Junction
Returning to our original home, the inimitable Boston Manor Park, this years edition is set to be the boldest Junction 2 yet, as we gather our energy from recent years to present a collective experience to live long in the memory.
Having confirmed a host of familiar favourites alongside new members of the Junction 2 family, we are now in a position to announce the first names joining us in July. This year also sees a renewed focus on alliances, with 23 DJs delivering spellbinding back to back sets. The pairings have all been chosen to allow the artists to fully express themselves, creating a truly unique experience, both in the booth and on the dancefloor.
Friday 21st July
Underworld Live
DJs A-Z
Ben UFO b2b Helena Hauff, Daphni b2b Hunee, Dixon, DJ Stingray 313 b2b Objekt, Elkka b2b Sofia Kourtesis, Jeff Mills, KT, Mall Grab b2b Skin on Skin, Midland, Mona Yim, Or:la, Otik, Storm Mollison
Music Partner: ION
We begin the festival with an eclectic bill that bridges the gaps between strains of house, bass and techno and the classic sounds that have come before it. Notably, Underworld make their long-awaited return to London and their first performance in their home city in 4 years. Armed with new material alongside the timeless classics released across a near 40 year long career, the influence of Karl Hyde and Rick Smith on electronic music cannot be understated. The enduring effects of their no-limits sound are still felt today, so we cannot wait to welcome them to Boston Manor Park for an exclusive and very special live set.
They will be joined by the original Detroit techno icon Jeff Mills, for his long-awaited Junction 2 debut. As he continues to push the boundaries of the dark art, traversing between space-age, hypnotic atmospherics and banging, destructive techno, Mills is someone who has kept dancefloors on their toes his entire career. Utilising four decks alongside his trusty 909, Jeff will no doubt take the Junction 2 faithful to places they have never been to before.
Alongside these two titans of the scene, we have a collection of DJs known for their bold, risk-taking choices behind the decks and dedication to their sound, with many playing back-to-back. These include Helena Hauff and Ben UFO, playing their first B2B for many years, which fans of their celebrated set at Sonar 2016 will be pleased to hear; house and disco masters Daphni and Hunee, whose synergy behind the decks is a joy to behold; highly respected technical wizard Objekt, who joins forces with Detroit electro legend DJ Stingray 313, Elkka teams up with Sofia Kourtesis, whilst Mall Grab and Skin on Skin go head to head, bringing with them some of the hardest hitting techno slammers of the day.
Aside from these duos, the bill also features a range of artists holding the fort on their own, including Innervisions head-honcho Dixon on his hugely anticipated return to Boston Manor, bringing his signature style of house with him.
Newcomers include Midland, who is constantly cementing his integral status within UK club culture; Or:la, whose star has not stopped rising since her phenomenal Boiler Room debut back in 2017; producer wunderkind Otik, plus Mona Yim, KT and Storm Mollison, all of which are hotly tipped for a bumper 2023.
All-in-all, Friday takes influence from the heyday of techno, through to the inclusion of some of its current leading lights and fastest risers. Theres something for everyone to enjoy, whether youre drawn to sun-soaked disco excursions or the hardest-hitting strains of techno.
Saturday 22nd July
DJs A-Z
Adam Beyer Cirez D, Asch Pintura, Astra Club (Carlita B2B DJ Tennis), Charlotte de Witte, Dax J, DJ Holographic, Enzo Siragusa b2b Dyed Soundorom, Fjaak, Gene On Earth b2b The Ghost, Hessle Audio Trio, Kessie, Margaret Dygas b2b Sonja Moonear, Nina Kraviz, Praslesh (Raresh b2b Praslea), Sama Abdulhadi
Music Partner: FUSE
While Friday exhibits a varied range of musical sensibilities, Saturday presents a more streamlined display of artists, with particular focus on the realms of techno, minimal and tech-house.
Adam Beyer returns to Junction 2 once again, a tried and tested platform for the techno titan, having played each year since 2016. This time, however, its a bit different, as the Drumcode boss goes toe-to-toe with fellow Swede Eric Prydz, under his techno moniker Cirez D. The pair have played together many times across the world before, however this UK festival exclusive is the very first time they have ever done so in the Capital. Expect unadulterated techno carnage and an unforgettable musical experience from two of the best to ever do it.
Alongside Beyer and Cirez D is Charlotte de Witte, an artist whose success knows no bounds. Each year, the Belgian continues to build on her musical identity, increasing her fanbase and demand in the process. This has led to headline shows in every major city on earth, including showcases for her KNTXT imprint, an ever-present fixture within the world of techno. Joining us once again after a scintillating performance back in 2017, we are always ready for the journey when Charlotte takes to the stage.
The 2023 edition will also welcome Nina Kraviz back to Boston Manor Park. A techno shapeshifter who has achieved admirable global success through her carefully curated mixes, productions and releases on her трип imprint, we are over the moon that this singular artist will be joining us once again.
Building on these techno mainstays, this year will also play host to Dax J, a master of the craft in all aspects of his artistry, with near unparalleled commitment to the hardest-hitting techno out there; Sama Abdulhadi, who continues to define and redefine the genre through her use of real-world samples and unique productions; Astra Club, the inspired pairing of Carlita and DJ Tennis, who continue to push their hypnotic brand of house to great effect, and German duo FJAAK, who have achieved world-renowned status through their prolific output and online presence.
Further to this, we are delighted to be partnering with seminal UK label Hessle Audio. Alongside label heads Ben UFO, Pearson Sound and Pangaea will be an array of DJs known for their forward-thinking attitude to DJing and production, specially curated by the trio themselves, to be announced soon.
Continuing the theme of musical collaboration, FUSE arrive at Junction 2 for their first ever festival stage in their home city, where they will showcase a number of B2Bs throughout the Saturday. Firstly, FUSE boss Enzo Siragusa, a true tastemaker when it comes to low-slung, bass-heavy tech house, goes B2B with Dyed Soundorom, one of minimals most prominent and respected DJs. Similarly present within that scene, we are also over the moon to have Sonja Moonear and Margaret Dygas, two of the forms finest selectors, joining us, for whats sure to be a spellbinding display of deftly assembled cuts. Alongside them are the formidable duo that is Raresh and Praslea, performing as Praslesh, plus the deep-digging personalities The Ghost B2B Gene on Earth.
Aside from these B2B pairings are DJ Holographic, purveyor of all things house, the deep-minded Asch Pintura and the Leeds-based Kessie, who brings her eclectic, bass-focused sound to Boston Manor Park for the first time.
Overall, this is Junction 2s most forward-thinking and varied line-up yet, perfectly suited to todays open-minded and ever-changing scene. Returning to home soil once again, this really feels like its going to be something special join us for an unparalleled two-day celebration of underground sonics and the very best electronic music the scene has to offer.
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