Editorial
Bootshaus Marks 22 Years With L-Acoustics DJ Upgrade
Bootshaus Marks 22 Years With L-Acoustics DJ Upgrade as the Cologne club brings 360° spatial audio to its Mainfloor
Since opening its doors in 2004, Bootshaus has built one of the most recognisable identities in electronic music. Based in Cologne, Germany, the club has spent two decades earning its place among Europe’s most respected spaces for electronic music, with a reputation tied to major international artists, high-level production, and a dancefloor that has become a destination for fans. As it marks its 22nd anniversary, Bootshaus is now making one of its biggest audio upgrades to date with the installation of L-Acoustics DJ on its Mainfloor. The new 8.1.7 A Series loudspeaker configuration brings 360° spatial audio into the club, allowing different parts of a record to move around the audience in real time. The system debuted on June 5 with Holy Priest, followed by Don Diablo on June 12. For a club that welcomes more than 200,000 visitors and 500 DJs each year, the upgrade gives Bootshaus a new technical edge while marking another step in its long-running influence on global club culture.
Bootshaus Brings L-Acoustics DJ To Its Mainfloor
As part of its 22nd anniversary upgrade, Bootshaus has installed L-Acoustics DJ with a new 8.1.7 A Series loudspeaker configuration in 360° on its Mainfloor. The system is designed to move past a standard stereo setup by separating parts of a record in real time and placing them around the dancefloor. For a venue known for high-production club nights, the upgrade gives artists another way to use the room during their sets while keeping their usual DJ workflow intact.
“Bootshaus has always been about the crowd, and spatial audio gives that energy a new dimension. The music stops playing at the crowd and starts moving around the audience, so a bassline can sweep across the floor or a vocal can land from above. It’s a new creative tool for the artists we book, and as one of the first clubs in the world to offer it, it’s a perfect way to celebrate our 22-year legacy while shaping the next chapter, always looking for new ways to deliver the best experience on the dancefloor,” said Tom Thomas, Managing Director at Bootshaus.
How L-Acoustics DJ Works Inside Bootshaus
L-Acoustics DJ runs on the L-ISA Processor II and is powered by Source Separate, a proprietary low-latency technology that uses machine learning to isolate the stems of a stereo track in real time. That means beats, basslines, melodies, and vocals can be separated while the DJ is performing, then positioned across different parts of the room. In practice, a vocal can be placed above the audience, a bassline can move across the floor, and separate elements of the same record can be heard from different points inside the club.
The system is also built to fit into existing DJ setups without forcing artists to rethink their set, routing, or technical rider. That detail matters in a club environment, where touring DJs, residents, and one-off bookings all need a setup that can work quickly on show night. For Bootshaus, the result is a new technical layer on the Mainfloor without changing the core function of the room as a high-intensity club space.
A New 360° A Series System For The Mainfloor
To support the full spatial potential of L-Acoustics DJ, Bootshaus has overhauled its Mainfloor sound system with an 8.1.7 A Series configuration in 360°. Two hangs of two A15 Wide over one A15 Focus flank the DJ booth and anchor the front of the system. Six additional hangs, each made up of one A15 Wide over one A15 Focus, extend around the sides and rear of the dancefloor to complete the horizontal field.
The height layer comes from seven X12 coaxial enclosures placed overhead. Two A15 Focus loudspeakers serve as DJ monitors, while the full system is powered by three LA7.16i amplified controllers. Together, the setup is built to provide the volume and low-end Bootshaus audiences expect while allowing specific parts of a record to be placed in ways a traditional stereo system cannot produce.
Bootshaus Continues Its Legacy In Cologne
Located on the banks of the Rhine in Cologne, Bootshaus has grown from a local club into one of the most recognised electronic music venues in the world. The club was named fourth in The World’s 100 Best Clubs 2025 by the International Nightlife Association and placed No. 5 in the 2024 DJ Mag rankings. Its lineups have brought in names across electronic music, including Charlotte de Witte, Amelie Lens, Skrillex, FISHER, Boris Brejcha, David Guetta, Avicii, and Diplo.
The wider Bootshaus ecosystem also includes its record label, Bootshaus Music, and destination festival Nibirii. With the addition of L-Acoustics DJ, the club is using its 22nd anniversary to update one of the most important parts of its identity: the sound of the room. For more information on Bootshaus, visit bootshaus.tv.
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Editorial
Seven Stars 2026: 7 Most Anticipated Sets at GRiZ’s Cosmic Campout
As the second annual Valley of the Seven Stars approaches, bass music fans across the country are prepping their gear and locking in their set times. Taking over the Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington, Virginia from October 8–11, this gathering marks the long-awaited payoff of GRiZ’s two-year hiatus. The event has quickly earned a reputation as one of the bass community’s premier “homie” festivals, trading commercial refinement for deep curation and authentic energy. Whether you are hunting for ground-shaking low end or sunset grooves, here are the 7 most anticipated performances to highlight on your schedule:
7. Richard Finger
Set Time: Saturday, 4:50 PM – 5:50 PM
Operating entirely behind anonymous masks, Richard Finger has become one of bass music’s most intriguing underground phenomena. The mysterious duo popped onto the radar with relentless sound design and uncompromisingly heavy drops, rapidly earning a rotation in festival sets worldwide. While internet investigators continue trying to uncover their true identities, the project lets the sheer sound of low end rhythm do the talking. Catching them in the afternoon heat on Saturday is guaranteed to wake up the crowd.
6. Hedex
Set Time: Sunday, 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Hedex has been at the forefront of the modern drum and bass explosion. He has been taking jump-up rhythms out of underground UK clubs and pushing them onto major American festival stages. This performance serves as the official launch for his North American “Nu Era” tour. Known for quick double drops and explosive crowd control, his Sunday slot will deliver a shot of pure adrenaline just as festivalgoers enter the final night.
5. GRiZ (Chasing The Golden Hour)
Set Time: Saturday, 6:05 PM – 7:20 PM
GRiZ has always known how to curate a vibe, but his Chasing The Golden Hour (CTGH) concept holds a legendary place in the scene. It was originally conceived as a mixtape series built around vintage samples, mellow hip-hop beats, and live sax riffs. CTGH offers a soulful counterweight to his heavy dubstep headline sets. Following packed-out demand at past events, this sunset window is made for collective unwinding. It is the defining emotional anchor of the weekend, best experienced surrounded by friends on an open hill.

