Beatport and Appetite on the Farm are giving the next generation of electronic music talent an opportunity to step into the spotlight. The two brands have announced a new DJ competition offering two emerging artists the chance to perform at this year’s festival in Essex, with each winner earning a 60-minute set on The Block stage alongside VIP festival passes, production software, Beatport perks, and additional prizes.
Returning for its fifth edition across the Bank Holiday weekend of August 29–30 at Kelvedon Hall, Appetite on the Farm brings together established international artists and some of the UK’s most exciting emerging names. This year’s lineup includes Jamie Jones, Skream, MJ Cole, Eliza Rose, Shanti Celeste, Todd Edwards, Silva Bumpa, Max Dean, and Luke Dean, among others.
At the center of the competition is The Block, Beatport Live’s touring container stage created specifically to spotlight emerging electronic music talent at festivals and events. Built inside a converted 20-foot shipping container and equipped with a high-spec Funktion-One sound system, the stage provides an intimate performance environment where DJs can connect directly with audiences beyond the digital world.
Two selected artists will each receive a 60-minute performance slot on The Block, giving them the opportunity to introduce their sound to a festival audience while sharing the bill with some of the most established names in contemporary electronic music.
The prizes extend well beyond the performance itself. Winners will receive VIP festival passes for themselves and three guests, an Excite Audio plugin bundle courtesy of Plugin Boutique, three months of Beatport Streaming, a Beatport merchandise bundle, and additional prizes.
For Appetite on the Farm, the partnership reinforces the festival’s long-standing focus on balancing internationally recognized artists with emerging talent. Now in its fifth edition, the event has developed a reputation as one of the UK’s standout independent electronic music festivals, with its programming designed to create space for both established figures and the artists shaping the next generation of the scene.
The competition also reflects Beatport’s continued efforts to connect emerging DJs with real-world audiences. While online platforms can help artists build communities and reach listeners around the globe, opportunities to perform on a professional stage alongside established artists can provide a crucial next step in an emerging DJ’s career.
Artists looking to enter must submit a DJ mix through the official competition landing page.
Entries close Wednesday, August 12 at 5 PM BST.