VORTEX who? The new Drum’n’Bass label makes its debut at the KUPPEL, do not miss!
Central Basel gets to see some new players stepping up. A freshly updated venue, formally well-known territory to Basel’s bass heads, now morphed into a brutalist location, insists on arranging a ball. In order to reconciliate the dance with deep tech plus a variety of other styles, like liquid, neuro, and eventually some jungle, the former randomers and future vortexters are ready to reconstruct. Similar to the vortex in our hearts, the vacuum will be filled with old and new friends, the next gen coming through, vibes galore & a little bit of spice. Long story short, familiar faces back in b town, to new beginnings.
NYMFO has cemented his position as a dominant figure in Drum & Bass with his exceptional skills both in the studio and behind the decks. Amsterdam-based Nymfo, also known as Bardo Camp, made his breakthrough in 2007 with releases on Shogun Ltd, Renegade Hardware and Critical, followed by tracks on iconic labels such as Metalheadz, CIA and 31 Records. Nymfo’s name quickly became synonymous with a hard-hitting, dancefloor-friendly style, culminating in the release of his debut album Characters in 2012 on Commercial Suicide. Since then, his musical journey has been a masterclass in versatility, with standout releases on leading labels such as Spearhead, Dispatch, CIA and RAM Records, including collaborations with heavyweights such as Black Sun Empire and explorations into genre-bending territories with Barong Family.
In addition, AIO and LUCA [DRUM ARMY], GAZ:elle [BE] and the VORTEX-crew will sweeten your night with their sound. Maybe we’ll see some new faces behind the desk.
Additional Details
Organizer
New DnB party label in Basel – Comming to life on 25 april 25
Vortex definition according to dictionary:
- a whirling mass or rotary motion in a liquid, gas, flame, etc, such as the spiralling movement of water around a whirlpool
- any activity, situation, or way of life regarded as irresistibly engulfing
Venue
The Kuppel Basel has a long history: first set up in 1986 as a seasonal games and events tent on the Schützenmatte, the old Kuppel moved to the Nachtigallenwäldeli as a temporary venue in 1988. Originally used as a youth centre, it served as a home for the regional pop music scene in all its forms for 22 years from 1994 to 2016. Despite the constant uncertainty regarding the future of the temporary venue, the old dome was one of the top addresses in Basel’s nightlife scene and enjoyed an outstanding reputation among bands and audiences alike.
In 2016, the old Kuppel had to close and the temporary venue had to be dismantled. In the same year, the Kuppel Foundation was established with the aim of promoting non-profit-orientated ‘alternative and youth culture’. The second project competition for the new Kuppel Basel was launched at the beginning of 2019, from which the winning project ‘Volume 2’ by Vécsey*Schmidt Architects emerged. Construction work on the new Basel dome began in 2022 and was completed in summer 2024. After an 8-year interruption to operations, the new Kuppel Basel finally reopened in October 2024.