4. Mersiv
Set Time: Saturday, 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
DJ & producer Anderson Gallegos, known professionally as Mersiv, has carved out a dedicated subculture with his trademark “Pretty Dark Loud” sound design. Mersiv crafts sets that feel simultaneously meditative and heavy by combining hypnotic downtempo atmospheres with distortion-heavy basslines. Dropping into Saturday prime time, his set will steer the valley into its deepest, most psychedelic sonic territory.
3. Seth David (R&Bass)
Set Time: Friday, 1:00 AM – 2:00 AM (After Hours)
Returning to the Seven Stars lineup for a second run, Seth David brings his signature R&Bass sound to the Satellite Stage. The project fuses classic 90s and 2000s R&B vocals with sub-bass frequencies. This set gives night owls a refreshing alternative to the standard festival sound anding directly in the after-hours slot,
2. Distinct Motive
Set Time: Sunday, 6:50 PM – 7:50 PM
Hailing from Ontario, Distinct Motive has spearheaded the revival of pure 140 BPM sound system culture in North America. His productions emphasize sub-bass, surgical mixing, and deep roots in old-school UK dubstep. Since his anthem “Wait A Minute” dominated stages everywhere, his profile has skyrocketed. Sunday evening marks his debut on the mainstage, bringing chest-rattling low frequencies to the festival’s largest sound system.
1. Kaleena Zanders
Set Time: Thursday, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Revered as one of modern dance music’s most captivating vocal powerhouses, Kaleena Zanders channels gospel roots through classic house grooves. With major collaborative releases alongside fellow headliners, her live sets go far beyond ordinary DJ performances. Slotted into Thursday evening, she will set an uplifting, soulful tone for the entire cosmic campout before the heavier bass takes over.
With four days of music spread across The Valley, pacing is going to be everything. Set conflicts are inevitable when a lineup has this much variety. Be sure to leave room in your schedule to wander between stages and stumble onto artists outside your radar.
Grab the official festival app to stay updated on any last-minute schedule shifts and look out for your crew.
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Editorial
MiNT XL: Leeds’ Newest Nightclub Opens With A Bang
MiNT XL opens its doors in Leeds with a sold-out party for 2,500 ravers, as Craig Richards, Enzo Siragusa and Sonja Moonear launch the new nightclub
MiNT XL officially opened its doors on Friday, 25 September, with a sold-out opening party featuring names like Craig Richards, Enzo Siragusa and Sonja Moonear. 2,500 ravers gathered in the heart of Leeds city centre to experience the latest addition to the city’s rich rave culture, marking a memorable beginning for MiNT XL.
Taking over the former nightclub, PRYZM Leeds, MiNT set themselves the challenge of giving the venue a new identity through their own production and iconic signature. In an interview with EDM House Network earlier this year, MiNT marketing manager, Mikey McMahon said they wanted people to walk into MiNT XL and feel like they were part of something forward-thinking. There is no doubt they have achieved this, with the opening night already setting MiNT XL apart from other venues in Leeds.

