Editorial
Phones On The Dancefloor: The Debate Shaping Clubbing Today
How Phones on the Dancefloor Changed Club Culture
The glow of phone screens has quietly transformed the atmosphere of nightclubs and festivals around the world. What began as a way to capture short memories has turned into a habit that shapes how audiences, artists, and venues interact. In its feature on phones on the dancefloor, DJ Mag highlighted how the simple act of filming has become central to the modern club experience. Every drop, transition, and crowd reaction can now be viewed through a lens, influencing how sets are structured and how crowds respond to them. The conversation around whether this technology connects or disconnects us has become one of the most significant debates in contemporary club culture.
The Rise of Phone-Free Club Policies
In recent years, a small but growing number of venues have begun to limit phone use inside their spaces. These policies are not about rejecting technology but about protecting what many club owners describe as atmosphere and attention. When Tomodachi Ibiza opened in 2025, it introduced a strict no-phone rule on the dancefloor, asking guests to experience sets without the pressure to record them. The venue’s founders told DJ Mag that the goal was to rebuild a sense of connection between DJs and dancers, something they felt had been diluted by constant filming.
View this post on Instagram
The same approach has appeared in cities far from Ibiza. Fabric London began experimenting with lens stickers to discourage filming, while smaller venues such as Amber’s Manchester have promoted “no-camera nights” as a return to older club values. These spaces rely on word of mouth rather than viral footage, creating curiosity through what cannot be seen online. For some audiences, this absence of content has become part of the appeal, offering a kind of freedom that many feel has been missing from modern nightlife.
Although these rules are not easy to enforce, they reveal a shift in attitude. Instead of relying on crowds to generate endless clips, some promoters are turning to dedicated content teams who can capture highlights without interrupting the crowd’s flow. This balance allows clubs to preserve the feeling of the room while still keeping a digital presence. The result is a hybrid model that recognises the reality of social media but reclaims space for genuine, in-the-moment connection.
How Filming Changed Crowd Behaviour
Phone use inside clubs has changed what people do with their hands, eyes, and attention. During a set, the moment a track builds, phones rise almost on cue, creating a visible divide between those filming and those still dancing. DJ Mag’s report notes that this shift has become predictable enough that some DJs time their lighting or drop cues to match the instant when cameras appear. What once depended on shared awareness between performer and crowd is now partly choreographed by how clips will look online. Instead of reacting to sound, many respond to the potential of a viral recording.
This behaviour also changes how people relate to one another on the floor. Conversations pause so friends can record the same drop from different angles. Strangers hesitate to move freely in case they appear in someone else’s story. Others face screens rather than faces, watching through the viewfinder instead of through proximity. While this behaviour doesn’t erase connection entirely, it alters how it begins. The collective experience becomes filtered, replayed, and remembered in short clips rather than in direct interaction.
How DJs Adapt Their Sets to Phone Culture
According to DJ Mag, the spread of phone use has changed how artists experience performing in clubs. Some DJs have spoken about seeing a “static sea” of people holding up cameras instead of moving to the music, which can make it harder to read the crowd or sense engagement. Others have noted that certain clips from their sets circulate widely online, shaping public expectations before their next performance. These short recordings can influence how an artist is perceived, encouraging them to prepare moments that translate well to video. The outcome is not universal, but the influence of filming is now an unavoidable part of how sets are received and remembered.
View this post on Instagram
A few performers and venues have tried to counter this effect. Artists connected with phone-restricted spaces such as Amber’s Manchester have described stronger audience focus and easier communication from the booth when filming is limited. In DJ Mag’s reporting, some promoters explained that the absence of phones can make a set feel more fluid and less self-conscious, allowing the performance to unfold naturally. Others still prefer a balanced approach, where filming is permitted but guided by venue policy or content teams. Across these perspectives, the debate is less about rejecting technology and more about deciding how much of it belongs inside the shared space of a club.
