2024: The Year Drum & Bass Truly Broke Off the Chain

2024 was an absolutely banging year for drum and bass.

Who would have thought the scene would get even bigger after the pandemic lockdowns of the past few years? Yet it happened—and how! Let’s take a look at the main highlights and recap the most significant events in this genre.

Festivals and Major Events

Let It Roll 2024 (Milovice, Czech Republic)

Date: As usual, end of July/beginning of August
Line-up: Heavyweights like Andy C, Wilkinson, Camo & Krooked, Mefjus, and Hybrid Minds proved once again why they headline most festivals.
Fun Fact: Let It Roll stuck to its legendary huge stage design and thematic sets. They also gave prime-time slots to up-and-coming talents from both the Czech Republic and abroad, bringing fresh energy to the scene.

Rampage 2024 (Antwerp, Belgium)

Date: March
Line-up: Headliners included Sub Focus, Dimension, A.M.C, Kanine, and deep/minimal DnB stars like Alix Perez and Monty.
Fun Fact: Rampage showed once again why it’s considered one of the biggest (if not the biggest) indoor DnB festivals in Europe. This year, they added an experimental stage focusing on slower, darker offshoots of the genre.

Hospitality in the Park 2024 (London, UK)

Overview: The Hospital Records label once again showcased its star power. London Elektricity, S.P.Y, and High Contrast took over the main stage in 2024.
Fun Fact: Liquid DnB is getting more prominent under Hospitality’s umbrella. Pola & Bryson scored a prime-time slot, proving that a gentler, melodic sound is anything but a niche interest.

Liquicity Festival 2024 (Netherlands)

Location: Near Geestmerambacht Lake, close to Alkmaar
Vibe: Liquid, positive atmosphere—exactly what Liquicity is known for. Big names like Maduk, Fox Stevenson, and Netsky performed. Lately, Netsky has been dipping his toes into pop and EDM collabs, but rumor has it he delivered a purely DnB set for Liquicity.

Key Moments on the Scene

Arrival of New Talents
While Andy C and other veterans continue topping charts, 2024 brought new faces that show the limitless potential of the scene. IMANU (formerly known as Signal) shook up conventional DnB by blending it with experimental electronic music, driving the genre in fresh directions.
Rise of Hybrid Sets
Many DJs in 2024 opted for so-called “hybrid sets”—a fusion of DJing with live elements that turns a typical set into a musically diverse performance. You’ll often hear live vocals, percussion, or various effects, injecting a new level of excitement into DnB shows.
Strengthening the Female Community
More and more female DJs and producers are making their mark, which is a huge step forward. Harriet Jaxxon, for example, built a strong fan base in the UK and has begun appearing at major indoor events. Her energetic selection breaks the myth that DnB is a “boys’ club.”

Albums, Releases, and Collaborations

Alix Perez released a new album that seamlessly crosses subgenres from deep DnB to footwork-influenced beats. Critics praise its dark yet infectious atmosphere.
Sub Focus teamed up with Wilkinson for a few festival singles. While some fans complain these “mainstage tracks” lean too pop, the millions of streams tell a different story.
IMANU (aka Jonathan Kievit) continued experimenting, dropping several EPs that thrilled listeners hungry for fresh sounds. Their collab with the French producer Enei stands among the most forward-thinking releases of the year.

Breakthrough Artist of 2024

This year really proved that lesser-known producers can break through relatively fast—if they’ve got creativity, technical chops, and a bit of luck. One of the biggest breakthroughs was the young British producer Kobrakai, who began with dark neurofunk but surprised fans with liquid tunes under a new label. With backing from big names like A.M.C and Noisia, Kobrakai’s rise was widely discussed.

A few more newcomers from Eastern Europe are also making waves—producers like TR Tactics (Austria) and Ak:hash (Poland) are getting their tracks played by top-tier DJs worldwide, making them ones to watch.

Biggest Surprises

Netsky: After years of crossover projects, he returned to pure DnB and scored massive festival success this summer.
Camo & Krooked: Though their collaboration with Mefjus (under the alias MODUS) has been active for a while, the tracks they released in 2024 became pivotal anthems of the festival season.
A.M.C: He’s increasingly performing with his label’s crew in spectacular group sets. His show at Rampage became one of the year’s most viral videos.

Summary

The year 2024 made it crystal clear that drum and bass has no intention of resting on its laurels. Veteran heavy hitters keep their headliner status while leaving room for a new wave of talents who bring original ideas into the mix. From subgenre fusions and hybrid sets to greater female representation, it all adds up to a scene in constant motion—one that has something to offer both mainstream crowds and hardcore fans.

One thing’s for sure: drum and bass will continue to evolve in 2025. And I’ll be right here to bring you all the major news, interviews, and behind-the-scenes scoops. In the meantime, take it easy—and don’t forget to support the DnB scene both live and online. Let the bass roll!