Editorial
Subtronics Leads EDM Artists In Spotify Stress Relief Study
Subtronics Leads EDM Artists In Spotify Stress Relief Study as bass music appears across playlists linked to stress, anxiety, and burnout
Subtronics leads Spotify stress relief study as a new Tebra report places him at No. 1 among EDM/electronic artists in an analysis of public Spotify playlists linked to stress, anxiety, burnout, overthinking, and decompression. The study reviewed 155,626 track entries across 560 playlists, using search terms such as “anxiety,” “burnout,” “calm down,” “decompress,” “destress,” “overthinking,” and “stress relief” to examine how listeners use music during mentally heavy periods. Subtronics ranked ahead of Illenium and David Guetta in the EDM/electronic category, while the overall playlist data was led by names including Drake, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd. His placement in the playlist makes the study more interesting for electronic music because it pushes beyond the expected idea of stress-relief playlists as soft pop, acoustic tracks, ambient music, or slow background listening. Instead, it shows that some listeners are also turning to bass music when they want something more direct, intense, and separate from whatever they are dealing with.
Subtronics Leading The EDM List Says Something Specific About Why Listeners Turn To Bass Music
Subtronics ranking first among EDM/electronic artists matters because of how the Tebra study was built. The report reviewed 155,626 track entries across 560 public Spotify playlists, using search terms tied to stress relief, anxiety, burnout, calm down, decompress, destress, and overthinking. That means the finding was not based on one official playlist, one editorial placement, or one fan-made list gaining attention. It came from repeated appearances across playlists that listeners had already connected to mental pressure and emotional reset. In the EDM/electronic category, Subtronics ranked ahead of Illenium and David Guetta, which gives the top three more context because they represent different parts of dance music. Illenium is widely associated with melodic bass and emotionally direct songwriting, while David Guetta connects the category to mainstream dance, pop collaborations, and festival records. Subtronics leading that group places heavier bass music at the front of a playlist study many people might have expected to favor softer electronic sounds.
The wider study also shows that stress-related listening is not limited to one mood or one genre. Across all analyzed playlists, Drake, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd appeared most often, while survey respondents named Linkin Park, Adele, and Taylor Swift as the artists they personally turn to for stress relief. That contrast matters because it separates public playlist behavior from direct listener responses, giving the study more depth than a simple artist ranking. In that context, Subtronics leading the EDM/electronic list does not read like a random bass music headline. It fits into a bigger pattern where listeners choose music for focus, familiarity, emotional release, or a clear mental break, even when the sound is loud or intense. For bass music fans, a Subtronics track can do that through detailed sound design, sharp rhythm changes, and low-end pressure that holds attention more directly than background music. The study does not prove that bass music lowers stress in a clinical sense, and the wording should not suggest that. What it does show is that heavier electronic music is showing up inside playlists built around stress relief, anxiety, burnout, and decompression, making Subtronics’ placement a useful window into how EDM listeners organize music around their daily state of mind.
The Science Behind Bass Music As Stress Relief, From Tempo To Drops
Bass music can make sense in stress relief listening because it gives the brain a clear sequence to follow. Dubstep and modern bass music often run around the 140 BPM range, while the drum pattern is commonly felt in half-time, closer to a 70 BPM pulse. That combination creates a slower physical groove inside a faster track, which is part of why bass music can hold attention without sounding calm. For listeners dealing with stress, that structure can matter. A Subtronics track often goes from build-up to pause, then into a heavy drop, rhythm switch, and second drop, giving the listener a series of cues that keep attention on the music. Tracks such as Amnesia, Alien Communication, and Black Ice show that pattern clearly, with sudden cuts, bass changes, and drop sections that keep the ear engaged. Music psychology research often explains listening as a form of emotion regulation, where people choose songs to shift mood, distract from stress, process emotion, or match what they are already feeling before moving through it. In that sense, bass music does not need to sound soft to serve a stress-related purpose. For some listeners, the tempo, tension, and drop structure can give overthinking something else to follow.
