Following the release of his latest album, BLACK MIDAS, electronic music artist ZHU is expanding the project with BLACKLIZT.DC, a two-day music festival taking place December 18–19, 2026, at BERHTA in Washington, D.C. Featuring more than 10 artists across three stages, the event marks the first edition of BLACKLIZT, a festival concept designed to bring its underground-inspired approach to a different city and country each year.
Joining ZHU for the inaugural edition are international artists Dansyn, Fahlberg, HNTR, Joezi, KamJam, Kotiēr, Nico De Andrea, Parallelle, Riche, and TOBEHONEST. The lineup brings together established names and emerging talent, with artists selected for their musical connections to ZHU through shared stages and collaborations.
The festival’s concept draws directly from the message behind BLACK MIDAS, emphasizing music, atmosphere, and the dancefloor over the spectacle of mainstream, high-production events. For ZHU, BLACKLIZT.DC represents a return to the intimacy and energy of underground warehouse parties, while maintaining the club-focused experience at the heart of his artistic identity.
“It’s the message of BLACK MIDAS,” shares ZHU. “Putting a focus solely on the music, counterplaying mainstream and high-production events – BLACKLIZT D.C. is a return to the dancefloor inspired by early underground warehouse parties with a club feel in its DNA.”
With its three-stage format and carefully curated lineup, BLACKLIZT.DC aims to create an environment centered on musical discovery and shared dancefloor experiences. The event’s emphasis on underground culture reflects the direction of ZHU’s latest album, bringing its artistic vision beyond recorded music and into a live setting.
Known for pushing the boundaries of electronic music, ZHU, whose real name is Steven Zhu, has built a career around combining music with broader artistic concepts and immersive experiences. His work extends beyond traditional club and festival performances, with a creative approach that consistently explores new ways to connect sound, visual identity, and atmosphere.
At the center of BLACKLIZT is a distinctive philosophy: techno as an attitude, an all-black dress code, and a focus on the music itself. By bringing the concept to a new city each year, ZHU intends to create a recurring international gathering rooted in underground dance culture.
BLACKLIZT.DC takes place December 18–19 at BERHTA in Washington, D.C. Tickets go on sale Thursday, November 5, at 10 a.m. ET through the official ticket link.