Jungle Bells is a must-attend event each year for US drum and bass fans, featuring rare lineups and a special community of ravers.
Drum and bass fans in North America are often lucky to get a single stage at a festival dedicated to the genre, let alone an entire festival. That’s where Jungle Bells in Atlanta has made a tradition out of bringing major representation to an otherwise severely lacking genre in the US. While some fans are only newly catching on, Jungle Bells has been steadily growing since its underground inauguration nearly three decades ago. It now holds the title of the biggest DnB event in North America.
For its 2025 edition, Jungle Bells went bigger than ever in terms of production, media, sound, and talent. With four stages situated within different clubs in Atlanta’s Underground district, the venue couldn’t have been more fitting while still leaving plenty of room for the event to grow. Overseas talents like Rudimental, Bou, Kings of The Rollers, Critical Soundsystem with Enei and Kasra, Visages, and so many more filled the stages for two evenings of Christmas-themed fun with additional afterparties each night.
Jungle Bells glowed with nostalgia reminiscent of old school rave culture.
Genuine smiles, kandi everywhere you turned, and green-and-red Christmas light LEDs. Jungle Bells was filled with a tight-knit family of fans, many of whom had just left other major drum and bass events like Apocalypse Zombieland and Let It Roll. In conversation, many spoke assuming you’d been to those events, too.
And much like traditional rave culture, Jungle Bells’ yearly party doesn’t exude a for-profit vibe. The festival exists simply for the culture that is so lacking in the States. The head of the festival, longtime Atlanta promoter MJ Lee, was having just as much fun as the fans. He was beside himself to have so many incredible artists on stage, often popping up there to share his excitement, hype up the performers, and thank the attendees.
The Jungle Bells audience showed a maturity level uncommon to US raves, an added bonus for anyone who appreciates a respectful crowd. DJs, MCs, and fans alike mingled throughout the weekend like friends. Additionally, the organizers worked hard to create a safe space to enjoy the music in an otherwise massive, bustling city.
LSB and DRS stole the show on Saturday night, serving as a reminder of just how absent the classic soulful sound and MC vocals are in the States.
Securing this legendary DJ and MC duo stateside was no small feat for Jungle Bells. To make it even more special, this was the only US show they’ve played in 2025, and one can only guess when and where the next one will be. The duo closed their set with their track “The View,” and the entire crowd sang their hearts out to every word.
When Born On Road couldn’t make his set on Saturday, LSB hopped back on the decks for an impromptu back-to-back with Monrroe and Sustance as a rare treat to close the weekend.
With Jungle Bells being one of the only events of its kind in the country, it’s easily a no-brainer each year for American DnB fans. While the bill full of hard-to-catch international talent is the obvious pull, it’s the 27-year-running tradition and family-like aspect of the event that makes it so special.
