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Back in 2012 inside a Toronto penthouse, a domestic shorthair cat once gazed out over Yonge–Dundas Square, his own face beaming back at him in LED glory from a billboard below. "Do you even fucking know? Do you care?" Joel Zimmerman, better known as deadmau5, recalls asking him of the massive album ad featuring his face. The cat didn't. Typical. But in true deadmau5 fashion, where innovation meets self-deprecation, Meowingtons' indifference didn't stop him from becoming a muse. And now, posthumously, a playable one. Zimmerman has unveiled Meowingtons Simulator, a tribute to his late companion, who sadly passed away in August 2023. Developed under his newly launched Oberha5li Studios banner and powered by Epic Games' Unreal Engine, it's a rhythm-based rag doll game where players control a digitized, dancing Meowingtons in a virtual nightclub. "Meowingtons was basically a rag doll in real life," Zimmerman tells EDM.com. "You'd pick him up and he'd just flop. You could make him dance and he was just cool with it, which was really funny." A famous 1935 thought experiment by the theoretical physicist Erwin Schrödinger illustrated the oddity of quantum mechanics by imagining a cat in a sealed box that is simultaneously alive and dead until someone observes it. Like Schrödinger's cat, Meowingtons now exists in its own quantum state of parody and poignancy. But don't mistake Meowingtons Simulator for therapy in disguise. While it does function as a sort of eulogy in code, it's more so a seedbed for Zimmerman's big ambitions with his new game development studio. "It's not a grief process or coping mechanism," he insists. "Meowingtons lived to be 16. That's pretty alright, so it's not like 'woe is me.' I processed it in a day, maybe two. It happens." Ever since Zimmerman got into game development, he says, he's been learning about rag doll physics in Unreal Engine. One of his earliest experiments was building a cat model that behaved and looked like his own, the first prototype of which was a low-poly kitty with no fur, flopping around with the grace of a drunk sock puppet. When activated by the cue button, the cat transitions from procedural animation into rag doll mode, where its movements are entirely governed by gravity and physics. Zimmerman compares the dynamics to a concept he admits is "really dark": imagine holding a lifeless cat by its head and tail, then watching it flop around as though it's "nodding to the beat." The sim's rag doll physics create the illusion of the cat dancing to the music, akin to a puppet's movements, but without showing the strings. Zimmerman likens it to the unsettling realities behind the production of hot dogs: it works, but it's better not to ask how. deadmau5) and Oberha5li Studios It's the kind of thing that only someone who's spent years in Unreal Engine forums and nerding out over real-time audiovisual mechanics can appreciate. That passion led him to meet Aaron McLeran and Max Hayes, Epic Games' Lead Audio Programmer and Senior Audio Programmer, respectively. They worked on the bleeding-edge Quartz subsystem, a sample-accurate timing engine that syncs audio with precision far beyond standard frame rates. Zimmerman emphasizes the need for hyper-precise synchronization between audio and visual elements to avoid lag in game engines, where even minuscule misalignments are noticeable. In most games, he explains, visuals are rendered at a relatively low rate of between 60 and 120 frames per second. However, audio operates on a much finer timescale, at 48,000 samples per second, which means audio events can happen in sub-microsecond intervals. This massive difference, which he refers to as a "chasm," makes it difficult to tightly sync visual cues with specific audio samples, like a kick drum or snare hit. That's where the processing of Quartz came in. Running parallel to Unreal Engine, the tech, for which Zimmerman has a deep fascination, essentially acts as a reliable metronome for audio within it. The system enabled him to cue visuals and gameplay events exactly in time with the music, even at unconventional tempos with pesky decimals like 128.6 BPM. "So it's that technology that really drove me to [game creation] and finding these different use cases," he says. "Then it was a marriage of, let's take my rag doll cat and attach it to the port system so that every beat, the handle would go up. And if I changed the BPM up and down, the cat would perfectly be in sync. And I thought, 'This is funny as hell. I should make a game.'" The "Meowingtons Simulator" game from Oberha5li Studios co-founders Joel Zimmerman (deadmau5) and Cameron Rockey.Oberha5li Studios But this wasn't just about noodling with the physics of a noodle-legged cat. Despite the hilarity of it all, Zimmerman realized early on that a floppy feline wasn't quite a game. So he brought in veteran programmer Cameron Rockey, who added multiplayer features, cosmetics and, perhaps most crucially, a sense of community. "What are the little things we can add to build a community feel?" Rockey recalls asking. Under his direction, what began as a quirky, simplistic simulator quickly evolved into a more immersive, socially-driven experience. One of the first things he did was replicate dance variables across players' cats so everyone could jam out together, even if they were listening to different tracks. "The cats in the nightclub are synchronized to your local music rather than us sharing the music," Rockey explains. "So you could be hanging out together, but doing something different at the same time." Rockey, who has over two decades of dev experience, then layered in leaderboards and a "mau5head builder" that lets players assemble custom deadmau5 helmets using collectibles gathered around the map. "We started adding more and more little features like that for the community to do and customize their experience within Meowingtons, but staying on-brand for deadmau5," he says. The "Meowingtons Simulator" game.Oberha5li Studios While the co-founders' passion for game creation drives the project forward, its development process remains refreshingly unpretentious at its core. Behind the expanding features and growing fan involvement lies a partnership unburdened by corporate game development conventions—just two avid creators following their instincts. "Don't get me wrong. I like to think I'm pretty talented, and I know Cameron's very talented with game design," Zimmerman says. "But we're just two dudes fucking around on Discord and making a game." That's underselling it. After fetching an estimated $55 million through Create Music Croup's acquisition of his timeless music catalog, he says he has big plans for Oberha5li Studios, which is shaping up to be much more than a passion project. "We're at our first little thing and I anticipate growing this company over the next couple of years," Zimmerman says. "Maybe two years from now, I'll be 10 employees deep and we'll have a bigger, more AAA-looking title on the go. So the ambition is high." Meowingtons Simulator is available now on Steam.

