Chinois PORTSIDE, Ibiza Port Chinois Ibiza returns to Ibiza Port on Sunday 21st June for the fourth edition of its hugely popular free open-air event PORTSIDE, bringing together Luciano, Bedouin and Bruz for a large-scale community celebration described as a “love letter” to Ibiza. Running from 6pm until midnight, PORTSIDE once again transforms the harbour into a free public dancefloor, continuing Chinois’ wider focus on inclusivity and connection between locals, workers, visitors and the island’s nightlife culture. This year’s edition, themed ‘For Ibiza, With Love’, sees the return of Luciano, who headlines PORTSIDE for the fourth consecutive year. The long-standing Ibiza favourite remains closely connected to Chinois through both previous PORTSIDE appearances and his CADENZA residency. Joining him are globally respected duo Bedouin, fresh from their SAGA residency winning Best House Party at the 2025 Vicious Awards, alongside Ibiza-based Dutch selector Bruz. ICYMI: Dave Pearce Brings ‘Trance Anthems Day Party’ To NX Newcastle This October UK Nightlife Venues Turn World Cup 2026 Into Late-Night Club Culture Experience Miss Monique Expands ‘Biorhythm’ Show With Tomorrowland, New York And Paris Dates Following the portside event, the celebrations continue at Chinois itself with the opening night of Bedouin’s returning SAGA residency. The afterparty line-up includes Bedouin, Luciano, Jimi Jules b2b Trikk and Manu R b2b Sammer. Chinois Brand Director Danny Whittle described PORTSIDE as “a much-anticipated annual opportunity” to honour Ibiza’s wider community while also supporting local businesses around the port area. The event has steadily grown into one of the island’s most distinctive annual open-air electronic gatherings, balancing large-scale dance music programming with a strong community-focused identity rarely seen within Ibiza’s commercial nightlife landscape. For Bedouin, the evening also launches the eighth Ibiza season of their SAGA residency, this year themed ‘Garden of Unearthly Delights’, which will continue every Sunday at Chinois through until October 4th.

DEADLINE Brazilian producer DEADLINE has quickly become one of the most exciting names emerging from the new wave of melodic techno. Blending cinematic emotion with huge festival scale energy, his productions have earned support from names including David Guetta, Vintage Culture and Tiësto, while performances at Tomorrowland Brasil, Ultra Brasil and Laroc Club continue pushing his profile onto a global stage. Fresh from reworking Nathassia’s ‘Perfect Harmony’ into a darker, more expansive melodic techno weapon via ArchangelUK Recordings, DEADLINE steps into Hot Picks to share 10 records that continue shaping his DJ sets, productions and wider connection to electronic music. David Guetta, MORTEN & Fedde Le Grand – Night In Detroit [Future Rave] “I’ve been playing this track for over a year now, and I’m still impressed by the reaction it gets every time. The combination of those heavy, distinctive synths with the iconic ‘Put Your Hands Up For Detroit’ vocal makes it incredibly effective on the dancefloor. It manages to feel both nostalgic and modern at the same time, which is something I really appreciate. David Guetta and MORTEN have been major influences on me as artists, and this record perfectly showcases why their collaboration works so well. It’s powerful, memorable and consistently one of the strongest moments in my sets.” Sentinel – Like Fire [BODY HI] “One of the reasons I picked this track is because it immediately felt unique when I first heard it. The combination of rave-inspired stabs with a modern melodic techno bassline caught my attention right away. It felt familiar and nostalgic while still sounding fresh and forward-thinking. Even before the release, I knew this was a record I wanted in my sets as soon as possible. Since then, it has become a regular part of my shows. It creates energy without feeling predictable and always seems to connect with people on the dancefloor.” Adam Sellouk & Zerky – Touch It [Spinnin’ Deep] “I’m a big fan of both Adam Sellouk and Zerky, so it’s no surprise this record became one of my favourites. What I love most about ‘Touch It’ is how naturally it blends modern indie dance influences with melodic techno elements. The groove feels effortless, the vocals are memorable and the atmosphere has a lot of personality. It’s become one of those tracks that I consistently use near the beginning of my sets because it helps establish the mood without giving away all the energy too early. Elegant, musical and extremely effective.” Rafael Cerato & Laherte – Thunderbolt [SIMULATE] “This track grabbed my attention because of its acid synth work and the way it develops tension throughout the arrangement. The groove is tighter and more restrained than many melodic techno records, which gives it a very distinctive character. It’s actually a track I often play directly after ‘Touch It’ because the two records complement each other perfectly. While they share a similar energy, ‘Thunderbolt’ takes things into a darker and more hypnotic direction. I’m a huge fan of tracks that create movement without relying on huge drops, and this record