This year, I covered a lot of great live music in Victoria, Vancouver, and even Seattle. However, my live music experience doesn’t stop when I head home for the night, it’s only just beginning. Boiler Room streams have been apart of my routine ever since I saw Kaytranada play an iconic set in Montreal 10 years ago. (That set has 20 million views by the way) For the introverts like myself, viewing Boiler Room sets not only assisted in my music taste but also makes me feel like I can enjoy live sets without needing to be around a ton of people. DJs and other performers see Boiler Room as being a milestone in their careers and for some, it’s the moment before the surge for stardom. I checked out a ton of sets this year, but here are 10 of my favourite sets plus 1 honourable mention. These are also in no particular order. Hope you enjoy these sets as much as I did!

Yasmin Gardezi (IRL)

Boiler Room: Dublin

Boiler Room visited Dublin for a broadcast of techno and featured Ireland’s very own Yasmin Gardezi for an hour long set. Gardezi gives it her all in front of a passionate crowd and provided some of techno’s finest tracks. Around the 53 minute mark, she spins a hard techno bootleg of Tiësto’s Adagio for Strings by BYØRN, which fits so well with the strobe lights and I could only imagine what it felt like in person once the drop took place.  I find that sets like these just feel so good. When watching, you can see everyone just having a good time and living in the moment. You only get that from a well curated set and Yasmin Gardezi provided that. Find yourself immersed into these sounds, you won’t regret it.

 

TXC (ZAF)

Boiler Room London: Soulection

Amapiano is subgenre of house based out of South Africa and has been dominating the music scene lately. TXC are just one name spearheading the genre. The duo joined Boiler Room and Los Angeles Music Collective, Soulection for this London broadcast collaboration. Blending both the calm side and energy driven side of the genre into their hour and half set, TXC truly know how to vibe with the crowd. I would normally highlight a part of the set you should check out, but this whole set had everything for me. However, there’s a great remix of Kelis’s Milkshake around the 12 minute mark. Any artist who feels the music as passionately as these two get a win in my book. Amapiano is defintely going to flourish even further as we head into 2024, so mark it down on your radar as a new genre to check out!

 

X Club (AUS/ENG)

Boiler Room x AVA Festival 2023

Boiler Room and AVA Festival in Belfast have had a long history together as a partnership. During those past years, we have seen incredible performances including Or:la, DJ Boring, and Bicep, just to name a few. This year was no different as we got to experience the power duo, X Club. Originally from Australia but now based out of London, the duo performed a techno set unlike any other. During the 48 minute mark, X Club spun their track Block Rockin. This track has to have some addictive properties to it because I could not stop listening to it after I heard it during this set. AVA Festival sets are unlike any other and I think it’s because the crowds are so engaged at these sets. I am going to say it here: Ireland might have the best crowds because they did not play around for X Club. My inbox is open to try and change my mind but I don’t think it’s possible.

Jayda G (CAN)

Boiler Room: London

This may be a familiar face to some! The Queen of Grooves and BC local, Jayda G joined Boiler Room during one of their broadcasts in London, for a night of non-stop dance music. This wasn’t her first Boiler Room rodeo, as she’s joined previous broadcasts in London and Amsterdam. That being said, her most popular set was 6 years ago at Amsterdam’s Dekmantel Festival, so this was a long awaited return. Just prior to the 29 minute mark, Jayda featured her own track, Both of Us. This track’s smooth piano loop, matched with her presence and overall energy was a treat. Not only that, but this track took it up a notch after it began to slow down, only to return at an increased tempo. Jayda truly is an amazing artist and it’s fortunate that she’s from our own provincial backyard.

Kimoji (IDN)

Boiler Room: Bali

During the Summer, Boiler Room made its way over to Indonesia. During their broadcast in Bali, we got to hear a set from Kimoji. The Indonesian resident had a very diverse set but was easily grooveable for the attendees. A few seconds after the 22 minute mark, his set featured Spanish Hustle by RICO. A true summer banger which ended up fitting the setting of the night so well. Speaking of setting, the stage and visual production for this broadcast made for one of the most pleasing visual experiences on this list. It was not too overpowering and blended with the music super well. To sum this set up: a very underrated set which definitely needs a boost in views. Get immersed into the sounds of Kimoji, but be aware that this set may make you miss the Summer. May I suggest drinking a nice tropical drink while listening?  