Enforcement, Evidence, and Outcomes
Phone restrictions in clubs are enforced in a few practical ways. Some rooms use lens stickers at the door, a method highlighted in DJ Mag’s feature and long practised at Berghain in Berlin, where no-photo rules are part of its entry policy, as reported by Euronews. Newer venues have built this rule into their identity from the start. Tomodachi Ibiza opened in 2025 with a full no-phone policy on the dancefloor, while Amber’s Manchester, featured in The Guardian, applies stickers before entry and reports smoother communication between booth and crowd. These examples show that enforcement works best when it starts at the door and is explained clearly to guests.
There is also growing evidence on how recording affects memory and participation. A study by Linda Henkel at Fairfield University identified a photo-taking impairment effect, showing that people who photographed museum objects remembered fewer details than those who only observed them. That finding helps explain why some promoters limit filming to preserve audience focus. Outside the club scene, artists such as Jack White and Kendrick Lamar have worked with Yondr, whose phone-locking pouches now appear at concerts across North America, according to the Wall Street Journal. At the same time, DJ Mag notes that short-form video still drives promotion, so many venues balance restricted audience recording with professional content teams rather than removing phones entirely.
Where Club Culture Goes from Here
The debate around phones in clubs has become less about rules and more about values. DJ Mag frames it as a question of what kind of attention nightlife now asks for. Some audiences see filming as part of participation, while others want spaces that prioritise presence over documentation. The divide reflects a generational shift in how people relate to music and memory, shaped by social media habits that extend far beyond the dancefloor.
What connects clubs like Berghain, Tomodachi Ibiza, and Amber’s Manchester is not opposition to technology but an attempt to design clearer boundaries around it. These venues experiment with how far control can go without losing openness or creativity. As long as social media continues to shape discovery and demand, phones will remain part of the club ecosystem. The challenge ahead is to decide how they coexist with the sense of freedom that first drew people to these spaces.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
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.
View this post on Instagram
Subscribe to our Newsletter
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
Subscribe to our Newsletter
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.
Breakaway Utah
Dates: October 2–3, 2026
Location: America First Field, Sandy, Utah
Breakaway Utah brings the Breakaway Music Festival series to America First Field in Sandy, Utah, from October 2–3, 2026. Friday features John Summit, Tiësto, Max Styler, Jackie Hollander, Ray Volpe, LAYZ B2B TYNAN, and Trivecta. Hershe, Heyz, Roddy Lima, Soraya, and Obayashi also appear on the first day. Saturday then brings Chris Lake, Audien, Bonnie X Clyde, Frank Walker, Kasablanca, and Mojave Grey. In addition, Kaskade will play a sunset set, while Gorgon City B2B MPH adds another collaborative performance.
We Belong Here Central Park
Dates: October 2–4, 2026
Location: Wollman Rink, Central Park, New York City, New York
We Belong Here Central Park heads back to Wollman Rink in Central Park from October 2–4, 2026. Friday opens with MEDUZA³ and a sunset set from LP Giobbi. On Saturday, Ben Böhmer plays a sunset set before Stephan Bodzin performs live. Sunday closes the weekend with Steve Angello and a sunset club set from Bob Moses. Elsewhere on the lineup, Ashibah, Eve Lauren, and Tripolism are also confirmed. The wider program includes Aftours, Amanda Simpson, Anthony Romano, Malcolm Zeller, Sanvero, Sebi Luca, and several more artists.
EDC Korea
Dates: October 3–4, 2026
Location: INSPIRE, South Korea
EDC Korea returns to INSPIRE on October 3–4, 2026, with house, trance, techno, bass, and hard dance across the weekend. Saturday includes DJ Snake, ILLENIUM B2B Dabin, Ben Nicky Presents Xtreme, Brennan Heart, Coone, and Dimension. R3HAB, Sara Landry, Subtronics, and SVDDEN DEATH are also confirmed. Meanwhile, Bassrush Experience and an Insomniac Records Takeover appear on the Saturday program. Sunday features 999999999, Alok, Aly & Fila, Argy, FISHER, Kayzo, Nifra, and Tiësto. TOKiMONSTA, Vini Vici, W&W, and Wooli also join the second day.
