Many of you might not know this, but Lucas van Scheppingen, better known as Laidback Luke competed in the Kung Fu World Championships in Hong Kong. Luke won 4 gold medals and 1 silver medal. Luke explained on Twitter that he practices Kung Fu to keep healthy and not to kick asses. Congratulations Luke on your win!

Laidback Luke training with Yu Dai Fu

Today it’s been exactly one month since the release of Dirty South’s (Born Dragan Roganović)  long awaited Album, but ‘Speed of Life’ still dominates the hearts of most people in the scene. With releases collaborating with Thomas Gold on ‘Alive’ and ‘Walking Alone’ but moreover teaming up with Alesso on ‘City of Dreams’ the Australian-based Producer made the expectations on ‘Speed of Life’ run extremely high. (more…)

“X, it’s a new era and it’s the ten years of SIZE. X has been something I’ve had in my head for a very long time. Creativity it gives freedom, fuel and new life”

–      Steve Angello

Determined to keep things fresh and exciting, at the end of this month Angello will be launching new label X, providing another outlet for some of the myriad styles of music that inspire him.  The label will start off with a new two track EP from revered dance music veteran Trent Cantrelle entitled ‘Nice & Close’.

The label will be firmly asserting its position with a new release schedule in place stretching throughout 2013 and beyond. X will focus on the deeper and techier side of the SIZE family’s multi-faceted sound, reaching new audiences and providing further fuel to dance floors worldwide.

Riverdance festival returns as World of Pleasure, but on a brand new location! After six years of being located in a recreational area ‘t Waal organization X-Sense Events moved the festival to Laagravense plassen in Utrecht. The leafy grounds with playful height levels and stunning views over the lake offers many exciting opportunities for the organization of the festival.

Not only the location is new, but the name is different! Last year at Riverdance they increased the showelement to a higher level and this was just a taste of what is to come in 2013. Riverdance Festival presents: World of Pleasure.

DJ Mag revealed the lists of the best clubs of the planet. Find the Top 100 Clubs below.

The Scumfrog – In Case We’re All Still Here (preview part 1)

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Nearly a decade after his last artist album, the underground legend that is The Scumfrog returns. His roots firmly planted in the underground House scene, the Dutch born producer/DJ brings a new connection between the intangible and deep and the ever-growing movement that is electronic dance music. ‘In Case We’re All Still Here’ is The Scumfrog in full underground swing.

Now that the dance scene is more alive than ever before, New York based producer Jesse Houk shines a new light on the deep, techy sounds of the underground. With more than 15 years of experience, the mastermind behind classics such as ‘The Watersong’ and remixes for the likes of Armin van Buuren, Missy Elliott, New Order, Kylie Minogue and Annie Lennox, is ready to take another deep dive into the journey of music. All through the sounds of ‘In Case We’re All Still Here’.

Featuring collaborations with Sting, Static Revenger, Christian Burns, Vince Elliott, Vassy and more, ‘In Case We’re All Still Here’ is the brand new album of The Scumfrog. An eclectic affair that takes you past the entire spectrum of electronic dance music.

 The Scumfrog – In Case We’re All Still Here

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There has been much criticism on the live-set Avicii played on the mainstage of Ultra music festival this year. Avicii previewed his new album in co-operation with musicians playing instruments live on stage.  Only by looking at the comments of the soundcloud you can tell that a lot of people were not amused. Avicii felt the need to explain himself to his fans. Here below you can read the statement Avicii posted online earlier this day.

Wow looks like I stirred up some controversy with my set friday night at UMF. Seeing alot of people who dont understand. My full set wasn’t being streamed, only the last 40ish minutes with all new material from my album.

In a 75 minute set, I brought a 15 minute different breakdown with live musicians to a festival with nonstop dance music for 3 days straight 2 weeks in a row . I really wanted to switch things up and do something fun and different, as I always strive for, and this album is about experimentation and about showing the endless possibilities of house and electronic music. Its about how to incorporate acoustic instruments from different styles and influences you wouldnt expect and still stay true to your own sound and musicality which for me has always been about the melodies and positive energy. I will always produce music that I love and listen to. But my album is certainly not “country”, and people have gotten hung up on an instrument we used for the live cover of a song. Every song on the album is a fusion with house and electronic music.

We wanted to make a statement, and theres really no better place to make one than UMF mainstage. People will soon see what it’s all about.

My music is open to anyone who wants to listen to it and I will always stay true to my sound. Love you all who listen with open hearts and open minds. These past few months Ive been so lucky to have had the chance to work with so many talented artists and to bring them there when I launch the album was amazing and they all did an amazing job.

This was my first time performing with a band and I couldnt have asked for more a professional team, I really want to thank Michael Einziger and his fiancee, Ben Kenney and Jose Pasillas II from Incubus, Aloe Blacc, legend Mac Davis, Audra Mae and Dan Tyminski for joining me on stage.