NEW YORK’S BEST-KEPT CLUB SECRET TURNS ONE, SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY LINEUPS ANNOUNCED

The September programme features Natasha Diggs, Deep Dish, The Martinez Brothers, Chris Liebing and Rodriguez Jr. Live, alongside residents Victor Calderone and David Morales, with more leading names joining the line-up.

One year after opening its doors between East Williamsburg and Bushwick, Refuge NYC has already made an inedible impression on the scene and now marks its first anniversary with a month-long programme of special events that celebrates not just where the club has been, but where it's heading.

Running throughout September, Refuge's Anniversary Season brings together some of the most respected names in underground electronic music, culminating in a landmark birthday weekend from 25–27 September. The programme reflects the venue's music-first philosophy and pairs foundational house artists with carefully curated new school innovators that have helped Refuge establish itself as one of New York's most talked-about underground destinations. Importantly that has all been through word of mouth from those who have been, rather than empty hype. 

In just 12 months, the 500-capacity venue has already earned an international reputation because it offers an authentic alternative to the traditional nightclub model. With no VIP areas, no bottle service and a singular focus on sound, programming and the dancefloor, Refuge has become a rare space where the music remains the centre of attention, not least through its superb resident DJs and commitment to the long-form musical storytelling that defined New York’s golden era. 

At the heart of the venue is its custom-built REX analogue sound system, designed by renowned sound engineer Craig "Shorty" Bernabeu. Rather than treating the club as a finished project, Bernabeu and the Refuge team have spent the past year continually refining every element of the experience. The sound system is in a constant state of evolution, with bespoke analogue EQs, carefully sourced vintage JBL tweeters and ongoing acoustic improvements ensuring the room continues to develop month after month. Even the DJ booth monitoring has been redesigned to improve artist performance, while the wooden dancefloor is meticulously sanded on a regular basis to allow for exactly the right amount of slip for dancers. 

That relentless attention to detail has become Refuge's defining characteristic and September marks the moment Refuge opens the next chapter and invites a wider audience to discover one of New York’s most distinctive dance spaces. 

The Anniversary Season opens on 5 September with trance and prog legends Gabriel & Dresden before welcoming an exceptional month of artists including the evergreen house stalwart David Morales for a 12-hour set, CLR's dark techno lord Chris Liebing, plus Natasha Diggs, Future.666, David Löhlein, Vanjee, Gorje Hewek, Volen Sentir, Rodriguez Jr. Live, The Martinez Brothers, Two Shell, Black Asteroid, Akua, Ahadadream, Coffintexts, Serge Devant, John Dimatteo, Shorty, Deep Dish, Victor Calderone, and Brothers Macklovitch (A-Trak & Dave 1).

The celebrations culminate during the anniversary weekend which will be headlined by an exclusive open-to-close set from Deep Dish on 25 September, followed by John Dimatteo and Shorty on 26 September, before closing with Victor Calderone at sunrise and Brothers Macklovitch aka A-Trak & Dave 1 on 27 September.

Refuge NYC First Anniversary Season

SAT 09.05 | DAY

Gabriel & Dresden

SAT 09.05 | NIGHT + AFTERHOURS

David Morales (12 hour set)

SUN 09.06 | DAY

Natasha Diggs

SUN 09.06 | NIGHT

David Morales

MON 09.07

Future.666

David Löhlein

THU 09.10

Vanjee

FRI 09.11

Gorje Hewek

Volen Sentir

SAT 09.12 | DAY

Rodriguez Jr. (Live)

SAT 09.12 | NIGHT

The Martinez Brothers

THU 09.17

Two Shell

FRI 09.18

Chris Liebing

Akua

Black Asteroid

SAT 09.19 | DAY

Ahadadream

Coffintexts

SAT 09.19 | NIGHT

Special Guest TBA

SAT 09.20 | SUNRISE

Serge Devant

FRI 09.25

Deep Dish (open to close)

SAT 09.26

John Dimatteo

Shorty

Special Guests TBA

SUN 09.27 | SUNRISE

Victor Calderone

SUN 09.27 | NIGHT

Brothers Macklovitch (A-Trak & Dave 1)

REFUGE NYC

366 Ten Eyck Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11206

For more information on REFUGE head to: refuge.nyc / @Refuge.NYC

AFEM SYKO DROPS NEW ACID-LACED TECHNO CUT “BREAK” ON SPEEDMASTER RECORDS

Speedmaster's latest offering transcends genre norms, as DJ and producer Afem Syko blends acid synth textures, with trance charged techno energy

Berlin-based techno luminary Afem Syko unleashes his newest single “Break”, out on all streaming platforms today. This is the latest offering from Speedmaster Records, the faster, dancefloor focussed sub-label of TRIBE, the label and collective founded by Colombia-born, Berlin-based electronic music prodigy Funk Tribu.

Known for his magnetic stage presence and masterful DJing, Afem Syko has earned a devoted global following. Blending techno, drum and bass, and trance, he crafts a diverse soundscape that evokes deep emotion. Forthcoming single “Break” captures Afem Syko’s ability to blur the lines between genres, resulting in a club ready, high energy sound. Acid tinged synths are layered over a pulsating groove, with the “Break” vocal sample weaving through the production, adding a human element to the track.

