance synths over hyper-speed drums in a track that will take the club into other dimensions.

Listen

Maraco Faraone Remix of ‘Flash’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJSeKo5Mc9Q

DEAS Remix of ‘Galaxy’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I876IRndGIU

Boston 168 Remix of ‘Heaven’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITJFxYsTsas

SeatlabNFT Announce £1,000,000 Event Creator Fund

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As it continues to revolutionise the event ticketing industry, SeatlabNFT today announces their £1,000,000 SeatlabNFT Event Creator Fund to help artists and event organisers with the cost of running live events. These non-repayable grants are open to applications from events and festivals worldwide. Successful applicants will receive their grants in instalments, becoming a SeatlabNFT sponsored event and official ticketing client in the process, giving them wider exposure on the world stage. 
There is no minimum or maximum amount associated with the grant as different events have varied capital requirements. Grants can be used towards the many upfront costs associated with running a live event, such as venue deposits, artist booking fees and marketing campaigns, leaving organisers to focus on doing what they do best: putting on unforgettable shows.

Ryan Kenny, Director of Seatlab says ‘We’re excited to announce the SeatlabNFT Event Creator Fund, which we hope will provide organisers around the world with the financial injection needed to allow them to try out and embrace our event ticketing technology at their events! We’re looking to work with a wide range of events, so we encourage everybody who will benefit to apply’
Applications can be made via https://www.seatlabnft.com/event-creator-fund and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants will be asked to provide detailed information about their event, including any venue contracts and artist agreements. SeatlabNFT also looks at the applicant’s experience of running successful events, the social media following of relevant stakeholders, and anything else that will help them better understand the event’s viability. Lastly, applicants will need to outline the grant size they’re requesting and how they will allocate funds. SeatlabNFT will internally assess applications and make a decision within a few weeks.
Successful applicants will receive their grants in instalments, unlocking the next payment when they reach a significant milestone. Although each grant is assessed on a case-by-case basis, typical milestones are:
  • Sign-on bonus
  • When tickets go on sale
  • 50% of tickets sold
  • 100% of tickets sold
  • Day of the event
This Event Creator Fund is the next big step for SeatlabNFT, who have already developed a game-changing, NFT-powered event ticketing system that artists and event organisers can utilise to regain control of the secondary market, prevent counterfeiting, and bring fans and artists closer together through exclusive rewards and collectibles.

About SeatlabNFT

SeatlabNFT is a next-generation NFT-powered event ticketing platform. Using blockchain technology to issue event tickets as NFTs, they are helping create a more immersive and rewarding event experience for attendees using collectable digital assets that artists and event organisers can send directly to ticket holders’ wallets, community access passes and interactive on-site elements.
They are also giving artists and event organisers greater control over the secondary ticketing market. Their programmable NFT tickets can reduce touting with features such as resale price ceilings and non-transferable ticket types. They’re also opening up new revenue streams with royalty splits, allowing artists and event organisers to earn a commission from secondary market ticket resales.

NASS Festival – Review

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Nass

NASS is the hottest UK festival of the year…so far!

With an eclectic mix of BMX, street-skaters, grime, rap, hip hop and pop, NASS created the most exciting street culture event in the festival calendar, without question.

Friday highlighted the sheer variety of music on offer. Kurupt FM, fresh from their headline appearance at the Arcadia stage of Glastonbury drew a huge crowd within the Hanger at Shepton Mallet. Originally a comedy act from BBC mock series ‘People Just Do Nothing’, MC Grindah truly is one of the best MC’s on the scene. If the band had been formed in the heyday of garage at the start of the 2000’s, they would surely have been one of the biggest genuine acts.

Over on the main stage Willow Kayne stepped in for a surprise appearance with her FIFA-22 soundtrack hit ‘Two Seater’…later Mabel brought glamour with her pumped up-pop. Her bright and beaming tunes may not have been what the average NASS attendee wanted to hear, but it’s clear after her slot, she’ll be headlining in the future.

