Stream / Purchase: Kiko, Étienne De Crecy – Superdata

Setting an industrial soundscape from the very first beat, the producers call upon heavy percussion, striking synth work and rhythmic instrumentation to craft a commanding arrangement. Showcasing the undeniable synergy between Kiko and Étienne, this captivating instrumental cut has been blowing audiences away during their recent sets around the world.
 
Speaking about Superdata, Kiko said: “At the beginning, I was inspired by the “Respect is Burning” parties in Paris in the 90s, which led me to propose collaborating on this track with Étienne. He added his touch, perfectly in tune with the ambiance of those parties. Together, we recreated the atmosphere of his productions with Motorbass and Superdiscount, in a style reminiscent of Daft Punk’s early works. I had never seen his studio before, so it was all new to me. For the track, I spent two days there, divided into two work sessions. The first session took place in the afternoon of my arrival, and the second on the morning of the next day. Everything was wrapped up quickly! I had brought a track that Étienne replayed with his analog machines, including a KORG MS10 and a TB303 Roland. We built the structure together and he handled the mixing. We got along very well, and everything went very fast. For mastering, choosing Alex Gopher was a no-brainer. He did an excellent job on the track.”
 
Reflecting on over 30 years in the industry, Kiko’s forthcoming collection will host collaborations with artists that have played a part in his musical journey over the years, including Agoria and Rodriguez Jr. and Étienne De Crécy. Encapsulating two decades of innovative music and profound influence in the techno-electro world, the Digital Family album will provide a sonic gateway that transcends time and genre.
 
An artist who has made an indelible mark on the history of electronic music, Kiko remains at the forefront of the scene. His eclectic discography blends melodic techno, indie dance, and Italo disco, and spans some of the industry’s most revered imprints, including Afterlife, Diynamic, Watergate, Stil vor Talent, Bedrock and Bodello A Parigi. Boasting a variety of hit records, Kiko saw global success with his French Touch anthem, World Cup in 1999. His track Beautiful Place was reported as one of the top 10 most-played tracks at Coachella 2015 by Mixmag, and his collaboration Living in Space with Dave Davis and Phoebe received an official remix by Olivier Giacomotto. Joining forces with David Guetta under his alias Jack Back, they released Supercycle on Tiësto’s highly esteemed AFTR:HRS imprint. With the announcement of his most anticipated project to date, the Digital Family album, 2024 is destined to be a monumental year for Kiko.
 
Étienne de Crécy’s trajectory from punk bassist, to Paris sound engineer, to iconic house music creator epitomizes innovation and influence. Best known for his seminal work on his classic Super Discount album, he is a stalwart of the French Touch movement, constantly evolving within electronic music. His partnership with Philippe Zdar as Motorbass yielded the acclaimed Pansoul album, a cornerstone of French house music, which was hailed as an instant classic when it hit the shelves.

Super Discount, De Crécy’s retail-themed “collaborative solo project”, was a critical and commercial hit on the release of Volume 1 in 1997, serving as a showcase for the wave of emerging French talent. De Crécy’s subsequent releases, from the soulful Tempovision to the experimental Super Discount 2, reflect his unyielding commitment to musical evolution. Renowned for his immersive live performances, blending audio-visual experiences, he captivates audiences worldwide. With every project, Étienne further cements his legacy as a pioneer and living legend in the genre.

Kiko Tour Dates
18.05 – East Park – Bartenheim, France.
⁠27.07 – Rachdingue – Girona, Spain.
02.08 – Family Piknik Festival – Frontignan, France.
14.09 – Château Floor Festival – Valence, France.

H/T R.S.

Buy / Stream | Martians

Firmly rooted in the underground, DJ Fresh started out as one third of the legendary DnB outfit Bad Company before shooting to stardom with a number of crowd favourite anthems such as breakout single Gold Dust. Single Louder with Sian Evans swiftly followed, becoming the first dubstep song to go No. 1 in the UK in July 2011 before his smash hit classic Hot Right Now feat. Rita Ora topped the charts as the UK’s first DnB No. 1. Since its release, the single has been tipped for BRIT Award 2013: Best British Single and clocked over +73.3M streams on Spotify alone. Collaborating with artists such as Dizzle Rascal, Diplo, Ella Eyra, Ellie Goulding and Calvin Harris, DJ Fresh has sold +2.8M records and achieved a further eight top 10 singles, cementing his legacy in dance music throughout the past decade. 

