By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – London, the vibrant streets of Dalston are set to become the epicenter of a global musical movement as Dialled In officially pulls back the curtain on its fifth-anniversary festival program. Scheduled for Saturday, May 30th, 2026, the milestone event marks a half-decade of radical representation, community building, and sonic exploration. Since its inception in 2021, Dialled In has evolved from a grassroots initiative into a cornerstone of the UK’s electronic and alternative music landscape, specifically championing the diverse talents of the South Asian diaspora. The 2026 edition promises to be its most ambitious undertaking to date, sprawling across a network of Dalston’s most iconic independent venues and featuring a curated blend of international heavyweights, emerging local talent, and rare live performances.
The announcement of the 2026 lineup comes at a time of significant momentum for the collective. Leading the charge is event co-founder and visionary producer Ahadadream. His inclusion in the lineup follows a period of immense professional success, most recently highlighted by the release of the high-octane single "Bass Dhol," a collaboration with global electronic titan Skrillex and the acclaimed vocalist Raf-Saperra. Ahadadream’s sets have become synonymous with the festival’s energy, blending percussive club music with traditional South Asian rhythms, a sound that has increasingly permeated mainstream dance music circles thanks to his tireless advocacy and production prowess.
Joining Ahadadream on the DJ billing is a formidable array of artists who have defined the "Dialled In sound." Among them is Anish Kumar, a producer whose meteoric rise has been fueled by a unique ability to fuse nostalgic Bollywood samples with contemporary house and disco sensibilities. Kumar’s presence on the lineup signifies the festival’s commitment to artists who are not just playing music, but are actively reshaping the cultural narrative through their creative output. The DJ program continues with Nadine Noor, a pivotal figure in the London nightlife scene known for her eclectic and high-energy selections, and BamBoy, whose sets often bridge the gap between experimental textures and dancefloor accessibility.
The lineup further expands with a deep bench of talent including G33, Malix, VNEE, Jhumka, Amil Raja, Harpriya, and Anil. Each of these artists represents a different facet of the diaspora’s contribution to modern club culture, ranging from deep, atmospheric techno to the bass-heavy sounds of the UK underground. By providing a platform for such a wide spectrum of artists, Dialled In continues to challenge the monolithic perceptions often associated with South Asian music, instead presenting a multifaceted and evolving ecosystem.
A standout feature of the 2026 festival is the introduction of a dedicated vinyl-only stage, a move that pays homage to the archival and tactile history of music. This stage will serve as a sanctuary for crate-diggers and historians of sound, headlined by the Digging in India project and the Naya Beat label. Naya Beat has gained international acclaim for its work in reissuing and spotlighting forgotten South Asian dance and electronic music from the late 1980s and early 1990s, bridging the generational gap between the pioneers of the past and the innovators of today. Joining them on the vinyl stage are Sway of the Verses and Tash LC, the latter of whom has built a reputation for her seamless blending of global sounds, ranging from Kuduro to Gqom and beyond.
The live performance aspect of the festival is equally compelling, anchored by the London debut of Lifafa. As the frontman of the internationally lauded Peter Cat Recording Co., Lifafa (the solo project of Suryakant Sawhney) has garnered a cult following for his hypnotic blend of electronic production, soulful vocals, and cinematic arrangements. His first appearance in the capital is a major coup for Dialled In and is expected to be one of the festival’s most anticipated moments. The live roster is bolstered by the presence of Swarthy Korwar—a name that resonates with those familiar with the boundary-pushing jazz and electronic fusion of the London scene—as well as the ethereal vocal talents of Gayathri Krishnan and the multidisciplinary artist Mya Mehmi.
The international scope of the 2026 edition is further emphasized by the inclusion of Canadian artist Raf Reza. As the head of the Orphic Apparition label, Reza has become a respected figure in the global electronic community for his cerebral and often surrealist approach to house and techno. He will be joined by the EXCISE DEPT, an enigmatic collective hailing from India that has been making waves for their subversive and genre-defying performances. Their participation highlights Dialled In’s role as a global bridge, connecting the various hubs of the South Asian diaspora and fostering international artistic exchange.
In terms of logistics and atmosphere, the festival’s multi-venue format is designed to activate the Hackney borough, turning Dalston into a living gallery of sound. The participating venues read like a directory of London’s essential cultural spaces. EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney) will likely serve as one of the larger hubs, while the intimate confines of Dalston Den and The Divine will offer a more visceral club experience. The historic Rio Cinema will provide a unique backdrop for performances, potentially leaning into more audio-visual or experimental sets, while the Shacklewell Arms and Marquee Moon will maintain their reputations as bastions of independent and alternative music.
A particularly noteworthy collaboration will take place at Café OTO, a venue renowned for its commitment to experimental and improvised music. The space will host a special takeover by Honiunhoni Records, a label based in Pakistan that has been instrumental in documenting and promoting the country’s independent and traditional music scenes. This takeover will feature Muslim Shaggan alongside Tony & Billa, promising a performance that delves deep into the heritage and contemporary evolution of Pakistani musical traditions. This partnership underscores Dialled In’s mission to provide space for authentic cultural expressions that might otherwise be overlooked by mainstream festival circuits.
The Total Refreshment Centre (TRC) also joins the list of venues, bringing its legacy as a community-focused creative hub to the festival. The inclusion of TRC is fitting for an event that prides itself on community engagement. Since its launch in 2021, Dialled In has been more than just a series of parties; it has functioned as a platform for mentorship, education, and the dismantling of barriers within the music industry. The collective’s efforts have sparked a wider conversation about inclusivity and the importance of self-represented spaces in a post-pandemic cultural landscape.
To celebrate the fifth anniversary, the organizers have also launched a community-focused competition. Fans have the opportunity to win a comprehensive festival package, which includes four tickets to the 2026 event, a £200 food tab to be used at participating local vendors, and a selection of exclusive festival merchandise. This initiative not only incentivizes attendance but also reflects the festival’s ethos of giving back to the community that has supported it over the last five years.
As the festival approaches, the significance of Dialled In reaching its fifth year cannot be overstated. What began as a response to the lack of visibility for South Asian artists has grown into a formidable movement that influences booking trends, label signings, and cultural discourse across the UK. The 2026 program is a testament to the collective’s endurance and its ability to scale its vision without compromising its core values. By bringing together such a diverse array of sounds—from the archival vinyl of Naya Beat to the futuristic club sounds of Ahadadream and the experimental live sets of Lifafa—Dialled In is not just celebrating its own history; it is actively writing the future of British music culture.
Tickets for the event are currently available through Resident Advisor, and given the milestone nature of the anniversary and the strength of the lineup, they are expected to be in high demand. For those who have followed the journey of Dialled In from its first event to this expansive Dalston takeover, the 2026 festival represents the culmination of years of hard work, artistic bravery, and the unyielding belief that the South Asian diaspora has a vital, central role to play in the global musical narrative. On May 30th, that belief will once again be turned into a loud, rhythmic, and undeniable reality.