Wondering which artists you should be keeping an eye on in 2026? Here’s our annual list of artists to watch who will be on our radar throughout the year.
The tides continue to change in the scene with each passing year as genres rise and fall in popularity and electronic music lovers seek out fresh, exciting sounds. In 2025, there was plenty of interest in the harder styles as fast-paced, booming beats carried much of the scene forward. There was also a flourish of classic styles, with producers championing the sounds of drum and bass, while others began to fully embrace the new age of trance.
Much of that is anticipated to continue into 2026, as fresh faces captivate dance music lovers around the globe with their larger-than-life set moments at festivals, intimate experiences at clubs, and genre-defying releases. The future of the scene might just be brighter than ever, and our editorial team feels that these 26 artists to watch will be making some major moves throughout the year.
Read on for the full rundown of who we’re keeping our ears tuned to in 2026 in A to Z order, and click on their names below for easy navigation!
A Little Sound | Airrica | AXON | BAUGRUPPE90 | borne | Casey Club | CHKLTE | claudio. | D-VENN | Dev Lesh | Gio Lucca | KARMÅ | Koji Aiken | Marten Lou | Maur | Max Low | Noiseflow | Pedro Borlado | RIXXIA | SHIMA | Skanka | SLAMM | Snuffy | TDJ | Yoshiko | Zen Selekta
EDM Identity’s Artists to Watch in 2026
A Little Sound
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Abigail Kate Morgan, better known as A Little Sound, is one of the UK’s hottest acts at the moment. The award-winning songwriter, vocalist, and DJ had an exceptional 2025, releasing nine standout tracks, including a collaboration with Andromedik and Basstripper.
A Little Sound has reached a new demographic after lending her vocals to “Final Breath” on Subtronics’ latest album, expanding her fanbase beyond Europe. With a burgeoning demand for drum and bass in the US, it was only a matter of time before her project caught on there. After making her US debut at Apocalypse Zombieland this past November, I look forward to seeing her flourish within our electronic scene in 2026. – Marissa Boyd
Airrica
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Fearless, bold, and unapologetic, Airrica has rapidly emerged as one of the most exciting DJ producers on the global circuit. Her dynamic sets — spanning driving techno, vibrant house, gritty acid, and minimal hypnotics — are defined by their intensity and unpredictability. With a growing international presence, she has performed at top venues and festivals such as Hï Ibiza, XS Nightclub, Coachella, Escape Halloween, and EDC Las Vegas.
Equally impactful in the studio, Airrica’s releases have found homes on respected labels including Crosstown Rebels, Mute, and Higher Ground. Her electrifying performances have seen her share stages with luminaries such as Black Coffee, Damian Lazarus, Bonobo, Solomun, and Eric Prydz. As she continues to push boundaries and carve out her own lane in music, Airrica enters 2026 on the cusp of a defining breakthrough. – Sheila Lim
AXON
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Tokyo-born, Los Angeles-based DJ and producer AXON is a rising global force, merging his rich cultural influences with early inspiration drawn from video game soundtracks and a sharp instinct for tech and bass house. Known for his high-energy mashups and explosive productions, AXON crafts sets that are both playful and powerful. His forward-leaning sound has earned support from tastemakers including Don Diablo, Matroda, Yellow Claw, Leandro Da Silva, Forero, and Noizu.
With more than 20 original releases and a growing list of collaborations, AXON has made his mark on respected labels such as Barong Family, Sony Music, Protocol, Space Yacht, and more. His rapidly expanding international momentum has landed him on major stages, including Decadence, alongside an East Coast US tour and a summer 2025 run through Los Angeles, San Diego, and Honolulu. Backed by an electrifying stage presence and keen ability to command the room, AXON is poised to turn 2026 into a defining breakout year. – S.L.
BAUGRUPPE90
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If you want a dose of cutting-edge techno that blends other nostalgic elements, look no further than the sounds coming from BAUGRUPPE90. This duo has been on a tear on the international stage as of late, and last year marked their emergence in the North American scene. Their fall tour took them to cities like Chicago, San Diego, New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, where they put their unique take on techno on full display, while they also trotted to other international destinations like Mexico City, Toronto, and Melbourne along the way.