DJ Fresh’s impact on the music industry extends beyond his own slew of chart-topping hits. As co-founder of the Breakbeat Kaos label alongside acclaimed DnB artist Adam F, his understanding of the pulse of music enthusiasts extends to his tastemaking abilities. Over the label’s 12 year history, it has played a pivotal role in cultivating emerging talent who have since become household names including Chase and Status, Pendulum, Sigma and Nero. With further guests including Fabio, Grooverider, D Bridge, LTJ Bukem and London Electricity, Breakbeat Kaos is considered one of the most influential labels in bass music. 

In 2016, DJ Fresh announced his retirement from the music industry and changed his focus to his other long running passion for software development. Combining his two passions of music and technology, he developed the revolutionary Voice Swap.AI, an innovative tool that allows users to generate voice samples from their own catalogue of voices, marking a proactive and ethical approach to ensuring fair compensation for artists’ voices through the utilisation of AI technology.

DJ Fresh returns with a hefty new single Martians feat. EricCongerAI, combining his creative endeavours and showcasing the latest technology of Voice Swap.AI. Avid fans will recognise this track as a full circle moment, featuring a familiar vocal from iconic Pendulum track Masochist that DJ Fresh signed to Breakbeat Kaos in his early career. With the flexibility of Voice Swap.ai, DJ Fresh even states in the breakdown ‘I can finally get [Eric Conger] to say whatever I want’, and encourages fans to do the same. 

Masterfully crafted and brimming with nostalgia, The Martians is a testament to DJ Fresh’s expertise. Combining the killer screwface drops of jump up and the energetic, juggernaut basslines of rollers, alongside punchy drum rhythms and an iconic vocal sample, DJ Fresh certainly isn’t holding back on this one. 

DJ Fresh – Martians featuring EricCongerAI is out 24th May via Breakbeat Kaos 

DJ Fresh official: Facebook I Twitter 

H/T E.K.

Terminal V, which won an award for the best British festival in 2023, has long been leading from the front with its epic festivals in Edinburgh, Scotland. They are renowned for their next level production and multi-stage experiences as well as for offering a tasteful mix of techno styles from across the spectrum. Now the team brings all that know-how to Tisno’s blissful Garden Resort. It is a natural hideaway with a sweeping bay, glistening Adriatic sea and the chance to dance under a hot sun or twinkling stars at a range of different venues as well as on unmissable daily boat parties and late night afterparties which run until sunrise, while there will be plenty of adrenaline-pumping water sports to enjoy by day.

Dancing will take place at the superb Barbarella’s, regularly voted as one of the best party venues in the world, the more secluded Olive Grove, the epic Main Stage and the superb Beach Stage, with club and boat party partners including abstract, Face 2 Face by 240, Free From Sleep, Hard Beats, Index, Music Reactions, Mutate, Roots, Resonance, Tribes and Underground DOD all bringing their own know how and unique takes on techno.

All styles are represented at Terminal V from thrilling hard techno to more heady deep techno, raw and industrial techno to late night and dark techno via trance-tinged techno high on emotion and throwback rave sounds, all from the scene’s most red hot talents and new school tastemakers.

Thursday features: Azyr, DJ Gigola, DJ Jock, Dominique, Dyen, Eargasm God, Horsegirl, JKS, Lucia Lu Mcr-T, Nastia, Rene Wise, Rar, Sikoti the Muffin Man and more, then Friday is comprised of: Adiel, Aida Arko, Aisha, Charlie Sparks, Elli Acula, Fjaak, François X, Justin Jay, KI/KI, Mall Grab, Parfait, Serafina, Tommy Holohan, X-Coast and Wilderich.