does exactly that.” ARTBAT, R3HAB, Stylo, Eli & Dani feat. NAIIM – Fight Machine [UPPERGROUND] “ARTBAT have been one of my biggest influences for years, so I was immediately curious when this collaboration was announced. What makes ‘Fight Machine’ stand out for me is how naturally it blends different worlds of electronic music. You can hear the melodic techno influence from ARTBAT alongside the bigger festival energy that R3HAB brings, creating a track that feels powerful without losing its identity. The vocal works perfectly and the overall production is massive. I love records that can bridge underground and mainstream influences while still feeling authentic, and this track does exactly that. It always brings a huge amount of energy to my sets.” ICYMI: Influences: pdqb Explores The Records Behind ‘DER TRANSIENTE ZEUGE’ Nutritious On New York Club Culture, Analogue Instincts And The Energy Behind ‘Freefall’ Qolaj On Transformation, Hardgroove And Rebuilding Club Music Through ‘Re-Adoption’ Jebu – Consequences [REFUNE] “This track brings back a lot of memories for me. I remember hearing Steve Angello play it regularly in his sets around 2015, at a time when I was still dreaming about becoming a DJ and performing on big stages myself. Back then, I used to think, ‘If I ever get the chance to play those kinds of shows, I have to include this track in my sets.’ Recently, I rediscovered it and started playing it again. What’s amazing is how well it has aged. The acid-driven drop and the distinctive groove still sound relevant today, and it continues to fit naturally into my shows.” Vintage Culture – Find A Way (Adam Sellouk Remix) [VINTAGE CULTURE] “This is easily one of the tracks I’ve played the most since it was released. Adam Sellouk took an already strong record and transformed it into something that feels perfectly tailored for modern dancefloors. The electro-inspired synths in the drop bring a unique character that immediately stands out, while the vocals in the breakdown create a huge emotional moment. That combination of power and emotion is something I’m constantly searching for in music. Every time I play this track, it creates a reaction. It has become one of my favourite weapons during my sets.” Armin van Buuren & JOA – Heavy [ARMADA] “‘Heavy’ is one of those rare records that completely transforms the energy of a room. Even though it has been played extensively since its release, it still feels incredibly powerful every time I hear it. The combination of the melody and those huge synths creates an instant emotional connection with the crowd. It’s become one of those tracks that I always try to fit into my sets because I know it will have an impact. Few records manage to feel both massive and emotional at the same time, and that’s exactly why this one remains so special to me.” Simon Doty & My Friend feat. Tailor – Follow Me [ANJUNADEEP] “Simon Doty is one of those artists whose music I genuinely listen to outside of DJ sets and studio sessions. While not every one of his tracks fits naturally into my performances, I’m consistently inspired by his songwriting and melodic approach. ‘Follow Me’ is a perfect example of what makes his music so special. The melodies feel emotional without being overly dramatic, and the arrangement unfolds in a way that keeps you engaged from start to finish. It’s the kind of track I can listen to repeatedly, whether I’m driving, relaxing at home or looking for inspiration in the studio.” Orbital – Halcyon + On + On [London Records] “This is one of my favourite electronic tracks of all time. My connection to it goes back to childhood, when I first heard it during the ending sequence of the 1995 Mortal Kombat film. That moment stayed with me for years and played a role in shaping my appreciation for electronic music. Recently, with the new Mortal Kombat releases bringing back those memories, I found myself listening to it frequently again. Beyond the nostalgia, though, ‘Halcyon + On + On’ is simply a masterpiece. Its atmosphere and emotion remain just as powerful today as when it was first released.” DEADLINE Instagram - Spotify - SoundCloud

Leticia van Riel The global electronic music community is mourning the loss of respected artist manager Leticia van Riel, who has died following a car accident in Ibiza. Founder of LvR Management, van Riel spent nearly two decades helping shape careers across the international electronic scene, working closely with artists including Sama’ Abdulhadi, Miss Monique, ANNA and Wehbba. Originally from Brazil, van Riel began her music industry career in London after studying event marketing management before later relocating to Spain. Across roles at agencies including MN2S, IMD and Safehouse, she steadily became one of the most respected artist managers working within underground electronic music before launching LvR Management in 2018. Alongside her artist management work, she also became widely recognised for mentoring and supporting emerging professionals through initiatives such as the LvR Mentoring programme, helping open doors for younger talent entering the industry. ICYMI: Carl Cox Awarded OBE In King’s Birthday Honours List Deezer Launches AI Music Detector