The best new and upcoming DJs in 2026
Here are the best new DJs to look out for in 2026, from new faces on the scene to stars who deserve more love.
Last updated: 12th Jan 2026
Originally published: 7th Jan 2026
The new year is here, and with that a slew of things to look forward to on the horizon. Gigs, clubs, and festivals new and old, waiting to be revisited and discovered for the first time. This week we’re casting a lens on some of the up and coming talent this year has to offer in the industry, with today centring on the best new and/or up-and-coming DJs to keep an eye on in 2026.
We’ve compiled a list of DJs, some new, some up-and-coming, and some on the precipice of stardom, but we’re certain that all of these artists are set for a huge year. Scroll down and check out your next favourite DJ.
New Zealand duo TWOFACED have had a breakout year, spurred on by their remix of Nikita Warren’s club classic ‘I Need You’ picking up spins from Calvin Harris, Skream, Malugi, DJ Heartstring, and Skiddle’s 2025 artist of the year KETTAMA. They recently dropped their newest track ‘No Relaxin’ and joined the lineup for Lost Sundays Block Party in Sydney at the start of this month.
United by a passion for dance music, the pair’s sound ranges from club-ready rave to euphoric trance. With huge names playing their music on some of the world’s biggest stages, TWOFACED are primed for an incredible 2026.
A show-stopping duo comprising Kontain & Body Snatchers, Mold Boutique have had a busy past 12 months. After dropping their debut EP Hunter Seeker at the tail end of 2024 via UVB’s Shiv outprint, the Manchester-based duo spent 2025 as a resident of North West techno series HØL, providing a 3 hour set at The DBA in January, closing sets across the road at 1520 alongside Arkane and Lockhart in April, and hopped across the globe with a Malta Clergy 10 year set in September and a turn behind the decks at Loone Berlin in October.
Another HØL resident worth keeping an eye on, the music of Dariia, better known as INLIMEN, marries alluring techno with hard grooves and has made her a favourite among club-goers. Born in Ukraine, raised in Portugal, and now based in Manchester after moving from Sheffield, INLIMEN has made Cottonopolis her home, and gotten stuck into the array of underground dancing dens at her disposal.
2025 was a huge year for the artist, and saw her hit up venues in Leeds, Sheffield, Porto, Malta, and more. Deriving her name from the Latin words “in” (within) and “limen” (liminality), evoking a transformation into a new beginning, this year should be the breakthrough chapter for INLIMEN.
Having recently celebrated the two year anniversary of his record label Etched Recordings, False Persona has been hard at work spinning for a hot minute, but we feel it’s been long overdue to show him some love. The DJ, whose sound brushes with the experimental and encompasses techno, breakbeat, and electro, and garnered support from genre giants like Mall Grab and DJ Stringray. With an Australian tour and a collaboration with Mall Grab under his belt from last summer, False Persona is only getting bigger.
Tech house and techno star Amaliah has been raking in acclaim as of late. One of London’s rising talents, Amaliah draws from her upbringing in the bustling capital alongside the years of raving under her belt to craft her sound, a mix of high-energy techno and tech house with some surprises thrown in for good measure.
The past year has seen Amaliah scoop up a ‘Breakthrough DJ’ nomination from DJ Mag, release her latest EP Hypnosis via Shanti Celeste’s record label Peach Discs, and take to major festival stages. She’s also the founder of label and events collective Borne Fruits, hosts a monthly Rinse FM show through the label, and has curated events at revered London dancing dens. We don't know how she does it either.
A DJ whose name can commonly be spotted in the mixes of some of the scene’s biggest players, Derry wunderkind Lorcan Kelly has been turning plenty of heads. The Northern Irish artists’ last calendar year saw him play a headline show in Belfast, drop his debut EP via Dublin-based record label Hidden Love, and rack up hundreds of thousands of listens on SoundCloud. With music that blends high energy with heavy-hitting techno, and tracks that turn nostalgic classics on their heads in electrifying ways, Kelly is one to watch.
Saidah is a tale of two cities. Based in Amsterdam but with roots in London, the DJ takes inspiration from both for her kinetic, fresh sets, which combine crunchy UKG with touches of house and bassline. A resident of Amsterdam’s Radio Radio FM, she hosts her own show centered on UK dance music, and has been restlessly spinning bangers and raising BPMs across Europe in 2026, long may it continue. Energetic and free, give her a spin and turn the speakers up.
Just weeks after Ben UFO dropped his track at Joy Orbison’s curated Fabric night with James Blake on stage. Girling is already in the conversation with some of the finest DJs and artists of a generation. The Bedford-born DJ and producer dropped his debut EP in 2022 but had a truly landmark year in 2025, where he had his debut tour of Australia, opening up the Depot at a Warehouse Project Boiler Room and dropping his debut WHP Records release in October. If you haven't yet dug into Girling's catalogue of club anthem bangers, better late than never.
Having been hailed by DIFFRENT in an interview with Skiddle in 2024 as “one of the most underrated producers”, we’ve been fans of Shuffa’s output for some time. The Manchester-based producer has earned plaudits from across the industry, and his sound is awash with flecks of speed garage, grooves, and house.
2025 in particular was a massive year for Shuffa, which saw him drop two EPs - Nomad in March and the nostalgic speed garage and rave five track effort RAVERS DATELINE in the summer - make his debut Australian tour, and open for Faster Horses in Leeds. With some huge labels on his collab list like STPT, ec2a, and Shall Not Fade, the sky’s the limit for Shuffa, and he is in for an even bigger 2026, stay tuned.
We couldn’t do this list without shouting out a Five Under Five veteran. Birmingham-based Alexandria has been a mainstay on Josh Baker’s You&Me imprint and is a master at minimal and house sounds. Kicking off the year with a You&Me performance at 93 Feet East in London, Alexandria went from strength to strength in 2025, playing her debut MiNT Festival slot, and making a mark for Pyramid at legendary Ibiza haunt Amnesia. She’s been making waves in the scene for some time, and shows no signs of slowing down.
2026 is set to be a year packed with new DJs, bands, venues, and festivals waiting to be discovered and revisited. We can only hope this list has given you some new names worth checking out behind the decks.
To find countless events a stone’s throw from your front door (and to hopefully catch some of these up-and-coming DJs), search Skiddle now, and check out our UK Gig and Rave Guides for some inspiration.
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.