Saturday: Anima, Cera Khin, DJ Jock, Funk Assault, Funk Tribu, Gnro Gumja, Imogen, Insolate, Juicy Romance, Kettama, LB aka Labat Matan, ОТТО, Pusmus, Radios, Raven, SNTS and more. Sunday welcomes Alt 8, Bad Boombox, Caravel, Courtesy, Fka.m4a, Franck, Frazier, Julian Muller, Klangkuenstler, Kobosil, Korse, Laure Croft, Luca Agnelli, MRD, OTTA, SHDW and more. Monday’s closing sees another set from Alt 8 plus Callush, Caravel, Clemente Loffredo, DJ Fuck Off, Faster Horses, Hannah Laing, Kander, Malugi, Narciss, Novah, Rebekah, SDN and Yasmin Gardezi.

Terminal V Festival promises to be an immersive techno celebration of the sort this region has never seen before. Make sure you are a part of this new chapter in the Terminal V story by getting tickets now at terminalvcroatia.com

Date: 18th – 22nd July | Location: Tisno, Croatia | Tickets: terminalvcroatia.com

H/T C.A.

The Regatta party marks the beginning of an unforgettable Destination ULTRA adventure. This first stop is right by the most beautiful beach in the world, Zlatni rat, in renowned open air Club 585. Famous Dutch duo Lucas & Steve, known for their hits Summer On You, Up Till Dawn (On The Move) and Perfect, will headline after warm up sets from Cats on Bricks, Vanillaz and Dadoo. Tickets are on sale, available at a price of €39.

The second day is reserved for the famous all-day Hvar party adventure. With summer sun warming the clear Adriatic sea around Pakleni islands the stage is set for a luxurious backdrop for the traditional ULTRA Beach event on July 16. In the last 9 years, this daytime party has established itself as an essential stop for all beach party lovers, and this year a spectacular DJ line-up is expected. Tchami, often described as a pioneer in the subgenre of future house music, will captivate the audience and besides him, Sam Feldt, a musical virtuoso from the Netherlands. Jonas Blue, Goldfish and CUEBRIK will also play on the sunniest island. The GA ticket price is €60, and the VIP ticket is €150.

After another miraculous sunset, a new musical journey begins. The venue is the same, but the experience is completely different. The RESISTANCE Hvar program this year features Briton Massan, while the night will be spiced up by a Polish born, London based Kasia, whose sounds can be described as something between house, dub and techno, with a healthy dose of deep groove and funk thrown into her interesting mix. The tickets, which are usually sold out quickly, are €39 for GA access, and €99 for VIP.

Destination ULTRA ends on Vis, with the RESISTANCE VIS program scheduled for July 17, in one of the most exclusive places on the Mediterranean, Fort George. It is a boutique event, which is reserved for 2,000 visitors, and this year another DJ and producer from Kiev, Korolova, oversees the music. She is the ultimate sensation in the melodic house and techno music realm, and her rapid rise speaks of great talent and a bright future. Last year alone, she performed over 100 shows in 20 countries, wowing audiences in person and online with over 100 million views on YouTube and racking up a whopping 80 million streams. Tickets for this event are €39.

The unique tenth edition of the festival starts in Split’s Mladeži Park, which will light up in ULTRA Europe colours from July 12 to 14. Armin van Buuren, Adam Beyer, Axwell, Afrojack, Alison Wonderland, Boris Brejcha, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Camelphat, Deborah De Luca, DJ Snake, Eric Prydz, Frankie Wah, Hardwell, Kasablanca, Kasia, Kapuchon, KSHMR, Martin Garrix, Maddix, Massano, Matroda, Mykris, Timmy Trumpet, Sebastian Ingrosso, Slander, Subtronics, Topic, Vintage Culture, Vini Vici and W&W are confirmed performers who will put a special stamp on the anniversary of the festival with their energy, mosaic of sounds and memorable emotions.

