Claptone

From:“Another universe.”

DJ style:“House.”

Best known for:“The Masquerade parties in Ibiza and beyond.”

Although his true identity has remained a secret throughout his illustrious career, Claptone’s music is as instantly recognisable as his golden mask. Releasing music for over a decade, it was early hits such as ‘Cream’ that skyrocketed him to fame. Of late, his Masquerade parties have found a home in some of the world’s most respected clubs, including a residency at Amnesia in Ibiza this summer inviting the likes of Roger Sanchez, Solardo, Paul Woolford, Lee Foss and Purple Disco Machine to play alongside him. His label Golden Recordings was launched last year as a platform to release his own music and act as a springboard to support new and emerging talent. This year alone saw releases by Lars Moston & Kristofson, Kideko, Crusy and his single ‘Come With Me’ in March. It’s been a non-stop 12 months for Claptone, including “travelling the world and watching hundreds of thousands of dancers and starting preparation for my next album”, he reveals. It will be his fourth studio album, following ‘Closer’, ‘Fantast’ and his debut ‘Charmer’, that all previously came on London-based label Different. In October and November, The Masquerade will also embark on a South American tour to Lima (Peru), Argentina and Chile. The mystique of Claptone continues.

Fave tune of 2024?

“Crusy ‘Feels Like Summer’.”

Rising star DJ/producer of 2024?

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Faustix

From:Denmark

DJ style: “Big techno.”

Best known for: “Collaboration with Diplo, Faustix, Imanos and Kai called ‘Revolution’.”

Everything about 2024 was big and bold for Faustix. The Danish dance music lifer found a new sound over the course of the past year, where ropey and dramatic arpeggios dart in and out of brash techno kicks and every drop feels like barreling down a dopamine rollercoaster. Each release seemed to push the envelope further and further — from the soaring emotions of ‘Lead Me To Love You’ with vocalist Mougleta to ‘All My Friends Are Hot’, whose cheeky vocal flip (“All my friends are hot and only listen to techno”) was the perfect summer festival anthem. Add to that a teased remix of Belgian Stromae ‘Alors on danse’ and it’s clear that 2024 was, without a doubt, the year Faustix found a whole new groove.

While he’s certainly been busy in the studio, Faustix has also played everywhere — from 13,000 person raves in the middle of Copenhagen to gigs on the Faroe Islands. Faustix, in other words, hasn’t taken his foot off the gas for even a second. And, with each gig and release, he is testament to how much people still love pumping, hard-edged techno.

Fave tune of 2024?

“Dash Berlin ‘Till The Sky Falls Down’, it’s an all-time classic and still gets me