Editorial
S2O Thailand 2026: A Closer Look At This Year’s Festival
S2O Thailand 2026: A Closer Look At This Year’s Festival as Bangkok hosted another three days of water, headline DJs, and packed crowds.
Every April, S2O Thailand sits right in the middle of Songkran, when the whole city is already soaked and crowded, so by the time you reach the festival, it feels like a continuation of what’s happening across Bangkok, not a separate event. For 2026, the move to S2O LAND in Ratchada changed the setup straight away, with a more central location near MRT Thailand Cultural Center and a site that had more going on beyond just the main stage. This year also brought in more local elements across the space, including the Speed Stage, which added something different to the usual S2O setup and gave the weekend more range than previous editions. The crowd reflected how far the festival has grown, with a clear mix of Thai attendees and international visitors who were already in the city for Songkran. The lineup matched that scale as well, with several first-time moments across the three days, including the debut of Alan Walker B2B Steve Aoki’s LONELY CLUB and the Asia debut of Don Diablo’s CTRL ALT DELETE, alongside names like Zedd, Kygo, and GRYFFIN across the weekend.
From LONELY CLUB to Kygo at S2O Thailand 2026, How the Sets Played Out Across the Weekend
The biggest difference across S2O Thailand 2026 came from how many styles were packed into the lineup across all three days, not just in names but in what people were actually hearing on site. Opening with the debut of Alan Walker B2B Steve Aoki’s LONELY CLUB immediately gave Day 1 a real talking point, because it is not the kind of pairing people expected to see debut in Thailand, especially during Songkran. That set brought together Alan Walker’s melodic catalogue alongside Steve Aoki’s festival-driven selections, which is why it became one of the most discussed parts of the opening day. That contrast continued through the weekend, where Lost Frequencies and Dabin brought more melodic and vocal-led sets, while I Hate Models and SIDEPIECE took things in a harder and more club-facing direction without the lineup feeling disconnected.
By Day 2, Don Diablo’s CTRL ALT DELETE stood out for a different reason, not only because it was the Asia debut, but because of how production-focused the set felt compared to others on the lineup. It was not centred on the usual festival formula, which is why the crowd reaction was instant once it got going. That same day also worked well with Zedd, whose set was more rooted in tracks people already knew and were waiting to hear, giving the night a different pace from Day 1. The difference between those two sets showed that the festival was not trying to keep every part of the weekend in the same lane, and that came through clearly once you were in the crowd watching how each set followed the other.
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The final day moved into a more melodic close with Kygo and GRYFFIN, which became one of the strongest parts of the weekend. Kygo’s return to Bangkok carried extra weight, especially since his last solo Bangkok show dates back to 2018, not a festival appearance of this scale. His set also had live moments that changed the feel of the night, bringing out Justin Jesso for Stargazing and sharing the stage with GRYFFIN for Save My Love. Earlier in the day, Da Tweekaz added another side to the lineup, especially through their Avicii moment around Waiting For Love, which connected immediately with the crowd. Across all three days, that mix of melodic names, harder sets, and first-time projects gave this year’s S2O Thailand lineup more range than a standard festival run.
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What S2O Thailand 2026 Offered Beyond the Lineup
Beyond the DJs, S2O Thailand 2026 felt more like a full site than just a stage and a crowd, and that stood out once you moved away from the main area at S2O LAND in Ratchada. The Speed Stage wasn’t a side feature you glance at once and leave. It pulled people in. Standing at the edge and looking down while cars and bikes rode the vertical wall, you could feel the engine noise and see how close everything was to the barrier. People stayed there for a while, filming, reacting, waiting for the next run. It changed the pace of the night because it gave you something completely different to focus on for a few minutes before heading back into the crowd.
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That same feeling carried across the rest of the venue, where it didn’t feel like you had to stand in one place all night. There were small moments happening everywhere. Balloon darts, people trying again after missing, groups gathering around the Viking boat ride as it swung back and forth, others walking between booths just to see what was happening next. It had more of a carnival feel this year, not in a forced way, just in how people were actually using the space. The brand areas played into that. Crocs had people stopping, trying things on, taking photos. Singha had games that people kept going back to instead of walking past once. Merge had giveaways that got people involved, not just watching from the side. You could step away from the main crowd and still feel like something was happening around you, and that made a difference across the three days because it broke up the night without taking you out of it.
How S2O Thailand 2026 Comes Together as a Full Festival Experience
Looking at S2O Thailand 2026 as a whole, it feels less like a single event and more like something that now runs across different cities while still being tied to Songkran in Bangkok. The Bangkok edition still gets the most attention because of when it happens and what it’s connected to, but it is no longer the only version people are watching. You could notice that this year through the crowd, with more international visitors planning trips around the festival instead of it being mostly local. The lineup, the scale of the site, and everything happening around the venue all pointed in that direction, where Bangkok remains the main stop, but not the only one shaping what S2O Thailand represents.
That becomes clearer when you look at what’s coming next. S2O Taiwan 2026 is already set for June 13–14 at Dajia Riverside Park in Taipei, keeping the same format in a different city and at a different time of year. It shows how the festival is now moving between locations instead of being tied to one place, while still keeping water and electronic music at the centre of it. Even with that expansion, the Bangkok edition still feels like the one everything connects back to, especially because of its link to Songkran. After this year, it feels like S2O is growing outward, with Bangkok as the point people still measure the others against.
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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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