The electronic music community is constantly evolving with new sounds inspired by the scene of yesteryear. EDM.com's weekly Fresh Picks series discovers new music and unearths influential tracks that help define the underground dance scene. You can find the below tracks on EDM.com's Fresh Picks Playlist. Follow to stay up-to-date and submit tracks for consideration here. EDM.com Fresh Pickssalute, Rina Sawayama - saving flowersKeenan Mathias - Get OverArlo, fknblnde - Full Moon Eyesinformal - thebaddest (CHEEKS happy hour flip)chromonicci - Forward.Mistress Moon - Playing GamesMax Cooper - Scalar (HAAi Ramix)Cameo Blush - Luckybad tuner, Miette Hope - in heavenFlaws - how does it feelMistress Moon - Playing GamesBabsy., Davis - Young AgainBrume - Free Your Mindaerin - FLICKER

Atlantic Records has lifted the hood on F1: The Album, the forthcoming soundtrack to Apple Original Films' Formula 1 movie, and it’s a turbo-charged celebration of EDM's tightening grip on the motorsport world. The genre has long flirted with Formula 1's flair for spectacle, but the relationship goes full-throttle with this soundtrack. Dom Dolla leads the charge with “No Room for A Saint," marking another milestone in his own F1 crossover journey following his headlining performance at LIV on the Grid during the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. Other dance music producers on the soundtrack include Peggy Gou with her kinetic reimagining of "D.A.N.C.E"; Dutch icon Tiësto, who teamed up with Sexyy Red for the boisterous "OMG!"; and UK underground staple PAWSA, who was recently named by EDM.com as one of 2024's best electronic music producers. While artists like Ed Sheeran, Tate McRae and Burna Boy round out the score's cross-genre appeal, it's the electronic contingent that underscores a cultural shift that’s been brewing for years. EDM and Formula 1 have been embracing a crossover crescendo in which headliners like Calvin Harris, Martin Garrix and Above & Beyond have become mainstays at Grand Prix weekends from Monaco to Miami. The film is directed by Top Gun: Maverick's Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer alongside seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Starring Brad Pitt, the film blends dramatic fiction with real F1 race footage and cameo appearances from motorsport titans like Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc. Both F1: The Album and the feature film itself drop globally on June 27th. Check out the full tracklist and trailer below. F1: The Album TracklistDon Toliver – Lose My Mind (feat. Doja Cat)Dom Dolla – No Room for a Saint (feat. Nathan Nicholson)Ed Sheeran – DriveTate McRae – Just Keep WatchingROSÉ – MessyBurna Boy – Don't Let Me DrownRoddy Ricch – UnderdogRAYE – Grandma Calls The Boys Bad NewsChris Stapleton – Bad As I Used To BeMyke Towers – Baja CaliforniaTiësto & Sexyy Red – OMG!Madison Beer – All At OncePeggy Gou – D.A.N.C.EPAWSA – Double CMr Eazi – AttentionDarkoo – Give Me Love

Dance music’s tropical house king, Kygo, headlined opening weekend of the new Palm Tree Beach Club, and brand new dayclub at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The venue is a collaboration between Palm Tree Crew – the global lifestyle and entertainment brand founded by Kygo and his manager/entrepreneur Myles Shear – and hospitality titan Tao Group Hospitality. Kygo kicked off his first-ever daylife residency by opening up Palm Tree Beach Club the only way he knows how – with a stellar performance featuring a slew of surprise guests including Ava Max, Justin Jesso, Parson James, Victoria Nadine, and more. He brought along full-scale production that even included his signature grand piano. The star power extended beyond the stage, too, with a host of celebrities in attendance including Sydney Sweeney, Jessica Alba, White Lotus star Patrick Schwarzenegger, J. Balvin and Alesso. Palm Tree Beach Club is set to be the next must see destination on the Las Vegas Strip, with a summer lineup including some of the biggest names in dance music like Alesso, Martin Garrix, Zedd, Fisher, Chris Lake and more. The venue itself is 60,000 square-foot and features a saltwater pool, 12 beach villas and 10 coastal cabanas. For more information on Palm Tree Beach Club, visit their website. Featured image: Denise Truscello The post Palm Tree Beach Club opens in grand fashion with high-energy set from Kygo appeared first on Dancing Astronaut.

As Montréal thaws out from another long winter, the city is once again ready to usher in summer with its beloved open-air event series: Piknic Électronik. The weekly outdoor parties return from May 17 to October 12, serving up a steady dose of Sunday (and long weekend Monday) soirées on Île Sainte-Hélène. With a lineup that spans dance music’s most seasoned acts, Piknic promises another vibrant season on the dancefloor. Whether you’re a university student unbothered by that 8AM Monday lecture or a longtime raver who stretches before every set—Piknic is so back. The 2025 season features 45+ events (with more to come), spotlighting a curated mix of international heavyweights and local legends across the techno and house spectrum. Among this year’s standouts: John Digweed, Boys Noize, AYYBO, Robert Hood, and Hiroko Yamamura, alongside homegrown talents like Misstress Barbara, Priori, and Nymra & Sofisticated, and named Dancing Astronaut‘s 2024 Artist to Watch, Sinca. Piknic kicks off the season over May’s long weekend with a two-day opening celebration, featuring STRYV on Sunday and Enrico Sangiuliano on Monday. Single tickets and season passes are available now, exclusively through Piknic Électronik’s website. For the full 2025 programming, check out their Instagram post below. Featured image: William Wachter The post Piknic Électronik scores with 2025 season lineup: Boys Noize, Enrico Sangiuliano, Hiroko Yamamura and more appeared first on Dancing Astronaut.

