The wait is over! we’re thrilled to share the first wave of artists joining us for Twisted Frequency Festival 2026. This is only the beginning, with many more huge names still to come, We are feeling super chuffed, this first announcement is already packed with an incredible mix of international innovators and homegrown legends who will be lighting up our stages this summer.

Headline Artists:

OM UNIT (UK) A name that needs no introduction in underground music circles, Om Unit has spent more than a decade redefining what bass music can be. With roots in drum & bass, dubstep, and hip-hop, he has steadily carved out a sound that is uniquely his own — fluid, genre-defying, and deeply rooted in sub-heavy atmospheres. Whether he’s reworking jungle classics, experimenting with cosmic downtempo, or pushing new ideas in the world of bass, Om Unit’s sets are immersive journeys that challenge and uplift. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to Golden Bay for the first time.

GROUCH (NZ) Representing Aotearoa on the global stage, Grouch has long been a pioneer in psychedelic bass and progressive electronic music. His productions are rich with texture, storytelling, and a sense of movement that carries dancers into new dimensions. Having played at some of the world’s most renowned festivals, Grouch brings an international flavour while staying deeply connected to his Kiwi roots. His performances are legendary for their hypnotic flow — a perfect fit for Twisted Frequency’s boundary-pushing ethos.

International Talent

Kliment (Bulgaria) is known for his lush and atmospheric sound design, fusing progressive trance, downtempo, and deep psychedelic textures. His music is equally at home on a sunrise dancefloor as it is in a late-night journey set. We have wanted to land Kliment for some Twisted sets for years now and we know the psy scene heads are absolutely STOKED on this one - You're welcome xoxo

Onhell (USA) Bass aficionados have been fizzing on this one, will be bringing a raw, bass-heavy energy that blurs the lines between trap, hip-hop, and experimental electronica. Expect dense sub-bass, wild percussive switch-ups, and a sound that’s both challenging and danceable.

Tribone (Israel) Long time Twisted whanau and all round legendary darling of a man, Tribone delivers tribal-infused psy-bass, balancing primal rhythms with cutting-edge production. His sets bring a hypnotic drive that pushes the dancefloor into full-throttle mode.

Mystic State (UK) Back once again, we couldnt resist bringing back one of these legends to the Cobb - as a duo their deep, cinematic take on drum & bass and dubwise sounds are well known and loved across Aotearoa for rolling basslines, crisp percussion and an emotive edge that has made them a favourite among DnB purists and adventurous listeners alike.

Aotearoa Artists

Of course, it wouldn't be wouldn’t be Twisted without a strong backbone of New Zealand’s underground champions.

Paige Julia continues her unstoppable rise as one of the country’s most innovative bass producers and DJs, blending heavy subs with experimental textures and forward-thinking grooves.

Isaac Chambers & Dub Princess bring a unique fusion of soulful live vocals and electronic beats, offering a heartfelt and uplifting sound that perfectly bridges the worlds of electronic production and live performance. Its been a hot minute since we had Dub Princess in the mix and we are super excited to have her back as part of her tour of Aotearoa.

Keepsakes, at this point a regular feature on Twisted lineups and driving force in New Zealand’s techno scene, will be delivering his trademark hard edged yet playful sound. Uncompromising, powerful, and impossible not to move to.

Caru & Brandn Shiraz, both long time contributors to Aotearoa’s underground community, When their forces combine they bring a phenomenal Garage set that has been blowing up stages since its inception.

Rounding out this wave are artists like Mani Festo, pushing the sound of breakbeat and rave mutations; Kita, known for her eclectic vibes with an allstar band lineup of Twisted regulars to boot and EBB, another well loved Twisted alumni who needs little introduction, bringing that classic deep and weighty sound system pressure.

There are SO MANY names on this drop that we simply cannot go into every one of them but there are a few hot takes on some of the headliners from this first batch, We have stacked the bill with a solid mix of local talent and HEAPS of takeovers from crews across the motu. Scope the lineup page HERE to learn more about what we have teed up for yas!

This is Just the Beginning

This is only the first look at the artists joining us for Twisted Frequency 2026. With more announcements on the way, including some massive international names still under wraps, this lineup is set to grow into one of our most diverse and exciting yet.