Across 20 Streaming Platforms Criminal Complaint Filed Against Shlømo In Paris Court Tributes have continued pouring in from across the electronic music world since the news broke. International Music Summit described van Riel as “a force within the electronic music industry” whose generosity and commitment left a lasting impact on artists, colleagues and friends alike. Sama’ Abdulhadi also shared an emotional tribute while cancelling a scheduled festival performance, writing that van Riel “wasn’t just my manager, she was my friend, my support and my family.” Beyond the artists she managed directly, van Riel became known throughout the wider dance music community for her warmth, positivity and unwavering support of the people around her. Her passing leaves a significant void within the global electronic music industry and among the many artists, collaborators and friends whose careers and lives she helped shape.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Sennheiser has officially unveiled its new MOMENTUM 5 Wireless headphones, introducing upgraded active noise cancelling, Dolby Atmos support and a user-replaceable battery system aimed at extending long-term product lifespan. Positioned as the successor to the widely praised MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, the new model arrives nearly four years later with a range of hardware and software upgrades focused on both sound quality and durability. The headphones retain Sennheiser’s 42mm transducers while introducing support for Snapdragon Sound and aptX Lossless streaming, alongside Bluetooth 5.4 with future Bluetooth 6.0 compatibility planned through firmware updates. Dolby Atmos spatial audio with head tracking will also be supported through the company’s Smart Control Plus app. One of the biggest talking points surrounding the release is the introduction of a user-replaceable 700mAh battery. Using a small Phillips screwdriver, owners can replace the battery themselves rather than replacing the headphones entirely once battery performance declines. Battery life remains a major focus for the brand. Despite dropping slightly from the previous generation, the MOMENTUM 5 still offers up to 57 hours of playback with ANC enabled, significantly outperforming many competitors currently on the market. Sennheiser has also doubled the number of microphones used for active noise cancelling and transparency modes, with four microphones now positioned on each ear cup to improve voice isolation and call clarity. Early reviews have largely praised the headphones for sound quality, battery longevity and comfort, while some critics noted that ANC performance still falls slightly behind flagship models from Sony and Bose. The MOMENTUM 5 Wireless launches in black, white and denim colourways, with UK sales beginning 30th June at a retail price of £329.90. Pre-order the MOMENTUM 5 here.

SoundCloud has paused Hypeddit’s API connection, significantly disrupting the follow-for-download system long used by electronic music producers to grow audiences through free download campaigns. For years, producers relied on platforms like Hypeddit to offer free downloads in exchange for SoundCloud follows, reposts or likes. Fans previously had to log into SoundCloud and complete those engagement actions before unlocking tracks. That automated process has now effectively been disabled. While download gates still exist visually inside Hypeddit campaigns, the SoundCloud engagement steps are now optional rather than enforced. Users can access downloads without following through on reposts, follows or likes. The move has already sparked concern across producer communities, particularly within electronic music where free edits, bootlegs and remix giveaways have played a major role in audience growth for independent artists over the last decade. ICYMI: Sennheiser Unveils New Flagship MOMENTUM 5 Wireless Headphones Deezer Launches AI Music Detector Across 20 Streaming Platforms UK Nightlife Venues Turn World Cup 2026 Into Late-Night Club Culture Experience In a statement to users, Hypeddit founder John Gold confirmed the API connection had been paused by SoundCloud rather than removed voluntarily by Hypeddit itself. He also acknowledged that artists should expect lower engagement numbers from gate campaigns moving forward. “Sometimes streaming platforms have to navigate pressure from parts of the industry around what third-party tools integrate with their platforms,” Gold explained. The wider impact could be significant for independent producers who built entire growth strategies around SoundCloud repost culture and free download exchanges. Hypeddit has since begun encouraging users to focus more heavily on owned audience channels such as email capture and Spotify saves instead. The situation also highlights the growing instability of platform-dependent growth tactics within modern music marketing. Many artist promotion tools rely heavily on third-party integrations and API access that can change or disappear with little warning. Despite the disruption, Hypeddit said it remains in communication with SoundCloud and is “optimistic” about restoring the integration in some form moving forward.

