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“Let’s not confuse what real techno is:” Nicole Moudaber talks the evolution of techno music, her diverse background & more aboard Groove Cruise 2025
Who says techno music can’t be tropical? Certainly not techno queen Nicole Moudaber, who brought her percussive, loopy style of techno to the stages of Groove Cruise 2025. EDMHouseNetwork caught up with the techno icon about the evolving state of the genre, her affinity for racing, and more onboard Groove Cruise 2025. Read the full interview below:
Q1: “Just to start off, what’s the unique experience of playing at Groove Cruise compared to your typical festival? Your Tomorrowland, or where you got to play with Carl Cox earlier this year? Playing those sets in a typical club or festival setting?”
Moudaber: “It’s a city on the sea. It’s almost like Vegas on water, so I don’t know. I’m just gonna check it out later, today and tomorrow and get a feel for the place. I’m not gonna probably play my typical kind of techno on this boat. I’m just gonna keep it a bit groovier and sexier. And a bit lighter.”
Q2: “How does the atmosphere kind of change your set in that sense? Compared to when you’re playing in a club setting, or playing in a London or Ibiza nightclub, compared to playing on a cruise ship. How does that kind of change your set selection and building process?”
Moudaber: “The music that I’m gonna play is the same. It’s just the way that I’m gonna put it together, really. So, yeah, if I know if I’m gonna play tech house, I will be going through certain records. I’m gonna be doing a back to back with Layton [Giordani], and so that’s going to be a bit of melodic techno, and I have all the ammunition. I just need to put it together basically, and for it to make sense.”
Q3: “How incredible has it been to kind of see a resurgence in techno this year? Whether it’s Anyma playing in The [Las Vegas] Sphere with melodic techno or even, you know, with women? With Sara Landry being the first hard techno artist on the Tomorrowland mainstage, and you this year with the back-to-backs with Carl Cox killing it in your own right. How great has it been to kind of see techno get a little bit more of that mainstream attention?”
Moudaber: “It’s got so many different styles. Now, let’s not confuse what real techno is. What I played with Carl Cox at EDC is like the real underground techno. Melodic techno, it was definitely Prague, what we know as Prague. And what Sara is playing is pretty much hard pop, probably. Which is good in its own right. And I love to listen to it, and she’s excellent. I love that girl. But, yeah, let’s not confuse techno with the other stuff, because they’re not the same.”
Q4: “How great has it been to kind of in your own right, preserve that true style of techno. You know, with these other genres of techno kind of popping up, being able to really represent that old style that really still rings true.”
Moudaber: “It’s not really old, because there are tons of new records like that at the moment with incredible labels releasing that sort of music. It’s just for me, I prefer that, you know, the big kick, kick drums and the loopy kind of hypnotic, heady kind of techno. You know, not the massive drops and the fluffy stuff. You know, we need to keep it serious a little bit in techno.”
Q5: “I know the only thing that rivals your passion for techno music is racing. How is it kind of similar, you know, the thrill of being behind the wheel on a race track and being, you know, up on the decks in front of 1000s, 10s of 1000s of people?”
Moudaber: “It’s actually the same kind of adrenaline rush when I’m on the wheels. Probably, it’s more intense than being on stage, being on the wheels, going at 300 miles an hour, you know? Yeah, you can’t beat that. That is the ultimate rush. But, yeah, obviously being on stage with all this energy coming back at you, it’s just an incredible feeling and that’s what I live for, really.”
Q6: “Just to finish off, also, I know you come from a lot of diverse backgrounds. Growing up in Nigeria, Lebanon, and now being based in London, how do all those unique backgrounds really show in your style of music and kind of blend in the influences in your production?”
Moudaber: “It has influenced me a lot, especially my childhood in Nigeria, where I grew up with a lot of rhythmic and percussions and all about beats and grooves. You can hear it in my production. [It’s] Very percussive in a way, and it’s got funk and soul in it. Even if it’s like the hardest techno that I play, it’s always soulful in a way, and it’s got that sexiness in it. You know, even if I’m playing at 145 BPM, you can still dance to it, so it does reflect in my music. And I’m quite lucky to have experienced all sides of these worlds, and I’m still learning wherever I go all over the world. I absorb their culture, and I try to, I don’t even try. It just comes naturally to me, and I hear it.”
EDM Festivals in August 2025 are keeping the summer alive with a number of massive events happening around the world.
From the massive 10 year anniversary of UNTOLD to the legacy that is Creamfields, here’s your guide to the top EDM festivals you won’t want to miss this August.
UNTOLD Festival
Dates: August 7–10
Location: Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Romania’s premier electronic music festival turns 10 this year with a massive celebration across Cluj Arena and downtown spaces. Expect extended sets from Tiësto, plus Martin Garrix, Black Coffee, Don Diablo, Post Malone, and more. UNTOLD is known for its epic production, long hours, and magical vibes from dusk till dawn.
