Thank f*ck it’s that time again – back to the Carreglwyd Estate in Anglesey. After an unforgettable weekend in the Welsh countryside last year, I’m gassed to return and see what this gem of a fessy has in store.
Rated as ‘one of the top ten most breathtaking festival locations in the world’, Gottwood is tucked deep in the Welsh hills, laced around a dreamy little lake and just a ten-minute mooch from the beach. With its trippy atmosphere, immersive art installations, and stages hidden among ancient trees, Gottwood offers a blend of music and natural beauty. It’s one of the UK’s most intimate festivals, built on real connection and a shared love for underground electronic music.
So, as you get ready for the trek to Holyhead, I’ve put together the ultimate guide to Gottwood 2025, rounding up all the artists on Broke’s radar and the must-see acts you’d be a spoon to miss…
Thursday:
MUST SEE:
Peach
What better way to begin your weekend than with our girl Peach? The UK-based, Canadian-born DJ and producer who turns the ethereal into electronic, gliding through tech house, tribal and ambient techno. Her tunes are the perfect way to ease you into the weekend.
Demi Riquisimo
That name alone makes me wanna spark a biffta with a cold tinny in hand. Hailing from Detroit but carving out a sound all his own, Demi Riquisimo blends acid and Italo house like no one else. With Semidelicious already announcing their takeover will be on Trigon (personally, my fave stage at the festival), missing Demi’s driving grooves, sexy vocals, and wobbling basslines just isn’t an option.
DON’T MISS:
Shanti Celeste
She needs no introduction, but what’s a festival in the sun without the queen? Shanti Celeste is pure serotonin on the decks. Expect bouncy beats, shimmering house, and a serious dose of sunshine. She is always worth catching when you’re bouncing between stages.
Saoirse
Risk-taker and empress of the unexpected, Saoirse blends rollers, garage, euphoric anthems, and late-night face-melters into one. Her sets keep you on your toes and are exactly what you need to throw you into Friday.
Friday:
MUST SEE:
Binh
Binh is non-negotiable. A Berlin fixture and one of the most respected underground DJs, his record collection is a black hole filled with 130BPM techno, shadowy electro, and hidden 90s slammers you didn’t know existed until they are melting your mind at 5 a.m. This guy turns the dancefloor into a fever dream and is easily one of my must-see sets of the weekend.
FREAKENSTEIN
Tristan da Cunha’s fweaky alter ego is back, and if you caught his set on The Lawn last year, you know exactly why I’m gassed. The intergalactic booty hunter returns, freakier than ever, armed with his signature mix of Detroit techno and booty bass. Bet he’ll drop stinkers even bigger than his hat. BE THERE.
DON’T MISS:
Make a Dance
Expect electro, house, and some seriously squelchy bangers with Make a Dance – the duo of Josh Ludlow and Ben Lewis. These two have been tearing up dancefloors with their chunky, funked-out rollers for years, and, at this point, catching these boyos is a Gottwood tradition, and it’s not to be missed.
Voigtmann
Coming from a punk band background, Voigtmann is the GOAT of blending funk and bass. As co-founder of London’s underground Toi.Toi.Musik, he’s built a rep for igniting the dancefloor. The only thing guaranteed is insane mixes and an unforgettable time. So, (respectfully) get your ass to whatever stage he’s on.
Saturday:
MUST SEE:
Cartulis Takeover: Dresden, Radioactive Man (live), Unai Trotti, Vass, Z@p
When I saw a Cartulis takeover on the lineup, I nearly lost it – this is massive and a serious power move from Gottwood. Led by Uruguay’s Unai Trotti, Cartulis is the label and crew behind one of London’s most notorious underground nights. Known for rare records and expertly curated lineups, what better stage to host these legends than Trigon?! This is easily my most anticipated takeover of the weekend, and one you would be an absolute SPOON to miss.
DON’T MISS:
Phonetraxxx (live)
Phonetraxxx – the powerhouse trio of Alec Falconer, Harry Wills, and Rob Amboule are woven into Gotwood’s DNA. This year, they’re going all in with both a DJ and live set. But here’s the move: don’t miss that live set. Daytime vibes are pretty much a given, and these three always come through with a masterclass in musicianship and tunes that deliver a state of pure joy.
Mia Koden
With deep roots in soundsystem culture, Mia Koden is not one to sleep on. Under the Hit and Run takeover, she’ll likely be getting cosy in The Barn – the sweatiest, most intimate stage at the festival (if you know, you know). It’s the perfect playground for Koden’s magic, expect low-end wobs and tension-raising basslines connecting dub, dubstep, and grime.
Sugar Free
Genreless and unpredictable, Sugar Free flips between lush house, punchy minimal, and proggy techno like nobody else. Hailing from Madrid and now based in Berlin, Alejandra Valmorisco has been crafting her eclectic sound since her early 20s, with early gigs booked by DJ Hell. No clue what she’s dropping in the Welsh fields, but one thing’s for sure: it will be fire.
Sunday:
MUST SEE:
Batu:
Closing out the weekend with Bristol’s finest? Feels too good to be true. Batu’s on deck, bringing the best in boundary-pushing UK techno. As the mastermind behind the Timedance label, he’s been instrumental in pushing Bristol to the forefront of global bass-minded music culture, blending British bass influences with his unique, boundary-pushing sound. His experimental sets are a guaranteed headfuck (in the best way).
DON’T MISS:
Alien Communications:
If you are ready for high-energy electro wobs that hit HARD, then Alien Comms is your guy. His futuristic sets ride through glitchy synths, heavy bass and mind-bending rhythms that never disappoint – he is one not to miss on Sunday.
Sonja Moonear:
Swiss princess Sonja Moonear is pure prog mastery – layered, trippy, and always a step ahead. A classically trained pianist turned underground icon, she swapped the keys for a Roland R8 and dove headfirst into Geneva’s rave scene in the late ’90s. She’s the one you want when you’re not ready to call it quits.
The Ghost
Berlin’s The Ghost, aka James Creed and Josh Wareham, are the ideal way to close a festival lineup, so cheers Gottwood. Known for their impeccable track selection and elusive ID’s, these two come armed with rare records you’re unlikely to hear anywhere else. Expect to be fully locked in, riding their grooves through till Monday morning.
See you on the dancefloor…….
