Rising Stars 2025-2026

Rising EDM DJs to Watch 2025-2026

The next generation of electronic music stars. Breakthrough artists, underground favorites going mainstream, and the names you'll hear everywhere soon.

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The electronic music landscape is constantly evolving, with new talent emerging from every corner of the globe. Hard techno is having a moment, with artists like Sara Landry and VTSS leading the charge. Meanwhile, Mochakk proves that Brazil's dance music scene is ready for the world stage, and UK artists like Cici are bringing garage sensibilities back to house.

These aren't just "ones to watch" – many are already headlining festivals and commanding devoted followings. We've identified artists who have broken through in 2024 and are positioned to dominate 2025 and beyond.

From intimate underground clubs to festival mainstages, these are the DJs defining electronic music's next chapter.

The Next Wave

1

Sara Landry

AmericanBerlin, Germany
Hard Techno

Sara Landry went from finance to becoming hard techno's most exciting new voice. Her aggressive productions and high-energy performances have earned her spots at Awakenings, Time Warp, and every major techno festival. She's unapologetically loud, fast, and intense – representing a new generation that likes their techno punishing.

Signature Sound: Brutal, uncompromising hard techno with punk attitude

Breakthrough: 2024 Awakenings debut, viral Boiler Room

Hard TechnoIndustrial

Why Watch: The hard techno revival has found its poster child. Landry's trajectory is straight up.

2

Mochakk

BrazilianSão Paulo, Brazil
House

Mochakk brought Brazilian sunshine to house music. His productions blend disco, house, and Latin influences into something genuinely fresh. Club tracks like 'Vem Kika' and 'Bro' became dancefloor staples worldwide, and his sets radiate pure joy. He's proof that house music's future is global and diverse.

Signature Sound: Brazilian disco house with irresistible grooves

Breakthrough: 2023-2024 global breakout, Circoloco debut

Disco HouseNu Disco

Why Watch: The disco house revival needed a new hero. Mochakk delivers.

3

Indira Paganotto

SpanishMadrid, Spain
Techno

Indira Paganotto represents the Spanish techno explosion. Her label Artika showcases hard-hitting productions, and her DJ sets balance darkness with danceability. She's become a fixture at major festivals while maintaining underground credibility – a difficult balance that many attempt but few achieve.

Signature Sound: Dark, driving techno with Spanish intensity

Breakthrough: Awakenings resident, festival circuit domination

TechnoHard Techno

Why Watch: Spanish techno is having a moment, and Paganotto is leading the charge.

4

Skin On Skin

AustralianMelbourne, Australia
House

Skin On Skin emerged from Melbourne's underground with a sound that feels both retro and futuristic. His productions dig into rave history with modern production techniques, creating something that appeals to old-school heads and new ravers alike. Defected and Glitterbox have championed his cause.

Signature Sound: Raw, sample-heavy house with rave nostalgia

Breakthrough: Defected releases, Glitterbox recognition

HouseRave

Why Watch: The rave revival is real, and Skin On Skin sounds like its future.

5

HAAi

Australian/BritishLondon, UK
Experimental

HAAi doesn't fit in a box – and that's the point. Her sets weave through techno, breakbeat, ambient, and beyond, creating experiences rather than just DJ sets. Her production work has earned critical acclaim, and her live shows are genuinely unpredictable. She represents electronic music's adventurous spirit.

Signature Sound: Psychedelic, genre-fluid electronic journeys

Breakthrough: Mute Records signing, festival breakthrough

TechnoExperimental

Why Watch: For those tired of formulaic DJ sets, HAAi offers something genuinely different.

6

VTSS

PolishBerlin, Germany
Hard Techno

VTSS represents Poland's ascendant techno scene. Her productions hit hard, her DJ sets are relentless, and her aesthetic is uncompromisingly dark. From Warsaw warehouses to Berghain, she's proven that Eastern European techno deserves its moment in the spotlight.

Signature Sound: Intense, industrial-tinged hard techno

Breakthrough: Berghain bookings, international festival circuit

Hard TechnoIndustrial

Why Watch: Polish techno is producing world-class talent, and VTSS leads the pack.

7

Yulia Niko

UkrainianBerlin, Germany
Melodic House

Yulia Niko brings Ukrainian heritage to melodic house. Her productions carry emotional weight that distinguishes them from generic melodic fare, and her sets build with patience and purpose. In a crowded melodic scene, she's found a distinctive voice that resonates globally.

Signature Sound: Emotional melodic house with Eastern European soul

Breakthrough: Crosstown Rebels support, Burning Man recognition

Melodic HouseOrganic House

Why Watch: Melodic house needs artists with genuine emotion. Niko delivers.

8

ACRAZE

AmericanMiami, USA
Tech House

ACRAZE's 'Do It To It' became one of the biggest dance tracks of the decade, crossing over from clubs to radio to TikTok. While critics debate his place in the underground, dancefloors don't lie – his tracks move people. He represents tech house's commercial potential.

Signature Sound: Festival tech house with massive drops

Breakthrough: 'Do It To It' global phenomenon

Tech HouseEDM

Why Watch: Love it or hate it, ACRAZE knows how to make a hit.

9

Cici

BritishLondon, UK
UK Garage

Cici represents the UK's renewed love affair with garage and two-step rhythms. Her productions feel distinctly British while appealing globally, and her DJ sets showcase deep knowledge of UK dance music history. She's part of a wave bringing garage sensibilities back to house.

Signature Sound: UK garage-infused house with vocal chops

Breakthrough: Fabric bookings, FUSE recognition

HouseUK Garage

Why Watch: UK garage is influencing everything right now. Cici's at the forefront.

10

Lilly Palmer

GermanCologne, Germany
Techno

Lilly Palmer has built a massive following through consistent output and tireless touring. Her techno straddles the line between underground and festival-ready, appealing to both camps. She's become one of the most-booked techno DJs globally through pure work ethic and crowd-pleasing sets.

Signature Sound: High-energy techno with festival appeal

Breakthrough: Festival circuit dominance, label success

TechnoHard Techno

Why Watch: Palmer's rise shows what dedication and consistency can achieve.

Trends Shaping the Next Generation

The Hard Techno Explosion

Hard techno has moved from the underground to festival mainstages. Artists like Sara Landry, VTSS, and Indira Paganotto are leading a movement that values intensity over subtlety. BPMs are climbing, distortion is welcome, and crowds are responding with fervor. This isn't your parents' techno.

Global Voices

Electronic music is becoming genuinely global. Mochakk from Brazil, Yulia Niko from Ukraine, and artists from scenes previously overlooked are finding international audiences. The genre is richer for this diversity, with each region bringing unique influences to the dancefloor.

The Return of UK Sounds

UK garage, breakbeat, and distinctly British sounds are influencing house and techno globally. Artists like Cici, HAAi, and the Fred again.. wave have reminded the world that the UK's dance music heritage remains vital and evolving.

Social Media & Virality

TikTok and Instagram have changed how DJs build audiences. ACRAZE's success showed that a single viral moment can launch a career. While purists debate the merits, the reality is that social media savvy is now part of the skillset for emerging artists.

Discover More Artists

Browse our complete DJ database or explore our genre-specific guides for more recommendations.