pdqb With ‘DER TRANSIENTE ZEUGE’, pdqb expands its already singular universe into something even more ambitious and psychologically immersive. Landing via Synaptic Cliffs on 26th June, the 17-track double vinyl project unfolds less like a conventional electronic album and more like a fragmented transmission recovered from some collapsed parallel timeline, balancing futuristic Electro, machine funk and warped rhythmic experimentation through what the artist describes as an ‘Electro-Cognition’ lens. The conceptual depth running through the project is mirrored in the influences behind it. Rather than obvious dancefloor reference points, the records and ideas shaping pdqb’s work often come from unexpected places: cinematic sound design, ambient fragility, video game soundtracks, emotionally charged pop songwriting and futuristic Detroit techno. For this edition of Influences, pdqb traces five key works that continue to shape the emotional, conceptual and sonic architecture behind its world. Dr. James A. Moorer – THX Deep Note "What appears to be a simple cinematic sound logo is, in fact, a masterclass in tension and release. Beginning as a cloud of seemingly unrelated pitches, its many voices gradually converge through carefully controlled voice leading until they resolve into an overwhelming harmonic destination. For Dornhöfer, this moment remains one of the purest examples of emotional release in music. A comparable feeling can be found in certain Ennio Morricone-scored scenes, where an intensely personal moment suddenly opens into a vast cinematic panorama. The THX audio logo carries that same sense of revelation: a transition from uncertainty to clarity, from confinement to scale. The pursuit of this liberating ‘wide shot’ continues to shape pdqb's soundscapes, particularly in its most emotional drops and moments of resolution." Nine Inch Nails – A Warm Place "Almost no other track has come closer to translating pure comfort into sound. Through its slow harmonic movement, fragile melodies and weightless atmosphere, the track evokes a state of emotional warmth that feels almost chemical in nature. What makes the piece extraordinary is that this comfort is never secure. Beneath its beauty lies an unmistakable sense of vulnerability. The moment could collapse at any second. The warmth exists only because it is temporary. This tension between refuge and loss has become a defining characteristic of pdqb's music. Moments of beauty, resolution and emotional relief are often introduced only to be interrupted, distorted or withdrawn shortly afterwards." Masakatsu Maekawa – Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu, Stage 1-2 "Some influences appear unexpectedly and simply refuse to leave. ‘Stage 1-2’ from Maekawa's soundtrack for the Japanese PC Engine game Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu has remained lodged somewhere in Dornhöfer's mind ever since he first encountered it. Its melody carries an almost restless optimism, always pushing forward, always suggesting that something exciting lies just out of reach. It captures a feeling that many other forms of electronic music rarely achieve: the joy of exploration. That influence can still be heard throughout pdqb's work. The fascination with movement, discovery and unexpected detours owes as much to video games as it does to music itself. Many tracks are less concerned with reaching a destination than with making the journey feel worthwhile." New Order – Crystal "Every element sits in exactly the right place: the propulsion, the melody, the melancholy, the sense of scale, and above all the combination of instant emotional impact and lasting fascination. It is a song that reveals itself within seconds, yet remains rewarding after hundreds of listens. For Dornhöfer, it remains one of the clearest examples of the perfect pop song. This influence may seem surprising given the often unconventional nature of pdqb's music. But beneath the experiments, detours and conceptual layers lies a similar ambition: a repeated attempt to reach the emotional directness of great pop music while resisting its conventions at the same time. In that sense, pdqb is constantly searching for the perfect pop song, only to sabotage the search whenever it gets too close." Underground Resistance – The Final Frontier "This track by Mike Banks is one of the rare pieces of music that demonstrates how profoundly emotion can be triggered through sound alone. Without lyrics, narrative or explanation, the track creates a sense of wonder, transcendence and limitless possibility. More than thirty years after its release, it does not merely sound futuristic. It sounds as if it came from the future itself. Few records have captured the feeling of drifting through space, suspended between technology, imagination and the unknown, with such conviction. This vision of the future feels so complete that it remains more futuristic than any Kraftwerk record ever released. As an extraterrestrial entity with the ability to travel through time, pdqb requires little imagination when it comes to the future. However, The Final Frontier resonates throughout its work." Much like ‘DER TRANSIENTE ZEUGE’ itself, pdqb’s influences refuse to sit neatly inside one musical world. Cinematic sound design, industrial fragility, classic synth pop, video game composition and Detroit futurism all collide into something that feels strangely unified. What connects them is not genre, but atmosphere and emotional architecture. Each piece creates a sense of movement through unknown space, whether personal, psychological or entirely imagined. That same feeling now sits at the centre of pdqb’s most ambitious project to date pdqb https://www.instagram.com/infamouslucifer https://open.spotify.com/artist/5XklOrb66BkFupm2tblCVw https://soundcloud.com/pdqb-himself

Dave Pearce Dave Pearce is bringing his hugely popular ‘Trance Anthems Day Party’ concept to NX Newcastle this autumn for a six-hour celebration of classic trance and dance music culture. Taking place on Saturday 24th October 2026 from 3pm until 9pm, the daytime event will unite some of the genre’s most recognisable names for an afternoon packed with euphoric melodies, classic anthems and hands-in-the-air nostalgia. Best known as the creator and original host of BBC Radio 1’s legendary Dance Anthems show, Pearce became one of the defining voices of UK dance music throughout the late 90s and early 2000s. Across a career spanning decades, he has sold more than one million compilation albums, secured multiple UK Top 5 chart positions and performed at clubs and festivals worldwide including Ministry of Sound, Ibiza and Creamfields. Joining Pearce on the Newcastle line-up is an impressive collection of trance heavyweights. Lange brings his signature uplifting melodic sound, while Marcella Woods will perform live vocals behind some of the genre’s most iconic crossover anthems. Also appearing are Dutch trance duo Signum alongside legendary production outfit The Space Brothers, whose emotionally driven records remain deeply tied to the golden era of trance culture. NX described the event as a celebration of the records and artists that “helped soundtrack nights out for an entire generation,” while promising an atmosphere designed to reconnect audiences with the uplifting energy that defined trance’s peak years. The Trance Anthems Day Party format has rapidly become a favourite among UK dance audiences, offering daytime events built around nostalgia, community and the enduring emotional connection many clubbers still hold with trance music. Tickets for the Newcastle event are on sale here.

