Awesome Soundwave launches ASW Live and announces new album

The evolution of live performance: Awesome Soundwave presents ASW Live

Awesome Soundwave, the record label founded in 2018 by renowned artists Carl Cox and Christopher Coe, has announced the launch of 'ASW Live'. This new event series marks a turning point for the platform, moving its strict philosophy focused on live electronic performances from the record catalog to the club ecosystem.

Over the last eight years, Awesome Soundwave has supported artists who place live performance and hardware manipulation at the center of their creative process. With more than 80 releases, its catalog ranges from cutting-edge talents like Charlie Thorstenson and An On Bast, to established live legends like Marc Romboy and Octave One. The first confirmed dates place the debut of this initiative in Ireland and Northern Ireland at the end of August 2026, followed by a special date in Ibiza scheduled for the month of October.

Synthesizers, Eurorack format and the return to intimate clubs

The approach of ASW Live moves radically away from conventional DJ sets to prioritize improvisation, synthesis, and real-time machine manipulation. The inaugural tour begins on August 28 at the Pawn Shop in Dublin, with a free entry event, and continues on August 29 at The Ulster Sports Club, in Belfast. Both evenings feature performances by veteran producer Phil Kieran and Christopher Coe himself.

The technical proposal of these first events underscores the label's commitment to sonic experimentation. Phil Kieran, whose career spans more than three decades, will reconstruct material from his extensive catalog using classic drum machines like the Roland TR-909 and TR-08. For his part, Christopher Coe will execute an improvised techno set based on the use of Eurorack modular systems, ensuring that each presentation is an unrepeatable auditory experience.

We felt it was time to return to the experience of smaller venues, where we can genuinely connect with the audience and give visibility to more local live artists. With ASW Live, we want to recreate that underground feeling where anything can happen and the music flows wildly.

— Christopher Coe

This transition towards more intimate spaces contrasts with the label's recent trajectory, which in its history has presented showcases on massive festival stages like Mysteryland and Awakenings, as well as residencies in iconic clubs like DC-10 in Ibiza. Precisely, the Balearic island will host an edition of ASW Live in October, with a lineup that will include live performances by Sebastian Mullaert, Stimming, and Christopher Coe.

Record expansion: The imminent release of 'Holds The Sky'

In parallel to the expansion of its live events, Awesome Soundwave has confirmed an important milestone in its release calendar. September 25, 2026, will see the release of 'Holds The Sky', a collaborative album between acclaimed Swedish producer Sebastian Mullaert and Georgian composer and vocalist Tamarma. This project, which blurs the lines between ambient, experimental electronics, and club rhythms, had its genesis in 2020 during the 'In Bloom' mentorship program led by Mullaert.

What began as a studio scholarship during the global lockdown evolved over a year into an organic exchange between two very distinct artistic voices. The album has been preceded by the single 'Being Colours', which stands out for its intricate vocal textures and immersive atmospheres. Subsequently, the label released a dancefloor-oriented reinterpretation of the main track by Mullaert himself, contributing his characteristic deep and minimalist groove.

The impact of improvisation in the current electronic ecosystem

Awesome Soundwave's dual commitment through the ASW Live series and the 'Holds The Sky' album reflects a growing trend in the electronic music industry. Faced with the standardization of large-scale formats, there is a palpable demand for more organic and risky experiences. By prioritizing the use of analog hardware and live modular synthesis, Carl Cox's label not only preserves the tactile essence of techno, but also establishes a vital bridge between the genre's pioneers and new generations of creators, demonstrating that cutting-edge clubbing continues to reside in the risk of live performance.

Sources Consulted