Weekend Festival makes its return to Espoo, bringing over 60 artists for an unforgettable experience this August.

A total of over 60 Finnish and foreign artists will perform at the Weekend Festival, which will be held on the first weekend of August in Espoo, Finland. The headliners for the Weekend are Dutch DJ superstars Armin van Buuren and Hardwell, Germany’s most successful international solo artist of all time Robin Schulz, and Fisher, who was nominated for a Grammy for his hit ‘Losing It’, and was chosen by DJ Mag as the best house DJ of the year.

“Weekend is much more than just music. Throughout our history, we have wanted to offer visitors a comprehensive experience where music combines with unique visuals. Weekend has always emphasized stage structures in addition to top performers. For example, our main stage is a custom-built entity unprecedented in Finland, which is over 50 meters wide. The stage’s spectacularity is complemented by over 250 square meters of LED screens and over 200 light and laser devices and about 200 litres of fog fluid will be used each night to cover the festival area with the perfect laser haze,” says Weekend Festival‘s Marketing Director Atro Anttila.

The last of the four artists taking to the Vermo stage in Espoo were announced today, namely YOTTO, Orkidea, Yamo, LUMI, C4KE, Gas Gas and Howlan.

Among the artists being announced now, YOTTO is one of the most famous Finnish EDM producers around the world. His songs have been streamed hundreds of millions of times, and his music has been supported by all the leading media in the world of electronic music and numerous world leaders.

Orkidea has been one of the most prominent DJs/Producers in the Nordics since the early 1990s. He is known for his style that mixes trance and house, and his most famous songs, such as ‘Unity’ and ‘Nana’, have been played by the likes of Armin van Buuren and Eric Prydz.

Belgian Yamo celebrates 25 years in the music business this summer. He is extremely popular in Central European clubs and is also a regular performer at the Tomorrowland festival. He has been on the Tomorrowland stage for 16 consecutive years and has also performed at Tomorrowworld USA, Tomorrowland Brazil and Tomorrowland Winter.

Finnish DJ/producer LUMI is a figure who combines intellectual and introspective techno. In addition to her DJ skills, LUMI‘s choral and piano background is evident in his music, where her own vocals are present alongside fascinating studio productions.

More Than Music: Discover Espoo, the Home of Weekend Festival

Beyond the world-class music experience, Weekend Festival offers an unforgettable setting in Espoo — Finland’s second-largest city, located just outside the capital Helsinki. The festival site features four custom made stages, dedicated food courts, chill-out areas, and a VIP Tribune, creating the perfect balance between high-energy entertainment and comfortable relaxation. With a wide range of nearby hotel accommodations and excellent public transportation, Weekend Festival is easily accessible for both domestic and international visitors.

Espoo is more than just a festival destination — it’s a unique fusion of urban innovation and untouched nature. The city boasts 58 kilometers of coastline, over 100 lakes, 165 islands, and the renowned Rantaraitti coastal trail. Just a short trip from the festival grounds, you’ll find Nuuksio National Park, a stunning natural escape of forest trails, lakes, and wildlife – ideal for hiking, canoeing, or simply unwinding in the quiet of Nordic wilderness.

As a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and education, Espoo is home to some of Finland’s top universities, research centers, and tech companies, offering a vibrant atmosphere for young people and global thinkers alike. Whether you’re here for the beats or to explore beyond the festival, Espoo invites you to experience its blend of creativity, culture, and nature.

Weekend ticket prices will increase on Tuesday, July 15th. All published artists and other festival information can be found at https://www.wknd.fi/

Why ‘Take Me There’ Is the Perfect First Chapter for 1001 Recordings

Take Me There marks the debut release on 1001 Recordings, the new label created by 1001Tracklists and Tomorrowland Music. The track brings together Sick Individuals, Matisse & Sadko, and Third Party in a long-awaited collaboration rooted in progressive house.

Their history includes years of back-to-back sets, festival moments, and shared fanbases. This release reflects a clear direction from the label: to highlight productions that are built for real-world play and backed by artist-driven community support.

 

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A Long-Awaited Collaboration That Feels Personal

I’ve seen all three of these artists live, and that’s part of what makes this release feel special. Sick Individuals at VOID Club earlier this year brought back a lot of early progressive house memories.

 

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Third Party have been a personal favorite for years. I’ve caught them multiple times, with their recent set at VOID Water Fest still fresh in my head. Matisse & Sadko also performed at that same event, and seeing them live was a reminder of how much emotion they pack into every drop.

 

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These DJs have crossed paths before, both on lineups and behind the decks. They’ve played back-to-back sets in different combinations over the years, especially at festivals across Europe and Asia. The chemistry has always been there. “Take Me There” marks the first time all three names are on one official release, and it somehow manages to sound exactly like what longtime fans might have hoped for.

