Initial Festival Line Up 2023

AMELIE LENS

Amélie Lens kick-started her career by arranging her own events in Antwerp, which took off after her productions caught the attention of the music industry. In 2014, she was invited to be a resident at Labyrinth Belgium. Since then, she has launched two labels, Lenske and Exhale Records, and started her own club nights called Exhale. Today, she is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the global techno scene and performs at renowned festivals and clubs across the globe.

ANETHA

With a style that blends futuristic techno, trance, and experimental music, Anetha is considered to be at the forefront of the new generation of French DJs. Her decade-long career is defined by her immersive and captivating sets, featuring textured tracks with groovy beats.

NTO

Originally from the south of France, NTO first discovered electronic music at the age of 18 and fell in love with Germany’s minimal techno scene. Alongside Joachim Pastor and Worakls, he founded Hungry Music in 2013, and his career skyrocketed with popular tracks such as "Trauma" and "La clé des champs." NTO is now embarking on a fresh chapter in his career, experimenting with deep basslines and trippy harmonies to craft dynamic and arresting melodies.

TRYM

TRYM, a rising French DJ also known as "Sparkling Water Boy," is breaking boundaries with his blend of Hard dance and Hard trance. With a fascination for creating music from his imagination and emotions, TRYM's main motivation as an artist is to share his work with others. While his performances are focused on providing an emotional experience for his audience, Trym is also dedicated to evolving his sound and continuing to tell his story through music.

ALIAS (FUGITIV’)

Taking inspiration from her multicultural background, Liya, a French DJ with Ethiopian and Breton roots, delves into the depths of various electronic genres to create her unique sound. First discovering electronic music on nights out in Geneva, she emerged onto the Bordeaux scene as an active member of FUGITIV', under the moniker Alias. She has become known for her dynamic and eclectic sets, in which she blends a range of genres, including jungle, UK bass, rap and rock, refusing to be bound by a single style.

DEMUJA

Demuja is an Austrian DJ and producer who infuses his Deep Disco & Raw House music with soulful undertones. Inspired by artists like Kerri Chandler, MCDE, and Glenn Underground, he has built a reputation in the Raw House community for his distinct sound that effortlessly transitions between mellow, melodic vibes and hard-hitting, funky beats.

ÉLÉPHANTMAT

With roots in rave culture, Mathieu Rossier, a.k.a Elephantmat, has been producing and performing live electronic music since 1995. With a residency at Studio Des Sons Animés and already more than 20 immersive concerts to his name, Elephantmat is one of the rare artists to compose in and for a 3-dimensional space.

MAC DECLOS

A multi-talented French electronic music artist, DJ, and producer, Mac Declos was born and raised in a musical family, with a blues guitarist father and a singer/dancer mother. Growing up surrounded by music, he developed a passion for the industry that would propel him to success. Today, Mac Declos is known for his tireless work ethic and unwavering dedication to his craft.

MATES B2B DISTILL

Mates and Distill have made a name for themselves in the Bordeaux scene thanks to their impressive track record of event programming and involvement in the Bordeaux Electronic Week festival. At the upcoming Initial festival, the two groups are teaming up for a special B2B set with Snug, Pablo, and Prince CH.

ODEN & FATZO (LIVE)

The French electronic music trio Oden & Fatzo is known for their unique live performances, which feature a mix of musical styles, including uptempo House, Solar minimal, Electro breakbeat, and UK garage. Drawing inspiration from funk, jazz, and hip-hop, their unique style has quickly propelled them to the forefront of the French music scene.

VITESS (LIVE)

Vitess is a Parisian producer who is quickly becoming a standout in the French music scene. With releases on various labels and live performances featuring warm grooves and house rhythms, he has established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Vitess produces music under various aliases and has even launched his own label, Retro Futura, with his first album released under his original moniker.

ADRIATIQUE

Originally from Zurich, the DJ and producer duo Adriatique is renowned in the international house and techno scene for their hypnotic groove with subtle twists. Having worked together for over 10 years, they have successfully turned their musical differences into a unique and highly recognizable sonic combination.

FOLAMOUR

With over 130 global performances in 2019 and a Boiler Room showcase that catapulted him to fame, Folamour has emerged as a pioneer of dynamic and energizing music, which has taken the world by storm, getting everyone dancing in 2023!

