At the 2026 Winter Music Conference in Miami, one of the weekend’s most unexpected artists we had the pleasure of meeting wasn’t behind a wall of CDJs or modular gear. Seated between ancient tradition and modern electronic culture, Brennan Murphey, aka Planewalker, pulls melodies from the instrument that feels older than the dancefloor itself. Blending psychedelic bass, psytrance, live Celtic harp, and immersive stage design, Murphey is carving out a rare lane where electroni

A new kind of nightlife experience arrived in Dallas on April 9, 2026 thanks to Next Level Events, as CTRL Room opened its doors at 2511 Swiss Avenue in partnership with Breakaway Music Festival, introducing a dual-concept venue built on sound, design, and intentional energy. Serving as both an official afterparty destination and a standalone cultural space, CTRL Room brings together international DJs, emerging artists, and local selectors in an intimate, two-room environment

What happens when an artist disappears for three decades, then returns with something urgent to say? That question defines apaull, the Dutch-Canadian producer crafting techno, house, and ambient-rooted music shaped by memory, frustration, and modern life. After connecting at the 2026 Winter Music Conference in Miami, we spoke with apaull about re-entering the music industry after 30 years, navigating a transformed industry, and why authenticity matters more than ever in today

A 15-second clip can launch a track into millions of feeds overnight. But the artists building decade-long careers in dance music are doing something less obvious: they are slowing down long enough to know who they are. At the 2026 Winter Music Conference during Miami Music Week , a consistent message echoed through conversations with artists, managers, and industry leaders: virality might get you noticed, but identity is what keeps people coming back . As electronic music b

In an era where algorithms decide what we hear and viral clips dominate discovery, the most powerful influencers in dance music aren’t on your feed. They’re behind the decks. At the 2026 Winter Music Conference during Miami Music Week , a clear idea echoed across panels and conversations alike: the “influencer” isn’t this new digital invention; it’s a role DJs have occupied since the earliest days of dance music culture. While a 15-second clip can spark a trend, true music