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Creamfields
Dates: August 21–24
Location: Daresbury Estate, Cheshire, UK
One of the UK’s most iconic dance music festivals, Creamfields delivers another year of powerhouse headliners. 2025 brings David Guetta, Anyma, Amelie Lens, Chase & Status, Carl Cox, and more across massive stages like ARC, Steel Yard, and Horizon.
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Sziget Festival
Dates: August 6–11
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Set on Óbuda Island, Sziget is a multi-genre mega-festival that blends EDM with pop, rock, world music, and arts. With a scenic riverside setting, cultural programming, and past performers like Calvin Harris and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, it’s one of Europe’s most diverse and vibrant summer fests.
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Hard Summer
Dates: August 2–3
Location: Southern California, USA
Returning for its second year at Hollywood Park, HARD Summer is back bigger, bolder, and bass-heavier than ever. This year’s edition leans hard into techno, with sets from 999999999, Deborah De Luca, I Hate Models, and more, while also staying true to its genre-mixing roots. Expect reggaetón, drum & bass, house, and hip-hop from artists like Kaytranada, Dom Dolla, Sean Paul, and FEID.
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ÎLESONIQ
Dates: August 9-19
Location: Montreal, Canada
Held in Parc Jean-Drapeau, ÎLESONIQ is Quebec’s largest electronic music festival. It blends international stars with immersive visuals and a passionate Canadian crowd. Notable stars taking to the stage are Alesso, D.O.D, John Summit, Oliver Heldens, and more.
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VELD Music Festival
Dates: August 1-3
Location: Toronto, Canada
Toronto’s biggest EDM festival lights up Downsview Park with a massive set of artists that make any dance music fan excited. Previous years have featured big artists and this year is no different with deadmau5, Dom Dolla, Tiesto, Third Party, and more set to take the stage.
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Weekend Festival
Dates: August 1–2
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Returning to Espoo with over 60 artists, Weekend Festival 2025 delivers two days of high-energy performances, cutting-edge visuals, and massive production. Headliners include Armin van Buuren, Hardwell, Robin Schulz, and Fisher. Known for its towering custom-built main stage and immersive light shows, the festival blends sound and spectacle like no other in Finland.
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Mysteryland
Dates: August 30–31
Location: Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands
The Netherlands’ longest-running dance music festival blends house, techno, trance, and hardstyle across colorful, immersive stages. Known for its art installations, spiritual elements, and top-tier curation, Mysteryland remains a staple for true festival heads.
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Dance Valley
Dates: August 10 (TBC)
Location: Spaarnwoude, Netherlands
Dance Valley turns 30 in 2025, and it’s going all out for its anniversary edition. Set in the iconic hills of Spaarnwoude, this one-day Dutch mega-rave spans 8 stages and 70+ artists across dance, techno, hardstyle, trance, and house. The lineup is stacked with legends: Tiësto, Martin Garrix, Boris Brejcha, Ferry Corsten presents Gouryella (25 Years), Charly Lownoise & Mental Theo, Nervo, Chris Liebing, and Radical Redemption.
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Les Plages Électroniques
Dates: August 08-10
Location: Cannes, France
Set on the sun-drenched beaches of the French Riviera, Les Plages Électroniques returns with one of its most diverse and stacked lineups yet. Headliners include Tiësto, Charlotte de Witte, Peggy Gou, Eric Prydz, Mochakk, and Booba, alongside a wave of rising talent and local French stars. With beach stages, boat parties, and after-parties extending late into the night, the festival blends deep house, techno, afro house, and reggaeton into a three-day oceanside escape.
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August may be the final stretch of summer, but the party is far from over.
With iconic brands, oceanside escapes, and late-night energy, these festivals are ready to make your summer go out in style.
UNTOLD celebrates its 10th anniversary with a historic lineup of debuts, exclusive shows, and once-in-a-lifetime performances.
The 10th anniversary of UNTOLD is shaping up to be the festival’s most unforgettable edition yet, packed with exclusive performances, never-before-seen shows, and jaw-dropping debuts. The Mainstage will light up with global icons like Post Malone, who’s kicking off his Big Ass Stadium Tour with a debut at UNTOLD, and Metro Boomin, playing his only European festival show this summer. Fans can also catch performances from ANYMA, Becky Hill, Hugel, Rag’n’Bone Man, and CANCELLED MUSIC (Kris Fade), all bringing fresh energy to the Cluj-Napoca stage.
This year’s UNTOLD debuts and special shows are not just on the mainstage but also across all other stages. The underground Galaxy stage will host Dom Dolla, Adriatique, and a rare TOTO CHIAVETTA B2B ZAMNA SOUNDSYSTEM set brought in by Zamna. Meanwhile, the Daydreaming stage features acts like Ben Böhmer, Röyksopp, Pachanga Boys, and Bob Moses. But what truly sets this edition apart are the exclusive shows: Tiesto’s extended set, Don Diablo’s one-of-a-kind UNTOLD performance, Armin van Buuren’s special stage production, and Martin Garrix’s specifically tailored UNTOLD set.
