Under The Spotlight: Sub Focus

Sub Focus has been in the industry for so much time that he easily qualifies as a veteran DJ. He's played countless sets across the world on the biggest stages and this year he will be heading to Highest Point with the latest iteration of his mind-bending live show experience. 

Starting out in 2003, Nick Douwma began his journey as Sub Focus and signed to the drum and bass label Ram Records. He picked up the attention of the label boss Andy C early on and was signed in a heartbeat and it helped to launch Sub Focus' career into a worldwide phenomenon. 

It wasn't long before he was going from singles to an album and in 2009 his self-titled debut was released. Wanting to break out of his drum and bass roots, it saw Sub Focus draw from all the facets of dance music that inspired him such as electro and House. He even turned to the huge names that inspired him such as the Chemical Brothers and Jean-Michel Jarre.

Ever since then, his career has not stopped its momentum and he followed up the success of his debut with 'Torus' in 2013 which only served to cement his place as a legend of dance music. This period marked a key point in the career trajectory of Sub Focus.

From here he went from underground drum and bass to encompassing a wider range of electronic sounds, leaning more and more into the eclecticism that dominates the modern music industry. It means that he never stays static for long and is always looking for new ways to push himself forward.

Take his latest live show 'Circular Sound', which is an audiovisual experience with a moving disc of light, making the set like its own piece of visual art. It went viral when unveiled in New Zealand and is another example of Sub Focus' continued commitment to expanding not only his sound but the whole live experience.

Throughout the 2010's he had a long list of achievements from playing Glastonbury to going on tour with Pendulum and selling out Brixton Academy. He released an album with Wilkinson in 2020 titled 'Portals' which was a huge success and he has been involved in mentoring the best new talent in drum and bass.

He's worked with exciting talents such as Dimension who features on 'Desire', widely accepted to be one of Sub Focus' best tracks. He also has tracks such as 'Ready To Fly', 'Vibration (One More Time)' and Solar System which are all iconic tracks in their own right.

We can't wait to see him perform at Highest Point this year, where he will surely bring a truly gripping and floor-filling set to the festival. 

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.