Mabel © Graham Tarrant

Speaking of headliners, this was first time Headie One has topped the bill at a UK festival. Although he played a mix of his own tracks, much of his set was made up of covers of his contemporaries, such as Dave and Notorious B.I.G. It’s a shame he didn’t play more of his own tracks to showcase his writing talents.

On Saturday, the BMX and street skate qualifiers began – simply, wow! The moves pulled off in the men’s and women’s competitions were truly breathtaking and the skills defied gravity. As well as International pro skateboarders, competing athletes included Olympic talent such as gold medallist Charlotte Worthington and Team GB’s Declan Brooks. With a combined prize purse of £60,000 it was impressive and sporting to see each talented participant cheer on their competitors while waiting on the ramps.

Saturday’s line up was arguably stronger than the opening day, with artists getting increasingly impressive as the sun shone down.

Bad Boy Chiller Crew were a second-rate Kurupt FM, with novelty tunes, a bassline, bucket hats and for some reason, sweltering balaclavas. Later, Gentleman’s Dub Club proved they are one of the ultimate festival bands with sharp suits and sharper notes.

Gentleman’s Dub Club © Graham Tarrant

Later the glamour truly took to the stage with Raye. She stated in an interview that ‘people know the songs, but they don’t know me’ – surely that’s all going to change. She’s currently not signed to a label and is an independent artist, but after this performance, it won’t be long until she’s signed and has a number one album. Her outfit malfunction was a little cheeky however.

Raye © Graham Tarrant

Queen of pop Becky Hill followed, proclaiming that the crowd shouldn’t think they’re too cool for her brand of pop. It’s clear she’s a lover of Drum’n’Bass with chart-topping hits such as ‘Run‘. She’s must have now played every festival in the UK, but is always a crowd pleaser and won over many waiting for Saturday headliner, Loyle Carner.

Becky Hill ©Graham Tarrant

Arguably the nicest bloke in rap, Loyle made multiple dedications to his mother. Not the coolest thing for the skater audience, but it was well intentioned. 

After a hard day in the park, Saturday concluded with the thrilling ring of fire, which skaters fearlessly rode their boards through. Well… while some rode through it, others wiped out and others were less fortunate in catching the ring head-on. All in the aid of some much-needed beer tokens.

As usual at a festival, Sunday was a far more sedate affair. The temperatures soared, so many took shelter from the sun. Ms Banks and Ella Eyre played hot sets before Wilkinson delivered his fiery new album Cognition in full. Like the rest of the festival, the set relished in a mix and myriad of styles and genres across the musical spectrum.

NASS FESTIVAL IMAGE ©MATT TEACHUS

Concluding the festival on a high was AJ Tracey with an impressive headline set. Closing out this year’s event in impressive style, with his legendary ‘Ladbroke Grove’ and ‘Thiago Silva’. 

Early bird tickets for next year’s NASS go on sale on Wednesday 13 July.

Don’t miss out on this hot festival.

© Graham Tarrant

 

Wehbba releases remix of classic dance anthem Jam & Spoon “Odyssey To Anyoona”

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Great originals deserve great remixes and Jam & Spoon’s iconic “Odyssey to Anyoona”, released in 1993, most definitely matches that profile.

25+ years after it first landed the dancefloors, nobody less than Brazilian DJ and producer Wehbba prepared “Odyssey to Anyoona” for 2022 with a fingerprint remix that really distinguishes him as an artist. He pushes the stylistic needle only as far as is needed in order to connect its subtler harmonies with the persuasive pulse of his backing production. Pushing the tempo into later-night area, he hauntingly pans, echoes and shuttles the track’s vocal around the speakers, gradually building up its intensity.

Jam & Spoon – Odyssey To Anyoona (Wehbba Remix) will be released on Friday, July 8th, 2022 on Black Hole Recordings.

