Insomniac’s BOO is returning this Halloween to Seattle’s WaMu Theatre for the festival’s third year running. Occurring on October 27th and 28th, this year’s haunted festival is poised to be the best one yet with a massively talented lineup.
Want to get familiar with the artists on the roster? We’ve got you covered! Read on to learn about every artist performing at Boo and get ready to dance.
Acraze
You would be hard-pressed to find another artist who went viral to the mainstream as quickly as house artist Acraze. After Do It To It began picking up steam and making its way to TikTok, nearly every DJ has dropped it live. Whether they were house, bass, or even hardstyle, EDM artists picked up the track and ran with it.
Since blowing up in 2021, Acraze continues to blur genre lines with R&B, disco, and more. No matter the track, you’re sure to be grooving along for the whole ride.
Adventure Club
One of many recognizable dance music titans on the lineup, Adventure Club is sure to be one of the best sets this Halloween. Nearly every veteran listener will recognize their 2010 dubstep remix of Crave You by Flight Facilities. The Montreal, Canada duo has spanned the map of EDM genres from big room to heavy bass, and they’re widely regarded as one of the pioneering forces of putting dubstep on the map in the early 2010’s.
Now with two full-length albums under their belt (most recently the 2022 album Love // Chaos), and a massive catalog of singles, their set promises many surprises.
Alesso
Alessandro Lindblad, who goes by Alesso, is a name from what many consider to be the “golden era” of dance music around 2012-2015. He quickly grew in popularity with the support of Tiesto, Swedish House Mafia, and Avicii. But he didn’t stop then: Alesso has kept the momentum going strong through today.
Although he’s best known for progressive house remixes and originals, he’s had plentiful experience in getting crowds moving. Even if you think that he might not be your cup of tea, take a chance and experience him live: you will not be disappointed.
Alok
Brazilian superstar Alok holds numerous accolades and titles, including global philanthropist, DJ Mag’s 2022 4th Best DJ in the world, and one of the 500 most influential people in Latin America from Bloomberg.
Although his sound is predominately rooted in house, he’s also secured partnerships and collaborations with pop stars Dua Lipa, John Legend, and Ed Sheeran. His philanthropic endeavors are stunning: his Instituto Alok has generated more than 10 million dollars to support global social and environmental projects worldwide. Not many DJ’s have such a strong commitment to giving back, which is a feather in his cap on top of a mega-successful career.
Armin van Buuren
A flag-bearer for trance music, the Netherlands-born Armin van Buuren boasts international superstardom. Since childhood, van Buuren relentlessly pursued dance music. Over the past three decades, he’s fashioned a massively successful career backed on a culture of trance enthusiasts.
Through his regularly recurring A State of Trance label radio shows and curated events, van Buuren brings together a global movement of trance.
Baby Weight
D.C.-based Baby Weight, also known as Cara Eser, has been widely recognized by fellow forward-thinking house peers like Walker & Royce, LP Giobbi, and others.
She’s a powerhouse both on the decks and for her advocacy efforts for inclusivity in dance music. Eser also showcases her commitment for bringing up-and-coming artists to the forefront through her label, Chub Rub.
Barely Alive
Massachusetts duo Barely Alive is one of the hottest bass artists around, thanks in large part to their extensive roster of tracks running the gamut of genres. Their recognizable stage presence features a cube frowning robot helmet, and we can reasonably expect multiple samples from popular memes. Check out this guest mix from Disciple to get an idea of what we’re in for.
Blanke
Australian-born producer Blanke has been rising in fame over the last few years, and for good reason. His live sets are always a blast with everything from drum and bass, to melodic bass, with a mix of house and fun remixes. His music career is thriving, thanks in part to his extensive relationship with other titans Seven Lions and Illenium.
Boys Noize
Berlin-based BOYS NOIZE, also known as Alex Ridha, has been pushing his love of house and techno since age 15. His sound is wholly unique and undefined by bounds, and his resulting live performances are unmatched. Accordingly, he’s lauded with the Beatport’s Best Electronic Act multiple times, and has been declared one of the “Top 10 DJ’s Who Rule The World” by Rolling Stone.
Ridha’s turning some of the biggest heads in dance music, including several collaborations with Skrillex.