Robert Baugh, who’s joined Dynamic Talent as an agent. Photo Credit: Dynamic Talent Here’s a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of May 9th, 2025. If you have a job shuffle to share, we’re all ears. Send us a note to [email protected]. If you’d like to post a job on our Job Board, just send us a request to [email protected]. And, keep track of all the latest music industry hires here. Range Music Range Music has launched a composer division and announced Kraft-Engel vet Jeff Jernigan as the first hire. Dynamic Talent Dynamic Talent International has opened a new Music City office and brought on former Reliant booking coordinator Robert Baugh as a Nashville-based agent. Downtown Music Downtown Music Publishing has hired former Iconoclast A&R exec Jason Taylor as VP of business development. Additionally, the company has upped 14-year team member Bea Koramblyum to global head of business affairs and VP of business development. AEG Presents AEG Presents Europe has announced Andrew Spencer as COO; the former Frontier Touring chief commercial officer is expected to relocate from Australia to London “this summer.” Boyarski Fritz LLP Boyarski Fritz has boosted Alex Stolls to partner and added the three-year employee to its management team. Horus Music CD Baby vet Rich Orchard has signed on as MD for Horus Music and its Anara Publishing sister company. UMG Nashville 16-year Universal Music higher-up Lori Christian is stepping away from her role as marketing EVP at UMG Nashville. Capitol Music Group Partizan executive producer Sara Nix and Astralwerks exec Joe Mortimer are officially creative SVPs at Capitol Music Group. Rolling Stone Former Billboard president (and Doodles CEO) Julian Holguin is now CEO of Rolling Stone; existing head Gus Wenner has transitioned to executive chairman. View the full article

Galantis is set to bring a touch of folkloric terror to Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre with a Midsommar-themed concert, the DJ announced today. Midsommar is a traditional Swedish festival celebrating the summer solstice by virtue of vibrant communal gatherings with maypole dancing, feasting and Scandinavian folk music. Often associated with pagan roots, it symbolizes renewal and community, though its depiction in Ari Aster's spine-chilling 2019 horror film of the same name casts a darker, fictionalized lens on the rituals. Billed as "Midsommar: All Hallows," Galantis' upcoming show nods to Aster's daylight nightmare, which had viewers rethinking floral crowns and European vacations. Scheduled for November 1st, the one-night-only event promises to blend the Swedish EDM powerhouse's anthemic beats with eerie festival aesthetics—minus the bear carcasses and human sacrifices, we hope. It's the latest in a series Galantis had traditionally presented at the Brooklyn Mirage, attracting over 40,000 fans at eight sold-out shows over the course of the last four years. He'll now head to Red Rocks, where the venue's towering monoliths and natural amphitheater setting will provide quite a backdrop for what he describes as "the crazy Midsommar spirit." While he hasn't specified if attendees should wear white gowns or bring emotional baggage like Florence Pugh's character in the horror film, a press release promises a "dreamlike sensorial experience." "This event means the world to me, I couldn't be happier to bring the crazy Midsommar spirit to one of the most iconic venues, Red Rocks," said Galantis, who also encouraged fans to rock their best costumes."'Midsommar: All Hallows' will be a night to remember." The night will also feature DJ sets by Dillon Francis and Forester prior to Galantis. You can check out a teaser below and purchase tickets here. View the original article to see embedded media. Follow Galantis:X: x.com/wearegalantis Instagram: instagram.com/wearegalantis TikTok: tiktok.com/@wearegalantis Facebook: facebook.com/wearegalantis Spotify: spoti.fi/31COzFD

Insert the Jesse Pinkman / Breaking Bad “he can’t keep getting away with this!” meme here! But the thing is, he rightfully can and deserves to. As if John Summit hasn’t conquered so much of the world already, the Chicago native producer announced that he is set to perform for his biggest crowd yet. Thanks to AEG Presents Rocky Mountains, October 18th, 2025 is about to go down in history. A landmark location for a landmark moment in Summit’s career. He will be playing a jampacked set inside CU Boulder‘s football stadium, Folsom Field, that holds 50,000 attendees. With the Rocky Mountains just in the horizon, it’s going to be a sensation evening for all that are able to make it. Check out the ticket information below! Key On-Sale Info: Presale Registration: Now Open – Register Here Laylo Artist Presale: May 13 at 10am MT – May 15 at 8am MT (PW: LIGHTYEARS) CU Boulder Student Presale: May 14 at 10am MT – May 15 at 8am MT (PW: BUFFS) Local Presale: May 14 at 10am MT – May 15 at 8am MT (PW: GOBACK) General On-Sale: May 15 at 10am MT – CU Buffs Tickets The post John Summit Announces Biggest Career Headlining Show to Date appeared first on EDMTunes.

The name on every Hard Techno fan’s mind: Sara Landry, is joining forces with one of the scene’s most revered innovators, Indira Paganotto to cast a spell with an invigorating collaborative sonic offering – ‘Pressure (Indira Paganotto Remix).’ The addictive new track is akin to throwing gasoline on a fire as it ramps up the energy on an already turbo-charged track that has electrified dance floors across the globe. listeners are plunged into a dark paradise of communion and catharsis. The track fuses Landry’s intense and driving sound with Paganotto’s signature hypnotic psytechno, at nothing short of breakneck speed. An irresistible ode to authenticity and unbridled expression, the track testament to both artists’ rebellious experimentation and boundless artistic vision. Embracing both divinity and humanity, the track’s flippant interplay between light and dark elements embodies a hypostatic spirit, unbound by the confines of genre, BPM or physical realm. Listen here. Marking both the first official remix from Sara Landry’s debut album, Spiritual Driveby, and the duo’s inaugural collaboration, the high-octane rework is born of a true creative kinship. The duo first unveiled the sonic masterpiece together during their iconic back-to-back-to-back set with Amelie Lens at Coachella 2025, during Sara’s Blood Oath DoLAB debut. ‘Pressure (Indira Paganotto Remix)’ encapsulates the indomitable sense of confidence and divinely feminine power intrinsic to the moment, distilling it into one singular, bold, brazen and visionary artistic statement. The post Indira Pagnotto Remixes Sara Landry’s ‘Pressure’ appeared first on EDMTunes.

