The Upbeats
New Zealand's heavyweight duo deliver high-impact neuro pressure, polished engineering and a catalog built for giant festival moments.
Artist Guide
The Upbeats are another key southern-hemisphere export whose global reputation never erased their regional significance. From Wellington to London and back through worldwide touring, they built a catalog that feels simultaneously technical and physically brutal. They are not just a name on the poster; they are a statement that LOCUS still wants real impact at the tougher end of the spectrum.
Their records are dense, futuristic and often built around big structural payoffs. What keeps them relevant is that the engineering does not collapse under its own ambition. The details hold up. The hits land. The tension before the drop feels earned. That makes them perfect for a festival crowd that wants a strong shot of intensity without giving up sonic craft.
Because LOCUS serves a strong Australian and New Zealand travel lane, The Upbeats feel especially right in Bali. They bring both regional pride and worldwide authority. If the schedule needs a darker, bigger, more physically forceful section of the night, they are one of the most obvious answers. Their set is likely to read as one of the weekend's proper pressure sessions rather than a polite heritage nod.
Quick Reads
Fun Facts
- The duo signed to Virus Recordings in 2007 and broke through globally from there.
- They are one of the most recognisable New Zealand names on the current heavier circuit.
- Their sets usually suit later hours when the room wants full-force system pressure.
- Chance you'll swim with them: 31%, but only if someone turns the pool into a late-night pressure chamber.