The physical side of bass music is also where the science becomes useful for this article. In a 2022 Current Biology study titled Undetectable very-low frequency sound increases dancing at a live concert, researchers added very-low-frequency bass during a live electronic music performance, switched those frequencies on and off, and measured audience movement through motion capture. The crowd moved 11.8% more when the added bass frequencies were present, even though participants could not consciously detect when those frequencies were being used. This does not prove that a Subtronics track clinically lowers stress, but it does give the article a stronger scientific link between bass music and physical response. When a track builds tension, cuts briefly before the drop, then returns with a heavier bass pattern, the body has a rhythm to respond to, which can make the experience feel more active than quiet stress-relief music. In the context of Tebra’s playlist study, Subtronics ranking ahead of Illenium and David Guetta suggests that some listeners are adding heavier electronic tracks to stress relief playlists because they want music that gives them focus, movement, and a stronger break from mental fatigue.
Subtronics’ Discography Gives The Bass Music Finding More Range
Subtronics ranking first in the EDM/electronic category makes more sense when his catalog is viewed beyond one or two heavy tracks. Before TESSERACT, his discography already included projects such as Cyclops Army, Wooked on Tronics, Scream Saver, and String Theory, which helped establish his place in modern dubstep through strange edits, sharp bass patterns, and tracks made for crowd response. FRACTALS then gave that sound a full album format, with tracks such as O.P.U.S., Spacetime with NEVVE, Cabin Fever, Open Your Mind (Anthology 999), Gassed Up with Flowdan, Gummy Worm with Boogie T, and Cyclops Rocks. These records matter to the stress relief discussion because they do not all work the same way. Some lean into heavier, more chaotic drops, some use vocals as an entry point, and others focus on groove, bass phrasing, or quick production details instead of a straightforward melodic release.
His later album work adds more context because Subtronics has kept expanding the range of his bass music across full-length projects. TESSERACT was released in 2024 with 16 tracks, including Cottage Gore, Only Star You See with Caitlyn Scarlett, Amnesia, Afternoon Coffee (Slide) with Ronzo, Parabola Paradox (Slap It) with Kwengface, Alien Communication, and Asteroid with Excision. Fibonacci followed in 2025 as an 18-song project on Cyclops Recordings, with tracks such as Oblivion, Mothclaws, Brass Danger, Stratosphere, Lock In with Wooli, Brain Squeak, Final Breath with A Little Sound, Infinity with Grabbitz, Anxious, Nothing Between, and Got Away. That wider catalog gives the Tebra finding a more specific musical reason. Subtronics is not appearing in this conversation through one familiar single or one festival drop. His music gives bass listeners several entry points, from vocal-led tracks and album cuts to heavier dubstep records, which helps explain why his name could appear across playlists tied to stress relief, anxiety, burnout, and decompression.
What Subtronics, Illenium, And David Guetta Show About Electronic Dance Music’s Place In Stress Relief Listening
The rest of the EDM/electronic ranking also helps explain why this finding matters beyond Subtronics alone. Illenium appearing second makes sense because his music is already close to emotional release, with melodic bass, vocal-focused records, and festival tracks that listeners often connect to personal memories or difficult periods. David Guetta appearing third points to a different kind of familiarity, where mainstream dance records, pop collaborations, and festival hooks become part of how listeners return to songs they already know. Together, the top three show that electronic dance music is not being used in one fixed way on stress relief playlists. Some listeners turn to melodic bass for emotional catharsis, some return to familiar dance records for comfort, and others choose heavier bass music when they want something more physical and direct.
hat is what makes the Subtronics ranking a useful marker for where stress-relief listening may be going next. The Tebra study does not turn bass music into a clinical solution, and it should not be framed that way. What it does show is that listeners are building stress-related playlists with more range than the usual idea of calm music suggests. As electronic dance music continues across festivals, streaming habits, workout playlists, gaming culture, and everyday headphone listening, stress relief may become less tied to one sound and more tied to what a listener needs at the time. For some, that may still be a soft song or a familiar vocal. For others, it may be a Subtronics track with enough tempo, bass, and movement to give their attention somewhere else to go. That shift gives bass music a more serious place in the discussion, not as therapy, but as one way electronic music listeners are using sound to reset, decompress, and work through stress.
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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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