Neon Nights: Tracing Phoenix’s Electronic Dance Evolution
December 2, 2025
December 2, 2025
How Has Rave Culture Changed?
While I love the unique individuality and creative flair that electronic artists bring to the table, there’s something truly special about witnessing your favorite artists come together for a collaborative project. While B2B sets are commonplace, in my opinion, when artists join forces to create an entirely new project, the result is often much more exciting and memorable. In these projects, the collaboration between artists is extremely high, often leading to the formation of a distinct identity that is unique from any of the individual brands. I wanted to dive deep into three of my favorite “DJ groups,” hoping you’ll enjoy the journey as much as I do!
Destroid stands out as the ultimate bass supergroup of its time, setting the stage for modern bass supergroups like Mellodeath and Masterhand. Consisting of Excision, KJ Swaka (the drummer for Pendulum), and Downlink, with notable collaborations with Space Laces, Destroid wasn’t just another supergroup in terms of production collaboration. Their live sets were a league of their own, essentially transforming into a live dubstep band. Despite their last performance being in 2017 due to an incident at Lost Lands where the stage caught fire, their legacy lives on through their considerable body of released music.
Though not a formalized DJ project per se, Subjohnics is worthy of mention for its iconic status. Formed by Subtronics and John Summit in 2022 at an Electric Forest afterparty, their partnership extended beyond the festival grounds to performances at EDC and other impromptu festivals that they both were at. Despite their seemingly contrasting styles, their mastery of the decks shines through, evident in the seamless flow and diverse range of genres showcased in their sets. One can only hope that this collaboration becomes a permanent fixture in the festival circuit, as the world could certainly benefit from more of their combined talents.
Last but certainly not least, Gud Vibrations was formed by Nghtmre and Slander, both of whom share a genuine and long-lasting friendship. Witnessing their friendship translate into a full-fledged music project was nothing short of spectacular. At its peak, this supergroup delivered exceptional production, flawless mixing, and electrifying stage presence. Their joint performances, including a full-blown tour alongside Seven Lions and The Glitch Mob, were a testament to their seamless synergy. While their last performance together was at Ultra Miami in 2022, they’ve left behind a lasting legacy through their label, which continues to thrive.