KAS:ST DJ SET

Through their captivating live performances and striking visuals, the electronic music duo KAS:ST has become renowned for pushing the limits of electronic music. Their introspective and somber techno tracks immerse listeners in a trance-like state, forging a sense of togetherness on the dancefloor. The artists’ unique approach to techno is rooted in a passion for fostering unity, channeling raw emotion and resisting all forms of oppression.

KOBOSIL

Widely regarded as one of the top techno DJs and producers, Kobosil has played a pivotal role in crafting a distinctive sound that is raw, fast-paced, and unrelenting. Shaped by his upbringing in Neukölln, a working-class neighborhood in Berlin, he draws inspiration from the cathartic force of EBM, noise, and industrial music.

PAULA TEMPLE

In the music business for more than 15 years, Paula Temple is the maestro of all things noisy, ethereal techno. Her high-voltage tunes have electrified the techno scene, putting her right on top of the charts worldwide.

AMORCE

Amorce is a collective of six female DJs from the Bordeaux music scene who came together to promote greater equality and inclusiveness in the industry. Drawing on their individual styles and visions of DJing, each member brings a distinctive flavor to the group's diverse and colorful repertoire. Their shared ambition is simple: to get people dancing!

CASSIE RAPTOR

Establishing herself as one of the key figures of the new techno scene, Cassie Raptor is known for her raw atmospheres, hefty basslines, industrial noise, and analog textures that unleash a cathartic energy on the dancefloor. Constantly striving to create unique experiences with her sets, the DJ-producer blends infectious energy with cinematic soundscapes and vocal narratives that defy convention. Brace yourself for a journey into the Raptor's world.

ÉLÉPHANTMAT

With roots in rave culture, Mathieu Rossier, a.k.a Elephantmat, has been producing and performing live electronic music since 1995. With a residency at Studio Des Sons Animés and already more than 20 immersive concerts to his name, Elephantmat is one of the rare artists to compose in and for a 3-dimensional space.

LŪV

LŪV is both a techno music producer and a performing artist, known for her hypnotic and powerful live performances. Her tracks are infused with a unique blend of instinct and energy, seamlessly merging softness with raw intensity. Winner of the BPM Contest, she has also released the EPs Wildheart and They used to call us witches. She has appeared at major festivals and shared stages with well-acclaimed artists including Jeff Mills, Space 92, Irene Dresel, and Marc Rebillet. As part of the Initial Festival, LŪV is set to present a brand new immersive live performance on the 360º stage!

MAMA SNAKE

Mama Snake first made a name for herself as a DJ with the Copenhagen-based Apeiron Crew before stepping out on her own. She quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with, thanks to her signature sound that blends hard-hitting beats and evocative synths with a seamless mixing style. With a rapidly growing fan base, she now balances her career as a touring techno DJ with her work as a recently graduated surgeon.

MARY B

Mary B is the newest member of the Bordeaux-based collective SUPER Daronne. Her soundscapes take listeners on a sonic journey, weaving together cosmic downtempo and hypnotic techno. After years of involvement in local initiatives such as the SUPERCAMP festival and IBOAT, over the past 12 months Mary has finally taken flight behind the decks. Her talent has been recognized by Mutant Radio, Ola, and Dia Radio, where she currently holds a residency and continues to impress audiences with her dynamic sets.

SALOMEE

Bordeaux-based DJ Salomée has been holding down a residency at IBOAT since late 2021. She has since teamed up with Rey Colino, founder of the Kalahari Oyster Cult label, to co-create a series of three club nights. With sets that are characterized by a unique blend of techno and electronic, Salomée is constantly refining and evolving her sound.

UFO95 (LIVE)

Exploring uncharted sonic territories, UFO95 expertly blends influences from disparate eras and genres into a hypnotic, otherworldly sound. Drawing inspiration from 60s and 70s psychedelic rock, 90s techno, and the jungle and experimental scenes, he has crafted a hypnotic and truly unique sound. Recently back home in France, the artist released his debut album "Popularity is overrated" on the Mama Told Ya label in a mind-bending collaboration with Anetha.