TuneLab
Digital Soundboy carnival vibes DJ set in The Lab LDN
When a set is billed as 'carnival vibes', you brace for a chaotic genre hopscotch that leaves you Shazam-ing everything from reggae to drum & bass, and Digital Soundboy in The Lab LDN delivers exactly that beautiful, bass-heavy mess. The energy is pure party, a sweaty, inclusive bash where the only rule is to move, fueled by the label's signature UK bass and sound system culture. With a BPM average of 142.5 but a wild range from 91 to 179, this live set is a rollercoaster of rhythmic styles, yet it's cleverly anchored by the dominant, upbeat key of 12A to maintain harmonic cohesion. The energy balance—leaning into low-end warmth with moderate mid and high frequencies—ensures the basslines punch through while allowing vocal samples and melodies to shine, with mixing that adeptly switches from quick cuts for genre jumps to smooth blends within sections.
It's a tracklist that respects the journey from sound clash to soulful reflection. Dave & Ansel Collins' 'Double Barrel' isn't just an opening track; it's a statement of intent, dropping classic reggae into the electronic fray. Musical Youth's 'Pass The Dutchie' gets a nostalgic flip that's impossible not to sing along to, while Breakage's 'Hard' featuring David Rodigan is a drum & bass anthem that serves as a peak-time weapon. Shy FX's 'Plastic Soul' is a bassline-driven highlight from the label's own catalog, and Double 99's 'Ripgroove' is a UK garage classic that never fails to ignite the floor.
For deeper cuts, Breakage's 'Fighting Fire' with Jess Mills adds emotional weight. The journey kicks off with the iconic 'Double Barrel', builds to the frenetic peak of 'Hard' or the garage frenzy of 'Ripgroove', and winds down with the smooth, soulful closer of Shy FX & T Power's 'Feelings'.