Canabliss
As a self-taught musician, Canabliss expresses her love of genre-bending music throughout a wide creative vision of redefining experimental bass music. She hails from Toronto and has found a home in Liquid Stranger’s Wakaan and sister SSKWAN labels which are a perfect breeding ground for her take on bass music. Her set will the perfect place to catch a vibe and experience a refreshing sound.
Claude VonStroke
From birthing a small record label in 2005 called Dirtybird, Claude VonStroke has climbed to the heights of dance music fame. Iconic house tracks have been abounding, and it’s clear that VonStroke has no sign of slowing down. Curated Dirtybird events have been hosted around the country, and Seattle’s been the proud recipient of many over the years.
It’s impossible to whittle down a career of hits into one high point, so do yourself a favor and rock a couple of mixes in preparation for a performance promising good vibes and lots of dancing
Coco & Breezy
Coco & Breezy are twins based out of Brooklyn who have stood up a full brand in their career. One of their first endeavors in the music scene was performing as backup dancers for Prince. They’re now staunchly enveloped in the colliding worlds of music, entrepreneurship, and fashion. In between running an eyewear company, Coco & Breezy push the boundaries of house music. This talent of balance comes through their music, as they infuse R&B and Afro-Latino sounds by honoring an homage to the classics and creating a refreshingly new sound.
Eptic
If there’s one bass artist we can’t wait to see this year at BOO, it’s none other than Eptic. The Belgium native, whose real name is Michael Bella, has been going hard over the last decade cultivating a massive career and brand behind his music. A frequent flyer to the PNW and across the globe, Bella has earned the attention of international reverence. With a fresh and aggressively cutting sound, Eptic is not one to miss.
FrostTop
FrostTop is gaining some serious traction with his career. The Long Beach native appeared five years ago, somewhat mysteriously. Throwing out trap flips of KRANE and Ekali paved the path to self-release his first song on Spotify. After getting picked up by the Gud Vibrations label run by Slander in 2021, heads continued to turn for the upcoming trap producer. Now he’s cemented his role in the up-and-coming next generation of trap artists like ISOxo and RemK. Additionally, the trap kingpin himself, RL Grime tapped FrostTop to perform at his Halloween X set last year.
HOL!
If you’ve attended a bass show over the last several months and heard a twangy, out of place guitar-plucking riff before a monster drop, we found the culprit: HOL!. Country Riddim has taken off as one of those songs that you just hate to love; it should not work in theory, but it is categorically a goofy banger. Give it a listen and check out some of the other tracks that put him on the scene.
HVDES
Vocalist, producer, and DJ HVDES came straight from the underworld onto the bass scene in a fury. She came on the scene about five years ago, armed with musical influences from punk and rock which seep out of her astonishingly heavy bass tracks. HVDES found a home quickly with the BTSM-run Kannibalen Records, and an EP with mau5trap.
Kayzo
Kayzo, aka Hayden Capuozzo, is the kind of bass artist who showcases just how diverse the genre can be. From trap and hardstyle to dubstep and rock, Kayzo creates and plays music fans and fellow artists can appreciate. He’s worked with some of the best in the business, like Black Tiger Sex Machine, Delta Heavy, and more. The LA-based 29-year-old also runs a label, Welcome Records, while finding time for his regular mix series Doghouse Radio.
Kream
Norwegian brothers Daniel and Markus Slettebakken comprise the duo KREAM. At first, they were discovered via their SoundCloud remixes of pop hits in 2016. Their deep and tech house style made them accessible and interesting to listeners who wouldn’t otherwise consider dance music their preference. With fun, upbeat, and dance-able hits, KREAM is a blast to see live.
LF SYSTEM
Hailing from Scotland, the LF SYSTEM duo comes to Seattle in hopes of winding up some good vibes and getting the people to dance. You can expect to throw back time and have a nostalgic dip back into disco. Go ahead, try not to dance at their music: we bet you can’t help it. And who could blame you?
Lucille Croft
If you love REZZ, you will adore Lucille Croft. The Australian producer and vocalist packs hypnotic, overwhelming experimental bass. Her music is a treat to the senses on the surface, but is also tightly produced and conceptual and nature. She’ll fit right in in Seattle as well: Croft names Seattle natives Nine Inch Nails as an inspiration for her work.
Maddix
Techno fans should be thrilled with the addition of Maddix to this year’s BOO lineup. Hailing from the Netherlands, Maddix assembles thoughtfully produced and high energy techno tracks. Over the past decade, he’s gained support from the world’s biggest EDM artists like Hardwell and fellow BOO Seattle artist Armin van Buuren. The evolution of his sound carries a clear message: you can try to keep up, but Maddix is always a few steps ahead of his time.
