Writer, broadcaster and DJ Rosie Riot reports from the International Music Summit in Ibiza, where bass-heavy beats were celebrated at a special event at Akasha.
IMS’s 2025 combined focus on ‘Intergenerational Exchange’ and forty years of drum ‘n’ bass and jungle was celebrated in full effect at Ibizan nightclub Akasha, after one of the busiest International Music Summits to date, which took place in late April.
With a formidable lineup of established legends and younger trailblazers of the bass genres, the event featured footwork aficionado Sherelle (pictured) and Bristolian d’n’b ‘Warlord’ Krust, to name but a few. They were joined by rising star Lens, ahead of her summer tour; Intabeats head honcho Bailey; Radio 1 drum ‘n’ bass show host Charlie Tee; and British Ibiza-based artist Mark System.
Akasha, a 300-cap venue nestled safely within the parameters of Ibiza’s Las Dalias hippy market – and usually more acquainted with house sub-genres – was stormed by an army of d’n’b heads and junglists to celebrate the unique event. As genres, d’n’b and jungle have been celebrating a resurgence globally, including making inroads to Ibiza.
With the likes of homegrown drum ‘n’ bass platform and community Optimal Mass holding regular events on the island, and official stats on Beatport and SoundCloud proving unwavering growth in downloads and uploads alike, electronic music’s heavy hitters show no signs of abating.
Opening the event was Mark System, who kicked off proceedings with a strong start of intricate beats, including much of his own material. Bass appetites whetted, he was followed by d’n’b titan Krust, who satiated the palates of the elders and purists of the genre.
He was followed by Radio 1 drum ‘n’ bass presenter Charlie Tee, who played an accessible mix of polished jump-up style tracks and crowd-pleasers. Rising star Lens then drew in a crowd and pleased patrons old and young with a mix of reggae and jungle rhythms, as well as her newest single, Danger Zone.
Arguably, a large portion of the crowd were keen to see Sherelle, who, hot on the heels of her surprise debut album With a Vengeance, played a prime-time set channelling her recognisable brand of footwork, sometimes going off-piste with happy hardcore and four-to-the-floor euphoria.
The crowd, a mix of die-hard drum ‘n’ bass fans and IMS visitors, bobbed away – albeit thinning slightly as the night grew into the wee hours. Underground stalwart Bailey ended the night with arguably one of the finest examples of rolling drum ‘n’ bass and jungle in its purest form. Opening with a Pola & Bryson remix of Adam F’s Circles, his set was a perfect blend of old and new.
All in all, the event was a huge success. Whilst many offshoots of d’n’b and jungle were expanded into their subgenre categories, it was undoubtedly a fine example of how DJ sets are no longer as linear as they once were. It’s clear that the current wave of more recent talent is taking influence from burgeoning cultural scenes, Spotify playlist variety, and an all-round diversifying world.
Sherelle’s appearance at Akasha and IMS’s panel discussions alike saw her as a key figure at the summit, chewing the fat with legends of the scene such as DJ Flight and recalling post-millennium influences.
Thanks to Rosie for the article. Sherelle’s most recent album With a Vengeance is out now, check it out below.
Check out the top tracks that the 909originals team has recently discovered through Musosoup here. To feature your music on 909originals, click here. 🙂
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