For all those who want the ultimate experience and bit of luxury, this unique perfect seven-day fusion of music, sea and extravagance comes via a Destination ULTRA yacht cruise. It is an ultimate high life experience that combines the best of both worlds – the beautiful landscapes of Croatia and the famous rhythms of the festival. It includes accommodation in a double cabin, with breakfast and lunch, and VIP tickets to all official parties of the tenth edition of the ULTRA Europe festival. There are only five free cabins left for all those who want to experience the ULTRA Europe festival in full. More information can be found at the link ultraeurope.com/tickets/yacht-package. All other information about destinations and tickets can be found here

TIER 3 tickets for ULTRA Europe are nearly sold out, with 3-Day GA ticket priced at €189, 3-Day VIP tickets at €389, and a 1-Day VIP ticket at €199. Fan Pit tickets are sold out. Tickets on sale now.

Can you hear the beats echoing across the crystal clear sea? Destination ULTRA is the ultimate music experience including some of Croatia’s most stunning islands #CroatiaFullOfMusic

Ultra Festival official: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

H/T B.M.

EXIT Festival’s mts Dance Arena has long been a temple of electronic music with top-notch lineups soundtracking dancing in the mediaeval trenches and this year will be no different. Joining this year’s already announced names are Carl Cox, Bonobo, ARTBAT, Black Coffee, Maceo Plex, Sama’ Abdulhadi, Klangkuenstler, Carlita, I Hate Models, Patrick Mason, Franky Wah, Barry Can’t Swim, ARTBAT, Argy b2b Vintage Culture, Avantika, Human Rias, and Lanna to make for the best ever event. EXIT is the largest electronic music gathering in Europe and ticket prices will go up on June 15th so move fast to get yours now.

EXIT offers a wide spectrum of electronic sounds from the scene’s most innovative names across several unique stages. It is the ultimate electronic sanctuary for dance music lovers from all over the planet and year on year tens of thousands travel to Serbia and to the heart of EXIT, a cutting-edge haven of sound that immerses them deep into the party with high-spec production and world-class sound systems.

One major new addition is the Ukrainian duo ARTBAT, fresh off their performance at EXIT’s Sea Star Festival having recently made waves with their cover of the legendary Chemical Brothers hit “Hey Boy Hey Girl,” while a world premiere of house titans Argy b2b Vintage Culture will also be a highlight and Lanna, EXIT’s 18-year-old wunderkind, will bring plenty of energy from her Ibiza performances.

The famous setting for this is the legendary Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, Serbia, which was completed in 1780 and has more than 40 different stages to hear music. This year on July 11 it will welcome long-time techno titan Carl Cox, the rich sounds of Klangkuenstler and Palestine’s leading export Sama’ Abdulhadi, while July 13 brings Ellum Audio boss Maceo Plex, harder techno from I Hate Models, and Berlin favourite Patrick Mason. Other standouts include Grammy-winning South African DJ Black Coffee who is the global leader when it comes to Afro house and has worked with a who’s who of stars from across the music world while also holding down a key Ibiaz residency each summer. He will close down the whole festival, and also playing is Bonobo, the eclectic musician, cultured producer and revered live performer who brings many influences from hip-hop to soul to jazz to his richly evocative and escapist sounds.

Across the weekend, the NSNS Refreshed By Heineken Silver stage will welcome plenty of unique talents including Carlita, Sara Landry, Kobosil, Yotto, Helena Hauff, Cassie Raptor, Francis Mercier, Estella Boersma, Henry Saiz, and Oguz.

Meanwhile the Together X House by IQOS stage, Gaia Trance stage and Urban Bug stage will all keep people doing all weekend long with a broad and brilliant mix of sounds from the worlds of house, techno and trance such as ANTDOT, Alex Wann, Sasson, Kitty Amor, Mont Rouge and Sparrow & Barbossa and tens more.

H/T C.A.

“Festivals are all about fun, community and connection, and they can be even greater when we use them as a catalyst for the green transition we need to see in the world,” says Claire O’Neill, festival sustainability expert and co-founder of AGF.

The best way to protect our future and that of our planet is by reducing, reusing, and sharing. So, let’s start the 2024 festival season off with an (eco-friendly, non-fossil) bang, by packing wisely, travelling conscientiously, eating plant-based, and buying pre-owned items – simple lifestyle choices we can make to significantly reduce our impact on the planet, the wildlife, and each other, whilst still enjoying fantastic events.