Marie Vaunt
Another household name in techno: Marie Vaunt. Vaunt is quickly taking over the world’s stages with a fresh flavor of techno, including unique samples and vocals. Her songs are complex and layered, and her live sets promise the same. She’s gained millions of streams on Spotify and a massive fan following behind her.
MK
One of the truest veterans of electronic music is gracing this year’s lineup: MK. Also known as Marc Kinchen, MK topped the Billboard charts in 1993 and 1994 for his tracks Always and Love Changes. It’s a nostalgic blast from the past, as the Detroit-based producer and DJ has truly seen a total evolution of the EDM scene as we know it. Oh yeah, he’s also written tracks for Mr. Worldwide himself, Pitbull.
These days, MK still continues to release tons of music and perform live all over the world. We’re lucky to have one of the pioneers on this year’s BOO Seattle lineup.
Nurko
This one’s for the sad folks everywhere. Since kicking off the project in 2015, Nurko (Jack Leech) has churned out a steady stream of emotional, deep-cutting melodic bass music. Leech found himself right at home with other big names like Illenium, Seven Lions, Adventure Club, and Dabin. His debut EP in 2022 paved the way for his first-ever headline tour. Now, he’s a regular among festivals like Beyond Wonderland, Bass Canyon, and more.
One True God
Just in time for Halloween, One True God is a perfect addition to the lineup. The Canadian producer packs his tracks with dense mid-tempo bass and demonic themes. OTG has found a niche somewhere between the gamut of pure bass and deep house. However you can describe it, it’s one of a kind and a blast to listen to. He’s just started to break through from the underground, and we can’t wait to catch him this year at BOO.
Öwnboss
Brazilian DJ and producer Öwnboss has toured all over the world, and performed on some of the biggest stages. He’s the 2nd most streamed DJ in Brazil, and his killer Move Your Body track has amassed nearly 6.5 million streams on SoundCloud alone. With unique remixes and bouncing deep house, Öwnboss is a phenomenal artist on the lineup this year.
Patrick Topping
British techno and house artist Patrick Topping is an artist you just can’t help but root for. He’s driven by technical excellence of music, and his passion for raving is abundantly clear in his performances. Each track is meticulously engineered and filled to the brim with energy. He’s been spotted performing all over the world, and runs his Trick label and event brand as well.
REAPER
Not much is known about the US-based producer REAPER. They debuted last year on the B.C.-run Monstercat label, and continued to host an array of releases over the past three years. With heavy drum and bass that can light up a crowd, REAPER promises to be an undoubtedly great set.
Reinier Zonneveld (live set)
Leaning into the techno-heavy characteristic of the lineup for this year’s BOO Seattle, Netherlands-based Reinier Zonneveld rounds out the roster. Zonneveld is one of the most heavily-supported techno producers, touring far and wide and winning over fans wherever he goes. For this year’s BOO, Zonneveld is hosting a live set, which promises only additional surprises.
Sickick
Sickick is an enigmatic artist, appearing only by the weight of his music and never revealing his face. He synthesizes elements of trap with bass and R&B, along with reggaeton and other genres of music. Even if his name doesn’t ring a bell right off the bat, you’d definitely recognize some of the tracks he has songwriting credits for. In total, Sickick is acknowledged for his work with Missy Elliot, Jason DeRulo, Madonna and more. His set would be a perfect introduction to EDM if you’re with friends who are new to the scene.
Sidepiece
From the combined powers of Party Favor (aka Dylan Ragland) and Nitti Gritti (aka Ricky Mears), Sidepiece is exactly that for the two established dance music artists. While a Sidepiece may be a side-project, it produced a 2020 Grammy nomination for “Best Dance Recording” with On My Mind, a collaboration with Diplo. Not bad for a couple of guys just beginning to make their way and find their sound in house music.
Space 92
We’re sensing a theme this year for BOO: hot techno. Space 92 will hit WaMu with what we can only guess will be a set packed of trancey and acid techno. Although those might sound contradictory, the Space 92 Frenchman playfully bounces between the two. Expect to be kept on your toes all night long!
