The electrifying pulse of drum and bass is resonating across continents, driven by WORSHIP, the formidable collaborative project uniting four of the genre’s most influential British artists: Sub Focus, Dimension, Culture Shock, and 1991. After years of solidifying their individual legacies as titans of the electronic music scene, these four DJs have channeled their collective power into a groundbreaking venture designed to showcase the expansive versatility of drum and bass. Through meticulously crafted collaborative productions, high-octane live performances, and an undeniable synergy, WORSHIP is not just performing music; they are forging a new path for a genre that has historically thrived in underground scenes but is now poised for unprecedented global mainstream recognition.
The group’s current North American arena tour marks a significant chapter in their ambitious journey. Following a sold-out stop in Brooklyn, New York, at the Brooklyn Storehouse, WORSHIP members took a moment to reflect on their personal introductions to drum and bass, the intricate creative dynamics that define their collaborative sound, and their ambitious vision for the future trajectory of the genre. Their insights offer a compelling look into the minds of artists who are not only masters of their craft but also passionate custodians of a musical movement.
Genesis of a Genre Obsession: From Pirate Radio to Chart Success
The initial spark that ignited a lifelong passion for drum and bass for each member of WORSHIP varied, yet the common thread was an immediate, visceral reaction to its unique sonic architecture. For Nick Douwma, known globally as Sub Focus, the discovery was serendipitous. "In school during break time, my friend put on a compilation of jungle music, which was the genre that came before drum and bass," Douwma recalls. "There was a song called ‘Incredible,’ which was a big hit in 1994. It was the craziest style of music I had ever heard. I had never heard anything like it, and I was obsessed from that point onward." This early exposure to the raw energy of jungle, a precursor characterized by its breakbeat rhythms and bass-heavy soundscapes, laid the foundation for his lifelong dedication to the evolution of drum and bass.
For Ben Lunn, aka Culture Shock, the allure of drum and bass was found in the clandestine frequencies of pirate radio. "In between the mainstream radio stations, you would tune through the FM dial, and there would be these illegal pirate stations broadcasting jungle," Lunn explains. "I didn’t even know what the name was back then, but it was these crazy sounds of chopped-up, sped-up drum beats." This sense of discovering something illicit and exhilarating perfectly encapsulates the underground ethos that defined drum and bass in its formative years. Sub Focus further elaborates on this sentiment: "That was one of the things that made it so exciting early on. It was extremely underground, and it took a while for it to filter into the mainstream."
This underground genesis has a profound impact on the genre’s development. Historically, drum and bass has been a force nurtured in warehouses, clubs, and illegal raves, fostering a dedicated community that values innovation and raw energy. The transition from these intimate spaces to the colossal scale of arena tours is a testament to the genre’s enduring appeal and its ability to evolve. Sub Focus reflects on this evolution with a sense of pride: "Now, in the UK, drum and bass has become a really popular genre, with a few select songs even reaching number one in the charts. It’s been an exciting journey to watch it grow, and I think our ambition is to expose more people to it, show them the type of drum and bass we’re into, and represent it in the best way we can." This ambition is not merely about commercial success; it is about curating and presenting the multifaceted identity of drum and bass to a global audience that may only be familiar with its more mainstream iterations.
Charting New Territories: North America and Beyond
The current North American arena tour represents a pivotal moment for WORSHIP, marking a significant step in their mission to elevate drum and bass on a global scale. The feeling among the group is one of immense privilege and a keen awareness of the responsibility that comes with such visibility. "It feels amazing and like a massive privilege to be pushing the genre here in North America," states Rob Swire, known as Dimension. "Obviously, with that comes an element of responsibility. There’s a huge amount of culture deeply rooted here, and we want to honor and respect that while also making it accessible and open to new people, because I think that’s a really positive thing." This nuanced approach acknowledges the rich musical heritage of North America while simultaneously aiming to cultivate a new generation of fans.