So, if you want to be a conscientious, planet-hugging, festivalgoer, follow these tips:

Choose the Greenest Way to Travel.
One of the most significant negative environmental impacts of greenfield music festivals is audience transport. In the recent 2024 AGF Annual Festival Report, we reported that the average percentage of attendees travelling by car to rural festivals had dropped from 67% to 58%, whilst the average percentage of attendees utilising public transport to attend rural festivals had increased from 16% to 19%.

Instead of driving, can you travel by train or coach? Train travel around Europe is easy and fast and many festivals organise inter-country coaches to shuttle their audiences in. Of course, choosing festivals closer to home is also a way to reduce travel emissions.

Could you pack light and cycle? Check your festival’s website or social media accounts to find out if they run group bike rides – check out charities like Sustrans or organise a group yourself. Group bike rides are a great way to meet fellow festivalgoers and reduce your impact on the environment whilst getting yourself fit enough to throw some serious shapes when you get to the dancefloor.

If you have no alternative but to travel by car, make sure there’s a human bottom in every seat. Connect with fellow travellers through the festival’s own channels or check out platforms like Liftshare and GoCarShare.

Reduce Food Waste & Eat Plant-Based.
After audience transport, food and drink are usually the second-largest source of a festival’s emissions.
It’s tempting to take enough food with us to last a fortnight when we head to a festival, but studies have shown that much of the food that people take sadly ends up going to waste, along with all its packaging. Only take non-perishable food that you know you will eat, and if you have any left, take it home or donate it to a foodbank.

Crucially, festivals who moved to a fully meat-free event reduced their food-related emissions by over 60% on average according to the 2024 Festival Sustainability Report, with 55% having a formal sustainable food and drink policy that included plenty of delicious local plant-based options.

We can massively reduce our impact by eating a plant-based diet. Or at the very least cutting down on the amount of meat and dairy we consume. Reducing animal agriculture is “our best and most immediate chance to reverse the trajectory of climate change,” according to scientists. The planet, not to mention the animals, and our bodies, will thank us for it.

Take Your Camping Gear Home.
Camping equipment is for life – not just for festival. Campaigns such as Love Your Tent and #takeyourtenthome have done a great job of highlighting the scale of the problem of abandoned camping equipment at the end of festivals. If you really can’t take it home, then don’t take it. Book pre-pitched camping and travel light. And if the thought of sleeping in a small tent fills you with abject terror, check out boutique glamping options or buy a second-hand bell tent and share it with non-snoring friends with good personal hygiene.

Ditch Single-Use Plastics.
Free drinking water is always available at festivals, so take a refillable bottle and save yourself some moolah whilst doing your bit to reduce plastic usage. Or be a real eco-warrior and take a reusable cup and cutlery for that early-morning cup of joe or for snaffling plant-based curry between performances.
And, if a concession stand doesn’t allow you to use your own cup, use their reusable cups if provided.

The 2024 Festival Sustainability Report showed significant areas of improvement in festivals reducing the use of single-use plastics, with 60% having a reusable cup system and bans on single-use plastic serve ware increasing from 54% in 2022 to 75% in 2023. Please help us get that figure higher in 2024.

You can also use reusable containers for toiletries and refill them with eco-friendly products rather than carrying large items or buying small plastic disposables. Look for soaps and toiletries free from chemicals such as triclosan, parabens, phthalates, fragrances and sodium laurel sulphate. Note that vegan soap doesn’t necessarily mean chemical-free. Never buy products with microbeads or cotton buds with plastic sticks.

Disposable vapes are bad for the environment and the majority end up in landfill sites or are incinerated, so please use refillable ones if vape you must.

Just Vote! #CrashTheParty.
We can do all of the work in the world on our personal footprints and impacts. If we don’t have a systems that works for a green transition and a Government that will make that happen we will remain stuck. In the UK #CrashTheParty is a non partisan campaign to get people registered to vote, applying for voter ID if they need it, and turning out to the ballot box on 4th July. In the EU the campaign #WeVoteEurope is in full force and for the US #RockTheVote. This could be the most important year of elections of a lifetime as the incoming governments worldwide could either step up and make change, or fail us.

