July 18, 2025 |
In a summer with seemingly endless options for clubbing, whether your persuasion is a mammoth festival, headsy venue takeover or even a classic day party, it’s certainly easy to feel overwhelmed. Which is why we have to give a hats off to the team at Junction 2, who have managed the sisyphean task of cutting through the static and brain rot to put on a festival that celebrates the electronic music continuum in all its pulse-raising glory. Oh, and it’s all under the M4.
Having been in operation since 2016, this year’s edition runs from July 25-27 in Boston Manor Park and welcomes a host of big-tent talents for a weekend of sun-dappled revelry. Covering all sonic persuasions – from Friday’s melodic house offerings a la Above & Beyond, Deadmau5 and Adam Beyer, heavy tech and blistering BPM’s courtesy of Charlotte De Witte, Kettama and Effy on Saturday, or Sunday’s euphoric punchbowl of genre-shifters like Job Jobse, Moxie and Saoirse – rest assured even your pickiest friends will have nothing to worry about.
Still, the lineup is pretty chunky, so we sat down with some of our most-anticipated headliners to chat festival essentials, summer soundtracks and even glean a sneak peek at the selections that’ll have us two-stepping into oblivion.
D. Tiffany
Fresh off an appearance at Worthy Farm earlier this summer, international superstar D. Tiffany returns to the British Isles once again. An anticipated fixture at Fold, Nowadays or nights such as Maricas, the Canadian-DJ has been known to delight the senses with a potent blend of trance and electro cuts. Though she reveals little about what’s in store for Junction 2, we can vouch that this set will no doubt be for the lovers, not the fighters.
1. What can we expect from your set at Junction 2?
Music with vocals.
2. What sets UK festivals apart from other countries?
Nice people.
3. What are three essentials in your festival bum bag?
Lip balm, sunglasses, gimbal.
4. What’s one track that’s soundtracked your summer?
Bashkka
From Adonis to Panorama Bar, there’s not a queer night on the planet that Bashkka hasn’t doused in sweat with her heady, body-writhing selections. Born in Munich, this selector was truly raised in the NYC club scene, finding her sound amongst the worlds of house and big beat in grimy raves and parties across the city. As a self-confessed lover of UK festival culture, you’ll find her raising the roof at the Bridge stage (if there is one, that is!) on Junction 2’s final day in action. A fair warning from 10, when we say this set is not to be missed, we mean it.
1. What can we expect from your set at Junction 2?
I’m kicking off the Bridge stage on Sunday and I’m excited to set the mood. The rest of the lineup leans [into] high energy, so I’m going with something a bit more seductive, building tension in all the right places.
2. What sets UK festivals apart from other countries?
There’s something about the UK – especially places like London, Bristol and Manchester – that just hits different. From the very first time I played here, I felt seen, understood and deeply appreciated. It’s rare to find that kind of connection. They don’t just get my music – they feel it.
3. What are three essentials in your festival bum bag?
Lipgloss, my custom earplugs, hot sauce packets.
4. What’s one track that’s soundtracked your summer?
Rather than one track it’s the Floor Control EP by Mawn Lower and Ysheso. My Major Records fam sent this to me a little while ago (it’s out now). It’s sexyyy!
Ryan Elliott
Another selector we’re counting down the hours for is Ryan Elliott, who promises a set filled with “heavy house music and splashes of sunlight”. The Berghain/Panorama Bar resident has dedicated his life to the craft, even starting his own label, Faith Beat, back in 2019 as a means of consolidating his many musical passions, so we’ll be expecting him to sling out all the classics on this one. At Junction 2, you can catch Elliott playing with long-time friend and B2B partner, London-based DJ and producer Theo Kottis.
1. What can we expect from your set at Junction 2?
Heavy house music with splashes of sunlight. I’m playing back to back with Theo Kottis – he’s an old friend and a fantastic DJ so I’m just gonna try to keep up with him ;).
2. What sets UK festivals apart from other countries?
People that go to UK festivals actually “embrace” whatever weather comes their way. I love the fact that English ravers relish the rain and mud. Very die-hard and energetic. We need more of that NRG at all festivals in my opinion. We are here to party and the weather isn’t going to dampen that.
3. What are three essentials in your festival bum bag?
I’m not a bum bag guy let’s get that straight first. But three festival essentials would be:
1. Waterproof shoes (for reasons mentioned above).
2. A (usually Detroit themed) baseball hat. A little wind, sun and rain shield can go a long way. And if I can give a nod to my hometown why not?.
3. A sweater that isn’t your favourite one. If it’s hot you can find a stick and make a flag to find your tent more easily. If it’s medium wear it around your shoulders for that Ivy prep/easy Italian summer look. If it’s cold put it on and you won’t be.
4. What’s one track that’s soundtracked your summer?
I’ve done a special edit of Matthew Halsall‘s Water Street to be able to play in DJ sets. It’s a beautiful piece of instrumental music that’s somehow still is house music – at least to me. When I see that the crowd is adventurous I let it rip, and it creates a very special moment – a calm in the eye of a storm. And the whole album is perfect for travelling.
Top image: photography courtesy of Junction 2.
