Music analysis: Five DJs to look out for this summer
For many people summer time means one thing: festival season.
Although some of the big events like Parklife and Download have already passed, there are still a whole host of festivals coming up, and some of the biggest artists will be performing at them.
Music News Blitz writer and dance music fan Tom Down looks at five of the hottest DJs in the dance music scene right now.
5. Josh Baker
Josh Baker’s name has become synonymous with house music in the UK.
Amassing two million monthly listeners on Spotify, the Manchester-born DJ has been filling crowds for the last few years.
He can be seen as one of the leading figures in modern house music and the huge audience that gathered to see him perform at Parklife is proof of that.
A lot of his summer will be spent performing abroad with many shows in Ibiza and a few in the US, but anyone wanting to see him in the UK will be able to catch him at Reading and Leeds festival.
4. Chase and Status
The iconic duo have been part of the dance music scene for over two decades now, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.
They’ve created some massive drum and bass hits like Baddadan and Backbone as well as producing for artists such as Rihanna, Tinie Tempah and Rita Ora.
Part of their summer touring involves a new concept of performance called Section 63 which debuted in May in London and will make its way to Perth, Australia on June 25.
Section 63 is said to be an immersive, high-energy event that puts the fans at the centre of it all.
Chase and Status will also be performing at Reading and Leeds festival in August this year.
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3. Kettama
Hailing from Galway, Ireland, Kettama has become a huge sensation in dance music.
It Gets Better - Forever Mix and Yosemite are two of his hits that have managed to gain over 40 million streams on Spotify.
The artist shows great versatility by performing a range of genres from speed garage to house music and more.
You can see Kettama at the upcoming Hideout festival in Croatia and he’s also one of the many big names set to perform at Reading and Leeds festival.
2. Silva Bumpa
Silva Bumpa’s rise to fame in the past year could arguably make him the fastest growing DJ at the moment.
His single ‘On 2 Nite’ made it into the UK top 40s chart and the collaboration with MC DT for the single ‘Doin’ it’ blew up online with the “shake your bumpa” trend that saw thousands dancing on TikTok to the song.
The Sheffield producer made a name for himself through a collection of garage, bassline and speed garage hits, but recently has been incorporating more house music elements into his songs.
There are a few opportunities to see him at UK festivals this summer which include Bassfest, Boomtown, Reading and Leeds, Hide & Seek and Creamfields.
1. MPH
If you listen to garage, you’ll be familiar with MPH.
He hasn’t quite yet made the mainstream breakthrough that an artist like Sammy Virji has, but his masterful production and high-skilled ability to DJ would suggest he’s next up.
A huge B2B set saw him alongside Fred Again, Joy Anonymous and Femi from Ezra Collective at Alexandra Palace as part of Fred Again’s USB002 tour.
One of his recent songs, Unconditional, has proved a huge hit and was played by multiple DJs at the Gemfest festival earlier this June.
To see MPH in the UK this summer, you’ll have to head to Bassfest in Sheffield or FVDED In The Park in Surrey.
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