Junction 2 is focused on cutting-edge sound quality and imaginative stage design, featuring vibrant woodland dance floors, picturesque riverside locales, and an energetic industrial rave beneath the M4 bridge.
The lineup varies widely, showcasing mainstream electronic acts like Above & Beyond and Deadmau5, alongside the intense techno beats of Dax J and Helena Hauff, and the entrancing House grooves of Paramida and Saoirse. Junction 2 does not adhere to a single aesthetic but instead explores the connections between different sub-genres and communities. While it might not thrill avid fans, there is plenty to satisfy the front-left crowd if you know where to look.
Among all the stages, The Woods truly impressed us. Nestled in a hidden woodland area away from the Main Stage, it served as a haven for underground aficionados and felt reminiscent of a specialist event like Dekmantel. With an exceptional lineup throughout Saturday and Sunday, it alone justifies the cost of a day ticket.
Here are Clash’s top seven essential performances from an amazing weekend at Boston Manor Park.
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DVS1 (Saturday, 12PM-4PM, The Woods)
Renowned for his skill at the decks and a near-veneration for vinyl and sound quality, Zak Khutoretsky approached the first hours of his set not as a routine, but as a hallowed preparation. In these initial sets, his curatorial instincts shine subtly—favoring hypnotic loops, dubby textures, and percussive tension that intensifies just below the surface, evolving with sounds from Chicago, Detroit, and Berlin. A four-hour masterclass from one of the finest in the industry.
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Quest B2B Adiel (Saturday, 2PM-5PM, The Hangar)
Those who braved the intense heat in the tented space of The Hangar were treated to a vinyl masterclass from the Italian duo Quest and Adiel in a compelling back-to-back performance.
Their shared command of tension and release characterized this session, avoiding cheap peaks and predictable drops. It was simply two artists in deep synergy, allowing the tracks to unfold in their own time.
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Giammarco Orsini (Saturday, 6PM-8PM, The Woods)
On Saturday, The Woods stage was presented by Love On The Rocks, a record label founded by Berghain regular Paramida, who also closed the stage. One half of Data Memory Access, Giammarco Orsini particularly caught our attention.
Having played at the Love On The Rocks event several times, he effectively delivered his signature mix of minimal house grooves and lesser-known tracks from the 90s, portraying his ‘deep digger’ persona and weaving a narrative through different eras.
Ogazon (Sunday, 3PM-5PM, The Woods)
Is there a more cheerful DJ currently? Each time we see Ogazon in the mix, you can’t help but grin. Her crowd interaction is a part of her magic. Through playful acid lines or unexpected vocal hooks, she kept the energy lively with a combination of deep and tribal sounds, displaying a musical sensibility and awareness that has garnered her acclaim worldwide.
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Midland (Sunday, 5PM-6PM, The Hangar)
The term seamless is often overused, but it perfectly describes a Midland set. A master of the decks, he took dancers on a rapid journey through UK Funky-infused percussion sequences, hard-hitting techno, Flowdan-led UKG, pop-tinged electronics from artists like K-Lone, and fierce tracks from 80s NYC ballroom.
Moxie (Sunday, 7PM-8:30PM, The Woods)
Moxie understands the vibe. With a London audience, she skillfully navigated through low-end heavy House and UKG (reminiscent of her Garage specials on her NTS show from 2020 and 2022) before delving into groove-laden Detroit Techno. Belfast-born, London-based producer and DJ Swoose recently released an impressive EP on Moxie’s On Loop label, and ‘Vapor Cone’ from that release received one of the most enthusiastic responses of the set.
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D.Tiffany B2B Bashkka (Sunday, 8PM-close, The Woods)
This was an unexpected highlight! D.Tiffany was initially scheduled to close The Woods stage solo, but when label-mate Bashkka couldn’t perform earlier, they teamed up for a back-to-back set that perfectly capped off the weekend; a thrilling, sensual, proggy, and playful journey through tribal trance, house, techno, and electro.
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Words: Andrew Moore
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Junction 2 focuses on cutting-edge sound quality and innovative stage designs, featuring vibrant woodland dance floors and picturesque riverside locations.