A live performance from the Pointer Sisters, whose ‘Hot Together’ is riding high after appearing in a Grand Theft Auto trailer. Photo Credit: Rick Kramer Some four decades after its release, Pointer Sisters track “Hot Together” is taking off on Spotify and elsewhere thanks to a Grand Theft Auto trailer appearance. Both Spotify and the Pointer Sisters themselves are touting the sync-fueled streaming ascent of “Hot Together” (1986). According to the platform, that refers to an astonishing 182,000% play-volume boost since the second Grand Theft Auto VI trailer dropped earlier this week. “Grand Theft Auto cuts through popular culture like almost nothing else,” weighed in Spotify global head of editorial Sulinna Ong. “Music has been synonymous with the series since the very beginning, so it’s great to see fans both new and established connecting with an iconic track in this way.” While the popularity surge is impressive, “iconic” might be a bit of a stretch here. The 182,000% consumption hike stemmed in part from a relatively low initial stream count on the track, which didn’t appear at all on 2017’s 36-song The Essential Pointer Sisters. As things stand, “Hot Together” has around 1.04 million Spotify streams, well beneath the totals attributable to established Pointer Sisters hits like “I’m So Excited” (623.4 million) and “Slow Hand” (51.6 million). The GTA 6 trailer’s extensive reach is also worth keeping in mind. On YouTube alone, the official video (meaning the main Rockstar Games upload) is already closing in on 100 million views, compared to 110 million on X and millions more on Instagram. Existing stream total aside, “Hot Together” evidently aligned with Rockstar’s vision for the trailer and the Vice City-set game itself (the track will be in the soundtrack proper). And unsurprisingly, the commercial momentum isn’t limited to Spotify for the Pointer Sisters, who are attracting new fans on YouTube, Apple Music, and different services yet. Nor is this momentum confined to streaming, where, as many know, strong listenership doesn’t necessarily translate into material royalties for artists. As plugged on Shazam, the Pointer Sisters, including 79-year-old original member Ruth Pointer, have several concerts lined up for the remainder of 2025. Time will tell whether continued fan interest in GTA 6 (scheduled to release on May 26th of next year) drives consistent results for the Pointer Sisters among heretofore untapped listener groups. At least in theory, most of those who caught “Hot Together” in the trailer (and subsequently sought out the song on streaming) are new to the act, which released an eponymous debut album more than half a century ago. We’ve seen similar sync situations for media without nearly as much marketing firepower as Grand Theft Auto. Fleetwood Mac rode a viral TikTok trend into Gen-Z superstardom, for instance, and a Stranger Things placement helped Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” top 1.3 billion Spotify streams and counting. View the full article

Your Paradise festival is expanding to the Maldives in 2026. After ten years of premier island music experiences in Fiji, the renowned boutique destination festival will add the tropical South Asian island to its offerings next year, hosting its first international edition at the luxury Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort, set in the Maldives’ stunning Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, from May 11-16, 2026. At the festival’s first-ever second-home, organizers say Your Paradise Maldives will deliver the same experience they’ve shared in Fiji, with curated music, ocean adventures, and intimate crowds in one of the most visually impressive locations on Earth, according to a press release. “This is a new destination, a new culture, and a new way to experience Your Paradise,” organizers wrote. “But it comes with the same soul people have come to know and love.” Unfolding across six days, the event will feature daily performances from a handpicked lineup of international electronic artists, along with wellness offerings, island activities, and golden-hour celebrations on the beach. Before Your Paradise debuts in the Maldives, the festival’s flagship event will return to Fiji this October 23-28, for another week-long music celebration in the South Pacific. Though lineups for both Fiji and the Maldives are yet to be announced, previous editions of Your Paradise have featured sets from FISHER, Skrillex, Bonobo, Patrick Topping, Ben Böhmer, and more since its launch in 2014. Pre-sale registration for Your Paradise Maldives 2026 is now open here. Spaces are limited due to the nature of the island and resort capacity. For more information, visit yourparadise.com. Featured image courtesy: Your Paradise. The post Your Paradise Festival Announces Expansion To The Maldives For 2026 appeared first on EDM Maniac. View the full article

Your Paradise festival is expanding to the Maldives in 2026. After ten years of premier island music experiences in Fiji, the renowned boutique destination festival will add the tropical South Asian island to its offerings next year, hosting its first international edition at the luxury Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort, set in the Maldives’ stunning Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, from May 11-16, 2026. At the festival’s first-ever second-home, organizers say Your Paradise Maldives will deliver the same experience they’ve shared in Fiji, with curated music, ocean adventures, and intimate crowds in one of the most visually impressive locations on Earth, according to a press release. “This is a new destination, a new culture, and a new way to experience Your Paradise,” organizers wrote. “But it comes with the same soul people have come to know and love.” Unfolding across six days, the event will feature daily performances from a handpicked lineup of international electronic artists, along with wellness offerings, island activities, and golden-hour celebrations on the beach. Before Your Paradise debuts in the Maldives, the festival’s flagship event will return to Fiji this October 23-28, for another week-long music celebration in the South Pacific. Though lineups for both Fiji and the Maldives are yet to be announced, previous editions of Your Paradise have featured sets from FISHER, Skrillex, Bonobo, Patrick Topping, Ben Böhmer, and more since its launch in 2014. Pre-sale registration for Your Paradise Maldives 2026 is now open here. Spaces are limited due to the nature of the island and resort capacity. For more information, visit yourparadise.com. Featured image courtesy: Your Paradise. The post Your Paradise Festival Announces Expansion To The Maldives For 2026 appeared first on EDM Maniac. View the full article

Dance music has always been about transcendence, but Lincoln Jesser is taking that concept to entirely new frequencies – literally. His latest single “Paradise” continues the LA-based producer’s fascinating exploration of what happens when club culture meets consciousness expansion. Following his breakthrough track “Quema Quema,” this new offering delves even deeper into what Jesser has dubbed “Healing House” – a movement he’s been cultivating through worldwide tours that blend infectious house grooves with something far more intentional. While most producers obsess over the perfect kick drum, Jesser’s busy tuning his entire production to the solfeggio “miracle tone” (528 Hz) and embedding Delta-wave binaural beats throughout the track’s DNA. This isn’t just musical aesthetic – it’s spiritual technology disguised asMentored by Grammy-winning sound healer Jonathan Goldman, Jesser approaches production with a level of intentionality rarely seen in club culture. “Paradise” functions both as an infectious house track and as a delivery system for frequencies believed to promote healing and higher states of consciousness. “There is a quote by one of my most beloved teachers, Paramahansa Yogananda, that says ‘By the practice of meditation, you will find that you are carrying within your heart a portable paradise,'” Jesser explains. The track’s mantra-like lyrics – “You are my paradise, I can’t deny, you make me high” – aren’t about romantic love or chemical substances, but rather connecting with one’s Higher Self. This fusion of ancient wisdom and modern production techniques has struck a chord with audiences worldwide. Jesser’s Healing House concept has evolved from an experimental idea into a full-fledged movement, with fans gathering not just to dance but to participate in a collective experience of elevation. What makes Jesser’s approach particularly revolutionary is how seamlessly he integrates these spiritual elements without sacrificing dancefloor functionality. “Paradise” doesn’t require a meditation cushion to enjoy – it works just as effectively in packed clubs as it does in personal practice. This accessibility might be Jesser’s most impressive achievement – creating music that serves both the body and the spirit simultaneously. The post Lincoln Jesser Finds ‘Paradise’ at the Intersection of House and Healing appeared first on Dancing Astronaut.

