ARTIST PROFILES
Almost every dance artist works under a name that is not the one on their passport, and almost every search for one of them starts with the same question. This is where those answers live: one researched profile per artist, checked against primary sources rather than repeated from whatever the last blog said.
What goes into each: the real name and where the alias came from, an honest date of birth where a reliable record exists, the labels and the records that actually moved, the room or the broadcast that turned them from a name on a flyer into a headliner, and a straight account of what they play. Where a fact is reported rather than confirmed, the piece says so.
They are written by a working DJ who books, plays alongside and follows these artists, which is why the profiles tend to notice the things a press release leaves out: who owns the masters, which residency did the real work, and what a set actually sounds like at three in the morning.
29 PIECES · UPDATED 29 SEP 2026
Eric Prydz: Real Name, Pryda, Cirez D and the October UK Tour
Eric Prydz's real name is Eric Sheridan Prydz, born 19 July 1976 in Täby. Pryda, Cirez D, the holosphere, the fear of flying and the October 2026 UK dates.
Solomun: Real Name, Age, Diynamic and the Manchester Return
Solomun's real name is Mladen Solomun, born 27 December 1975 in Travnik, raised in Hamburg. Diynamic, Solomun +1 at Pacha, Boiler Room Tulum, GTA and WHP.
Confidence Man: The Band Behind Pop's Best Live Show (Real Names, Members and 2026)
Who are Confidence Man? The Australian band behind pop's best live show, real names, members, albums and where to catch them live in 2026, explained.
SHERELLE: Real Name, 160 Footwork and the 2026 Ten Pound Tour
SHERELLE is the London DJ behind 160bpm footwork and jungle. Her real name, the 2019 Boiler Room set, the album and the 2026 tour, explained.
Denis Sulta: The Real Name, the Sub Club Years and How Glasgow Built Its Loudest House Export
Denis Sulta's real name is Hector Barbour. The story of the Glasgow house DJ, from Rubadub and the Sub Club to Sulta Selects and 2026.
Jamie xx: Real Name, Age and the Story Behind In Colour and In Waves
Jamie xx's real name is James Thomas Smith. The London producer's story, from The xx to In Colour, In Waves and the 2026 Harry Styles MSG residency.
Tim Reaper: Real Name, the Jungle Revival, and Why 2026 Is His Year
Tim Reaper's real name is Ed Alloh, the London junglist and Future Retro London boss behind jungle's first Hyperdub album. Who he is, explained.
LF System: The West Lothian Duo Who Beat Beyonce
LF System are Conor Larkman and Sean Finnigan, a West Lothian duo. Inside Afraid to Feel, its 1970s sample and the eight-week UK number one.
Anish Kumar: Real Name, the Vet Student and His 2026 UK House Rise
Is Anish Kumar his real name? The vet-trained UK house producer from Washington, his Barry Can't Swim track and his 2026 US and Phonox dates.
Amelie Lens: Real Name, Age and the Techno Star Who Became an Album Artist in 2026
Yes, Amelie Lens is her real name. Her age, the Renee alias, the 11-track AURA album and where to see the techno star live.
Hannah Laing: Real Name, Doof and the Dundee Dental Nurse Who Built a Festival
Hannah Laing is her real name: the Dundee dental nurse turned DJ behind doof, the Platinum single Good Love and Doof in the Park, sold out at 15,000 in 2025.
Four Tet's Real Name: Kieran Hebden, Explained
Four Tet's real name is Kieran Hebden, born September 1977 in Putney. The full story behind KH, Fridge, the Domino case and the 2026 alias.
Overmono: Real Names, Aliases and the Welsh Brothers Behind UK Electronic's Biggest Live Act
Overmono are brothers Tom and Ed Russell from Monmouth, Wales. Real names, aliases Truss and Tessela, Pure Devotion and their 2026 live shows, explained.