Chase & Status (ENG)

Boiler Room: London

Those bothered by flashing lights be warned because Boiler Room didn’t play around with this broadcast. When it comes to the legendary Drum and Bass sounds of Chase & Status, how could they not come correct? The hour-long set took place in London for what was a night of non-stop hits. Right out the gate, the mix featured an unreleased track entitled On The Block, which was a collaboration with fellow UK DnB producer Mozey, and featured Grime artists Sav’o & Horrid1. Mixed with a powerful strobe light, it was an early clue that this set was not messing around. There’s no question that Chase & Status are elites in the Drum n Bass scene and this crowd knew what they were experiencing. I could only imagine how crazy this set would’ve been live and maybe the DnB sounds of Chase & Status will bless the west coast some day.

Patrick Mason (GER)

Boiler Room x Glitch Festival 

When you look at the art of deejaying, some would say that all one does is sit behind a table. If Berlin based DJ, Patrick Mason could say anything about that take, I bet he would say, “Hold my drink”. Making waves in the European techno scene, Patrick made his Boiler Room debut at Malta’s Glitch Festival. While this was a DJ set by definition, I would go as far to say this was an experience more than anything. It felt like Mason had choreography for each song played. It definitely says something when the best dancer of the set was the DJ themselves. At the 29 minute mark, Mason spun an unreleased track by Italian techno producer M.I.T.A. The way the song transitioned in felt just right and you could tell the crowd really enjoyed it. Overall, an incredible debut which was truly expected by an incredible DJ. 

VHOOR (BRA)

Boiler Room x Primavera Sound Barcelona x Cupra

“Funk Carioca”, if you have never heard the genre before, I highly recommend that you become acquainted with it. The genre is the sound of current day Brazil and its Favelas. One name, who is a powerhouse in the Funk Carioca scene is Belo Horizonte’s VHOOR. The Brazilian beatmaker and DJ made his presence known during Boiler Room’s Primavera Sound broadcast in Barcelona. If you’re looking for an energy packed set, this is definitely it. Just before the 43 minute mark, VHOOR spins this track which comes up on Apple Music as Mega Macumbinha Do Jlz [[Club Tool]] by JLZ. This track hits the crowd just perfectly and you can see the energy in the room, even near the tail end of his set. My hope is that 2024 will include a lot more Funk Carioca in it and a whole lot more VHOOR.

Leonce (USA)

Boiler Room: Atlanta

The month of April saw Atlanta go crazy on the broadcast. One of the night’s most memorable acts was the legendary DJ and Producer, Leonce. The NOLA born artist had a fantastic year and his Boiler Room set is one example of this. Blending dance tracks with some of the smoothest vocal tracks I’ve heard. The venue, packed from front to back, saw a crowd going non-stop for Leonce. If I had to pick a favorite moment from the set, it would definitely be when he spun an incredible remix of Beyonce’s AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM, which was around the 28 minute mark. Speaking of Queen Bey, Leonce was the opening act for Beyonce’s Atlanta stop of the Renaissance World Tour. Hoping that Leonce can bless the west coast at some point, and possibly bring his “Club Morph” experience with him.

Didi Han (KOR/FRA)

Boiler Room x Roisin Murphy

Boiler Room broadcasted from Paris to showcase the former Moloko singer based out of Ireland, Roisin Murphy. While Murphy was the star of the evening, I have to highlight this set from Paris based producer and DJ, Didi Han. The founder of “Dance Therapy” parties, spun an incredible set to begin the night. The most notable part of this set came in around the 32 minute mark, where Han played her remix of Ditto by South Korean Girl Group, NewJeans. This track had such a euphoric vibe to it that made it perfect for the room’s ambiance. Didi is on the rise and has made a name for herself in Europe and Asia, her most toured continents. Hopefully her stardom continues to take off and she can pop over to North America.

Honorable Mention:

D.Dan (USA/GER)

Boiler Room x Instytut Festival

Alright I know what you’re thinking, “Josh, this set was not in 2023.. It was in 2021”. My response to you is: Yes. In all seriousness, there have been tons of amazing Boiler Room sets from the past few years since the creation of the broadcast. Unfortunately, we would be here all day if I highlighted every set I’ve ever loved. That being said, as an honorable mention, I had to share this insane set from Boiler Room’s Warsaw broadcast. Instytut Festival in Poland welcomed USA born/Berlin based producer and DJ, D.Dan for an intense hour of techno. The Mala Junta member dropped a serious helping of tracks, which I cannot choose a favorite from. To make it easy, Minute 41 and on is what I repeat the most, because the last 18 minutes of their set is amazing. My wish for 2024, is that I take the time to visit Seattle when D.Dan is in town.