Editorial
Neon X Marks 10 Years With a World-Debut Hardwell B2B W&W Set
The Ultimate NYE Lineup: Neon X Announces Hardwell & W&W World-Debut B2B to Celebrate Its Decade Milestone
Neon Countdown returns this December with a tenth anniversary edition that marks a decade since the festival first launched in Malaysia. What began as a compact New Year event has developed into one of Thailand’s leading countdown festivals, supported by rising regional attention and a steady lineup of international acts. This year also brings a notable shift as the event moves to Rajamangala Stadium, expanding its presence in Bangkok for the two-day celebration. At the centre of the anniversary is the world-debut B2B from Hardwell and W&W, confirmed as the highlight of the festival. The wider lineup strengthens the occasion with performances from Alesso, KSHMR, Third Party, Amelie Lens, Dimension, Mesto, Nicky Romero, and others across both days. With its tenth edition set for Bangkok, Neon Countdown returns for a year-end weekend that brings together many of the festival’s most recognisable names.

From Malaysia Beginnings to Neon’s Ten Year Milestone in Thailand
Neon Countdown began in Malaysia, where it introduced a New Year festival format featuring international electronic acts and large-scale December celebrations. The festival gained recognition through lineups that included W&W, KSHMR, Armin van Buuren, Blastoyz, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Vini Vici, and Martin Garrix, among others. These artists contributed to the event’s visibility and helped establish Neon within Southeast Asia’s electronic music landscape. The consistent year-end timing also allowed audiences to associate the brand with New Year celebrations. Across its Malaysia editions, Neon maintained a focus on internationally recognised performers and a clear identity tied to December festivities. This initial period set the foundation for the festival’s later transition.
Neon eventually moved into Thailand, where it introduced its established format to a broader audience while continuing its December tradition. Bangkok editions allowed the festival to operate in a market with strong interest in electronic music and a growing demand for year-end events. Each appearance continued featuring global headliners, ensuring continuity with the artists who had performed throughout its earlier years. The move into Thailand also enabled the festival to scale production in line with a larger regional audience. Over time, repeated editions in Bangkok strengthened Neon’s recognition among returning fans and positioned the city as its primary home. Reaching its tenth anniversary under the name Neon X, the festival now reflects a timeline that spans its origins in Malaysia and its long-term establishment in Thailand.
From Wonder World to Rajamangala Stadium
Past Thailand editions of Neon Countdown were held at Wonder World Extreme Park, a location known for its open layout and festival-style setting. For the tenth anniversary, the event transitions to Rajamangala Stadium, placing Neon X in one of Bangkok’s most prominent central venues. The stadium offers a wider setting for staging and visual design, giving the festival room to expand its creative direction for the year-end celebration. Its circular structure naturally surrounds the main field, creating a unified viewing area that brings the crowd together around the stage. Fireworks and lighting effects can be presented on a larger scale within the stadium’s open top, adding impact to the New Year countdown. The move to Rajamangala Stadium aligns the anniversary edition with a venue known for hosting major events and sets a strong backdrop for Neon’s ten year milestone.

A Lineup Led by the First Hardwell B2B W&W
The lineup for Neon X is led by the world-debut Hardwell B2B W&W, an announcement that came as a complete surprise and immediately gained the most attention for the tenth anniversary edition. Both Hardwell and W&W have performed at Neon Countdown in different years, which makes their first time playing together a meaningful moment for the festival community. KSHMR returns to Thailand after not appearing in the country for two years, reconnecting with supporters who have followed him since Neon’s early editions in Malaysia. This year’s lineup also includes Timmy Trumpet, Alesso, Nicky Romero, and Third Party, names that consistently pull strong interest from Thailand’s electronic music audience. Their appearance strengthens the New Year celebration and matches the scale of the anniversary edition. Together, these artists shape the primary announcement for Neon X and reflect the significance of its tenth year.
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Amelie Lens brings the techno element to Neon X, widening the festival’s range. Dimension contributes the drum and bass direction, offering a different tempo and feel for attendees looking for variety across the weekend. Rising favourite Mesto is also on the lineup, with added anticipation around Caramelle, a track many people hope to hear live during the festival. Support from Mark Bale B2B Jost and Honey Gee completes the announcement with acts already familiar within Thailand’s club and festival circles. The combination of surprise pairings, long-awaited returns, and multiple genres gives Neon X a tenth anniversary lineup that speaks to different parts of the electronic scene. It sets up a New Year weekend designed for both long-time followers of Neon Countdown and those discovering the event in Thailand.
What My Past NEON Countdown Years Mean Going Into Neon X
I first started attending Neon Countdown in Thailand in 2019, and certain editions stand out clearly whenever I think back on them. In 2022, the Infinity Stage made a strong impression because the structure looked different from what most festivals were doing that year, and it became the visual everyone remembered once the weekend was over. In 2023, counting down to 2024 with DJ Snake felt like one of those rare New Year transitions where everything lined up naturally. The excitement in the crowd built up slowly, and when the clock hit midnight, it felt like the entire venue reacted at the same time. Last year, closing out 2024 and stepping into 2025 with Martin Garrix stayed with me for similar reasons. The lead-up before his countdown moment felt steady and intentional, and it reminded me why Neon always leaves an impression.
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Across the different editions I have attended, it has often been the smaller parts of Neon Countdown that make the festival feel familiar to me. The Neon Downtown area became a comfortable place to sit with friends, take photos, and recover before moving back toward the music. The swings turned into a spot where my group could meet without needing to message or search for each other. Over time, I started recognising the same faces at different editions, and that sense of familiarity made the festival feel more personal. Those moments between sets, walking through the food stalls, or catching up with people I had not seen in a year all add something I remember long after the lineup is announced. Going into Neon X, all of those memories give the tenth anniversary a different meaning for me because it feels like returning to a place that has become part of how I spend New Year’s Eve.
Looking Ahead to Neon X and the Countdown Into 2026
The tenth anniversary edition of Neon Countdown feels like the right place to close out the year, especially with the mix of returning artists, surprise moments, and the move to Rajamangala Stadium. After everything the festival has built across both Malaysia and Thailand, Neon X carries a sense of anticipation that goes beyond the lineup. It brings people together who have been attending for years, as well as those joining for the first time. With the world-debut Hardwell B2B W&W, the return of KSHMR, and a New Year setting inside one of Bangkok’s most recognisable venues, the final weekend of December already stands out. With KSHMR having released “Power” with Hardwell and “Bad” with W&W, it naturally raises the question of whether he could appear during the B2B. It also raises the question of whether Timmy Trumpet might make a surprise appearance during Kshmr’s set given that they’ve previously collaborated on “Toca”together. Neon X brings ten years into one weekend, and the countdown into 2026 already feels like something people do not want to miss.
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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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