This isn’t just another track. It’s the debut release on 1001 Recordings, a new label launched by 1001Tracklists and Tomorrowland Music. That makes this drop even more symbolic: a progressive house collaboration chosen to set the tone for an entire new imprint rooted in community-driven curation. For anyone who grew up watching these artists evolve across platforms like 1001Tracklists and Tomorrowland’s stages, it’s a full-circle moment.

A Collaboration Years in the Making

While this is the first official release featuring all three names together, Third Party, Matisse & Sadko, and Sick Individuals have already shown their chemistry onstage. Most recently, they went back-to-back-to-back at World DJ Festival Korea 2025, where the crowd erupted when “Take Me There” played. That moment quickly circulated across social media, especially among progressive house communities, confirming that this was more than just a live set teaser.

 

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These artists have shared stages before. Matisse & Sadko and Third Party have delivered multiple back-to-back sets over the years, including special appearances on One World Radio and at European club shows. Sick Individuals has also consistently played in similar lineups and festivals, often with overlapping fan bases and similar emotional build-ups in their sets. Their connection through progressive house has always been clear. This collaboration simply made it official.

Now that “Take Me There” is out, it feels like a long-awaited payoff for anyone who followed those live performances. It is not just a one-time linkup. It captures years of shared history and musical alignment, brought together into a track that already proved its power live before ever being released.

Why This Collaboration and Label Matter

The release of “Take Me There” is more than just three names on a track. It represents a meeting point of styles that have shaped progressive house for over a decade. Third Party’s emotionally charged builds, Matisse & Sadko’s melodic precision, and Sick Individuals’ festival-tested arrangements all come through clearly in the final product.

As the first release on 1001 Recordings, the track also sets the tone for what the label aims to do. By spotlighting collaborative productions tied to real-world DJ set moments, 1001Tracklists and Tomorrowland Music are grounding the label in the community that has supported these artists from the start.

For fans of progressive house, this moment is a reminder that the genre is still evolving, still uniting artists, and still finding space in major festival sets worldwide. “Take Me There” is a timestamp in that journey.

MOGA Essaouira confirms first 2025 lineup with iconic artists and cinematic backdrop.

MOGA Festival is set to return to Essaouira, Morocco from October 1 to 5, 2025, bringing with it a carefully curated mix of electronic talent. The first phase of artists includes Bonobo (DJ set), Apollonia, Arapu, Cabanne, Janeret, Folamour, Nitefreak, Priku, and Saoirse. Once a filming location for Game of Thrones and Star Wars, Essaouira offers more than just music. It’s a setting layered in history and cinematic allure, and MOGA’s sixth edition continues to honor that unique cultural backdrop by combining music, wellness, and local experiences in one of Morocco’s most atmospheric cities.

Photography by Eddy Hubble @hubble_photo for Here & Now @wearehereandnow

A Festival Experience Across Historic Streets and Ocean Views

The 2025 edition of MOGA Essaouira opens on October 1 and 2 with the OFF program, inviting attendees to explore the city’s UNESCO-listed medina through art installations, workshops, wellness sessions, and DJ pop-ups. These opening days take place across Essaouira’s historic center, where scenes from Game of Thrones and Star Wars were filmed. From the stone ramparts overlooking the Atlantic to the maze of narrow streets, the setting blends history and contemporary music culture.

The main portion of the festival runs from October 3 to 5 at Hôtel le Golf d’Essaouira & Spa. There will be four stages named Main, Garden, Wild, and Terrace. More than 70 artists from around the world are scheduled to perform across these three days, with music running from 2 PM until 3 AM. Festivalgoers can spend the afternoon by the pool, walk through palm-lined paths between sets, or stay late into the night for deeper sounds under the stars. The entire experience is built around a sense of place and discovery, rather than large-scale spectacle.

Photography by Eddy Hubble @hubble_photo for Here & Now @wearehereandnow

Photography by Eddy Hubble @hubble_photo for Here & Now @wearehereandnow

Lineup Highlights Across House, Minimal, and Global Sounds

The 2025 lineup brings together a well-balanced mix of international and local talent rooted in house, minimal, and Afro-electronic styles. Artists already announced include Apollonia, Bonobo (DJ Set), Bedouin, DJ Tennis, Folamour, Arapu, Janeret, Priku, Patrick Mason, Saoirse, and Moblack. The selection reflects the festival’s focus on depth and variety rather than popularity alone.

Local representation includes artists such as Zulu Nawfel, Adassiya (live), and Yaya (MA), offering regional sounds alongside a global cast. Performances span both daytime and late-night hours, across four distinct stages: Main, Garden, Wild, and Terrace.

As the full schedule continues to take shape, MOGA remains consistent with its identity. Rather than relying on big-name trends, the curation leans toward artists with distinctive approaches and a strong connection to the culture of the festival.

More Than a Festival, A Cultural Destination