Following the release of Funk Tribu’s very own “LIFE” EP on TRIBE earlier this month, alongside a host of singles on Speedmaster Records from the likes of DJ Gueslist, DJ Traytex and Frankie Elyse - the whole TRIBE universe is firmly on the rise. A collective focussed on community, platforming artists and their emotionally led club music, with a compelling visual language forming a key part of their creative world. The steady drumbeat of much-anticipated releases by fans is matched with immersive club events across Europe and beyond, taking over cities such as Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and more with “TRIBE Presents”.

Afem Syko has been on a strong run, recently collaborating with anonymous electronic artist The Rocketman. The DJ and producer has been showcasing his sound across leading festivals and clubs such as Unreal, RSO, Virage and E1, and will feature on the lineup at Funk Tribu’s “Day & Night” takeover at Knockdown Centre in New York this October.

One of electronic music’s most exciting collectives on the rise, TRIBE puts the dancefloor first, and its faster sub-label Speedmaster Records is no different. Their latest offering is another major addition to its releases, with Afem Syko’s acid infused club cut, masterfully blending gritty, nostalgic synths with driving 4x4 percussion, giving the track a distinctly techno leaning edge.

Afem Syko - “Break” is out today on Speedmaster Records via all streaming platforms.

Afem Syko is a rising force in Berlin’s avant-garde techno scene, known for his emotionally charged sound and boundary-pushing productions. His debut EP on R Label Group marked his entry into the next generation of electronic artists. As a skilled DJ, he crafts intense, hypnotic sets that blur the line between genius and madness, captivating audiences worldwide. His music fuses techno, drum and bass, and trance, creating a dynamic interplay of euphoria and darkness. With upcoming releases on major labels, Afem Syko continues to evolve, shaping the future of electronic music.

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FUTURFESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ITS FINAL LINEUP FOR ITS DEBUT MEXICO EDITION

FEATURING ÂME DJ B2B MARCEL DETTMANN, ANNA B2B DEER JADE, CARL CRAIG B2B MOODYMANN, CHLOÉ CAILLET, CLOONEE, DAMIAN LAZARUS, DENNIS CRUZ B2B DJ TENNIS, DIPLO, DIXON, DJ HOLOGRAPHIC, FJAAK, FRANCIS MERCIER B2B MAHMUT ORHAN, KI/KI, LILLY PALMER, MACEO PLEX B2B TIGA, PACO OSUNA, SKREAM, STOOR LIVE [JAKOJAKO, MATHEW JONSON, SPEEDY J], TRIPOLISM, VINTAGE CULTURE + MORE
 

PARQUE FUNDIDORA IN MONTERREY 

56 artists, 14 B2Bs and four Mexican premieres will mark the festival’s first edition outside Europe. Born in Turin, FUTUR FESTIVAL will bring to Monterrey a vision built around music, club culture and creative freedom.

On November 13 and 14, Parque Fundidora will host FuturFestival’s first edition outside Europe. Born in Turin in 2009, the festival has for years been recognized by specialized media, industry experts and international rankings as one of the 10 most important electronic music festivals in the world. 

The festival’s arrival in Mexico represents much more than a new date on the international festival calendar. It marks the meeting of two cities — and two spaces — that share a unique history: Parco Dora in Turin and Parque Fundidora in Monterrey. Both former industrial sites that have found a second life as spaces for culture, connection and new generations, the shared history makes Fundidora a natural setting for FuturFestival to begin its next chapter.

The first Mexican edition will bring together 56 artists, 14 B2Bs and four Mexican premieres, creating a lineup that connects different generations and scenes within electronic music.

Artists who have helped shape the history of the genre — including Carl Craig, Moodymann, Dixon, Âme, Damian Lazarus, Maceo Plex, Tiga, Skream, FJAAK and Vintage Culture — will share the stage with artists currently taking club culture into new territories, including Diplo, Paco Osuna, DJ Holographic, Echonomist, Marie Montexier, Cloonee, KI/KI and Lilly Palmer.

More than a collection of names, the lineup offers a journey through the different eras, geographies and sounds that have shaped contemporary electronic music.

B2Bs are one of FUTUR FESTIVAL’s defining signatures, and Monterrey will feature pairings including Carl Craig b2b Moodymann, Âme DJ b2b Marcel Dettmann, Maceo Plex b2b Tiga, Dennis Cruz b2b DJ Tennis and Francis Mercier b2b Mahmut Orhan, alongside Adiel b2b Quest, Airrica b2b Yulia Niko, ANNA b2b Deer Jade, Iñigo Vontier b2b Paurro, Jackson b2b Lilya Mandre and Massano b2b Volkoder.

Four experiences will make their Mexican premiere: Carl Craig b2b Moodymann, Adiel b2b Quest, DJ Holographic and STOOR Live.

The program is further expanded by live projects from AAAA, Metrika and Opuntia, as well as STOOR Live featuring JakoJako, Mathew Jonson and Speedy J — bringing improvisation, hardware, technology and sonic experimentation into the festival experience.

The festival’s arrival in Mexico is further supported by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Mexico, strengthening the relationship between the two countries through music, creative industries, innovation, investment and entertainment.

This story also includes a partnership with Nat5, bringing a regenerative environmental model into the festival experience. Through this initiative, a percentage of every ticket sold will be allocated to nature regeneration projects, supported by mechanisms designed to track and measure the resulting impact.

FUTURFESTIVAL MÉXICO arrives in Monterrey with a story built over years, a program that brings together different generations of artists, and a vision connecting music, culture, innovation and regeneration.

On November 13 and 14, Parque Fundidora will become the meeting point.

The story began in Turin.

The next chapter begins in Monterrey.

FUTUR IS IN MEXICO.