Expect even more custom shows from Romanian stars like INNA, Delia, Irina Rimes, and Vama, all with surprise guests. And on Friday night, a mystery act will take over the Mainstage, revealed live at the festival. With this stacked lineup of UNTOLD debuts, world premieres, and unforgettable performances, the 10th edition promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration for every music lover.
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UNTOLD X Festival turns 10 this summer, and they have announced the full lineup and daily schedule for the celebration.
UNTOLD Festival celebrates 10 years this summer and is ready to write history once again. The magical universe of music, love, friendship, and pure joy will open its gates from August 7 to 10 in the heart of Transylvania, in the beautiful city of Cluj-Napoca. 200+ local and international artists across 8 stages and multiple music spots, and over 430,000 fans will join the celebration of UNTOLD in Romania. The organisers of one of the world’s biggest music festivals have now revealed the full lineup and daily timetable. Headliners are preparing special shows for the 10th anniversary of UNTOLD, and some of them will have surprise guests for unforgettable moments at this iconic edition.
Debuts at the 10th anniversary of UNTOLD & special acts and shows
The festival’s first day begins with an opening ceremony on the mainstage with Tujamo, an Exclusive Set from Don Diablo, and an Extended Set from Tiësto. Topic will close the stage. Local artists Sam Garrett and Rag’n’Bone Man are the live acts on August 7. Black Coffee will headline the Galaxy stage, Wilkinson will drop the bass on the Alchemy stage, while the Daydreaming stage will host Ben Böhmer, Parra for Cuva, Marten Lou, and more.
Armin van Buuren, one of the most beloved artists at UNTOLD, will headline the festival’s second night with an exclusive show on the mainstage. The live act of the night is Post Malone, one of the most influential figures in music, who is debuting in Romania this summer at UNTOLD’s anniversary edition. The organizers have announced a Surprise Act for the mainstage. Another premiere at the festival this August is Dom Dolla, who will perform for the first time on the Galaxy stage before ARTBAT’s show on August 8. The French DJ and producer Sebastien Léger will take over the Daydreaming stage.
Hugel will debut on Saturday at UNTOLD with a unique set on the mainstage, while Alan Walker returns to the festival after 3 years. Alok, Steve Angello and Vini Vici will heat the mainstage while Metro Boomin will make it boom on August 9. The Galaxy stage will premiere Green Velvet and a unique set from A:RPI:R, while the dreamers will fly with Jan Blomqvist and Röyksopp at the Daydreaming stage.
Anyma, one of the most anticipated names in electronic music, will perform for the first time at the 10th anniversary of UNTOLD on Sunday, August 10. In a world where sound, style, and technology continuously evolve, DJ and producer Anyma is a true visionary. As one-half of Tale Of Us, he has shaped the melodic techno scene, pushing the boundaries of electronic music. With his solo project, Anyma, he takes things to an entirely new dimension – merging music, cutting-edge visuals, and advanced technology into a fully immersive experience.
Martin Garrix is working on an UNTOLD Special for the anniversary edition while FISHER is preparing to debut on the mainstage after he closed the Galaxy stage in 2024. Becky Hill and Cancelled Show (Kris Fade’s concept) are also debuting at UNTOLD on the mainstage, while the Galaxy stage will welcome Adriatique for the first time. Shimza, Pachanga Boys, Bob Moses, Anthony Middleton (Audiofly), and more will headline the Daydreaming stage.
All local artists will create special shows with surprise guests. Each festival day at UNTOLD promises a unique journey, from the pure joy of top DJs’ sets to the full emotions of live shows created by the world’s biggest artists.
UNTOLD X celebrates 10 years of Self Expression
UNTOLD is more than a music festival, it is a whole universe built within the heart of Cluj-Napoca, on 235,000 square meters on the Cluj Arena and the Central Park surrounding the stadium. Besides music and magic, UNTOLD is about unity, love, community, friendship, diversity, courage, passion, authenticity, uniqueness, and pure joy. The festival encourages people to believe in their dreams and be their most authentic selves.
Each year, the festival has a creative concept, and for the iconic 10th edition, the mainstage is imagined as a temple of magic, a spectacular visual creation that honors the festival’s journey over the past decade. At the heart of this universe stands The Magician, the narrative voice who has guided each edition of UNTOLD, now returning symbolically as the spirit of continuity. The stage blends fantasy elements with iconic symbols from UNTOLD’s legacy, bringing together key characters from past chapters. This visual and emotional reconnection becomes a celebration of the festival’s core values: imagination, freedom, community, and transformation.
At the centre of the temple lies the X which is more than a marker of the 10th anniversary, it is the imprint of UNTOLD’s identity, a symbol of the bridge between past and future, between story and reality. The X reflects those who make this world possible: the UNTOLD fans who are the best crowd in the world. More details about the iconic edition are available on untold.com.
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