BAUGRUPPE90 is set to return to US soil after taking the stage in Berlin and Warsaw this month with shows lined up in New York and at Beyond Wonderland SoCal in San Bernardino. Don’t sleep on this duo if you want some proper dancefloor action. – Grant Gilmore
borne
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borne is gearing up for a dominant 2026 as he continues to claim his place as part of the new era of electronic dance music. The genre-defying Canadian bass act has captivated crowds across North America, making appearances at Shambhala, Hulaween, and Infrasound in 2025.
After selling out his debut LA headline show with Brownies & Lemonade, it’s clear that borne is part of the next generation of bass-centric producers. Releases with Taiki Nulight and PEEKABOO have helped propel him forward as he expands his reach. He’s already booked and busy for 2026 with supporting dates for PEEKABOO and sets at The Untz and Lightning in a Bottle, and I’m looking forward to seeing borne reap the benefits of his hard work and masterful production style this year. – M.B.
Casey Club
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Casey Club is a force to be reckoned with. Emerging from the underground as one of the UK’s finest innovators, the genre-blending bass act has received support from the scene’s hottest artists, including Four Tet, Zeds Dead, Tape B, Crankdat, and Hamdi.
Only two years in, Casey Club has become a dancefloor weapon that is quickly amassing accolades. From two #1s on Beatport to ranking as the fourth best-selling dubstep artist on the platform, it’s easy to see why the UK virtuoso has been booked on this year’s Lightning in a Bottle and Illfest lineups. It’s only a matter of time before Casey Club rises to the top. – M.B.
CHKLTE
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CHKLTE, pronounced chocolate, has been DJing since 2012 but has gained serious momentum in recent years. While he grew up in South Texas, you can now see him playing all over the world in Europe, Australia, Asia, and the USA. He’s played festivals like ADE, Sunwaves, UNUM in Albania, and SXM Festival, in addition to taking the stage at venues like Fabric London, DC10, and Hï Ibiza.
Releases from CHKLTE have found a home on labels including Solid Grooves Raw, BienAimer Music, Floorpiece Digital, and many others. These, along with his performances, have led to him becoming a respected member in the scene over the last few years. I’m excited to see what 2026 has in store for him. – Erik Nilsen
claudio.
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NYC-based DJ and producer claudio. had a big 2025. After winning Ranger Trucco’s NYC DJ competition to open at Knockdown Center, he went on to release music on the artist’s imprint, range. He also released a track called “Frankenstein” on Josh Butler’s House Heads Vol. 5 compilation out on Origin Records in November.
While he’s just starting to build a presence in NYC and has been DJing locally, opening for artists like Demuir, it’s exciting to see all his hard work come to fruition as he heads into 2026. He’s an artist to watch for sure. – E.N.
D-VENN
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The hardstyle scene found itself in a unique space this year, where one side of fans was pushing for more distortion and aggression, while the other side pushed for a return to the roots of melodic music. Both sides were equally loud, and D-VENN took the opportunity to make a name for himself. His music truly speaks for itself as he produces at the highest level, mixing the rough elements of raw with the melodic aspects of euphoric, finding himself in the middle of a scene that’s calling for both.
Festival season in 2025 treated him well with debuts at Intents Festival, Reverze, Get Wrecked, and more. The release front was also equipped with plenty of bangers on the Dirty Workz sublabel, DWX Update. If 2025 is any indication of the future, it won’t be a surprise when D-VENN starts hitting more major festivals in 2026 and moves up to the main Dirty Workz label. – Josue Paredes
Dev Lesh
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Hard dance in America is still on the rise despite 2025 being one of its best years. While this may seem like a negative, it opens the door for creativity to run wild in the scene, and Utah-based artist Dev Lesh has fully taken advantage of this aspect. The self-proclaimed CEO of Hard Dance coined the term Corporate Hard Dance, which has been integral to his unique branding that plays into the aesthetic of corporate America. You’ll always catch him playing in a suit and tie anytime you attend one of his mandatory meetings (live shows), and this hilarious gimmick is a breath of fresh air to the hard dance scene.