Prospa There’s a point during ‘Free Your Mind’ where it becomes impossible not to realise that Prospa are operating on a completely different level now. Not just in terms of popularity, collaborations or streaming numbers, but in how confidently Harvey Blumler and Gosha Smith understand exactly what makes people feel something on a dancefloor. That’s the real magic of this album. At a time where a lot of electronic albums feel more like disconnected streaming playlists stitched together for algorithms, ‘Free Your Mind’ feels intentionally built as a complete journey. The pacing matters. The emotional peaks matter. The transitions matter. Every track feels connected to the wider identity of the record without sacrificing individuality. And somehow, despite pulling influence from classic rave, deep house, UK club culture, crossover electronic music and modern festival energy, none of it ever feels forced or overthought. Across ten tracks, the Leeds duo fuse huge crossover appeal with genuine dancefloor credibility, balancing soulful nostalgia, rolling low-end pressure, euphoric songwriting and club functionality without ever sounding like they’re chasing trends. If anything, ‘Free Your Mind’ feels like the sound of two artists fully settling into their identity while simultaneously pushing it forward. For long-time fans, there are familiar emotional threads running throughout. The pull of ‘Prayer’, the addictive vocal hooks of ‘Ecstasy (Over & Over)’ and the widescreen uplift of records like ‘Want Need Love’ are all embedded into the DNA of this project. But this feels bigger. Sharper. More complete. ‘Love Songs’ immediately reintroduces the duo’s archetypal sound palette. Undulating basslines, nostalgic deep house textures and rich vocal soul combine into one of the album’s standout moments. It captures that unmistakable Prospa feeling of melancholy and movement existing together in the same space. ‘The Situation’ pushes things further into racier territory. Faster, punchier and packed with swagger, it carries a skippy energy reminiscent of the more groove-led corners of modern UK house music. Roaring low-end movement collides with subtly oriental-leaning melodic accents, while the vocal performance injects another layer of irresistible soul. It’s ridiculously moreish. The title track alongside Cloonee already feels like one of the defining electronic records of 2026. Since first appearing in DJ sets, ‘Free Your Mind’ has snowballed into a genuine anthem, and hearing it within the context of the album only reinforces how brilliantly constructed it actually is. The vocal hook is instantly memorable, the bassline feels engineered to detonate crowds, and the arrangement constantly teases and releases tension with surgical precision. Months later, you’ll still catch yourself randomly singing it without warning. What’s impressive is how naturally Prospa navigate crossover territory without sacrificing the emotional tension that made records like ‘Prayer’ resonate so heavily in the first place. Even at their biggest and most accessible, there’s still real feeling inside these tracks. Collaboration plays a huge role across the LP, but none of them feel opportunistic. ‘Break Free’ with KETTAMA leans into chunkier, higher tempo grooves while still retaining the emotional undercurrent that makes Prospa records hit differently. Silky pads and deceptively simple synth work prove that less really can be more when executed properly. ‘Body Heat’ brings back Kosmo Kint for another analogue-laced soulful roller that somehow feels like 1984 and 2014 simultaneously. Vinyl crackle drifts over warm grooves and melancholic textures, creating one of the album’s most understated but effective moments. Then comes ‘Let The Music’. Quite simply, one of the best tracks Prospa have ever made. From the opening chords that instantly evoke old-school rave euphoria to the uplifting vocal topline and perfectly balanced low-end progression, everything here lands exactly where it should. Nothing about it feels overcomplicated. The genius lies in the restraint. Every element exists in the exact right amount. It’s touching, euphoric, soulful and impossible not to move to. And the buildups are outrageous. Few electronic tracks in recent memory capture the emotional release of a packed dancefloor quite like this one does. Play it ridiculously loud and let it completely consume you. Elsewhere, ‘Party People’ with Nafe Smallz injects pure late-night chaos into the album with bouncy hooks and undeniable energy, while ‘Baby’ alongside Murda Beatz somehow makes the idea of hearing “Murda on the beat so it’s not nice” inside DC10 feel completely natural. It shouldn’t work as well as it does. But it absolutely does. Closing