Photo Credit: Lainey Wilson by KSON San Diego The Academy of Country Music 60th awards ceremony took place last night—hosted by 16-time winner Reba McEntire. Here’s a peek at this year’s winners. The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM), presented by Prime Video and Dick Clark Productions, took place last night in Frisco, Texas to celebrate the year’s biggest accomplishments. The show opened with a 12-minute all-star set celebrating the 60th anniversary with performances of ACM Songs of the Year from decades past. Host Reba McEntire sang “Okie from Muskogee,” followed by Clint Black singing, “Rhinestone Cowboy,” Wynonna Judd singing “Why Not Me,” LeAnn Rimes singing “Blue,” Little Big Town singing “Girl Crush,” and Dan + Shay singing “Tequila.” As for the night’s accolades, Lainey Wilson took home the night’s highest honor, Entertainer of the Year—her second year in a row earning the highly coveted title. Wilson clocked four wins overall, while Ella Langley led the night in total wins with five. Riley Green took home three awards for his collaboration with Ella Langley, “you look like you love me,” while country mainstay Alan Jackson received the inaugural Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award. Brooks & Dunn won Duo of the Year, marking their first win in the category in 15 years, and their 17th win overall in the category. Old Dominion took home ACM’s Group of the Year award, their eighth consecutive win in the category, pushing them past Rascal Flatts for the most consecutive wins in that category. Meanwhile, Chris Stapleton won ACM Male Artist of the Year marks his second consecutive win for the title and his fifth overall. Jessie Jo Dillon won Songwriter of the Year, her second win after securing the title in 2024. First time winners this year included Texas native Cody Johnson, who won Song of the Year for “Dirt Cheap,” Zach Top with New Male Artist of the Year, and The Red Clay Strays with New Duo or Group of the Year. Interestingly, country superstar Morgan Wallen seemed to ditch the ACM Awards in favor of hanging out with former NFL quarterback Tom Brady. Images of him tossing a football with the Super Bowl champ on a golf course appeared on his Instagram stories around the time the ACM Awards were set to begin. Wallen was among the most nominated artists this year, alongside Ella Langley, Cody Johnson, and Lainey Wilson—but he didn’t get any wins. After her appearance in a pixie-cut bob at this year’s Met Gala, actress Nicole Kidman stunned at the ACM Awards with her signature long hair as she accompanied husband Keith Urban. Urban was honored with the coveted ACM Triple Crown Award, while Chris Stapleton, Megan Morony, and Brothers Osborne paid tribute to him with a melange of some of his greatest hits. These included “Stupid Boy,” “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” and “Where the Blacktop Ends.” Urban joined Brothers Osborne on stage for the latter. The Academy of Country Music Awards were established in 1966 and remain as the longest-running Country Music awards show. In 2022, the event made history as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream, in collaboration with Amazon’s Prime Video. View the full article

Cyprus’ BEONIX festival is bringing the best of house and techno to the Mediterranean Coast. The three-day celebration is back on the shores of Limassol from September 19-21, unfolding throughout ETKO, an expansive open-air venue on the site of a historic former winery, with a deep performance roster of genre greats. A collection of global dance music’s most influential names will headline BEONIX 2025, including trance legend Armin van Buuren, renowned Swiss melodic duo Adriatique, masked minimal tech master Boris Brejcha, techno darling Anfisa Letyago, and Afro house sensation Shimza, plus underground heroes like Maceo Plex, Dubfire, Roger Sanchez, Kevin Saunderson, and Len Faki. The rest of the 50-strong lineup features a vast pool of underground staples like NYC’s Avision, Toronto’s Carlo Lio, Aussie techno powerhouse Juliet Fox, German producer-DJ Yulia Niko, and a live set from Detroit legends Octave One, as well as collaborative pairings like Casey Spillman B2B Seb Zito and Axel Haube B2B Ross Quinn, among others. Check out the full lineup below. Performances at this year’s festival will take place across four stages, the Main Stage, Hangar Stage, Organic Stage, and Garden Stage, each featuring its own carefully tailored atmosphere with immersive art and lighting design, world-class sound, and breathtaking visuals, according to a press release. Last year’s event welcomed more than 25,000 attendees across three days, as part of the BEONIX team’s continued efforts to turn the island of Cyprus “into a global hub for electronic music enthusiasts,” organizers wrote. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit beonix.art/tickets. Featured image courtesy: BEONIX. The post Cyprus’ BEONIX Festival To Host House & Techno Greats On Mediterranean Coast appeared first on EDM Maniac. View the full article

Cyprus’ BEONIX festival is bringing the best of house and techno to the Mediterranean Coast. The three-day celebration is back on the shores of Limassol from September 19-21, unfolding throughout ETKO, an expansive open-air venue on the site of a historic former winery, with a deep performance roster of genre greats. A collection of global dance music’s most influential names will headline BEONIX 2025, including trance legend Armin van Buuren, renowned Swiss melodic duo Adriatique, masked minimal tech master Boris Brejcha, techno darling Anfisa Letyago, and Afro house sensation Shimza, plus underground heroes like Maceo Plex, Dubfire, Roger Sanchez, Kevin Saunderson, and Len Faki. The rest of the 50-strong lineup features a vast pool of underground staples like NYC’s Avision, Toronto’s Carlo Lio, Aussie techno powerhouse Juliet Fox, German producer-DJ Yulia Niko, and a live set from Detroit legends Octave One, as well as collaborative pairings like Casey Spillman B2B Seb Zito and Axel Haube B2B Ross Quinn, among others. Check out the full lineup below. Performances at this year’s festival will take place across four stages, the Main Stage, Hangar Stage, Organic Stage, and Garden Stage, each featuring its own carefully tailored atmosphere with immersive art and lighting design, world-class sound, and breathtaking visuals, according to a press release. Last year’s event welcomed more than 25,000 attendees across three days, as part of the BEONIX team’s continued efforts to turn the island of Cyprus “into a global hub for electronic music enthusiasts,” organizers wrote. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit beonix.art/tickets. Featured image courtesy: BEONIX. The post Cyprus’ BEONIX Festival To Host House & Techno Greats On Mediterranean Coast appeared first on EDM Maniac. View the full article

