At the heart of Japanese dub culture since 1998, GOTH-TRAD specialises in low frequency, slow-motion sonics. Drawing from reggae and dubstep, but also jungle and grime, noise and even experimental metal, he creates abstract but immediate music that’s equally at home on and off the dancefloor.

One of the unsung heroes of Japanese electronic music, he’s been a vital bridge between Japan and the UK and European dubstep circuit. His long-running event series Back To Chill has brought the likes of The Bug and Kode9 to Japan, serving as a meeting point for local DJs and producers.

Most dubstep audiences will know him for his longstanding ties to Mala’s Deep Medi - with a string of releases on the label, he’s basically extended family - but his sound has always felt closer to sonic radicals and free-thinking ‘heavy’ producers like The Bug. Influenced by his love of Kraftwerk and ‘bleep techno’ pioneers LFO, his music is cold and even industrial, but also dynamic and emotional; he’s even played entire sets of techno.

This could end up being one of the most memorable and surprising sets at Sónar 2026