Artist(s): Jam & Spoon, Wehbba
Title: Odyssey To Anyoona (Wehbba Remix)
Record Label: Black Hole Recordings
Cat.Number: Black Hole 1245-0
Release Date: 8th July 2022

Tracklist:
1) Odyssey To Anyoona (Wehbba Remix)
2) Odyssey To Anyoona (Wehbba Extended Remix)

Mixed-reality music startup Volta Secures £400k Grant From Government-backed Innovate UK 

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Volta XR: http://volta-xr.com/
Innovate UK: https://www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk/

The Grant will develop the next generation of audience interaction and co-creation

Free, self-service XR creation platform Volta has received a £400k grant from Innovate UK, the government-backed agency which drives productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas.

It is the latest huge development in a standout year for Volta which has begun to make its mark on the global entertainment industry. Its innovative technology – which was highlighted as one of TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2021 – enables artists to turn their physical concerts or live streams into mixed-reality shows. It was recently seen in action at Glastonbury Festival during sets by Bonobo, Jamie Jones, TSHA, Grove and Fumez the Engineer which were all heightened by automated visual effects in real-time sync with their music.

“This money not only gives us Government funding but the opportunity to methodically learn how to translate the best parts of live events into hybridised ones,” says Volta CEO Alex Kane.

The grant will go towards researching and building audience interaction features that can bring global and local audiences together during live events. The aim is to enable both online and physical audiences to have an impact on the actual experience of a live event in real time, as well as creating a new revenue stream for artists that can deliver a meaningful income and helping artists engage with their fans far beyond emoji overlays and donations. Audience interaction not only brings fans together, but engagement drives brand awareness and with audience participation being a key feature, Volta gives fans a reason to watch and interact with the stream, rather than just listen to it.

The grant will also help Volta create the ability for audiences to interact in a way that benefits artists of all levels, incorporating gaming mechanics with in-app purchases and remote user interaction into live events with the aim of creating extra value in the music industry for the long tail of artists who historically haven’t been able to make a meaningful income from their art.

There will also be an element of research undertaken: Volta plans on hiring behavioural scientists to discover the motivation of concert goers live and live streamed and the psychological implications of making experiences interactive.

BLOODSTOCK REVEALS THIRTEEN MORE BANDS

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BLOODSTOCK can finally declare that 2022’s biggest metal weekender is next month! So to whet your appetite further, here’s thirteen more bands (lucky for some) you’ll be able to catch at the festival, plus details of exactly when you can put your own questions to some of this year’s stellar line-up, via a new Facebook Live series with BLOODSTOCK management in the coming weeks.  

Regretfully, BLACK TONGUE have had to pull out of their Sophie Lancaster stage slot, but BLOODSTOCK is pleased to welcome death metal heavyweights INGESTED in their wake on Saturday. These self-proclaimed ‘Kings of Slam’ are sure to impress; if you’re not familiar with them yet, take a look at the official video for ‘Ashes Lie Still’. If you dig it, there’s some extra behind-the-scenes content on their Facebook page too.  

With still a few more Metal 2 The Masses finals to go, BLOODSTOCK is enthused to reveal more of the winning bands and some very popular runners up, who’ll be appearing on the New Blood stage across festival weekend! Friday’s bill welcomes brawny riffs from hotly-tipped, South Wales champions I FIGHT BEARS and Northern Ireland runners up NØMADUS who blend thrash, groove, and prog.

Saturday brings modern metal crew COLLECTED who were runners up in Essex; folklore-named, progressive sludge trio SILEN who nearly clinched first in Kent; and a dystopian soundtrack from the interesting, industrial/post-metal TRIBE OF GHOSTS.

Sunday offers up a slice of heavy from North Wales winners, the high voltage, tech thrashers APOLLYON; Macclesfield’s melodic metal five piece KARMA’S PUPPET; and Hertfordshire victors MUST KILL, promising a unique take on their love of old school thrash and death metal.


Not only that, BLOODSTOCK has even more bands to tell you about, adding another four to the Jagermeister stage. If you need yet more live action after watching MERCYFUL FATE crush on Saturday night, get yourself back over to the Jager stage for a dose of THE KUNTS UNPLUGGED, doing a late headline set after the Danish icons finish. You may remember them from their Christmas chart-busters about politicians and royalty…! 