Experts Only at the Gorge
Dates: October 3–4, 2026
Location: Gorge Amphitheatre, Washington
Experts Only at the Gorge brings John Summit’s Experts Only brand to Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington on October 3–4, 2026. John Summit leads the weekend alongside Cassian, Daniel Allan, Devault, Hamdi, Jackie Hollander, and KETTAMA. Before the main event begins, the EO Base Camp Pre-Party is scheduled for October 2. Layton Giordani is currently confirmed for that party, with additional names still to come. Across the full weekend, the music covers house, techno, and bass with a compact lineup centred on the Experts Only roster and its regular collaborators.
Starlight Festival
Dates: October 8–11, 2026
Location: Giza and Cairo, Egypt
Starlight Festival brings four days of events to Giza and Cairo from October 8–11, 2026. The main festival is held near The Pyramids of Giza on October 9–10. A welcome party takes place in Cairo on October 8, followed by a farewell party on October 11. The first main day features Adriatique, Indira Paganotto, Pete Tong, Vintage Culture, and WhoMadeWho with a hybrid DJ set. Awen, BiiA, Charlie Sparks, and Coco & Breezy are also confirmed. On day two, Charlotte de Witte, Michael Bibi, and Enrico Sangiuliano lead the lineup. Meanwhile, Deer Jade, Fiona Kraft, Floyd Lavine, Layla Benitez, and Olympe also perform.
Chill O’posite Festival
Dates: October 8–10, 2026
Location: Dahab, Egypt
Chill O’posite Festival brings electronic music, live performances, and hybrid sets to Dahab from October 8–10, 2026. The lineup includes 47 Soul, AIWAA, and Aly Fathalla performing live. Blacky, Jad Halal, Nico Morano, Sama’ Abdulhadi, Tia, and Tony L Issac are also confirmed. Several B2B sets appear across the three days. These include BĪSU B2B Welson, Borio B2B Shika, and Kotoe B2B Madmotormiquel. Meanwhile, Chitati, Karamell, Menna Hussein, Molotof, Netam, and Nubatronic add more live performances to the program.
Niteharts
Dates: October 9–11, 2026
Location: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, California
Niteharts will run for three days at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego from October 9–11, 2026. Presented by ISOxo and Knock2, the festival covers bass, trap, electronic, and alternative music. The lineup includes Knock2 B2B DJ Snake, ISOxo, ISOKNOCK, RL Grime, Hamdi, 2hollis, and LYNY. Porter Robinson will also perform a DJ set. Elsewhere, Flava D, Jane Remover, Frost Children, Devault, Underscores, and Daine are confirmed. Nitepunk, Control Freak, Borne, Yaego, and Thaiboy Digital & Swedm® also appear across the weekend.
Head Trip
Dates: October 10–11, 2026
Location: Empire Polo Club, Indio, California
Head Trip makes its debut at Empire Polo Club in Indio on October 10–11, 2026. Saturday features Calvin Harris, Under Construction: FISHER + Chris Lake, and Peggy Gou B2B Four Tet. Seth Troxler B2B Ben Sterling is also confirmed for the first day. Sunday follows with Swedish House Mafia, Skrillex, and Dom Dolla B2B KETTAMA. The Blessed Madonna and DJ Harvey also perform on Sunday. Meanwhile, Floating Points’ Sunflower Sound System will be featured throughout the weekend. Presented by Goldenvoice, the new two-day festival adds another major electronic music event to Indio’s calendar.
EDC Colombia
Dates: October 10–11, 2026
Location: Unidad Deportiva Atanasio Girardot, Medellín, Colombia
EDC Colombia holds its inaugural edition in Medellín on October 10–11, 2026, at Unidad Deportiva Atanasio Girardot. Saturday features Above & Beyond, Alesso, Alok, ARTBAT, Astrix, Chase & Status, and deadmau5. ILLENIUM, Jamie Jones, Maceo Plex, Miss Monique, and Richie Hawtin are also confirmed. In addition, Dreamstate Presents and Factory93 Presents appear on the festival program. Sunday includes 999999999, Afrojack B2B Green Velvet, Armin van Buuren, Boris Brejcha, and CamelPhat. Kaskade, Nico Moreno, Restricted, Subtronics, Sullivan King, and Vintage Culture also perform on day two.
