Our favourite mystical escape in the woods is back. Much like the rest of the UK festival industry, Gottwood was forced to postpone its festivities two years in a row due to the pandemic, but this year promises triple the fun.
Set in the grounds of Carreglwyd Estate in Anglesey, North Wales, the four-day event takes place between 9th and 12th June and brings together some of the most exciting underground DJs and live acts, many of whom return year on year.
Names like Call Super, Helena Hauff, Soichi Terada and Move D will descend on the idyllic location across the weekend, but away from those regular faces and bigger names, there’s a whole slew of talent a bit further down the line up which is well worth adding to the top of your watch list.
Gottwood takes place between 9th-12th June.
Tim Reaper
Ok, we must admit, Tim has made quite the name for himself over the last few years but he deserves every ounce of attention he’s been getting, especially since he’s been at it for over a decade and has released more records than we’ve had hot dinners.
Part of the new wave of UK producers who are spearheading the revival of jungle, DnB and hardcore, Tim Reaper has helped to put these sounds on the map with his Future Retro Underground imprint and his intricate productions, which have been released on Lobster Theremin, Hooversound Recordings and Sneaker Social Club, to name but a few.
Expect a proper masterclass when Tim steps up to the plate. If you’re looking for an energy hit, mark this at the top of your list.
Low End Activist
While we’re on the subject of Sneaker Social Club, we can’t not mention label boss Low End Activist. The Germany-based producer has made quite the impact with his weighty take on grime, bass and dubstep, pushing a sound that has distinctly Bristolian roots, which is his former home.
Recently he’s put out a handful of EPs on his other imprint Low End Activism, which join records on Earful of Wax, Seagrave and Bobby Donny, but now he’s returning to SSC for a brand new LP, Hostile Utopia. LEA is big on bringing collaborators into the fold – he’s teamed up with the likes of Flowdan and Trim in the past – and this time is no different as he locks horns with the likes of Mez, Emz and Cadence Weapons.
Get yourself ready for a set full of bass weight, grimey dubs and much more when LEA takes the reigns.
Tia Cousins
A lover of wiggy wubs and dubby chuggers, Tia Cousins is carving out a sound that caters to the late night lurkers and the open-minded steppers. The London-based DJ came up through the radio ranks, sharing her passion for “inbetween sounds” through her shows on Peckham’s Balamii (alongside pal Oscar Abdullah), as well as NTS and Leeds’ Narr Radio.
You’re always in for a treat when Tia’s in the booth – she’s got all grounds covered. Depending on her mood and the weather, you might hear sun-soaked street soul and laid-back synth-pop or leftfield drum cuts, lo-fi new wave and weirdo kraut – plus even a cheeky Madonna edit or a Euro Dance megamix, if you’re in luck.
Her sets are a lesson in digging deep but a reminder not to take yourself too seriously in the process – find her doing just that alongside Ivan Smagghe, Call Super and more on the Thursday evening.
K-Lone
Brighton-based producer K-Lone is just as comfortable making UK techno experiments for the club as he is twinkling compositions to soothe and satisfy.
It’s on his label, Wisdom Teeth – that he runs alongside fellow producer Facta – that these sounds have graced our ears over the last eight years. Of course, he’s made his mark with releases on plenty of other imprints too: Idle Hands, Dr Banana and his other two labels Wych & Sweet ‘n’ Tasty, all of which flaunt his playful take on UK G, house, techno and the rest.
With a temperamental weather forecast on the cards, we’re hoping he’ll bring the sunshine to our Lawn Stage on Friday with his blissed-out live set – one that’ll be sure to help ease sore heads from the nights before.
Aletha
If you’re in need of a pick me up, Aletha‘s got you. Aletha doesn’t stick to one sound though; you’ll just as likely find her rolling through jazz-tinged house cuts and soulful broken beat as you would her shelling out electro, jungle and breaks in a dark room.
Part of the strong Leeds contingent, she cut her teeth in the Northern city before moving back to her home of Manchester, where’s she’s been getting stuck in on the club circuit and the radio waves. As well as holding down radio shows on Sable and Melodic Distraction, she’s been part of the crew at listening bar NAM, as well as locking down a residency at Warehouse Project.
Lucky for you lot, you can catch her twice across the weekend. She’ll be bringing a bag of uplifting sounds to the Trigon on Sunday and joining the Wigflex crew on the Friday eve…
Gottwood takes place between 9th-12th June. Check out the full line up and grab your tickets. Photo: Rob Jones for Khroma Collective.