Credit: David Dumitru
Exploring The Venue’s Layout
Arriving at the venue, you could feel the excitement in the air as people made their way into the club. Music was bumping through the walls and the night was just getting started. Walking inside, the dark environment immediately made it feel like a rave and not a regular nightclub.
Heading up the stairs from the entrance, we reached the main hall of the venue, which houses two of the three rooms at MiNT XL, as well as an open-air terrace. The ‘Clubroom’ was the first room people encountered on the floor, while the main room, also known as the ‘Ballroom’, sits to the left of the hall.
The second floor is a great extension of what the main floor has to offer, hosting the venue’s third room, ‘Cage’, as well as an additional bar with sofas and seating for those wanting a quick break from the dancefloor. The VIP area is also located on this floor, providing a comfortable chill-out space with its own bar and seating area.

Credit: David Dumitru
The Rooms at MiNT XL
1. Ballroom
The largest of the three rooms, the ‘Ballroom’ is a warehouse type of space hosting the headlining names on MiNT XL’s line-ups. Some of the lighting features that stood out as soon as we walked into the room included the large ring structure above the dancefloor, as well as the linear rigs placed horizontally across the ceiling, which rotate to create a wave-like effect through light.
Another standout piece of the room is the newly installed Funktion-One Vero sound system, delivering bass that pumps through your body and an overall premium sound quality. The same system can also be found in the other two rooms, where its impact is even greater due to their smaller capacities.

Credit: @elliotyoungphoto
2. Cage
Probably the most interesting room of the three, and our personal favourite, ‘Cage’ delivers an experience like no other. Its design feels unique and fresh out of the box, while still maintaining a lush feel. Throughout the opening night, the room was lit up with orange lighting, creating a somewhat comfortable atmosphere amid all the chaos going on.

Credit: David Dumitru
‘Cage’ also has a few sofas placed around the room, helping complete its luxurious feel. The cherry on top, however, is the fact that the space will often welcome DJs playing on vinyl. We had the chance to witness this live, and let me tell you, seeing the artists flip and swap records behind the decks totally elevates the experience.

Credit: David Dumitru
3. Clubroom
With a large light panel on the ceiling covering the centre of the dancefloor, ‘Clubroom’ is an ode to MiNT Warehouse, the brand’s second ever venue. Sharing similar characteristics, the room brings the MiNT Warehouse spirit to MiNT XL, carrying over the energetic vibes that have become a trademark of the brand.
While the room has a great design from a production perspective, the air conditioning isn’t felt as well in some corners, often making it a very hot space.

Credit: David Dumitru
4. Terrace
An open-air space with a nice view of some of Leeds city centre’s tallest buildings, the terrace is a well-arranged spot for those who want to unwind a little and take a breath of fresh air. Located close to the ‘Ballroom’, the path to the terrace can, however, become very busy at times.