No Art Lisbon
Dates: October 10, 2026
Location: Passeio Marítimo de Algés, Lisbon, Portugal
Following a sold-out edition last year, No Art Lisbon is back in the Portuguese capital on October 10, 2026. The one-day lineup includes Adriatique, ANOTR, Jennifer Loveless, Klin Klop, and SG Lewis. Franky Rizardo B2B Mau P adds a collaborative set to the program. With six acts currently listed, the event keeps its schedule more focused than many of October’s multi-day festivals. The Lisbon date also adds another European stop to No Art’s 2026 calendar.
AMF
Dates: October 24, 2026
Location: Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands
AMF returns to Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on October 24, 2026, for its annual one-night event during Amsterdam Dance Event. The 2026 lineup currently features Afrojack, Amelie Lens, Armin van Buuren, ARTBAT, D-Block & S-te-Fan, Korolova, and Marlon Hoffstadt, with more artists still to be announced. David Guetta is also confirmed to bring The Monolith to the AMF stage, adding his large-scale live production to this year’s edition. The festival is scheduled from 8 PM until the early hours of the following morning, continuing AMF’s long-running place on the final Saturday of Amsterdam Dance Event and bringing several different sides of electronic music together inside one of Amsterdam’s largest venues.
Escape Psycho Circus
Dates: October 30–31, 2026
Location: Southern California
Escape Psycho Circus returns to Southern California on October 30–31, 2026, for two nights of electronic music across five stages. Friday’s The Big Top lineup includes Benny Benassi, Cascada, Cloonee, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, KREAM, MORTEN, NERVO, and Steve Aoki, while Bassrush hosts Sewer District with Excision, Getter, Kai Wachi, and Level Up. Feeding Grounds brings harder styles with AniMe, Coone B2B DJ Isaac, Darren Styles, Frontliner, Lady Faith B2B LNY TNZ, and Showtek, while The Cage features Adam Ten, DJ Tennis, Jamie Jones B2B Franky Rizardo, and Joseph Capriati B2B SOSA. Saturday continues with Alok, Disco Lines, Galantis, Ian Asher, JOYRYDE, Maddix, and Zedd at The Big Top, alongside Adventure Club, Dabin, Dr. Fresch, Liquid Stranger, 999999999, Funk Assault, Indira Paganotto, Nina Kraviz, Richie Hawtin, Avalon Emerson, Champion, DJ Heartstring, and Malugi across the other stages. With house, bass, hard dance, and techno spread across the Halloween weekend, Escape Psycho Circus closes October with one of Insomniac’s biggest seasonal festivals.
BOO! Seattle
Dates: October 30–31, 2026
Location: WAMU Theater, Seattle, Washington
BOO! Seattle returns to WAMU Theater in Seattle, Washington, on October 30–31, 2026, with three themed stages and more than 50 DJs and performers across Halloween weekend. Friday’s lineup includes AMP, Casey Club, Champion, DJ Heather, Elderbrook with a DJ set, Gramatik, GRiZ, James Hype, Levity, LYNY, OMNOM, Ravenscoon, TroyBoi, Walker & Royce, and Westend. Saturday continues with A Little Sound, AZYR, Cloonee, Getter, Hannah Laing, Hershe, It’s Murph, Kayzo, Morgan Seatree, Sara Landry, Subtronics, Taiki Nulight, Taylor Torrence, Wuki, and YDG. With house, bass, techno, and harder electronic styles spread across two nights, BOO! Seattle gives the Pacific Northwest another major Halloween festival option at the end of October.
BOO! Arizona
Dates: October 30–31, 2026
Location: WestWorld of Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona
BOO! Arizona takes place at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, on October 30–31, 2026, with two themed stages across Halloween weekend. Friday’s lineup includes 2DY4, Capochino, Deorro, Fieldz B2B Mile32, Hydes, Kompany, Maddix, Marie Vaunt, PEEKABOO, Restricted, Sippy, Virtual Riot, Zedd, and Zoe Gitter. Saturday continues with ACRAZE, Aja Cruz, Alyssa Jolee, The Chainsmokers, Dombresky, Gravagerz, Heyz, James Hype, Jay Prior, JSTJR, Level Up, Luci, Papajan, Samplifire, Seven Lions, and TRYM. With house, bass, techno, and harder electronic styles spread across both nights, BOO! Arizona gives Scottsdale another large Halloween weekend event at the end of October.
