MP3 SETS: Top 20 Live DJ Sets Shared On YouTube [APRIL]
While Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud are the primary platforms to share and listen to new music, YouTube is the most prominent source to discover captivating live performances from mainstream and underground artists alike. Through today’s technology, venues, festivals, and DJs themselves can record mesmerizing sets with multiple drone and camera shots, and then upload them to YouTube so fans can witness the magic as if they were there in person.
Welcome to our monthly series, where MP3 MAG rounds up the top 20 live sets, covering a wide spectrum of genres and electronic music-based acts. Take a trip across the globe and immerse yourself in new audiovisual experiences with the best sets from April:
20) Carlita @TheLotRadio 04-23-2024
At The Lot, an independent, non-profit, online radio station, music pulses 24/7 from a transformed shipping container situated in a vacant lot in NYC. Immerse yourself in a diverse array of New York City’s best music, promising a continuous stream of eclectic sounds. Speaking of which, Carlita and her bucket hat crew consistently radiate funky vibes throughout this set. This Turkish DJ-producer hybrid will have you uncontrollably moving your feet and smiling, her song selection is unbeatable.
19) Marco Carola b2b Jamie Jones – KEEZY HOMECOMING
It is always an amazing set to witness when two of house music’s most-respected veterans come together for an epic extended mix. This is what Marco Carola and Jamie Jones did at Keezy Homecoming in Düsseldorf, Germany. For nearly four hours straight, these high-class vibe setters blend a series of funky house tracks, creating a continuous collective wave of head-bobbing from the crowd. There is 100% chance you will never hear the same set twice from both Marco and Jamie, reigning true during this performance.
18) Disco Lines Live @ Mammoth Mountain – Aprés 2024
Quickly becoming a regular on MP3 SETS, Disco Lines is the definition of “a vibe.” That vibe is primed for a venue like Mammoth Mountain, where a herd of skiing and snowboarders gather to get down to a genre-bending set from the DJ-producer mastermind. “Blurring The Lines” and his edits of Kid Cudi’s “Day ‘N’ Nite” have the crowd bouncing. Disco Lines even mixes in a classic from the late Mac Miller towards the end of his euphoric performance. Then he shocks the audience with a bass-fueled wubby encore track.
17) Miss Monique Live From DJ Mag HQ
Renowned Ukrainian DJ, producer, and label owner (of Siona Records) Miss Monique, aka Alesia Arkusha, commands the melodic house and techno realm with her genre-defying fusion of techno, trance, and progressive beats. Her career milestones include a mesmerizing Cercle performance, invites to David Guetta’s Future Rave events, and sets at Tomorrowland and EDC Mainstage. Now, she is holding it down for the melodic techno scene at DJ Mag HQ, hypnotizing the crowd with airy textures and deep, driving basslines.
16) James Hype @ Block Party San Francisco
Consistent with Disco Lines, James Hype brings something special to the table that will most likely land him a spot in each MP3 SETS roundup. It is extremely rare to see an artist consistently upload sets that are so different from one another, not only catering to the specific venue and crowd, but showcasing never-before-seen mixing techniques and transitions. Some of the irrestible house anthems you will hear include Gorgon City’s “Foggy Geezer,” Chapter & Verse’s “I Got 5 On It,” and James’ collab with his wife Tita Lau, “Vibrate.”
15) Eli Brown B2B Lilly Palmer @ Beyond Wonderland 2024
Lose your sh*t to a fiery B2B from techno stalwarts Eli Brown and Lilly Palmer. Both of these globally acclaimed artists are known for asserting musical dominance over their audience. This is evident in their Beyond Wondelrand set. They drop a barrage of techno heaters, such as their new collaborative anthem “Gasoline.”
14) Alesso Presents BODY HI (Live DJ Set From The Do Lab Stage Coachella 2024)
A top performance from the Do Lab stage at Coachella this year, Alesso was at the peak of his game, expertly mixing in thrilling house remixes, IDs, and groovy classics. Watching this set, it is clear as day that everyone, including Alesso, is having the absolute time of their lives. From a visual perspective, the stage design and lighting production across this performance is of the utmost quality.
13) Sara Landry | Knockdown Center – New York City
Techno queen Sara Landry is hotter than lava at the moment, casting a spell of prolific basslines and heavy techno bangers over any venue she touches down at. She recently lit up New York City’s Knockdown Center for a 7-hour, All Night Long set. Witness the intense final two and a half hours of this iconic performance, as red-orange lights and lasers are showered over the fired-up crowd.
12) WonkyWilla | Live From Denver
Step into WonkyWilla’s underground bass factory, a haven where eccentric beats and electrifying party anthems thrive. Florida-based Nicholas Olivieri, the mastermind behind WonkyWilla, concocts a distinctive blend of bass-driven tracks and audacious soundscapes, satisfying the cravings of wub-loving enthusiasts.
Collaborating with bass music luminaries like Cannabliss and TVBOO, WonkyWilla’s tracks are akin to indulgent treats, leaving a lasting impression. As his fanbase grows, WonkyWilla’s tour schedule expands, sharing stages with acclaimed artists like Manic Focus and LYNY. Whether you crave sweet melodies or savory beats, WonkyWilla delivers, leaving listeners hungry for more.
Teaming up with the Denver-based immersive live DJ set series, club studio time., WonkyWilla is bringing the heat, with a group of Wonky minions behind him. Keep an eye out for this rising experimental phenom.
