PRESS PLAY FESTIVAL SPECIAL: SOUTH WEST FOUR
PLAYLIST FESTIVAL SPECIAL: SOUTH WEST FOUR words Andrea Ward
With the British Summer festival season in full swing, we prepare ourselves for another banger weekend of great music and an even greater atmosphere as South West Four hits Clapham Common with a smashing line-up of house, Drum & Bass, Grime, and Hip Hop. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, SW4 brings to London a variety of acts that perfectly translate what the festival is all about. Ahead of this week's weekend of good music and great fun, we have put together a special Playlist featuring fifteen of our favorite artists performing.
After an incredible performance at the 2016 edition of SW4, grime phenomenon Dizzee Rascal returns to the main stage hosted by Capital FM to turn the heat up with his electrifying tracks. The 'Bop N Keep It Dippin' singer promises an afternoon of real grime with a lot of attitude. Dizzee has become one of the top artists in the Grime scene as his unique and powerful songs bring energy and power into the room whenever you press play.
If you don't know who Jax Jones is, then behold, we are here to change that. Jones is the Grammy-nominated House producer and DJ whose single 'I Got U' hit the number one place on the UK charts and whose collaboration CV includes creating hit-singles with Demi Lovato, Stefflon Don and MNEK to his upcoming tour later this year. Jax has quickly become a reference in house music as he is bringing House back into the mainstream pop scene with originality and boldness without compromising with the great feeling house music stirs up. He hits the Main Stage at SW4 with a set that promises to be a big hit.
Armin Van Buuren is the global star and dance music legend who is no stranger to any of us as his tracks 'This Is What It Feels Like' and 'Another You' – among many others – have provided us with the best night out experience one can have. After performing at SW4's 10th Anniversary, the Dutch DJ and house music master returns to the Main Indoor Stage to celebrate this year's 15th Anniversary. Armin's sets are electrifying and breath-taking with beats that make you move dancing life away while being given even more life.
Dutch DJ and record producer duo Willem van Hanegem and Wardt van der Harst – W&W for the intimate – are "set to send the Common into euphoria" for their return to the Main Indoor stage at SW4. The duo last performed at the festival back in 2014 and they come back for this special anniversary year with a set of their newest and best tracks. Their high-energy and progressive approach to house music has made them references in contemporary House while having the power to gather huge crowds under their musical spell and we could not expect anything less this year.
He is another Dutch music master and producer whose tracks have become iconic throughout the years and we could not be more excited to see Fedde Le Grand's return to SW4 for another session that promises to be a highlight of the weekend. Le Grand beats, grooves and melodies are everything you need if you are looking for a good time. His worldly known 'Put Your Hands Up For Detroit' and 'Let Me Think About It' have made him an icon of House music and one of this year's SW4 highlights and must-see acts.
IDRIS ELBA B2B LOW STEPPA
Yes. Your favorite British actor, the incomparable Idris Elba is also a DJ. In fact, before becoming an actor with award-winning roles such as Luther and Mandela, Elba was a DJ long before TV and movies. Idris has performed under multiple monikers over the years and he hits the decks at SW4 for a unique and not-to-be-missed back to back performance with pioneer Low Steppa. Steppa's bass house has sparked a revolution in the music scene and he is one of the most expected acts to perform this year.
ELI & FUR
If you are looking for some old-school life-pumping funky tech-house then look no further as house and techno duo Eli & Fur come back for another year performing at SW4. The girl-power duo introduces us to an infectious blend of melody and deep bass lines where their vocal abilities shine through in a unique way. The duo has gained a lot of respect and praise for their fresh and effective approach to music while keeping things interesting and engaging.
When you think electronic music and dance culture the name Benny Benassi comes to mind straight away as the Italian DJ, producer, and Remixer has been paving the way for the younger artists for almost twenty years. His breakout track 'Satisfaction' is known by old and young electronic music lovers and has made Benassi someone you not only want to see perform live but someone you must see. As he hits the stage at SW4 we cannot hold back the excitement of seeing one of the most iconic names in the dance music scene bringing to the Common a set that will electrify and captivate.
BUGZY MALONE
Manchester-born Aaron Davis a.k.a Bugzy Malone is another grime act you cannot miss this year as he debuts at SW4 with a greatly expected performance. The UK Grime scene rising star has had one his best years so far after performing at Glastonbury and releasing his EP 'King of The North' which has taken him to the Top 5 UK charts. His raw yet powerful approach to Grime brings a breath of freshness into the scene and we cannot wait to see him performing live at this year's SW4.
Drum & Bass legends Chase & Status are making a very exciting come back to the SW4 stage after eight years away. The London-based duo brings something really special to this year's anniversary as they showcase their 15 years together with a performance that speaks of the history of dance culture. Their sound has paved the way for many new and young artists throughout the last decade and a half and provided party-goers from old and young the best beats for the best night outs.
ROGER SANCHEZ B2B MAMBO BROTHERS
Dominican-American DJ, Remixer, and producer Roger Sanchez is one of the artists whose influence and contribution to the house music scene is undeniable. Being at the forefront of house music since the release of his hit single 'Another Chance', Sanchez is able to blend classic and new tracks with precision and perfection, one of the many reasons why thousands of people are drawn to him whenever he hits the decks. This year, for a very special appearance, Sanchez plays B2B with supreme honchos, Mambo Brothers. They hit the stage for the first time in history in the UK and are one of the highly expected performances at this year's very special anniversary line-up.
KOJO FUNDS
Kojo Funds is the new king of Afro-Swing and has become a sensation in the UK and worldwide with his spicy and powerful mix of Grime and R'n'B and this year, Kojo hits the stage at SW4 for his debut performance. Since 2016, Funds has been rising to the top having sold out his headline show at Electric Brixton with tracks such as 'Tell Me' and 'Whistle', both from his FR32 – Wretch 32s album. His debut performance at SW4 is one not to be missed.
YUNGEN
This South London rapper is someone you should watch closely as his music has been stirring things up in the UK rap and Grime underground scene. He is young and extremely talented, with a freshness and uniqueness you don't see very often. Yungen's catchy punch lines and incredible vocal and lyrical ability are just unreal. His single 'Bestie' took him all the way up to the UK's Top 10 charts and his latest track 'Mind On It' is following on the same footsteps of his earlier single.
Another awesome and highly expected debut performance at this year's SW4 is UK Grime MC Big Narstie. He has become known for his unexpected yet real approach to Grime and performances that are simply incredible. Narstie throws down his very own lyrics along the biggest anthems creating the perfect party atmosphere. His collaboration with Craig David for 'When the Bassline Drops' has out Big Narstie on the forefront of the UK club scene and we just can't wait to see him performing live.
Hannah Wants has become a renowned DJ with some serious credentials in the Bass House scene. Her original songs and remixes have gained her the status of best-loved British DJ after she turned from the football field to the decks and big stages. When playing, Wants is able to fill the atmosphere with this incredible energy and putting everyone under her spell and we can expect not to be disappointed as she goes on at SW4 this year.