Don’t be fooled, though. Behind the light-hearted presentation is a force to be reckoned with. With major accolades under his belt, like releasing on ABSOLUTE RECORDS and sharing the stage with legends like Lady Faith and Warface, it’s only a matter of time before Dev Lesh begins dotting all of your favorite hard dance lineups in 2026 and beyond. – J.P.
Gio Lucca
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Gio Lucca has been gaining a ton of popularity and traction over the past year. Born in Peru and now based in Phoenix, Arizona, Gio has released on notable labels like Chris Lake’s Black Book Records and Miami-based PNK Records, in addition to launching his own label, ISO, in 2025 with his remix of “Cocaine Cool.”
He’s gotten a ton of support from DJs like Christina Lazic, Jamie Jones, Marco Carola, and Michael Bibi. Having already performed at major venues in Los Angeles, Miami, Arizona, and Chicago, with very recent performances at Decadence AZ and Floyd Miami, it can only be expected that his 2026 will be even bigger. I’m really excited to see what’s next. – E.N.
KARMÅ
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Multi-faceted artist KARMÅ has quickly become an artist you shouldn’t miss if you’re looking for a dynamic sonic experience. From singing and songwriting to DJing and producing, she’s carved out a unique niche for herself while amassing a following of faithful fans who hang on every note she plays. Last year, she released a reimagined version of “As The Rush Comes” and “Overdrive,” a single that found a home on the legendary mau5trap label. That wasn’t all, as she took the stage at festivals including EDC Las Vegas and Burning Man, while continuing to perform at underground events in Southern California.
If you’re someone who loves futuristic soundscapes and dynamic sets, you won’t want to sleep on KARMÅ this year. The self-described Ableton Angel is sure to continue her rise through the ranks of the scene, and she won’t be taking any prisoners along the way. – G.G.
Koji Aiken
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Drum and bass has left a massive mark on the electronic music scene over the past few years. While some major names have dominated festival lineups, others who have been championing the genre from within the North American scene are also pushing boundaries. Koji Aiken is one of those artists.
The past year saw Koji Aiken embark on a massive run of shows that included appearances at Electric Love Festival, Jungle Bells, Let It Roll Vancouver, Rampage Vancouver, and more. He also played direct support for everyone from Hedex and Crankdat to Culture Shock and REAPER along the way. Add in some fantastic releases, like “Noxious” with makehersay on Riot Records, and an upcoming appearance at Lost In Dreams Vancouver in February, and he’s only further solidified his status as one to watch. – G.G.
Marten Lou
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You don’t earn co-signs from industry heavyweights like Keinemusik, Adriatique, BLOND:ISH, and CamelPhat by accident. German DJ and producer Marten Lou has steadily built a global reputation through his career trajectory that spans desert festivals, underground dancefloors, and international touring circuits. Following a full slate of US dates in late 2025, he is set to carry that momentum into Europe and Asia in early 2026, continuing his rapid ascent on the world stage.
Marten Lou’s ability to command the dancefloor at globally renowned festivals like Coachella and Burning Man speaks not only to the strength of his productions but also to his natural charisma that translates instantly to the crowd. As the new year unfolds, Marten Lou is stepping into his highest tier yet, making him a name to watch closely in the next chapter of his career. – S.L.
Maur
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Electronic duo Maur is climbing the ranks within house music. Based in the UK, the dynamic producers ended 2025 on a high note, signing their first publishing deal with Grammy Award-winning imprint Enhanced Music Publishing.
Championing the melodic house and tech house sounds, Maur’s recent releases include a collaboration with Simon Doty and singles on Insomniac’s IN / ROTATION, Tomorrowland Music, and Dutch label Armada Music. Garnering support from David Guetta, KREAM, Nicky Romero, Miss Monique, and Dom Dolla helped solidify the duo as ascending tastemakers as a new wave of headliners emerges. – M.B.