11) Paul Kalkbrenner @ Sónar Lisboa 2024
One of Berlin’s finest, Paul Kalkbrenner, has forged a one-of-a-kind career trajectory in the realm of techno. Over two decades, he transitioned from the underground to mainstream success, starring in films, headlining festivals, and maintaining his distinct techno style. Synonymous with dance music, Kalkbrenner’s formative years coincided with Berlin’s techno boom, leading him to focus on producing and performing his own music. His live sets are completely in a league of their own, check this set out and you will see why.
10) James Grant & Jody Wisternoff | Anjunadeep London at the Roundhouse (4K)
Witness the closing performance by James Grant and Jody Wisternoff at Anjunadeep’s showcase at London’s renowned Roundhouse venue. With fresh tracks from artists like Dosem and Maty Owl, alongside beloved Anjunadeep classics, this set has left HQ eagerly anticipating their upcoming UK show at Finsbury Park this summer. These two veterans truly know how to take their audience on an emotional and introspective journey through music. This set is great for late night chilling or a lengthy morning routine.
9) Beirut – Live at Tempodrom, Berlin – ARTE Concert
Led by Zach Condon, Beirut unleashes the emotional power of their music on the Tempodrom stage in Berlin. A performance both sentimental and powerful, fueled by Hadsel, their album released in 2023. Listening to Beirut is like flipping through an old family album once thought lost: an indescribable mix of laughter, tears, and nostalgia. This feeling arises from the subtle blend of Slavic music and American folk, all tied together by Zach Condon’s plaintive voice. For someone wanting to expand their live music and indie horizons, you are right where you’re supposed to be.
8) HUGEL B3B AMÉMÉ & BONTAN – Live @ FACTORY TOWN [MMW 2024]
If you were looking to bump to some Afro and Latin house during Miami Music Week 2024, there was no better place to be than Factory Town for an unforgettable B3B. Uploaded just a few weeks ago, HUGEL has the crowd moving left to right for the first hour and a half. Then AMÉMÉ and Bontan join him, taking turns queuing up percussion-heavy, ethnic anthems until the sun rises. This set is primed for long drives or a beach day.
7) Sub Focus, Dimension, Culture Shock & 1991 | New York Livestream
Following the global hype from the last time they came together in Los Angeles, four of DnB’s biggest names have united once again. A year later, this time touching down in the frigid atmosphere of NYC, Sub Focus, Dimension, Culture Shock, and 1991 rip a lethal drum & bass set. Going from the sunset into nighttime, it is amazing to see the city that never sleeps light up behind this talented squad. Making the collaboration even more special, the set brings together WORSHIP, DNBNL, and UKF On Air, titans in the drum & bass space.
6) Flavour Trip: Chill Terrace House Music Mix – Lounge Cafe Bar Playlist
If you haven’t picked up on it yet, whenever Flavour Trip posts a set it is almost a guarantee it will end up in the top 20 for that month. The soulful house vibes they deliver are simply too strong to resist. For this edition, the couple is out on a beautiful day cheffing up a delicious-looking meal per usual. The sonic atmosphere fused with its peaceful setting is immaculate.
5) Levity @ DEF
One of the fastest-rising acts in bass music over the last few years, Levity is a trio made up of Chicago’s John Hauldren, LA’s PJ Carberry, and Minnesota’s Josh Tarum. Since their debut, the group has blown up from viral singles like “Flip It,” support from Zeds Deads, Subtronics, and John Summit, and performances at major festivals like North Coast and Electric Forest.
In this ground shaking set, Levity teams up with iconic event series DEF to throw a bass party in an underground parking garage at Marta train station. The camerawork across this set is a mix of full room shots and ones that are up-close and personal, making you feel like you are headbanging in the crowd. Levity is clearly reigning in the future of bass music with a plethora of spicy edits and hair-raising IDs.
4) Brutalismus 3000 | Boiler Room: Berlin
In 2021, Brutalismus 3000 flipped the electronic music circuit on its head with their invigorating set at Boiler Room Festival London. Since its airing on YouTube, this performance has racked up over 6.7 million views. Now the nu gabber post punk techno duo is back with a Boiler Room Berlin set, and also the final stop on their Europaträume tour. The energy across this packed mad house is off the charts. I mowed my lawn to this set and cut my usual time in half.
3) Nia Archives | Boiler Room Nottingham: International Women’s Day
There’s nothing better than a fem-powered Boiler Room set from Nia Archives on International Women’s Day. It is awesome to see all the female support and amazing vibes at this event, especially during Nia’s performance. One of the UK’s premier jungle sensations, she is the perfect match for this Nottingham 360-degree venue.
2) Mau P @ The Caverns 2024 (3 HOUR STREAM)
At the number two, we have the modern king of underground house delivering a 3-hour set that is literally underground. This electrifying performance from Mau P at The Caverns was bound to happen at some point, and it is finally live on YouTube for everyone to relive the magic. The laser works and lighting for this show is absolutely incredible, fully synchronized with heaters like “Dress Code.”
1) Argy at Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, Switzerland for Cercle
After a nine-month hiatus, the legendary musical and visual experience curator returns with an hour and a half long set from melodic techno maestro Argy. With this set, Cercle announced that each show from now on will be directed by a different filmaker. Film director Mathieu Glissant explored new ideas for this set, they used floating lenses in the set design. Additionally, Cercle gives a raw, intimate, and energetic feel to Argy’s set through the use of an old camcorder and its old school zooms.
Weaving his latest masterpiece album, New World, into the set, Argy blends human emotion with AI innovation. Embarking on a mystical journey, Argy invites listeners to explore uncharted territories of the unconscious mind, 3,600 meters high at the Sphinx Observatory, Jungfraujoch, in Switzerland. He proves he is not just a contemporary figure, but a timeless sound architect—a visionary heralding from the future.