UK techno heavyweight Eli Brown has released his latest single, ‘Wavey’, out now via Insomniac Records. Known for his high-energy productions and dynamic performances, Brown’s upcoming track is poised to be a festival mainstay this season. The track has been previewed during Brown’s official Instagram and TikTok account, generating anticipation among fans. ‘Wavey’ marks another collaboration between Eli Brown and the Insomniac Music Group, following previous releases on its underground imprint, Factory 93 Records, such as the Escape EP and the high-octane track ‘Gasoline’ with Lilly Palmer. ‘Wavey’ continues Brown’s exploration of the Hypertechno genre, blending trance-inspired synths with driving techno beats. The track features a distinctive synth motif with rapid portamento slides, building tension that culminates in a powerful, trance-like riser leading into the final drop. In a recent interview, Brown emphasized his commitment to creating music that stands out “My music needs to have something uniquely memorable,” he stated. “Whether it’s a vocal, a synth sound, or whatever, my music needs something uniquely memorable“ With major performances lined up at festivals like Coachella, EDC Korea, Ultra, EDC Las Vegas, 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for Brown. ‘Wavey’ is expected to be a highlight in his sets, delivering the raw energy and memorable hooks that fans have come to expect. You can listen to the track down below: The post Eli Brown Drops New Techno Weapon ‘Wavey’ via Insomniac Records appeared first on EDMTunes.

Spotify, the major music and podcast streaming platform, is testing a new function for premium subscribers. This new Snooze option allows users to hide tracks they have on recommendations for about 30 days. This serves as a short break from hearing the track if it’s too overplayed. Snooze And Other Updates The option will pop up for users once they decide to hide a track, removing it from the recommendations for 30 days. Although the option is only available for premium subscribers at the moment, the platform will open it to more listeners eventually. The hide button is also seeing an upgrade. Now, the button will remove a track from recommendations across all your devices, instead of a single device. Moreover, the premium user queue enjoys a couple of upgrades. The new design includes Smart Shuffle, Shuffle, Repeat, and Sleep Timer options. After the queued-up tracks end, subscribers will have access to Spotify’s recommended tracks. A new edit includes an improvement for mobile playlist management. This involves new buttons like Add, Sort, and Edit at the top of each playlist. Users in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa can now turn liked tracks into new playlists with an added Create button at the bottom-right of the screen. This will help you build playlists or join shared ones. The Create button also allows you to listen to music with friends and access AI playlists. Lastly, Spotify added an update to the desktop app, allowing users to check out previews of tracks, playlists, albums, and artists just like one can on the mobile app. The post Spotify Tries Out New Function: Snooze Tracks From Playing Too Much appeared first on EDMTunes.

Photo Credit: Tingey Law Attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs plan to claim there was mutual violence between Combs and ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who is expected to testify as a star witness for the prosecution. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo told US District Judge Arun Subramanian during a hearing that he plans to show there was mutual violence between Sean “Diddy” Combs and Casandra “Cassie” Ventura. Ventura is expected to testify against Combs as a star witness for the prosecution. Judge Subramanian seemed reluctant to allow the defense to introduce evidence of alleged violence on Ventura’s part, but said he would rule on the issue on Monday. A jury of 12 New Yorkers is also set to be finalized on Monday ahead of opening statements. Initially, jury selection was due to wrap on Friday, but Judge Subramanian pushed it back to Monday over concerns that jurors might drop out over the weekend if the panel was finalized as originally planned. On Monday morning, a pool of 45 prospective jurors will be narrowed down to 12, with six alternates. This phase is expected to last less than an hour, with opening statements set to follow. The 55-year-old Combs has pleaded not guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, all of which are felonies. If he is convicted, he could face life in prison. He has been held without bail in a federal facility in Brooklyn since his arrest in September. As the trial gears up, Judge Subramanian admonished lawyer Mark Geragos—notably not on Combs’ defense team—for referring to the prosecutors in the case as a “six-pack of white women” in comments on a podcast last week. In a May 2 episode of “Two Angry Men,” a podcast he co-hosts with TMZ founder Harvey Levin, Geragos remarked that the racial and gender composition of the prosecution team was “interesting.” “That’s something that you shouldn’t, that no one should be saying as an officer of the Court and a member of the bar,” Judge Subramanian told Geragos on Tuesday before jury selection resumed. “Referring to the prosecution in this case as a six-pack of white women is outrageous.” While Geragos is not representing Combs in the trial, his daughter, Teny Geragos, is one of Combs’ defense attorneys. He asserted he was not trying to interfere with the case, but that defendants had a right to respond to “negative pre-trial publicity.” “When you’ve got a Black man who’s being prosecuted, and the client feels like he’s being targeted, it’s […] an observation,” said Geragos. Prosecutor Christy Slavik remarked that with millions of subscribers to Geragos’ podcast, “the danger of [his] statements infecting the jury pool, I think, is very serious.” Subramanian concluded that he will be monitoring comments made on the podcast as the trial continues. View the full article