The journey to this point has been a strategic, long-term endeavor. "We set out to try and conquer America five or six years ago, and it’s been an amazing journey," Dimension elaborates. "We’re starting to do some really big shows, and this is our first-ever arena tour, which we never really thought would be possible." The success of this tour, with its sold-out dates and substantial fan engagement, validates their persistent efforts.
WORSHIP’s ambitions extend far beyond North America. The group has identified Asia as a key frontier for future expansion. "The next territory we’ve really got our eyes on is Asia. We’ve been playing there, and we’re doing our first-ever show in China in a couple of weeks. For me, it’s an amazing territory with so much potential. That’s the next place on the horizon, so it’s exciting." This strategic focus on emerging markets highlights a broader trend within the electronic music industry, where artists are actively seeking to cultivate diverse fan bases in regions with rapidly growing music consumption.
Furthermore, recent excursions into South America have yielded promising results, signaling further global reach. "It’s also worth mentioning that we just went to South America for the first time and played in Medellín at EDC," adds Sub Focus. "That’s another really exciting area." The group is even exploring linguistic avenues to connect with new audiences, with Dimension, who is half Spanish, noting, "Dimension is actually half Spanish, and we’re working on some Spanish-language music as well. We really want to take drum and bass worldwide and bring it to some new places." This multilingual approach underscores a sophisticated understanding of cultural integration and global marketing within the music industry.
The Alchemy of Collaboration: Forging a Unified Sound
The creative process behind WORSHIP is a complex yet remarkably effective synergy, born from the individual expertise of four established artists. Given their demanding solo touring schedules, the creation of new music often occurs in fragmented moments, leveraging technology and an unwavering commitment to their shared vision. "Laptops and planes!" exclaims Culture Shock when asked about finding time to create. "Because you’re constantly touring, it’s just little, short windows or where you’re in a hotel for a bit." This nomadic lifestyle, characteristic of global touring DJs, necessitates an adaptable and opportunistic approach to production.
What distinguishes WORSHIP from many collaborative projects is the caliber of its individual members. "One thing that really separates us from other groups is that we’ve all had our own individual and successful solo careers," Dimension states. "We’re all masters of our craft, so when you put that together, we’re stronger than the sum of our parts. In a band, someone might play the drums or do one particular thing, but we’ve all done it ourselves, which makes us a lot stronger. That’s why I think it’s worked so well." This depth of individual mastery allows for a more robust and versatile collective output.
The group’s studio sessions are characterized by a dynamic interplay of skills and a shared passion for sonic innovation. "We’re all-rounders because we’ve done this individually as solo artists, but we’ve got studios in London and link up as much as possible," Sub Focus explains. "This year, we’ve been doing a lot of sessions together, and have been linking up to write a lot of tracks." The collaborative environment fosters a unique creative energy. "It’s fun being in a studio together because we’re used to operating on our own, maybe with a singer or songwriter," Culture Shock adds. "When there’s four of us together, we can joke around a lot, and when the vibe is really good and there’s a good idea, it gets very exciting quite quickly. You can make something really fast because everybody’s making different parts of the songs." This efficient division of labor, coupled with the inherent fun of creative collaboration, accelerates their production output. Culture Shock humorously concludes, "And if you’re not fast enough, your idea gets vetoed!"
Individual Strengths, Collective Power: Defining Roles within WORSHIP
While their skill sets are complementary, each member of WORSHIP brings a distinct flavor and approach to the group’s sonic tapestry. "I think our skill sets are similar, but they overlap a lot," Sub Focus observes. "Culture Shock is amazing at making sounds. I tend to look at songs from a more zoomed-out perspective, and I think I’m more into finishing things. 1991 is amazing at starting things and remixing things. Dimension’s stuff tends to be quite song-oriented. We all have our own strengths and different areas of specialization." This intricate division of labor ensures that every aspect of a track, from its initial concept to its final polish, is meticulously handled by an expert.