Also performing on Saturday are satirical, fantasy-themed, power metallers WARLOCK AD (channelling Dio, Manowar, Rhapsody, Powerwolf, and Feuerschwanz) telling epic tales of bizarre interdimensional proportions. Added to Sunday’s line-up are uplifting, atmospheric progsters LORE OF THE WOODMAN and ACID THRONE, who take their influence from classic rock, hardcore punk, and black metal to serve up doom-laden cuts for bangin’ heads.


Don’t miss BLOODSTOCK’s latest Facebook Live at 7pm BST this THURSDAY 7th July with festival management in conversation with none other than Will Ramos of LORNA SHORE! Put your questions to Will or BLOODSTOCK and keep an ear out for spot prizes too! With more special guests from 2022’s line-up to come on future Facebook Lives with BLOODSTOCK, pose your best questions in real time at the following additional guest chats:

7pm BST – Friday 15th July – Nergal from BEHEMOTH

7pm BST – Wednesday 20th July – The Berserker Blothar from GWAR

7pm BST – Thursday 28th July – Alex & Kon from MALEVOLENCE

Joseph Capriati to celebrate his birthday with special b2b set with Jamie Jones at Cova Santa, Ibiza

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Tickets

In amongst his exclusive Metamorfosi parties at Amnesia, Joseph Capriati is to have a special and intimate birthday celebration up in the Ibizan hills at Cova Santa.

On Tuesday July 26th, he will play a unique back-to-back set with his friend and Paradise founder Jamie Jones,while Wan Issara also goes b2b with Kidoo.

This stunning location has a beautiful outdoor terrace, lush gardens and views down over the Ibiza mountains. It is in a natural cave with a stylish and cosy indoor dance floor that will make for some special birthday memories on this exclusive night.

Joseph and Jamie are two of the underground’s most recognisable names. To hear them play a special back-to-back and explore their respective sounds is sure to be one of this summer’s most unique parties.

Kollektiv Turmstrasse announces new “YAP” EP with Exclusive video 

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Watch Exclusive Video for (T)error

Pre Order ‘YAP’ HERE

Kollektiv Turmstrasse releases new EP, YAP, on 1st July. The 3-track-release marks the first new material since 2019, presenting an ever-evolving sound that channels the legacy of the artist’s dancefloor savvy roots combined with a playful exploration of the lighter sides of house and techno.

Kolllektiv Turmstrasse steers into unexplored sonic territory and an introspective space with this new EP. Meticulous production skills combined with a soulful joy shine through with opening track, “YAP”. The track is a celebration of the pure and euphoric feelings human beings develop for one another (“You Are Perfect”), and demands the listener shimmies, shakes and forgets the outside world. The track starts on a methodical and hypnotic trajectory until vocals, synths, snares and hi-hats fly in from all angles to create a mosaic of grooving sound. Kollektiv Turmstrasse has a knack for blending multiple genres in one track, and the R&B vocals adding an unexpected garage flavour. With “YAP”, Kollektiv Turmstrasse creates a musical alchemy, occupying that dreamy space between evolution and nostalgia.

“Terror” is a high-energy electro banger that conjures images of malfunctioning robots or a rogue Pac-Man. Using a variety of vocal styles, the track touches on themes of societal change, capitalism, inequality and power struggles. The artist wrote this track in the midst of lockdown after a decade of non-stop touring, so it champions a mixture of emotions – relief at having the space to be creative alongside a sense of yearning for the dance floor.

“I’m OK” plays with the limits and edges of house and minimal, combining 4:4 rhythms with scattered synths and sharp vocals. The track explores our tendency to create facades to cover our inner turmoil, reflected through builds and drops that add tension and texture, while giving a packed out dance floor no choice but to move.

