FVDED 2026: Looking Beyond The Headliners - Four Essential Day One Sets
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Some festivals are built around the names at the top of the poster. FVDED has increasingly become something else entirely —a place where discovery and nostalgia coexist, where familiar favourites share space with artists on the verge of defining the next era of dance music. 2026 marks the beginning of FVDED’s confident new era, and there is no looking back.
As the festival returns to Holland Park for another summer, one thing feels certain: Blueprint continues to lean into curiosity. Beyond the marquee names lies a deep roster of artists shaping the current moment in dance music and hinting at where the culture is headed next. Unapologetically tuned to movement FVDED rewards those willing to arrive early, wander between stages, and trust the process.
Without further ado, these are the four artists we think deserve a spot on your day 1 schedule.
Champion
Champion
Having spent years at the forefront of the UK's underground dance scene, building a reputation around his unmistakable low-end basslines and rhythmic patterns, Champion easily lands at the top of our Day 1 recommendations. Moving effortlessly between House, UK-inspired Bass-Funk, and Grime influences, his productions are equal parts peak-energy weapons and a modern masterclass in communal groove. Champion's true distinguishing factor is his ability to push UK club music forward while remaining firmly rooted in the underground. Expect heavyweight bass, infectious rhythms, and a dancefloor that rarely stands still. Put Champion at the top of your Day 1 list.
Breakout Release: Lighter
On Repeat: Talk To Me
In his own words—why this set’s one you won’t want to miss:
“Will be my first time ever in Vancouver & I’m so excited!
I’m coming with loads of new dubs for the set plus my collabs with
Sammy Virji, Interplanetary Criminal, Skrillex, Four Tet & more.
Expect high energy & loads of vibes!”
Devault
DEVAULT
Right from the beginning DEVAULT has followed his own unique path. Looking back nearly a decade, many early fans first discovered him through his acclaimed remix of DJ Snake’s “A Different Way.” The remix plays as more of a reimagining shifting the emotional core of the original separating DEVAULT from the pack and highlighting his restraint as a producer to not simply chase drops. Since then, he has spent years refining his sound. Blending cinematic emotionally charged atmospheres, nostalgic synth work, and melodies with club-ready energy, DEVAULT’s set is required at viewing.
Breakout Release: A Different Way (DEVAULT Remix)
On Repeat: Feels Like Us
In his own words—why this set’s one you won’t want to miss:
“My live set is where I get to bring my entire world to life. With a ton of new music on the way, this show will be one of the first chances to experience what’s next, alongside the records that got us here. If you’re looking to discover something new and be part of a moment before everyone else catches on, don’t miss it.”
mph
MPH
Few UKG artists have generated as much momentum on the global stage as MPH. His sound effortlessly blends smooth grooves with high-energy bassline influences, resulting in tracks that are as infectious as they are energetic. Following sold-out tours across multiple continents and releases on many of the scene's most influential labels, MPH has firmly established himself as one of the scene’s most promising exports. If you want a glimpse of the mainstream future of UKG, MPH is one of the strongest bets on the entire lineup. The melodies are catchy, the grooves are undeniable, and his set should resonate with far more than just the UKG faithful.
Breakout Release: Control
On Repeat: Flex It
Layla Benitez
Layla Benitez
Layla Benitez's rise has been rapid, but she has been immersed in dance music her entire life. She possesses an unusually refined—almost classical—understanding of house music and what makes a dancefloor move. As her sets unfold, she builds atmosphere and maintains tension, forming an unspoken bond between the audience and her vision. Her sound is an amalgamation of indie dance, and melodic techno, combining 80s-inspired synth work, soulful basslines, and brooding undertones. The result is uniquely Layla. If you're looking to lose yourself in a journey rather than a drop, Layla Benitez is essential viewing.
Breakout Release: Fides
On Repeat: Broken Love
In her own words—why this set’s one you won’t want to miss:
“This is my first time playing FVDED in the Park, so I’m really excited to bring my sound to Vancouver. It feels especially meaningful to do it in Canada since my mom is Canadian.
My sets are a reflection of where I’m at right now as an artist: melodic, emotional, a little darker, but still built for big dancefloor and festival moments.
More than anything, I’m excited to connect with the crowd and make the set feel like something people will really remember.
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FVDED 2026 is about more than just checking headliners off a list. It's about discovery, connection, and the moments you never saw coming. This year, give yourself permission to wander. Catch the artist whose name you've never heard, follow the crowd toward a stage you weren't planning to visit, and trust your curiosity. The future of dance music isn't found in a single set—it reveals itself across an entire weekend of unexpected moments. Whether you're there for the music, the community, or the collective escape that only festivals can provide, FVDED 2026 is an opportunity to experience something new. Your weekend, built one set at a time.