track ‘Dreams’ rounds things off perfectly. Great closing tracks should feel celebratory rather than final, and this one captures exactly that feeling. Soulful vocals, vivid harmonies and uplifting movement carry the album out on a genuine high, almost as if the duo are reminding you one final time exactly why their music connects so deeply in the first place. What makes ‘Free Your Mind’ so impressive is that despite all the crossover potential, none of it feels watered down. This is still a proper dancefloor album. It understands tension, release, groove and emotion in equal measure. It feels built for sweaty clubs, sunrise afters, huge festival moments and deeply personal headphone sessions all at once. And somehow, it still feels like Prospa are only getting started. For a duo who already possess one of the most recognisable emotional signatures in modern UK electronic music, this album feels less like a peak and more like another massive step upward. Live long and Prospa <3

Carl Cox Carl Cox has been awarded an OBE in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of his services to music. The honour marks another major milestone in a career that has helped shape global electronic music culture for more than four decades. From the early UK rave movement through to worldwide festival headline sets and long-running Ibiza residencies, Cox has remained one of the most influential and recognisable figures in dance music history. Official government records listed Cox, born Carl Andrew Cox, among this year’s OBE recipients for his contribution to music and broadcasting. Following the announcement, Cox shared a statement expressing how meaningful the recognition felt after dedicating his life to music and connecting with audiences worldwide through electronic culture. The award is also being widely viewed as a significant moment for dance music itself, with many across the electronic community describing the honour as long-overdue recognition for a culture that has played a major role in shaping modern British music and nightlife. Cox’s influence stretches far beyond DJing alone. Alongside his globally respected performances, the Manchester-born artist has consistently championed underground electronic music through radio, mentoring, label work and continued support for emerging artists and scenes worldwide. Even after decades at the forefront of electronic music, Cox remains one of the busiest artists in the industry. This summer alone includes another major Ibiza residency at UNVRS Ibiza alongside appearances across Europe and beyond. The 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List also recognised several other figures from music and entertainment, including Judge Jules and Tony Iommi.

Oliver Tree Oliver Tree has reportedly died aged 32 following a helicopter collision in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. According to reports from Brazilian authorities and multiple international news outlets, two helicopters collided mid-air above the Recreio dos Bandeirantes district on Sunday morning, killing all six people onboard. One of the aircraft later crashed into a car dealership, causing a major fire that reportedly destroyed multiple vehicles. While official identification processes were still ongoing due to the severity of the incident, Oliver Tree was listed among the passengers on the flight manifest. Born Oliver Tree Nickell in Santa Cruz, California, the artist became one of the internet era’s most recognisable alternative pop figures through a combination of viral music, surreal visuals and deliberately eccentric character work. Tracks including Life Goes On, Miss You and Alien Boy helped establish a global audience spanning electronic music, pop and online culture. ICYMI: SoundCloud Cuts Hypeddit API Access, Disrupting Free Download Campaigns Carl Cox Awarded OBE In King’s Birthday Honours List Criminal Complaint Filed Against Shlømo In Paris Court Tree first gained wider attention following the viral success of ‘When I’m Down’ before signing to Atlantic Records and releasing projects including ‘Ugly Is Beautiful’, ‘Cowboy Tears’ and most recently ‘Love You Madly Hate You Badly’ earlier this year. Known for directing many of his own music videos and blending absurdist humour with emotionally vulnerable songwriting, Tree built a career that often sat outside traditional genre boundaries while still connecting with massive online audiences worldwide. Tributes from artists, creators and fans have already begun appearing across social media following news of the crash, with many reflecting on the unique creativity and individuality that defined Tree’s work and public identity. An investigation into the cause of the collision remains ongoing.

