Mainstage:
Ruthven
Ruthven first broke in 2017 via Paul Institute, the label founded by A.K and Jai Paul, who, as a member of the London Fire Brigade, recorded tracks at the fire station in-between call outs. Having gently unravelled his own blend of R&B-influenced future-funk, Ruthven caught the attention of critics and toured with Sampha. On his intimate debut album, Rough & Ready, he leans into classic songwriting while maintaining lush instrumentation. The record is partly jazz-influenced, but also by yacht rock artists like Michael McDonald and Steely Dan.
Aili
Belgian-Japanese electro-pop duo Aili Maruyama and Orson Wouters formed a connection after meeting at a party in 2019, and since then, their diverse personalities and musical approaches have inspired them to explore new ideas. Aili adds a personal touch by singing in a unique version of Japanese, developed with her father, and their 2021 Dansu EP on Eskimo Recordings, with its blend of underground electronic sounds and sparkling pop, became an instant hit. Debut album Nandakke? dropped last February, further solidifying their presence, receiving acclaim, alongside radio and playlist support.
Okgiorgio
Okgiorgio is an artist, DJ, producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist based in Milan. Inspired by classical/traditional guitar music and the indie/folk harmonies of the likes of Bon Iver and Sufjan Stevens, he has created his own unique approach to sample-based electronic music. With a background of writing and producing for other artists, Giorgio launched his okgiorgio project in 2022. He released his debut EP ‘ok’ in December 2023, prompting support in Spotify editorial playlists New Music Friday and Fresh Finds Dance. Follow-up ‘ok?’ dropped September 2024.
USED
USED rose from promising talent to headliner at the biggest festivals in no time. The drum ’n bass producer from Antwerp signed his debut album to Breakbeat Kaos (the label of DJ Fresh & Adam F), and has already worked with big talents from the scene such as Hedex and Bou, but also with other stars like Joost and Nathan Vandergust aka Acid. For his live shows he integrates instruments that he also used on his releases including violin, bass, guitar and keyboards.
Kharfi
Kharfi entered the scene at just 19 with downtempo experimental releases, but has since found his niche pop-house sound with bouncy bass and strong lyricism, with the 2022 debut album AQUARIUM offering a candid display of passion by the young Italian. Kharfi has also released notable remixes of classics by The Chainsmokers and Benny Benassi, got coverage from outlets such as DJMAG, and Billboard, alongside radio stations like BBC Radio 1 and Kiss FM. He has also opened for stars like Steve Aoki, Skrillex and Martin Garrix.
Upstairs:
julek ploski
Polish producer julek ploski “does music all the time and the music is always about his feelings and always too personal”. His current sound is an epic collage of bombastic Hollywood trailers, melodramatic pianos, hardcore raves, liminal trap drum fills, incel metal riffs and gaming soundscapes. He released several LPs via US and Polish labels and plays live AV shows with self-made visuals continuing the sonic themes of Hollywood liminality.
Adelaida
Catalan singer, producer and songwriter Adelaida released her second album, Muérdago in July. Using everything from choral ambient to dark baroque electronics to create an ASMR labyrinth of sorrow, bliss, and angered desire, its sound is a mix of eclectic, avant-garde and experimental sounds, with the voice as the main character. Adelaida live premiered the album at Sónar 2024 with a mesmerizing, atmospheric and pictorial set.
Valentino Vivace
Valentino Vivace is a rising Swiss musician and producer known for his vibrant Italo-disco pop sound: a mix of nostalgic Italo-disco with modern synth-pop. In 2022, he released his acclaimed debut album Meteoriti, which led to performances at major Swiss and German festivals like Montreux Jazz, Paléo, Fusion and MS Dockville. Valentino has now set his sights on an international breakthrough with shows in Germany, France, and Italy, plus the release of second album Discoteca Vivace in January 2025.
Ryvage
From his secluded home-base in Luxembourg, electronic musician Ryvage embarks on his musical expeditions, blending ambient techno, synthwave, and industrial-tinged electro in his tracks. Throughout three EPs, several remixes, singles, and compositions for interdisciplinary projects, he has continuously developed his sound by balancing emotion and sonic experimentation, while refining his narrative approach to electronic music. 2024 marks the release of a remix for Rome in Reverse, the soundtrack for the VR experience ‘Errances’ and the EP Les Nuits II.
Istanbul Ghetto Club
Istanbul Ghetto Club is an anonymous (masked) art initiative that emerged from Berlin’s underground and avant-garde scene. The ‘brainburning Turkish wedding acid’ act produces acid sounds, combining modular synths and traditional Anatolian instruments like the saz, while experimenting with performance and new media art on stage. Istanbul Ghetto Club embodies an interface between three fields of tension; East and West, the underground and the mainstream, and lastly the traditional with the zeitgeist.