The construction of a WORSHIP live set is a collaborative art form, reflecting their shared understanding of musical flow and audience engagement. While playful banter about "arguing, and physical fights!" ensues, the reality is a deeply considered process. "It depends on the type of set we’re doing," Sub Focus reveals. "Sometimes we’re very off the cuff, and sometimes we’re more planned. We spend a long time trying to figure out cool transitions and brainstorm together." This blend of spontaneity and meticulous planning allows their sets to feel both organic and expertly curated.
A key element of their live performance philosophy is the creation of a cohesive sonic journey. "I think we have a similar mindset about how sets should flow," Culture Shock explains. "There’s a certain energy at the start, a different type of energy in the middle, and then something else at the end. It makes sense that we all play together now because we’re going on that same journey." This shared vision for set construction is rooted in a deep appreciation for musical narrative. Sub Focus further elaborates on this, drawing parallels to other electronic music genres: "We have quite similar musical inspirations. I definitely think about building a set the way a house or techno DJ would, where it’s a journey. Sometimes drum and bass mixing can be very jarring, with crazy double drops and things like that. Our style is to have really nice, smooth transitions and big build-ups. We’re approaching it from more of a house and techno perspective." This sophisticated approach to mixing elevates their sets beyond mere track selection, transforming them into immersive sonic experiences that resonate with both seasoned drum and bass aficionados and newcomers alike.
The WORSHIP Experience: Igniting a Global Drum & Bass Movement
The ultimate goal of WORSHIP’s relentless touring and creative output is to foster a profound connection with their audience and to demystify drum and bass for those unfamiliar with its intricacies. "We hope people really enjoy the shows," Sub Focus states. "We’re trying to showcase the side of drum and bass that we feel represents what it’s all about. We want new people to come to the shows, as well as existing fans, and have an amazing time." Their commitment to accessibility is palpable, aiming to broaden the genre’s appeal without compromising its core essence.
The impact of their performances on emerging fans is a source of immense satisfaction. "I really like it when you get a message from someone online saying, ‘That was my first drum and bass show,’ and it was a WORSHIP show," shares 1991. "If we can convert more people into drum and bass fans, I think that’s a really cool thing." This sentiment underscores the group’s role as cultural ambassadors for the genre.
Dimension emphasizes the palpable energy that defines a WORSHIP live experience: "The whole point is that it’s really fun. We take it seriously, but at the same time, we’re always having so much fun onstage, and we really want that energy to translate to the crowd. Getting people onstage with us is a big thing, too. We just want to convert as many nonbelievers as we can." This inclusive and energetic approach is a hallmark of their performances, creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and invigorated. Culture Shock articulates the unique power of drum and bass: "Drum and bass has a unique energy because it’s faster than anything else. When it goes off and there’s a big reaction from the crowd, that reaction is like nothing else. There’s nothing that compares to it, so we want to bring that feeling to as many people as possible." This raw, unadulterated energy is precisely what WORSHIP aims to share with the world.
Avenues of Ambition: Dream Venues and Future Frontiers
As WORSHIP continues to ascend, their aspirations for iconic performance spaces are becoming a reality, blurring the lines between dream and achievable goal. "We’re quite spoiled in that our dream venues keep getting ticked off," Dimension notes. "After spending the week in New York, our next dream venue would be Madison Square Garden." This iconic New York City arena represents a pinnacle of live performance achievement, a testament to their growing influence. Culture Shock echoes this sentiment, reflecting on the group’s recent experience in the city: "We were just outside taking a photo and thinking, ‘We really need to play here.’ That would be cool. It would be crazy." The collective ambition is palpable, with 1991 adding, "We’re manifesting it right now."
As WORSHIP continues to take drum and bass to new heights, the four artists remain focused on expanding the genre’s reach while building on the creative chemistry that makes their collaboration unique. Their first arena tour marks another milestone in their journey, with Sub Focus, Dimension, Culture Shock, and 1991 proving that drum and bass belongs on the world’s biggest stages. And if their Madison Square Garden ambitions are any indication, WORSHIP’s next chapter could be its biggest yet.
To purchase tickets to an upcoming tour date, please visit WORSHIP’s official website.
