Midland

Harry Agius - known to the world of electronic music as Midland - the one-man producer/DJ powerhouse behind such dancefloor delicacies as our 2016 track of the year ‘Final Credits’, ‘Trace’ and ‘Archive01’, got his start at a young age in 2003, when he heard an Andy C mixtape that inspired him to learn the craft of DJing. After an upbringing spent in Tanzania and Greece, the Graded boss was prompted to start playing out after moving to Leeds to study at the city’s university.

After befriending Ben UFO, Pangaea, Pariah and others at university, his productions began to inhabit a world of their own. ‘Your Words Matter’, his collaboration with Pearson Sound (then Ramadanman), marked the start of a long-lasting relationship with Will Saul and Fink’s AUS Music. Subsequent releases on More Music, Karenn’s label Works The Long Nights and his own Graded and ReGraded imprints, founded in 2013 and 2015 respectively, have facilitated Midland’s blossom from UK bass experimentalist to disco and house A-lister.

But, Midland is perhaps most revered as a DJ. Boasting a fluent mixing technique that incorporates elements of UK explosiveness into a smoother, more European style, he distinguishes himself with DJ sets that never fail to surprise and delight. Immortalised on YouTube, his sets at Dekmantel and AVA Festival serve as masterclasses in crowdwork. Pete Tong described Midland’s 2016 Radio 1 Essential Mix as “a real timeless classic from start to finish”, and it was awarded ‘Essential Mix of the Year’, further testament to his once-in-a-generation talent behind the decks.