Credit: David Dumitru
The Music at MiNT XL
The venue opened with the brand’s own event series, ‘system.’, taking over the decks. Across the three rooms, a well-curated line-up delivered the soundtrack to MiNT’s new beginning.
From the perspective of EDM House Network, our highlights were Foehn & Jerome at the ‘Cage’, Craig Richards B2B Francesco Del Garda at the ‘Ballroom’, and then back to the ‘Cage’ for a vinyl session with Fumiya Tanaka.

Credit: @elliotyoungphoto
Beyond the opening night, a wide range of renowned DJs are set to follow at MiNT XL, with the likes of Ewan McVicar, Riordan, Morgan Seatree and a Worried About Henry (WAH) takeover among those already announced. While so far only electronic music events make up the calendar, organisers have said they are excited to expand into new genres and live music.
Atmosphere Inside The Venue
MiNT XL operates a no-phones policy at all events, meaning attendees can fully immerse themselves into the music. Having experienced an event with such policy for the first time, it was impressive to see how big of a change it makes.
Seeing people living in the moment and having fun truly gave everyone a taste of what some mean when they say ‘raving was better in the 90s’. The no-phones policy genuinely made the night feel like a time machine that teleported us back to a time when people used to socialise and not chase Instagram clout at raves.

Credit: @elliotyoungphoto
With three state-of-the-art rooms, a 2,500-capacity venue, a sound system that blows the roof off and a no-phones policy, MiNT XL has real potential to become one of the best nightclubs in the entire UK. The opening party was not just the green light for a new venue in Leeds, but felt more like a statement that MiNT XL is here, and for good.
The club season is only just getting started, with a packed list of upcoming events already lined up at MiNT XL.
Friday 9 October – Marsolo Invites: Marsolo + more TBA
Saturday 10 October – Airspace: Notion, Kyle Starkey, Camille Doe + more
Saturday 17 October – Mint XL Presents: Cam Stockman b2b Tommy Phillips
Friday 30 October – Airspace: Riordan, Stef Davidse + more
Saturday 31 October – Ewan McVicar Presents: Halloween – Ewan McVicar, Special Request, Olive F
Saturday 7 November – Mint XL Presents: ALISHA, Robbie Doherty + more
Saturday 14 November – Mint XL Presents: Morgan Seatree + more TBA
Friday 20 November – Framework Presents: Ben UFO, Papa Nugs + more
Saturday 21 November – Jampacked Would Tour Leeds Edition: Jamback, Anil Aras, A For Alpha
Saturday 19 December – Framework x Mugpie Presents: Christian AB, Unai Trotti + more
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Amsterdam Music Festival News
EDM Festivals October 2026: Festivals We Can’t Miss
EDM Festivals October 2026: Festivals We Can’t Miss worldwide as major events fill the month across North America, Asia, Europe, and South America
October 2026 brings another busy month for the EDM festival calendar, with events taking place across North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. In the US, 808 Festival, Breakaway Utah, We Belong Here Central Park, Experts Only at the Gorge, Niteharts, Head Trip, III Points Miami, Escape Psycho Circus, BOO! Seattle, BOO! Arizona, and Hocus Pocus Miami fill the month. Meanwhile, EDC Korea and Chill O’posite Festival add major dates in Asia and Africa. No Art Lisbon and AMF represent Europe, while EDC Colombia and Ritvales bring two large weekends to South America. Here’s a full look at the EDM festivals taking place throughout October 2026.
808 Festival
Dates: October 2–3, 2026
Location: BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand
808 Festival returns to BITEC in Bangkok from October 2–3, 2026 for two days across two stages. The Phase Two lineup includes ILLENIUM, SLANDER B2B NGHTMRE, W&W, Argy, Ben Nicky, 999999999, Mesto, and KAAZE. Meanwhile, JUSTUS, RIVO, Dorian, Ian Asher, and Mary Droppinz are also confirmed. Several special performances are scheduled, including Adam Beyer B2B Chris Avantgarde and Nifra B2B Will Atkinson. Giorgia Angiuli will also perform live. More artists are still due to be announced before the festival returns to Bangkok in October.

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