Borgore

The rise of dubstep over the past decade or so has given rise to plenty of eccentrics and their own unique styles, whether it be Skrillex’s interpolation of metal and dance sounds or the urban edge that Magnetic Man lent to both their group and solo endeavours, and Borgore is another artist who stands as a testament to that; hailing from Tel Aviv, Israel, he’s blended both classic elements of the genre and some of the new movements that border on novelty - like brostep, for instance - to create a sound that’s certainly plenty marketable, if nothing else. He describes his own sound as ‘gorestep’ on account of his frequently heavy instrumental choices and the regularity with which he references horror movies and culture, and has a diverse musical history that’s seen him perform in strip clubs, collaborate with Miley Cyrus and plenty more besides. He’s also linked up with the likes of Diplo and Waka Flocka Flame, and has proven a staple of the European festival circuit this summer, continuing to toy with his unique brand of dubstep in front of huge crowds across the continent. UK fans can catch him at Reading and Leeds festivals very soon, with further dates likely to follow; he’s rarely off the road for long.

San Diego’s Ookay is quickly becoming one of the biggest producers and DJs on the EDM scene. As a style of music that’s designed specifically for clubs and dance floors, it is to be expected that his live show is a good one. Mixing a good sense for the fun and theatrical – sometimes throwing things like a blow up sex doll into the audience – with a genuine skill for knowing how to work the crowd and get people to dance, it is easy to see why he is so popular. His live sets are filled with energy, with him dancing nearly as much as the audience – a sure fire way to get people interested and excited, while slick and well designed visuals and lighting go perfectly with the music to create a better and more enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Sometimes using a live drummer to go with his tracks, he is able to better play upon what he thinks the audience needs for a beat, which adds to the atmosphere and experience. The whole set, as another review put it, could be seen as ‘”crowd Control”, which perfectly describes Ookay’s talents, both musical, and as a performer. If you get the chance – check him out.