Sara Landry: The Real Name and Rise of Hard Techno's High Priestess
Sara Landry is her real name, no alias. The DJ Mag No. 1 Hard DJ, HEKATE, Spiritual Driveby, Boiler Room and her London Teletech ties, explained.
Peggy Gou's Real Name: The Kim Min-ji Behind the K-House
Peggy Gou's real name is Kim Min-ji, born in Incheon on 3 July 1991, now 35. The Berlin-based DJ plays The Warehouse Project b2b MPH on 21 November 2026.
Ewan McVicar: The Real Name, the Sample Myth and the Scot Who Built His Own Festival
Is Ewan McVicar his real name? Yes. The Ayr DJ behind Tell Me Something Good, the Trainspotting sample myth debunked, Pavilion and his 2026 Hi Ibiza run.
Bou: The DJ Behind Manchester's Jump-Up Takeover
Bou (pronounced Boo) is Mohamed Amine Bouguenna, 29 or 30, the Algerian-born Manchester DnB producer behind Baddadan. Next: WHP Manchester, 9 October 2026.
Chris Stussy: The Real Name Behind House Music's No-Phones Year
Chris Stussy is Niels Christian Steenbergen, born 2 July 1994 in Leiderdorp. Since 18 August 2026 he performs as Chris Stassy. USS Manchester: 9 and 10 October.
Sammy Virji: Real Name, Age and How He Became UK Garage's Biggest Star
Sammy Virji's real name is Samuel Bashir Virji, born in London on 30 September 1996 and raised in Witney. He turns 30 on 30 September 2026.
Mall Grab: The Producer Who Beat the Lo-Fi House Joke
Who is Mall Grab? Real name Jordon Alexander, the Australian who beat the lo-fi house joke, built Steel City Dance Discs and became a festival headliner.
TSHA: The Self-Taught Producer Who Made Feeling Festival-Sized
Who is TSHA? Real name Teisha Matthews, the self-taught London producer behind Capricorn Sun and Sad Girl making emotional, melodic dance music on Ninja Tune.
salute: The Producer Who Made Feel-Good Dance Music a Mission
Who is salute? Real name Felix Nyajo, the Vienna-born, Manchester-made producer behind TRUE MAGIC who turned feel-good UK club music into a philosophy.
Main Phase: The Dane Who Mastered British Speed Garage
Who is Main Phase? Real name Adam Schierbeck, the Copenhagen producer who mastered UK speed garage via Rinse FM and now co-runs ATW with IPC.
MPH: The Craftsman Bridging UK Garage and the Mainstream
Who is MPH? Real name Myles Fairbairn, the Canterbury producer with UK garage's sharpest 4x4 basslines, from 132.00FM to major-label and Bangalter co-signs.
Nia Archives: The Artist Who Put Jungle Back at the Heart of British Music
Nia Archives is Dehaney Nia Lishahn Hunt, born in Bradford in September 1999. Her album Emotional Junglist is on the 2026 Mercury shortlist; winner 22 October.
Barry Can't Swim: How Edinburgh's Classically Trained Producer Became a Festival Headliner
Who is Barry Can't Swim? Real name Joshua Mainnie, the Edinburgh producer behind When Will We Land?, Loner and festival-headlining emotional house, explained.
Fred again.. in 2026: How the Voice-Note Producer Became Dance Music's Biggest Everyman
Fred again.. is Fred Gibson, born 19 July 1993 in Balham, south London, son of barrister Charles Gibson KC. His age, parents, name and the USB002 run.
KETTAMA: Real Name, Age & Where He's From (Galway)
KETTAMA is Evan Campbell, born 30 May 1997 in Galway, Ireland, so he is 29. His genre, tattoos, the Archangel album and his sold-out WHP date.
Who Is Silva Bumpa? The Sheffield UK Garage Producer
Silva Bumpa is Harry Eagle, 25, born July 2001 and raised in Sheffield, now Manchester-based. Real name, Hope Works roots and his Roundhouse date.