Damian Lazarus

FOUND Festival is pleased to reveal their class of 2014, a mammoth line-up that celebrates the very best in world-class electronic music, delivered by a string of artists renowned for outstanding contributions to forging and developing the strands of house, techno and disco that dominate around the globe today. This set of DJs will converge from across London, the UK, Europe and the United States, all carefully chosen for a relentless commitment and dedication to their craft. FOUND has placed genuine pioneers with some of the most hot-tipped up-and-comers on the circuit today, delivering a 360 degree selection that looks to the clubs and to the clubbers for inspiration. Introducing a line-up for the true lovers of the very best in underground electronic music…

Found’s open-air Main Stage will be headlined by one the industry’s most respected figures, in the form of Crosstown Rebels’ commander in chief, Damian Lazarus. As well as running one of the most influential imprints currently dominating the scene, he also scooped no. 35 in Resident Advisor’s ‘Top 100 DJs’ poll last December. Lazarus has been a central driving force in the world domination of second-wave house thanks to a truly exceptional ear for the sound, prevalent in his skills as Crosstown’s chief A&R and the stellar line-ups that assemble at his highly acclaimed Day Zero festival in Mexico. Ever evolving, unsurpassed in his feel for the depth of the music, Damian is a headliner set to surprise. There aren’t many DJs who’ve received a sitting ovation on the dancefloor but Damian Lazarus is definitely one of them. Another veteran, for over ten years Cassy has developed her craft through an outstanding body of work, releasing on seminal labels such as Ostgut Ton, Perlon, Playhouse and Cocoon. As well as highly respected residencies at Panorama Bar Berlin, Trouw Amsterdam and the Rex in Paris, Cassy continues to tour the planet delivering house & techno with real soul. Joining Damian & Cassy is self-proclaimed ‘House Gangster’ DJ Sneak. A true pioneer, not only is he one of the scene’s most revered figures but after 30 years at the top of his game, continues to redefine house music with a steady string of releases. Original mistress of the dancefloor and BBC Radio 1 resident Heidi is notorious for her explosive sets, her natural ability to connect with the audience and obvious joy at sharing the music she loves, makes her perfect choice to keep the party pumping. Always looking to the future, Found Festival’s main stage will also showcase some of the most exciting emerging talent in the form of the dexterous Ben Pearce, who burst onto the scene in 2012 with his anthemic deep house debut, ‘What I Might Do’ and has quickly cemented his reputation as a world-class figure on the electronic music circuit. Having recently launched his own label Purp & Soul, 2014 looks tipped to be his biggest year yet. Award-winning Frenchman Noir has been making waves for over a decade. With a keen ear for music, his label of the same name has seen releases from the likes of Solomun, Deetron, Sub-ann, Tiefschwars, Laura Jones and Hot Since 82. Dancefloor pounding sets will also come from Hotflush’s mysterious techno duo Dense & Pika, Ejeca with his trademark vocal driven emotive sound, the sumptuously groovy Josh Butler and Leftwing & Kody – two of the most revered DJs on London’s underground house circuit today. 

NoFitState will present a line-up that explores the tension between house and techno with legendary minimal producer Magda and Mobilee’s Anja Schneider both taking headline slots. House music purist Darius Syrossian enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence in 2013 with residencies for infamous party brands Tribal Sessions and Viva Warriors. With further releases set to drop in the coming months he continues to gain momentum as an artist of international repute and summer 2014 will see him rise to the challenge with his own series of events on the White Isle. Adding to the formidably female programme, Crosstown Rebels’ Francesca Lombardo is renowned for her distinctively soulful production style that joins the dots between house and techno, with support from respected NoFitState residents, label founders and London house stalwarts, Geddes and Simon Baker.

Free spirited Love Fever have assembled a dancefloor busting programme of fun-fuelled beats, spearheaded by a man widely recognised as one of the Godfathers of house, Frankie Knuckles. Joining him, the legendary international selector Moodymann who has been a central figure of Detroit’s underground music scene for nearly two decades. Representing the nu-wave are disco-tinged, garage-house production duo Bicep. Having shot to fame with their 2012 smash hit single ‘Vision Of Love’ they have also cemented a reputation as tastemakers through their much loved music blog ‘Feel My Bicep’. Early demos from San Soda inspired the inception of record label We Play House, founded by his peer Red D. Citizen has been attracting much attention in the past two years, with remixes for international superstars such as Adele and Beyoncé already under his belt despite his tender years. Fresh talent from rising label residents Son of Sun and Visions will complete Love Fever’s Found Festival line-up. 

Offering a brand new VIP concept, Krankbrother will present ‘The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’, drawing on their experiences in both restaurants and club nights to curate an afternoon of the best in house music, festival food, cocktails & craft beer. Leftfroom label boss Matt Tolfrey will head the bill in this unique space. Known for his forward-thinking, playful sets he will create a sonic landscape to lose yourself in with further contributions coming from Jay Shepherd, Jack C and the krankbrothers themselves – set to play both solo and back-to-back, as they’re joined by one of the Found Main Stage artists to round off the day with a very special set.