The electrifying pulse of drum and bass is resonating across continents, amplified by the formidable collective known as WORSHIP. This groundbreaking collaboration unites four titans of the genre: Sub Focus, Dimension, Culture Shock, and 1991. Having carved out significant individual careers and established themselves as formidable forces within the electronic music landscape, these British DJs have converged their talents to redefine the perception and reach of drum and bass. Their mission is to showcase the genre’s inherent versatility through meticulously crafted collaborative productions, electrifying live performances, and an undeniable shared synergy that captivates audiences worldwide. As WORSHIP embarks on its ambitious North American arena tour, a sold-out stop in Brooklyn provided a unique vantage point to delve into their formative years, the intricate creative process behind their collective sound, and their forward-looking vision for the future of drum and bass.
Genesis of a Genre: Early Encounters with Drum and Bass
The journey into the frenetic rhythms of drum and bass began for each member of WORSHIP in distinct yet equally formative ways. For Sub Focus, the initial spark ignited during his school days, a pivotal moment when a friend introduced him to a compilation of jungle music, the precursor to modern drum and bass. The track "Incredible," a significant hit in 1994, proved to be a revelation. "It was the craziest style of music I had ever heard," Sub Focus recalls. "I had never heard anything like it, and I was obsessed from that point onward."
Culture Shock’s early exposure to the genre was similarly serendipitous, rooted in the clandestine world of illegal pirate radio stations. "In between the mainstream radio stations, you would tune through the FM dial, and there would be these illegal pirate stations broadcasting jungle," he 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 discovery, of unearthing a sound that existed just beyond the mainstream, was a common thread for many early adopters. Sub Focus elaborates on this formative period, noting, "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."
Charting New Territories: North America and Beyond
WORSHIP’s current North American arena tour represents a significant milestone, marking a concerted effort to elevate drum and bass on a scale previously unimagined in the region. The group expresses a profound sense of privilege and responsibility in spearheading this movement. "It feels amazing and like a massive privilege to be pushing the genre here in North America," states 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 North American endeavor is not a new aspiration but rather a culmination of years of dedicated effort. "We set out to try and conquer America five or six years ago, and it’s been an amazing journey," Dimension continues. "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 is underscored by significant ticket sales and media attention, with reports indicating sold-out venues across major North American cities, a testament to the growing demand for high-caliber drum and bass experiences.
The group’s ambition extends far beyond the North American continent. "The next territory we’ve really got our eyes on is Asia," Dimension reveals. "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." Sub Focus further highlights recent inroads into South America, mentioning their participation in EDC Medellín. "It’s also worth mentioning that we just went to South America for the first time and played in Medellín at EDC. That’s another really exciting area." The group is also exploring cross-cultural collaborations, with Dimension 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 strategic global expansion aims to diversify the genre’s audience and foster new artistic dialogues within different cultural contexts.
The Collaborative Alchemy: Crafting the WORSHIP Sound
The creative process behind WORSHIP is a testament to the members’ individual mastery and their ability to coalesce into a singular, powerful artistic entity. Juggling demanding solo touring schedules, the group has developed an innovative approach to music production. "Laptops and planes!" exclaims Culture Shock, encapsulating the reality of their nomadic creative sessions. "Because you’re constantly touring, it’s just little, short windows or where you’re in a hotel for a bit."
Dimension highlights a key differentiator for WORSHIP: "One thing that really separates us from other groups is that we’ve all had our own individual and successful solo careers. We’re all masters of our craft, so when you put that together, we’re stronger than the sum of our parts." This collective expertise allows for a more robust and multifaceted creative output. Sub Focus elaborates, "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. This year, we’ve been doing a lot of sessions together, and have been linking up to write a lot of tracks."
The studio environment itself is a source of 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 shares. "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." He adds with a laugh, "And if you’re not fast enough, your idea gets vetoed!" This dynamic interplay fosters rapid idea generation and a collaborative spirit where each member’s contribution is valued.
Individual Strengths, Collective Synergy
Within WORSHIP, each member brings a distinct set of skills and creative perspectives that enrich the collective output. Sub Focus articulates this synergy: "I think our skill sets are similar, but they overlap a lot. 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 division of labor, while fluid, ensures that every aspect of a track, from its initial spark to its final polish, is expertly handled.
The Art of the Set: Crafting Unforgettable Live Experiences
Building a WORSHIP set is a deliberate and collaborative process, aimed at delivering a cohesive and exhilarating journey for the audience. While Sub Focus jokingly mentions "so much arguing, and physical fights! (Just kidding)," the reality is a shared vision for performance. "It depends on the type of set we’re doing," Sub Focus explains. "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."
Culture Shock elaborates on their shared approach to set construction: "I think we have a similar mindset about how sets should flow. 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 understanding of narrative arc within a DJ set is crucial.
Sub Focus further elucidates their stylistic approach, drawing parallels to other electronic 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 refined mixing style aims to create a more immersive and less fragmented experience, allowing the energy of the music to build organically.
The WORSHIP Effect: Inspiring New Generations of Fans
The ultimate goal of WORSHIP’s global campaign is to foster a deeper appreciation for drum and bass and to introduce the genre to new audiences. "We hope people really enjoy the shows," says Sub Focus. "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."
1991 shares a particularly resonant sentiment: "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. If we can convert more people into drum and bass fans, I think that’s a really cool thing." This desire to act as gateways into the genre is a significant part of their mission.
Dimension emphasizes the infectious nature of their performances: "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."
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." The sheer kinetic energy and communal release experienced at a high-octane drum and bass event are central to their appeal.
Reaching for the Pinnacle: Dream Venues and Future Ambitions
As WORSHIP continues to ascend, their aspirations extend to playing at the world’s most iconic venues. "We’re quite spoiled in that our dream venues keep getting ticked off," Dimension remarks. "After spending the week in New York, our next dream venue would be Madison Square Garden." This ambition reflects a desire to bring drum and bass to the grandest stages, solidifying its place in mainstream musical culture.
Culture Shock echoes this sentiment, "We were just outside taking a photo and thinking, ‘We really need to play here.’ That would be cool. It would be crazy." 1991 adds a touch of hopeful intent, "We’re manifesting it right now."
The ongoing success of WORSHIP’s first arena tour marks another significant chapter in their collective journey. Sub Focus, Dimension, Culture Shock, and 1991 are demonstrably proving that drum and bass is not confined to niche clubs but deserves and commands the world’s largest stages. With their sights set on iconic venues like Madison Square Garden, the future trajectory of WORSHIP suggests that their next phase of musical innovation and global reach could be their most impactful yet. Their ability to seamlessly blend individual artistry with a unified vision positions them as unparalleled ambassadors for the evolution of drum and bass on a global scale.
For those eager to experience the WORSHIP phenomenon firsthand, tickets for upcoming tour dates are available for purchase here.