Artist: Kollektiv Turmstrasse
Title: YAP
Record Label: Not Sorry Music
Cat.Number: NSM001
Release Date: 1st July 2022

Tracklisting:
1) YAP
2) (T)error
3) I’m OK
4) YAP (Extended Mix)
5) I’m OK (Extended Mix)

Black Eyed Peas at Rock in Rio Lisbon Review

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There was excitement in the air as we flitted through the gates of Rock in Rio Lisbon festival on Sunday, 19th June. The grounds were already heaving with people, and for many, it was their first festival after over two years of cancelled events due to COVID-19.

Rock in Rio Lisbon hosted four jam-packed days of big-name music this June. We attended to see the famed Black Eyed Peas take to the stage, along with Brit singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding, Brazilian singer-songwriter Ivete Sangalo, and Portuguese singer David Carreira.

Other days of the festival saw headliners like rockers Muse, new-wavers Duran Duran, and rapper Post Malone play to the crowds.

On arrival, we were instantly impressed by the festival’s fun, efficient, and easy-to-access layout. While the site was easily navigable, it was the other small additions that stood out to me that really make a festival unique.

We giggled at the people dressed up in Lays packets serving crisps (which I, of course, purchased from later as a late-night snack) and were wowed by the smart and aesthetically pleasing main stage. The huge Ferris wheel made for an Instagram-worthy backdrop for photos, and I’m sure, offered great views of the busy festival below.

While plenty of bars were available to grab a drink, Rock in Rio Lisbon is one of those festivals where staff wander through the crowds selling beer and cider from containers on their backs – very convenient indeed.

Ellie Goulding

After having a little exploration of the site while Ivete Sangalo was belting out her hits, it was soon time to get settled for Ellie Goulding.

For me personally, the anticipation was high. The last time I’d seen Ellie Goulding live was 12 years ago, and it seems we’d both changed a lot. Ellie only had one album out at the time, but by now, she boasted records with superstars like Calvin Harris and Major Lazer.

We were soon entranced and enchanted by Ellie’s hypnotizing, ethereal voice. She sounded just as she did 12 years ago and impressively, as she sounds on the radio, too.

While the ever-glamorous Ellie started with some of her lesser-known songs, by the middle of the set, almost everyone was singing along to hit after hit. We swayed, sang, and bounced around to the likes of ‘Powerful’, ‘Outside’, ‘I need your love’, and ‘Love me like you do.’

The crowd erupted with Ellie’s more energetic club hits, and the atmosphere was electric. The zip-liners zooming above the masses as Ellie sang only added to the vibrant mood. A song I didn’t recognize but scrambled to scribble down was the lighter, catchy ‘Bleach’ that Ellie described as a song to ‘help you forget someone’.

Ellie finished her captivating set with a fan-favourite – the animated, lively ‘Burn’ and we were more than satisfied with her performance.

Ellie Goulding

The Black Eyed Peas

After a brief cider and crisp break (those vendors sure come in handy), we welcomed the headliners to the stage – The Black Eyed Peas. Even before the group bounced onto the stage, I was awash with a strong sense of nostalgia. I could picture myself sitting at school all those years ago, humming along to their then fresh hit ‘Where is the love?’ and I couldn’t wait to hear it in person, albeit sadly without Fergie.

The Black Eyed Peas erupted onto the stage, starting the show with high spirits with the aptly-named ‘Let’s get it started’. I can only describe the set as one massive, energetic party, as we raved and threw our hands up to famous hits like ‘Boom boom pow’, ‘Pump it’, ‘Scream & shout’, and ‘I gotta feeling’.

The Peas’ latest song, ‘Don’t you worry’, featuring Shakira, went down well with the crowds – yet strangely, they decided to play it twice.

But for me, as I’d expected, the highlight of the show was of course, ‘Where is the love?’. As a crowd, we were all encouraged to shine our phone torches which made for a magical collective moment. The mass of people lit up against the darkness as the familiar tune filled the site. It was one of those festival moments where all the emotions hit hard, and yes, I almost cried.

It was a day and night filled with plenty of nostalgia, energy, and boogying – and with that, you can’t really go wrong, can you? Thank you, Rock in Rio Lisbon – I’ll be back.

Have a peek at some more of our festival reviews here.

The Black Eyed Peas