DAX J (Open to Close)

Who they are

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  DAX J

  London, United Kingdom · 5 bookings since May 2024 · Basement and Berghain techno

  “A global pillar of the techno scene, continuously pushing the underground forward.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  A global pillar of the techno scene, continuously pushing the underground forward. Few artists have carved out a legacy quite like Dax J. Born in London, the DJ and producer rose from backroom parties to headlining the world’s biggest techno institutions, all while staying true to the underground and cultivating a distinctive sound that is unmistakably his own. Armed with exceptional technical skill, deep knowledge of rare and obscure records, and a meticulous focus on cutting edge sound design, Dax J has established himself as a singular force at the forefront of modern techno. His unwavering dedication has earned him consistent recognition, including multiple Top 100 placements in Resident Advisor, DJ Mag, and Groove Magazine polls, as well as nominations for Best Techno DJ, Best Breakthrough DJ, and Best British DJ from Mixmag, DJ Mag, and the DJ Awards. He is well known for his marathon closing sets, including legendary 10 hour performances at iconic clubs such as Berghain and Bassiani. As a prolific producer and label owner, his trademark sound remains in constant rotation among the scene’s most respected DJs. This signature style was first fully realised on his highly acclaimed 2015 debut album Shades of Black, released on his own Monnom Black label. Mixmag named it Album of the Month, Hardwax called it “brilliantly banging,” and it reached No.1 on Juno Records’ charts. In 2018, he followed with the multi-faceted Offending Public Morality, which earned BBC Radio 1’s “Biggest Record of the Week” and featured in the year-end Top 50 Albums lists of DJ Mag, Tsugi, and Apocalypse Mag. That same year, his debut Radio 1 Essential Mix landed him in the BBC Hall of Fame, while Be.At.TV named his 4-hour closing set at NeoPop Festival the “Best DJ Set of the Year”. Dax J continued his evolution with the 2021 album Utopian Surrealism, which Groove Magazine placed in their Top 5 Albums of the Year, and the track “Simulated Reality” was featured at the Beijing Contemporary Art Expo. In 2022, he released Soul Enforcer, a powerful response to the war in Ukraine, described by Resident Advisor as a “highlight showing off Dax’s range.” Most recently, his 2024 album War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength — a bold Orwellian reference — received widespread critical acclaim, with Juno calling it “Basic Channel on steroids.” The initial pressing sold out within its first week. At this point, it’s hard to imagine what more he could possibly achieve. Already cemented as one of the leading figures in techno, as a DJ, producer, and label head operating at the absolute highest level, one thing is certain: his passion for the music burns brighter than ever, and his relentless drive to push the genre forward in bold, unexpected directions shows no signs of slowing. Dax J remains a true visionary, leading the way for everyone who celebrates the depth, darkness, and limitless diversity of electronic music.
  SoundCloud ↗Bandcamp ↗Discography ↗
  Their RA profile lists Soma Records, Deeply Rooted, Klockworks, Perc Trax and 6 more.

  Recently at Knockdown Center, BASEMENT · often with Berghain, Nastia Reigel, MARRØN, none of them here on Saturday