Nutritious Nutritious has spent decades moving through different corners of dance music without ever sounding tied to one particular scene. Raised in New York during an era when club culture still revolved around local communities, long-form sets and physical spaces, he developed an approach shaped less by genre and more by feeling, movement and atmosphere. That mentality still defines his work today. Whether blending cosmic disco, deep house, indie dance, nu-disco or techno, there is always a clear sense of musical identity running through it all, something rooted in instinct rather than category. It is a perspective that has taken him from East Village all-night sessions to major stages including Art Basel, Ultra Music Festival, Pikes Ibiza and Miami Music Week, while also helping establish his own imprint Liquid Culture as a platform centred around depth, intention and community. His latest EP ‘Freefall’, currently climbing Beatport’s Top 10 Releases chart, captures that philosophy clearly. Built around themes of surrender, movement and emotional release, the project continues a strong run of recent material following ‘Ether’, which became one of the most played tracks on SiriusXM with over 400 spins to date. For Nutritious, though, everything still begins with understanding energy on a human level rather than approaching DJing or production as purely technical exercises. “Some people think about reading a room like it’s a technical skill,” he says, reflecting on his formative all-night sets in New York’s East Village scene. “But at the centre of it, it’s very human. People came to dance, connect and feel something.” Those marathon sessions became foundational to the way he still approaches music today. “The room tells you what it needs,” he explains. “The hour, the sound system, the lights, the energy on the floor, the first record that makes people loosen up. You learn when to push, when to let something breathe and how to keep the whole night alive by choosing incredible music played with complete conviction.” That openness to movement between styles has remained central throughout his career. Rather than seeing genre as identity, he views taste and emotional consistency as the true connective tissue between records. “I don’t believe identity comes from genre,” he says. “Genre is too scattered now to carry that much meaning.” Instead, what matters is whether the music itself feels honest and emotionally undeniable. “If the songs are honest, well produced and the sequence feels right, you can move through a lot of worlds without losing the thread,” he explains. “I trust my ear more than categories.” Part of that instinctive approach comes from learning during an analogue era built around cassette tapes and vinyl rather than digital precision. “When you come up in the analogue domain, nothing is smoothing the edges for you,” he says. “You have to understand imperfection, timing, tension, texture and physical movement.” That process forced DJs to become more instinctive and adaptable. “With vinyl, you have to earn the transition,” he explains. “That made me musical in the booth and on stage. More physical, more alive to what can happen in the moment.” For Nutritious, a great set should feel completely unique to the environment surrounding it. “A set should feel like it could only have happened once,” he says. “At that time, at that place, with those people.” That same philosophy runs through ‘Freefall’, a record built around emotional momentum and surrender rather than pure functionality. “Love, passion, faith,” he says when describing the EP’s central feeling. “‘Freefall’ is about surrendering to something more powerful than control.” Across its three versions, the project explores that emotional space from different angles. The title track leans into movement and forward motion, while ‘Spiral’ introduces more raw soul, classic house influence and spiritual energy. “Three songs,” he says. “One feeling explored from different angles.” Alongside the release itself, his Liquid Culture imprint continues becoming a deeper reflection of where he sits creatively right now. Rather than functioning simply as another dance label, Nutritious sees it as an extension of a broader philosophy around music, wellness and cultural connection. “Music isn’t decoration,” he says. “It’s essential to life. Like sunlight, air or water.” That mindset also explains the meaning behind the name Nutritious itself, something tied closely to his wider work across wellness, publishing, film and mental health spaces outside club culture. “Music is energy like food is energy,” he explains. “A performance is energy.” For him, ancient ideas around rhythm, ceremony and emotional connection still feel deeply relevant to modern electronic music culture. “Ancient cultures understood that sound, rhythm, movement and ceremony weren’t separate from wellbeing,” he says. “They were part of how people stayed connected to themselves and each other.” That wider worldview naturally feeds back into his creative process too. Across publishing, psychedelics media, film scoring and cultural projects, he sees all disciplines sharpening the same creative instinct rather than existing separately. “Film deepens your sense of scene,” he says. “Publishing teaches you how ideas move. Psychedelics and wellness point towards perception, transformation and what people are really seeking beneath the surface.” Ultimately though, whether behind the decks or in the studio, the core intention remains simple. “I’m more interested in music that carries depth and beauty and lifts people,” he says. Rather than chasing intensity for its own sake, he wants records and performances to leave listeners feeling expanded rather than depleted. “That’s what interests me,” he says. “Music that opens minds, raises the vibe and leaves people feeling more alive.” Nutritious https://www.instagram.com/djnutritious https://open.spotify.com/artist/5H2UfM6XZEtSjQxksRLqCz https://soundcloud.com/djnutritious