Max Low
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Tech house troublemaking duo Max Low has been on a massive rise, and you can’t help but fall in love with their fun-loving style. In 2025, they dropped off some fiery tracks on the Addicted EP, while also throwing down bangers like “Everybody” with Casmalia and “Groove on Display.” Yet that wasn’t all that Max Low was up to last year, as they became frequent faces at festivals and club shows across the country, while also joining Insomniac Radio as official hosts.
Max Low is already gearing up for another huge run in 2026 with their radio show, Sunday Secrets, slated to hit Insomniac Radio’s Analog channel, and appearances at Groove Cruise Miami and Beyond Wonderland SoCal already announced. Vibe out with the duo this year, you won’t regret it. – G.G.
Noiseflow
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For the hardstyle scene, 2025 was arguably the year of Deutscher krach, or German noise. At the forefront of this explosive subgenre are the founders themselves, Noiseflow. In their first year as active touring artists, Noiseflow reached the highest heights with performances at Defqon.1 Weekend Festival, Dominator, Tomorrowland, and so many more.
Noiseflow was also extremely active on the release front, with tons of new music, including collaborations with GPF and Lil Texas, and their debut album, We Are Krach. 2026 already promises more noise with a brand-new live act in the works that fans will surely love. Stay tuned to the frequencies of Noiseflow, and if you aren’t familiar, get ready to stimulate your senses to the extreme. – J.P.
Pedro Borlado
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Spanish-born DJ and producer Pedro Borlado has been on the rise, especially recently. He won the first-year scholarship from Chris Stussy, had a debut EP out on Stussy’s Up The Stuss label, which did very well, especially the title track “First Light.”
Since that release in 2024, he’s gone on to play CRSSD in 2025 with friend Ian Sink, secured performances at Shelter in Amsterdam and San Francisco venues like Monarch and Local 500, and released “Aerial Drift” on Nothing But Knowledge in December 2025. With both continued productions and gigs lined up, 2026 will surely be a big year for him. – E.N.
RIXXIA
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When it comes to hard and fast music, fans quickly find out that the Mexican scene is always one step ahead of the curve. Rising artist RIXXIA is no exception, as she has carried the flag for the “neo-perreo” genre, which combines the heavy and speedy beats of hard dance and techno with the vibrant and rhythmic elements of Latin music.
The past year included many milestones for RIXXIA, like playing in the iconic HÖR Berlin bathroom, releasing her debut album, NO LO ENtENDERÍAS!, and touring the US for the first time. As the scene continues craving harder music to get down and dirty to, RIXXIA will undoubtedly be there to provide. – J.P.
SHIMA
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SHIMA’s artistry lives at the intersection of cultural heritage and forward-thinking electronic production. 2025 marked a defining year for the rising talent, highlighted by a steady run of releases and the arrival of her standout debut album, Welcome To SHIMAJIMA, on Young Arts Records. This project introduced SHIMA as a compelling new voice and proves that she is capable of turning her personal identity into club-ready sounds.
Drawing deeply from her Japanese roots while remaining firmly connected to the US electronic music scene, SHIMA channels her rich cultural influences into melodic and energetic production that moves dancefloors across borders. Her growing presence in the US has been underscored by packed performances at major festivals, including Breakaway Mass and Electric Forest, alongside a successful US tour and upcoming debut at Ultra Music Festival. Expect SHIMA to push even further this new year as she represents a new generation of artists whose global perspective is their greatest creative power. – S.L.
Skanka
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There are plenty of passionate artists in the drum and bass scene, and Skanka is one of those artists. While he might be one of the freshest faces to hit the ground running, having made his debut in 2023, he’s since become a staple in the Southern California community. Recent years have seen Skanka drop some fantastic tunes and take the stage in support of some of the scene’s finest, yet last year marked a major shift forward for him.