And Finally.
Other easy changes we can implement as festival-lovers is using paper hand towels instead of wet wipes (which aren’t biodegradable) and swapping fast fashion for second-hand and vintage. And for those of us who really want to stand out on the dance floor after one too many pints of organic and locally sourced cider – reach for the biodegradable body glitter. So, there you have it, five relatively easy changes we can all implement to make the forthcoming festival season the least environmentally impactful fest season yet.

As the African proverb goes: If you think you are too small to make a difference, you haven’t spent the night with a mosquito. Have a fantastic summer!

H/T N.M.

The Crash the Party movement is part of Just Vote, an urgent campaign urging young people to get out and vote in the July 4th general election. The brainchild of green entrepreneur Dale Vince, the campaign will feature eye catching visuals created by legendary advertising firm Saatchi & Saatchi.

Michael Kill CEO Night Time Industries Association.
“Millions of young people enjoy nightlife, festivals and events, participating in some of the world’s largest gatherings, something we are world renowned for. As one of the biggest employers of individuals under 30, and over 3 million young people working in this sector, we have a unique opportunity to engage the next generation of voters. It’s crucial that we amplify their voices and rebuild faith in politics, demonstrating the power to drive positive change for the future. The night time economy and events sector has always had a strong influence on politics when truly united. The Just Vote movement presents a significant opportunity for us to come together, be heard, and shape the future through our democratic rights.”

View the full Just Vote ‘Crash The Party’ press release below in the notes to editors.

H/T N.M.

Released 7th June 2024 on Soulvent Records.

Released 14th June 2024 on Hospital Records.

H/T Hospital Records.

Sven Väth 60th birthday special, Nina Kraviz, &ME vs Rampa, Charlotte de Witte b2b Enrico Sangiuliano, Adam Beyer, Indira Paganotto, Reinier Zonneveld, Vintage Culture, Alignment, Cera Khin, Miss Monique, Nico Moreno and more.

The “compact” edition of Time Warp began in 2021 due to the pandemic and was so well-received that it has become an annual fall tradition. This year, Two Days Two Stages transforms into Two Days Two Celebrations, celebrating 30 years of Time Warp and 60 years of Sven Väth.

On Friday, Sven’s birthday will be celebrated with a stage in the Maimarkthalle, and on Saturday, the second part of the 30-year celebration will take place with the usual two stages in the Maimarkthalle and -club. A diverse lineup of long-time Time Warp heroes and newcomers has been curated to mark the special occasion.

Sven Väth, who first performed at Time Warp in 1995 and has been an integral part of the family since, will be performing, while Nina Kraviz will join in the celebrations, along with Keinemusik members &ME and Rampa. A back-to-back set from Charlotte de Witte and Enrico Sangiuliano is also expected to be a fan highlight.

On Saturday, techno and house music heavyweights like Adam Beyer, Indira Paganotto, Reinier Zonneveld, and Vintage Culture will perform. New talents such as Alignment, Cera Khin, Miss Monique, and Nico Moreno will make their Time Warp debut.

Fans can look forward to another stellar edition in this jubilee year. The April Time Warp drew 30,000 visitors from around the world to celebrate with over 70 artists for nearly 30 hours. A successful edition followed in Sao Paulo. This fall, alongside Mannheim, Time Warp will debut in Madrid and hold its seventh edition in New York.

For more information and tickets, visit time-warp.de. Tickets are expected to sell out quickly, as the November edition sold out several weeks in advance.

Line-up (in alphabetical order).
Friday, October 25, 2024.
&ME vs Rampa
Cassy
Charlotte de Witte b2b Enrico Sangiuliano
Nina Kraviz
Sven Väth

Saturday, October 26, 2024.
Adam Beyer
Alignment
Azyr
Cera Khin
Deborah De Luca
Funk Tribu
Indira Paganotto
LOVEFOXY
Mila Journée
Miss Monique
Nico Moreno
Reinier Zonneveld live
Somewhen b2b ØTTA
Trym
Vintage Culture

Dates: October 25th & 26, 2024.
More Info & Tickets

H/T C.A.