Steve Aoki
Another huge name that both newer and older dance music fans can appreciate, Dim Mak Records boss Steve Aoki makes his Northwest return at the Gorge this fall. Able to combine an ability to create a crazy party atmosphere on stage, while being one of the most influential artists in the industry behind the scenes, Steve Aoki has utilized his mainstream appeal to push the genre to greater heights.
SVDDEN DEATH
Look no further to get your behemoth bass fix. SVDDEN DEATH is dropping in to WaMu to blow up the show, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store. Danny Howland is the mastermind behind the project, and he’s been doing it big for the last few years. Dubstep has certainly evolved in that time, but Howland has largely been at the forefront of a new sound. The SVDDEN DEATH project continues to expand including the darker VOYD alter ego. If that weren’t enough, there’s also two group projects Howland (likely) stars in: Masterhand with Space Laces and Eptic, and yvm3 (although these members are unconfirmed). Get ready to get wild and make sure to get a good stretch in before so you don’t strain your back headbanging!
Trivecta
Sam Dobkin, the brain behind Trivecta, has been having a solid couple of years for his musical career. He’s nestled into a home on the Seven Lions’ Ophelia label, and released his first track in 2014 with the B.C.-based Monstercat label. He doesn’t box himself into one lane of music: Dobkin has released everything from trance to what’s been called “folk bass.” Most of his live sets reflect this, but energy and great bass lines are the one consistent you’ll find throughout.
Wade
Wade is a true testament of talent speaking for itself. As a native of a small town in Spain, Wade put his passion into his music and with just a little luck has quickly become world-renowned. He’s since released music for some of the largest international labels like Universal Music and Atlantic Records. Add in a collaboration with David Guetta, and Wade has checked off some huge bucket list items. We’re excited to see which tech house bangers he’s teed up for us.
Wilkinson
Okay, all you drum n’ bass lovers. Here’s one for you, too. Wilkinson is joining the BOO Seattle lineup to unleash what will undoubtedly be a beautifully chaotic dn’b set. Fans in his corner include Skrillex, Sub Focus, and Elton John, which renders him very legitimately backed. The London-based music boss has seen the heights of the dance music charts and toured internationally, but has he ever experienced the rowdy Seattle Halloween crowd?
Wooli
Adam Puleo, better known as Wooli, is locked in for an evening of crazy dubstep and riddim. His sets cater to all crowds of EDM enthusiasts, playing out throwback tracks and the tracks that have us captivated in the moment, all with his own unique spin on it. He’s also found his family around the Ophelia record label, releasing some tracks with Seven Lions and regular remixes for other label regulars. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll absolutely have a blast of a time. Maybe you’ll hear psytrance too, to top it off.
YETEP
LA-based future bass producer YETEP has quickly taken the world over by storm over the last five years. After launching a monthly mix series on SoundCloud, YETEP amassed thousands of followers. He’s also dedicated to supporting his community, as he threw a benefit festival in 2019 to aid homeless youth and raise mental health awareness. Since the pandemic, he continues to release frequent mixes and singles, and we’re excited to catch him this year in Seattle.
Zedd
What is there really to say about Zedd? He’s a household name that you’ve almost definitely heard before. Even if you’re newer to the dance music scene, you’ve more than likely heard other artists play out Stay the Night. The German DJ and producer has won so many awards for his music that the list would run four lines long. His music really speaks for itself, so listen to the link and get excited to sing your heart out.
Zeds Dead
The Canadian duo Zeds Dead (also known affectionately as DC and Hooks) have been making music boundlessly since 2009. They’ve built an empire around the unexpected in bass music, constantly thinking three steps ahead and driving the future. Although every song in their catalog is wildly different, Zeds Dead has never missed as far as we’re concerned.
It’s not just their personal releases that are helping to build their empire, either. They launched the Deadbeats label and following radio show, sold out massive events, toured around the world, and created a Zeds Dead side project and label for downtempo bass called Altered States.
If you’re faced with a tough set conflict, just know this: Zeds Dead is a can’t miss.
Zomboy
It’s another one for the bass music veterans: Zomboy. With over a billion streams on YouTube, he’s cemented as one of the pioneers in bass music throughout the last decade. If you’ve been to a bass show in the last five years, you’ve almost certainly heard Like a B*tch and the consequential bonkers crowd reaction. Dive into his discography to understand partially how dubstep evolved into what it is now.
Tickets are still available for BOO! Click here to purchase yours. We’ll see you at Halloween!
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