Ten acts to catch at Printworks' 10 Years Of The Hydra celebrations

We've selected 10 acts from across the 3 events that you won't want to miss out on...

This weekend sees iconic London club promoter The Hydra mark 10 years in the game, and to celebrate this monumental moment they’re throwing a series of birthday parties with three long term and special collaborators, Hessle Audio, Erased Tapes and EFG London Jazz Festival.

All taking place at Printworks through October and November, the shows will pay homage to The Hydra’s history and influence, building on their reputation for pushing the boundaries of all things electronic and experimental. Taking place at one of the UK’s most iconic venues, these three shows will be part of the last season for several years as the venue closes for a period of regeneration. With the Hessle Audio event kicking off this Saturday October 29, we’ve selected 10 acts from across the 3 events that you won’t want to miss out on.

Ben UFO [Hessle Audio 15]

One of the co-founders of the influential dance label Hessle Audio alongside Pearson Sound and Pangaea, Ben UFO is regarded as one of the scene’s leading figures for unearthing new talent and helping them transform into stars. When he isn’t offering a platform to the figureheads of tomorrow, his skills as a selector are also up there with the best in the business. He’ll be playing a special b2b set with the rest of the Hessle Audio trio at Printworks this weekend…if you’re a fan of UK electronic music, it’s going to be one for the history books.

Bonobo [EFG London Jazz Festival 30th Birthday]

Since his debut release in 1999, British producer and DJ Bonobo has been bringing a musicians edge to the world of electronic music. Breaking boundaries with his visceral live shows and emotional dance anthems, he’ll be making the pilgrimage to Printworks in the coming weeks to perform a DJ set at the EFG London Jazz Festival’s 30th Birthday event.

Dauwd [Erased Tapes 15 Festival]

Toasting wonky dance floor heaters with the precision and complexity other artists might shy away from, US-born, Welsh-raised producer Dauwd is one of electronic music’s most interesting and unique figures. His warm, dreamlike sound fuses house, garage and techno while his live shows are guided by driving percussion and immaculate low-end production. Locked in for the Erased Tapes 15 Festival on November 5, Dauwd will make sure to put on a show to remember.

Gilles Peterson [Erased Tapes 15 Festival]

The widely admired producer, DJ and label head Gilles Peterson has been announced as one of the special guests at Erased Tapes 15 Festival next month. These days stealing the headlines with his work behind the scenes, helping to run his We Out Here festival, Worldwide FM and Brownswood Recordings imprint, the tastemaker will be returning to his post behind the decks to get the Printworks walls shaking.

Joe Armin-Jones & Maxwell Owen [EFG London Jazz Festival 30th Birthday]

Bubbling away beneath the surface of South London’s jazz and dance scenes, Maxwell Owen and Joe Armin-Jones are operating on a level of their own. Their down-to-earth, humble energy makes them some of the nicest guys in the game but when it comes to putting on a special performance, this inimitable duo could go toe-to-toe with anybody.

Nathan Fake [Erased Tapes 15 Festival]

Once a teenage prodigy in the early 2000s electronic scene, Norfolk producer Nathan Fake has gone on to garner a worldwide following while establishing himself as a pivotal figure in UK dance culture. Booked in for the forthcoming Erased Tapes event, he’ll be cartwheeling between ambient, techno, house and beyond.

Rival Consoles [Erased Tapes 15 Festival]

It only makes sense for Erased Tapes’ very first signee, London-based producer Ryan Lee West better known under the name Rival Consoles, to make an appearance on the label’s special night. Known for his unique ability to make synthesisers sound human and atmospheric, he’ll be stirring up some magic with his expansive palette of electronic sounds.

Sherelle [Hessle Audio 15]

SHERELLE’s rise to the forefront of UK dance music has been unstoppable. Since her viral Boiler Room performance took place back in 2019, the London-born DJ has held down a Radio 1 residency while also becoming label boss of Hooversound and BEAUTIFUL. Leading a new generation of ravers with her high-energy brand of jungle and drum ‘n’ bass, she’ll be add a fiery new element to the star-studded Hessle Audio party.

Special Request [Hessle Audio 15]

Despite being around the rave block a few times, Paul Woolford still remains on the cutting edge. Digging into the old-skool jungle sounds of ’90s-era pirate radio with his Special Request moniker, this weekend promises to marry one of the UK’s most iconic selectors with one of it’s most famous venues.

Zakia [EFG London Jazz Festival 30th Birthday]

Zakia is a broadcaster, writer and DJ from London with a passion for putting people onto the best new music. Currently a host of the NTS Breakfast show, this selector will be showing off her talent for taste-making at the EFG London Jazz Festival event.

Find out more information and buy tickets HERE.