In 2025, Skanka dropped his impressive debut album, The Hat Man, which was filled with quality drum and bass grooves. This helped push him forward even further, leading to performances at festivals like Beyond Wonderland SoCal, Nocturnal Wonderland, and more. The new year is shaping up to be an even brighter one for this rising star as he returns to Beyond SoCal in March for a set at Mad Hatter’s Castle. He’s sure to make you move on the dancefloor, so don’t sleep on him in 2026. – G.G.
SLAMM
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Miami-based duo SLAMM is quickly becoming a favorite in the underground tech house and minimal scenes. Starting strong with their joint EP, D.O.P.E., with Dan Molinari and Chaste Records label-boss ChaseWest, the rising act reached new heights in 2025.
From major bookings at III Points, Goldrush, and ARC to receiving support from Max Styler, Mau P, and even Skrillex, SLAMM is building upon that momentum for 2026. Making their Club Space debut with Odd Mob on January 30, their Terrace set will serve as the beginning of a new chapter for the project. – M.B.
Snuffy
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Snuffy has had the underground buzzing for quite some time. The solo project of Andre Kouchekey, the multidimensional DJ and producer has graced the stage at major festivals across the country, namely Lightning in a Bottle, Elements, Sound Haven, and Submersion.
Making his debut on Of The Tree’s Memory Palace in early 2025, the lauded producer continued to add to his growing discography throughout the year, releasing a collaboration with EAZYBAKED and his first EP, Movement.
From landing bookings in new cities to a power-packed set for Club Studio Time, Snuffy is clearly on the rise, making his way into the mainstream. As he’s currently booked for The Untz and appearances with Chef Boyarbeatz, Yheti, and Toadface, I suspect we’ll be seeing a lot more of Snuffy in 2026. – M.B.
TDJ
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Montreal-based trance innovator TDJ is the kind of artist who is equally at home commanding intimate club venues and igniting massive festival stages. Known for her magnetic presence and innate ability to read the crowd, TDJ has built a reputation for her performance that feels explosively euphoric. Her ongoing tour, now extending into upcoming North American dates, highlights her relentless work ethic and intuitive connection with audiences.
Following the release of her debut self-titled album, the launch of her own SPF IFINI imprint, and high-profile support from Armin van Buuren in 2025, TDJ enters 2026 with unstoppable momentum. She brings her trance-rooted energy and soaring melodies to capture the audience with a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh. As she steps into bigger stages worldwide, expect her to leave a lasting mark on the global trance music circuit. – S.L.
Yoshiko
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Italian-born DJ Yoshiko has been a part of the scene for many years now. She’s always been an underrated name when it came to uptempo and hardcore. In 2025, however, Yoshiko set the tone for her future by traveling across the spectrum of hard dance with one of the most diverse catalogs from any artist. Aside from releasing her debut album, Insolent, Yoshiko explored the sounds of rawstyle, uptempo, slowtempo, and more across major collaborations with Lil Texas, Anderex, The Dark Horror, and GPF.
The boss of hardcore music, Deadly Guns, also noticed the standout talent and signed her to his label, Black Reaper. As if that wasn’t enough reason to keep an eye on her, Yoshiko already released her first single of 2026, “I Could Be Yoshi,” and it’s making waves across the scene as a viral hit! Follow her into 2026 and get a taste of all the different music she has to offer! – J.P.
Zen Selekta
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Captivating audiences with her “ceremonial bass music,” Zen Selekta has emerged as one of the brightest rising acts within dubstep. Drawing inspiration from her Spanish heritage and daily life, she weaves a world of wonder in her effervescent tracks as she sets out to heal others through her soundscapes.
2025 was a great year for Zen Selekta as she added to her resume with bookings at Escape, Eternal NYE, Seven Stars, and Zeds Dead’s Second Contact, to name a few. The release of her EP, The Mind Killer on CloZee’s Odyzey Music, saw her delve deeper into the dark and mystical universe of her project.
Starting the new year off strong, Zen Selekta is proving she can produce a multitude of genres as she gears up to release her first drum and bass track of the year. As she’s already slated to support INZO on his upcoming Mirrorverse tour, I predict a rapid rise for the dubstep maven as she continues to make her mark in the bass scene. – M.B.
