Yesterday, this year's nominees and voting categories were released by DJ Awards. With September now in sight, and talk of closing parties becoming a reality, it's that time of year to start reflecting on the season that has been and honouring the key contributors.
Following last year's successful relaunch, DJ Awards is back yet again in 2025, albeit with some changes to the process.
To maintain authenticity, nominations were presented by a fully independent Grand Jury of experts and insiders, representing over 50 of the industry's most recognised businesses and bodies.
Across the sixteen categories, some notable Ibiza headline residents are amongst the pack.
Carl Cox, Deborah de Luca and Sven Väth are listed in Techno, East End Dubs, Jamie Jones and Marco Carola under Tech House and James Hype, Kerri Chandler and The Martinez Brothers for House.
In the Progressive House category, Anyma, ARTBAT and Miss Monique are all options.
Meanwhile, the likes of Calvin Harris, David Guetta and Solomun can be found in the International DJ section.
Brand new this year are the Balearic and Hard Dance categories, the former of which is so important to the sound of the island. This new award seeks to honour the DJs who embody the genre-defying, sun-drenched energy synonymous with the White Isle's famous musical spirit.
While they might be far removed from one another, Hard Dance/Bounce is also enjoying its time in the sun. After a huge global revival in the last twelve months alone, the sound has also filtered down to Ibiza with a proliferation of harder, faster beat parties.
These two additions highlight DJ Awards' commitment to acknowledging key subcultures across the electronic music landscape.
Last year's winners included Black Coffee (Afro House), Sam Divine (House), Armin van Buuren (Trance), CAMELPHAT (Progressive House), FISHER (International DJ, pictured above) and Luciano, who received the Ibiza Icon Award.
News about this year's ceremony is coming in due course, but it is tentatively poised for early October, as has become tradition. Stay tuned for confirmation.
PHOTOGRAPHY | by Tasya Menaker