Hocus Pocus Miami
Dates: October 30–November 1, 2026
Location: Factory Town, Miami, Florida
Hocus Pocus Miami returns to Factory Town in Miami, Florida, from October 30–November 1, 2026, for three nights across five stages during Halloween weekend. The lineup includes Chase & Status, ChaseWest, Cassian, Gorgon City, Indira Paganotto, Jamie Jones, Joseph Capriati, Kerri Chandler, Layton Giordani, Marco Strous, MEDUZA, Odd Mob, Prospa, Purple Disco Machine, Seth Troxler, Skream, William Kiss, and Yanamaste. Several collaborative sets are also listed, including Funk Assault (Chlär B2B Alarico) and Vic Prydz >>> Franky Rizardo, while Apollonia, Ayybo, Azzecca, Beltran, Berbrakka, Chris Stussy, Cole Knight, Danny Daze, DJ Boring, Hudson Mohawke, Jayda G, Malugi, Mary Droppinz, Salomé Le Chat, Slam, and VTSS appear elsewhere across the three-night program. With house, techno, bass, and underground electronic music spread throughout Factory Town, Hocus Pocus Miami extends the Halloween festival calendar into the first night of November.
Ritvales
Dates: October 31–November 1, 2026
Location: Parque Norte, Medellín, Colombia
Ritvales returns to Parque Norte in Medellín, Colombia, from October 31–November 1, 2026, for two days covering techno, trance, house, melodic electronic music, and live performances. Saturday’s lineup includes Aly & Fila, Anetha, Ayybo, Carl Cox with an extended set, Ciaran McAuley, Dubfire, Guy J, Kobosil, LAVERN, Mauro Picotto, Paul van Dyk with an extended set, Somewhen, SPFDJ, Sven Väth, Tripolism, and WhoMadeWho with a hybrid DJ set. Sunday continues with Adam Beyer, Ben Böhmer live, Cloonee, Collabs 3000 (Chris Liebing B2B Speedy J), Crystal Waters live, Eli Brown, HI-LO B2B XXXXXX, I Hate Models, Klangkuenstler, Lilly Palmer, Massano, Marcel Dettmann, Oliver Heldens, Seth Troxler, Stephan Bodzin live, Supergloss, Victor Ruiz, and X CLUB. Stage hosts across the weekend include 44, Carl Cox Invites, and SHINE Ibiza, giving Ritvales one of the broader electronic lineups spanning the final day of October and the first day of November.
From major North American festivals including Breakaway Utah, We Belong Here Central Park, Experts Only at the Gorge, III Points Miami, Escape Psycho Circus, and BOO! Seattle to international events such as 808 Festival, EDC Korea, Starlight Festival, EDC Colombia, AMF, and Ritvales, October 2026 brings electronic music festivals to cities across North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. Halloween events, city festivals, multi-day weekends, and one-day shows fill the month, with lineups covering house, techno, trance, bass, drum & bass, hard dance, melodic electronic music, and more.
Visit our EDM Festival News section to stay updated on the latest announcements and lineup releases.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
-
EDM Music3 weeks agoNew EDM Friday Sep 18: HALŌ, HUGEL, Sara Landry & More
-
EDM Festival News3 weeks agoLost Lands Announces Full Set Times and Streaming Details
-
EDM Festival News3 weeks agoTomorrowland Winter 2027 Dates and Ticket Sales Announced
-
EDM Music2 weeks agoNew EDM Friday Sep 25: Charlotte de Witte, Armin van Buuren & More
-
EDM Music4 weeks agoNew EDM Friday Sep 11: David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Skrillex & More
-
EDM news4 weeks agoTiësto Revives ‘In Concert’ for 2027 Stadium Show
-
EDM Festival News4 weeks agoDjakarta Warehouse Project Unveil First Lineup Phase For DWP 2026
-
EDM news3 weeks agoNoisia Announces Return with Amsterdam Comeback Show