Words by Alex Lambeau, Zach Salafia, and Ross Goldenberg. Martin Garrix & Mesto – Limitless (Arcando Remix) Things have officially come full circle for one of Dancing Astronaut‘s Artists to Watch in 2025. Exactly a year removed from Martin Garrix unsuspectingly including Arcando’s “Jungle” remix in his Ultra 2024 tracklist, Garrix tasked Arcando with transforming “Limitless” with Mesto into a drum ‘n’ bass weapon. Slotted just moments before Garrix would also debut the pair’s currently unreleased collaboration, Arcando’s “Limitless” take was a decisive fan-favorite moment of the weekend, turning Garrix and Mesto’s original entirely upside down. And just over a month later, it would deservedly lead to his fourth official release via STMPD RCRDS. Joris Voorn – Tomorrow Joris Voorn has returned with the latest single from his upcoming album Serotonin, scheduled for July 18 via his own imprint Spectrum in collaboration with Armada Music. Written during a period of deep personal reflection, “Tomorrow” captures the emotional essence of the album, a project that he explains is shaped by loss, reconnection, and a renewed sense of purpose. “Tomorrow” serves as a taste of the warmth, introspection, and timeless quality that will ultimately define the 14-track album, which also features collaborations with the likes of Tom Walker, Yotto and White Lies, and Nathan Nicholson. STAR SEED, N3WPORT & Micah Martin – One Night Another melodic dubstep gem has made its way into the Ophelia Records release record. And that comes courtesy of three artists that are no stranger to releasing on Seven Lions’ label: former Dancing Astronaut Artist to Watch STAR SEED, N3WPORT, and Micah Martin. Melding melodic dubstep with a rock-instilled vocal backing from Martin, “One Night” offers the best of both genre worlds that will undoubtedly result in a fan-favorite label release when the year is all said and done. Layton Giordani, Linney, and Sarah de Warren – Act of God (CamelPhat Remix) Just a couple of weeks removed from their first original of 2025, CamelPhat are back to offer another heavy undertaking. This time it’s for Layton Giordani, Linney, and Sarah de Warren’s ID-turned-fan favorite release, “Act Of God.” Marking the British duo’s first appearance on Experts Only, CamelPhat have made their move back into the world of melodic techno by reimagining a track that previously held a seat amongst Dancing Astronaut‘s most-anticipated IDs of 2025. Making the rounds across every social media platform from its initial unveiling during Miami Music Week all the way to CamelPhat’s set at the Pyramids in Egypt, their “Act Of God” remix will undeniably continue its push into tracklists across the scene in the coming months. William Black, Siberia & Freja The Dragon – Waiting On This Day Forever William Black’s currently unnamed fourth album has its second piece. After delivering “Save Me” with Kate Morgan at the end of March, Black introduced “Waiting On This Day Forever” for those in attendance at Beyond Wonderland. And release day has come a month later, with Black recruiting both Siberia and Freja The Dragon to Lost In Dreams for a release that further reaffirms Black as one of melodic bass’s finest talents and continues to build the anticipation for his looming next LP. Eli Brown – Wavey Eli Brown is continuing his torrid stretch of techno supremacy. “Wavey” — arriving via both Insomniac Records and Higher Ground — has received the honor of being the official festival anthem of next weekend’s edition of EDC Las Vegas. “Wavey” was one of the standout IDs during his two weekend stop at Coachella’s Yuma Tent, with Brown accurately describing the single as “one of the highlights of [his] sets recently.” Sara Landry & LEGZDINA – Pressure (Indira Paganotto Remix) Indira Paganotto’s reimagining of Sara Landry and LEGZDINA’s “Pressure” marks the first remix from Spiritual Driveby, Landry’s debut album and one of Dancing Astronaut‘s Top Albums of 2025. Fittingly debuted during Sara Landry’s Blood Oath takeover of Coachella’s DoLab when Landry went back-to-back with both Paganotto and Amelie Lens, Paganotto’s take on “Pressure” is the first time the two techno trail blazers have formally collaborated on a piece of music. Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas – Blessings Summer may not officially start until June 20, but Calvin Harris has already delivered one of the defining soundtracks to the season. Guided by an undeniably catchy vocal from Clementine Douglas, “Blessings” is Harris in vintage form with its upbeat house framework, and it leaves no surprise as to why it quickly exploded online following his initial teaser and its subsequent speedy release. Featured image: Max Thijssen The post Dancing Astronaut’s New Music Friday: CamelPhat, Arcando, Eli Brown, Calvin Harris, and more (May 9, 2025) appeared first on Dancing Astronaut.

Photo Credit: Snap Inc. Snapchat has announced ‘Under the Ghost,’ a new music performance series hosted at the company’s Santa Monica studio. The new series debuted with Kid Cudi and a timed release of his new single, “Neverland.” Snapchat says the new music performance series isn’t about polished perfection, but rather offers an unfiltered glimpse into the creative process. The series is intended to invite fans into the artist’s inner circle, to hear raw takes of new music. Snapchat calls it a ‘digital backstage pass’ aimed at fostering a genuine connection that goes beyond the typical artist-fan dynamic. Kid Cudi performed a pre-release concert for an intimate audience of Snap Stars and superfans, debuting “Neverland” and more unreleased music live for the first time. He also sat down to speak with Head of Music Strategy Manny Adler to answer a few questions about his new music. “Neverland” is now available globally, with the track marking the beginning of a new era for Kid Cudi. It sets the stage for his upcoming short film of the same name, Neverland, directed by filmmaker Ti West and produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions. The film will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June. Snap has eagerly embraced the music industry in a way that rival social media like X/Twitter has not. Recently, Digital Music News reported that Snap Inc. finalized several licensing agreements with major music publishers under deal terms structured by the National Music Publishers’ Association. Now the ‘Under the Ghost’ series gives musicians a chance to showcase music early to superfans who are likely to turn their listening into influencing online. ‘Under the Ghost’ presents a strategic offering for brands with unique sponsorship opportunities including sponsored Snaps, creator content, total takeover placements, and more. The series also offers advertisers a premium way to tap into music, culture, and community—all built into Snapchat to engage Gen Z and millennial audiences. View the full article

