“Where many London day festivals lean on familiar formulas, Transmissions pushes further. Its sonic menu is niche and refined, but far from one-dimensional.“
Ravers descend on Hackney Wick with a hunger for house and techno of the deeper, stranger, wigglier persuasion. Their playground is Hackney Wick, a neighbourhood long tied to open-air dancing and day-into-night raving, with festivals like Queen’s Yard Summer Party, Multi Multi, and (previously) Body Movements. Yet Transmissions from Hackney offers something refreshingly different – sharper, more adventurous, and daringly curated.
Where many London day festivals lean on familiar formulas, Transmissions pushes further. Its sonic menu is niche and refined, but far from one-dimensional. Across multiple venues, versatility reigns: from the head-spinning pressure of Skee Mask to the low-slung, cosmic hypnosis of Vladimir Ivkovic, the programming feels fearless, stretching far beyond the standard four-to-the-floor.
One of the most striking aspects is Transmissions’ refusal to overpack its lineup. Instead of cramming DJs into one-hour slots, most sets run at least two hours, with extended journeys from DJ Masda, Sunju Hargun, Vladimir Ivkovic, and DJ Koolt stretching well past three. This space allows artists to dig deeper, creating moments that feel immersive, unpredictable, and far more profound than the “banger-after-banger” pace that shorter sets often enforce.
Launched as a promoter in 2019 – forged in London strongholds like FOLD, The Cause, and M.O.T – Transmissions expand their vision with Transmissions From Hackney, a festival running since 2022. Now in its third year, the event takes a major step up: a multi-venue, 16- hour takeover of Hackney Wick is no small feat, yet the execution feels confident and precise.
That’s not to say it’s flawless. Colour Factory, home to some of the weekend’s most anticipated acts, suffers from underwhelming sound, which dulls otherwise brilliant performances. Still, the consistency of curation keeps each venue busy, queues minimal, and energy high throughout.
Highlights are plentiful. CRATE Terrace sets the tone early with euphoric, canal-side dancing. Carl H delivers one of the festival’s standout sets – a seamless blend of headsy rollers and playful house-techno hybrids – while DJ Masda reminds everyone why he is one of the scene’s most revered selectors, sparking eruptions across the floor with pinpoint precision.
The newly renovated Number 90 Hideout proves a revelation. Wooden panelling and acoustic treatment bring warmth and clarity, while 360° projection mapping and raised platforms create an immersive, gallery-like space. Higher Intelligence Agency are spellbinding, drifting through cosmic acid sludge, affirming techno, and kaleidoscopic visuals that morph the Hideout into a dreamlike chamber. Later, DJ Koolt closes with ruthless intensity, his blend of tribal, acid, and sinister minimalism confirming why Montevideo’s underground commands cult devotion.
Elsewhere, the Colour Factory Mezzanine is sweat-drenched abandon, with Sugar Free unleashing swampy, slap-heavy psychedelia to devastating effect. Out in the Colour Factory Garden, Carre tears through broken 140 and dub-soaked techno, proving no space is left behind in the curation.
In a city where overcrowded lineups and quick-fire sets dominate, Transmissions stands apart. Its commitment to depth over hype sets a new precedent for London festivals, proving that less really can mean more. By giving artists time to stretch out – and trusting the crowd to follow – it creates moments that feel alive, unforced, and genuinely special. Proof, if any were needed, that London’s underground thrives when promoters resist the obvious, take risks, and let the music lead the way.
Head to the Transmissions Instagram for more information and updates.