Qolaj Filipino producer Qolaj approaches club music differently to most. While many artists treat genre as a fixed identity, his latest EP ‘Re-Adoption’ feels more interested in mutation, reconstruction and emotional movement than staying inside neat stylistic lines. Built around hardgroove, techno, breakbeat experimentation and flashes of Jersey club energy, the release uses existing tracks as raw material, reshaping them into something entirely new rather than delivering straightforward remixes. Released via Angry Dog Records, the EP arrives following Qolaj’s win in Beatport’s 2024 Global Remix Challenge, a breakthrough moment that led to an official release with Warner Music Group and reinforced his instinct to push beyond traditional club frameworks. Across ‘Re-Adoption’, that mindset becomes the entire concept. “I’ve always been fascinated by transformation,” he explains. “A lot of remix culture focuses on enhancing or updating a track, but with ‘Re-Adoption’, I was more interested in asking what happens when a song is given an entirely new life.” That idea sits at the centre of the project. Rather than preserving the originals, Qolaj treats them almost like relocated identities, shaped by new environments, emotional contexts and physical energy. “The original DNA is still there,” he says, “but the context, energy and perspective have changed so much that they become something else entirely.” The title itself also reflects the way he views artistic growth more broadly. “I don’t see identity as something fixed,” he explains. “We’re constantly evolving through our experiences, communities and influences. ‘Re-Adoption’ reflects that process of revisiting something familiar and choosing to redefine it rather than simply preserve it.” That mentality runs through the entire EP, particularly in the way genres collide and overlap. Hardgroove sits alongside breakbeats, techno and rhythmic club mutations without ever feeling forced or disconnected. “When I’m producing, I’m usually asking myself what the track needs rather than what scene it belongs to,” he says. “Sometimes it needs urgency and bounce. Sometimes it needs unpredictability or momentum.” For Qolaj, genre blending is less about collecting influences and more about creating dialogue between cultures, communities and different musical languages. “I think identity comes less from the genres you’re using and more from your perspective,” he says. “I’m consistently drawn to music that feels kinetic, emotionally charged and physically engaging. That’s the thread connecting everything.” That emotional element is crucial to how he approaches dance music. Despite the aggression and warehouse energy running through the EP, there is also a clear sense of tension, vulnerability and atmosphere underneath the percussion. “A lot of that comes from my roots in grunge and alternative music,” he explains. “What always resonated with me was the balance between aggression and emotion. The music could be intense and raw while still carrying vulnerability and depth.” That balance becomes particularly noticeable on the VIP version of ‘Incite Revolution’, rebuilt here into a more spacious and groove-focused version of the original. “With the VIP version, I wanted to simplify the arrangement and create more space for the groove and energy to breathe,” he says. “At the same time, I wanted to inject a greater sense of joy into the track.” While the original leaned heavily into urgency and intensity, the new version carries a more celebratory emotional tone. “The message is still there,” he explains, “but it’s being expressed through a different emotional lens. Instead of pushing forward through tension alone, this version embraces the idea that joy can be a form of revolution too.” That willingness to trust instinct and push outside expected frameworks has only accelerated following his Beatport Remix Challenge success. More than simply opening doors professionally, the experience validated a deeper creative shift already happening internally. “The remix was one of the first times I fully leaned into breaks, syncopation and rhythmic structures beyond traditional four-on-the-floor,” he says. “It showed me that taking creative risks and following my own curiosity could resonate with people.” Interestingly, Qolaj only discovered hardgroove relatively recently, despite now operating comfortably within its growing global resurgence. “Even a year ago, I wasn’t really listening to hardgroove or some of the faster styles,” he says. “My taste has expanded a lot over the past year.” What attracts him most is the genre’s physicality and directness. “It’s unapologetically about movement and momentum,” he says. “I think people are really responding to that again.” At the same time, he believes the future of hardgroove lies in continued hybridisation. “People are less attached to strict genre boundaries now,” he explains. “So hardgroove will probably keep merging with other fast-moving styles and evolving into something even more global.” As a Filipino producer building space within international electronic music, that sense of cultural movement and openness also shapes how he views the wider scene. “There aren’t always clear pathways or representation in some of the spaces I move through,” he says. “You end up having to carve out space rather than step into it.” At the same time, that lack of fixed expectations has also become a strength. “It pushes you to develop a more individual perspective,” he explains. “You don’t rely on existing templates of what an artist in this space is supposed to look or sound like.” That sense of community and participation sits at the heart of how he views rave culture too. Rather than treating dancefloors purely as escapism, he sees them as collective environments built around connection, learning and shared energy. “My first major moment was Coachella 2017,” he says. “That was when I was properly introduced to electronic music and the wider scene.” More recently, his involvement with Dance Music Initiative has reinforced that philosophy further. “It reminds me that this culture is not just about performance,” he says. “It’s about sharing knowledge, building access and creating spaces where people feel included.” Even while optimistic about the openness of modern dance music, he remains cautious about how quickly underground sounds can become commercialised once they gain traction. “There’s a subtle gentrification happening in certain scenes,” he explains. “Sometimes the aesthetic gets prioritised over the roots and communities that created the culture.” Rather than allowing that to make him cynical, though, it has simply sharpened his focus on experimentation, authenticity and cultural awareness within his own work. When listeners finally reach the closing moments of ‘Re-Adoption’, there is one feeling he hopes remains after the intensity fades away. “The EP starts with urgency and momentum and gradually moves toward something more grounded,” he says. “By the end, there’s a sense of contentment or peace that emerges.” Ultimately, that emotional arc feels like the real core of the project. Beneath the warehouse energy, rhythmic aggression and genre mutation, ‘Re-Adoption’ is less about destruction and more about rebuilding. “I hope people leave the experience feeling a bit more settled than when they entered it,” he says. Qolaj https://www.instagram.com/qolaj https://open.spotify.com/artist/2OPKwijeJpTOUtAQMq7ozn https://soundcloud.com/qolaj