Get ready to soundtrack your summer! Rising electronic music producer GUDFELLA has joined forces with future funk pioneer Yung Bae for their electrifying new single, ‘pillowtalk (with yung bae),’ that is out now via Thrive Music. This vibrant collaboration is a guaranteed dose of sunshine, brimming with infectious grooves and an undeniable energy that screams long, sunny days and carefree nights. GUDFELLA, known for his dynamic sound and impressive collaborations with the likes of Disco Lines, Tiësto, and Bipolar Sunshine, perfectly complements Yung Bae’s signature blend of disco, funk, R&B, and Japanese city pop. The result is a track that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern, a summery track tailor-made for cruising down sun-drenched highways and bathing by the poolside. “Going into the session to work with Yung Bae, I knew I wanted to make something colorful with disco influence,” says GUDFELLA. “This song is made for the summer, perfect for drives down a sunny highway. It’s high energy, it’s vibrant & it was an absolute treat to make.” Yung Bae adds, “pillowtalk is a track I’m super excited to see release! The track originally started out as an old demo I had as a tribute to European disco and as soon as GUDFELLA wanted to work on it I knew we had a hit!” GUDFELLA has rapidly become a notable name in the electronic scene, boasting collaborations with Disco Lines, Tiësto, and Bipolar Sunshine. A participant in the 2024 Tidal Rising program, he has amassed over 78 million global streams. Currently, GUDFELLA is on a 10+ date Spring Tour, fresh off an appearance with Disco Lines at Coachella and a SELLOUT show in Bloom San Diego. Upcoming GUDFELLA Tour Dates: MAY 16 Almost Famous (Scottsdale, AZ) MAY 17 BSMNT (Boston, MA) MAY 18 EDCLV (Las Vegas, NV) [Cosmic Meadow] May 18 EDCLV (Las Vegas, NV) [Metaphoenix] MAY 30 Elsewhere Rooftop (Brooklyn, NY) MAY 31 Eat Street Crossing Patio (Minneapolis, MN) JUN 20 Meltin Margs Festival (Chicago, IL) The post GUDFELLA and Yung Bae Deliver Summer Vibes with Infectious New Single ‘pillowtalk’ appeared first on EDMTunes.

It’s New Music Friday and Julian Jordan has an exciting new track ‘Something To Believe In’ out now that’s ready to be played this weekend. For the past six months, the studio has been Julian’s sanctuary, a space where he’s been diligently pushing the boundaries of his signature sound into fresh territory, and now the fruit of his hard work has been revealed. From the moment the track begins, there’s a palpable sense of forward momentum. Jordan masterfully crafts a soundscape that blends driving rhythms with soaring synth melodies. The energy builds gradually, layer upon layer, creating a feeling of anticipation that culminates in a vibrant and emotionally resonant drop. It’s the kind of drop that makes you want to close your eyes on a crowded dance floor and simply feel the music wash over you. Every element of the track is crisp and well-defined, from the punchy kick drum to the shimmering synth arpeggios. The arrangement keeps the listener engaged, with moments of subtle build-up that go with the bright melodic vocal lines. Martin Garrix premiered the track live at Ultra Miami 2025 and the response was crazy. he crowd reaction was immediate, and fans quickly turned it into one of the most sought-after IDs of the festival. Check it out below and enjoy! Follow Julian on socials below: The post Julian Jordan Releases New Single ‘Something To Believe In’ appeared first on EDMTunes.

For ten years, UNTOLD Festival has been the summer getaway to experience, fostering the magic of love, friendship, and diversity encapsulated in music. The scenic city of Cluj-Napoca in Romania will be hosting the leading festival from August 7th to 10th, attracting several thousand fans from around the globe. An ambitious lineup of over 200 local and international artists is all set to create memories on seven unique stages. The mainstage is studded with EDM icons like Anyma, Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, with exclusive special sets from FISHER, Tiësto, Alok, Don Diablo, Steve Angello, to name a few. Other live acts include superstars Post Malone, Metro Boomin, Becky Hill, and Rag’N’Bone Man. Fans can also look forward to exciting newcomers like Ben Bohmer, Jan Blomqvist, Wilkinson, Green Velvet, and Pachanga Boys in the secondary stages. Those seeking an immersive indoor experience should seek the Galaxy stage, led by house and techno mainstays Adriatique, Black Coffee, Dom Dolla, Nusha, with ro-minimal tech creators A:RPIA:R, Arapu, Priku, Si, and so on. Expect more names to be revealed in the coming weeks. For those addicted to house music and its sub-genres (deep, melodic, tech, Afro, chill) will find UNTOLD as their perfect destination: the vivid Daydreaming stage located in Central Park will have Bob Moses, Paax, Rampue, Sébastien Léger, Parra for Cuva, to name a few. The Time stage is going to pulsate with Afro house, nu-disco, and tech sounds with hosts Goldcher (French DJ and producer, having viral remixes on SoundCloud and remixed by Tiësto and Steve Aoki), Eran Hersh b2b Andrew Dum (another exciting upcomer supported by Rüfüs Du Sol, Pete Tong, Blasterjaxx), HVMZA, among others. The extended lineup for the 10th anniversary of UNTOLD Festival is unveiling soon, with a diverse range of recreational activities awaiting ticket holders— including flying simulator, VR games, Fashion Village (with over 30 Romanian Designers), a tattoo studio, and more. Foodies can choose to relish anything from Romanian delicacies to Asian and Italian dishes, alongside vegetarian alternatives available at the Food Festival. 60,000 people have already booked their passes for this edition of UNTOLD. Tickets can be purchased on untold.com with backstage tours. Those who want a new experience can select from two types of tours: The Discovery tour is a fascinating sixty-minute behind-the-scenes journey of the festival, and the Insider tour includes an expansive 100-minute adventure venturing into the special areas of the festival grounds. UNTOLD takes place August 7 to 10 (4 PM-7 AM) at the picturesque center of Transylvania in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

In March of this year the dance music world lost a legend as UK artist Andy Williams aka Yam Who? tragically passed away. To celebrate his life Ministry of Sound are holding the ‘Dance for Yamz’ memorial event which will see some wonderful DJs honouring him in the best way possible, with music. On Thursday, May 15th Dave Lee JN, Horse Meat Disco, Greg Wilson, and many more will be taking to the stage at Ministry of Sound. Says Travis Derrick, Head of Talent, “We’re proud to host ‘Dance for Yamz’ at Ministry of Sound in memory of Andy. He played a huge role in shaping the scene, and this night brings together artists who were part of that journey. It’s about giving back to someone who gave so much.” Tickets are only £10 for this excellent event with all proceeds going to Williams’ family to support them through this hard time. Williams had a hand in all different sectors of dance music being an accomplished DJ, producer, and label head. He founded great labels such as ISM Records, Midnight Riot, and Black Riot which all played host to some amazing music including his own. He had a significant impact in the dance music world especially in the UK where he was beloved by all those who got to meet him. Though Andy Williams may be gone, his legacy will live on and what better way to celebrate all that he has done than by dancing the night away in his memory. The lineup is fantastic, the price is amazing, but more than anything the cause is truly special. To get your tickets for ‘Dance for Yamz’, click the button below: ‘DANCE FOR YAMZ’ TICKETS