braindance_ is back! AB’s platform for pioneering DJs, bedroom producers and live electronic acts celebrates its fifth birthday on Friday 18 December and will do so in style. DJ Heartstring has been on our wishlist for a while now, and finally the moment has arrived: we’ve managed to get hold of the German DJ duo. What’s more, they’ll be taking charge of the entire night and inviting their favourite Belgian and international DJs to join them in making it an unforgettable night.
 
The entire AB complex will be transformed into a steamy nightclub, complete with impressive light show. More than ever, we’re spotlighting artists from our own talented scene. Expect a night full of musical discoveries that will get both your feet dancing and your grey matter working.
 
DJ Heartstring
 
Berlin-based duo DJ Heartstring has become a permanent fixture on the international electronic music scene over recent years. In their self-proclaimed Trance Dance Music (TDM), Leo and Jonas combine euphoric trance, heavy beats, nostalgic pop melodies and melancholy. From Berghain to major festival stages: their energetic sets go down well everywhere. Their debut album Sentimental Ultra is due for release in November 2026, featuring collaborations with the likes of Sam Gellaitry, SWIM and Saidah.
 
BOY&GIRL
 
Belgium’s BOY&GIRL unites two musical worlds: his love of hard trance and her passion for bass-driven techno. The result is a playful, sturdy mix of trance, techno, hard house and bouncy grooves. Their tracks have received support from the likes of Sara Landry and Odymel. In 2026, BOY&GIRL played at major festivals like Pukkelpop and Extrema Outdoor.
 
echofarmer
 
echofarmer is the musical alter-ego of Brussels producer Arne Nuyts. Detailed percussion, deep bass and playful synths are combined to create a unique universe that bridges experimental electronica and club music. His debut mixtape Tiny Big Much was released in September 2026 and revealed during an exclusive listening-session at AB Salon. Live, he continues to deconstruct and rework his tracks, making no two shows sound the same.
 
Effy
 
British DJ and producer Effy grew up near Blackpool, where she discovered her love of electronic music by way of The Prodigy and The Chemical Brothers. Since her debut in 2020, she has developed her own sound, blending breaks, electro and UK bass. Together with Mall Grab, headliner of braindance_ in 2024, she founded the label Fragrance Recordings.
 
Fafi Abdel Nour
 
Amsterdam DJ Fafi Abdel Nour grew up in The Netherlands with Syrian roots and found a space to be himself in electronic music. That was his reason for organising queer club nights at OOST in Groningen, with the central theme of inclusivity and connection. His sets combine warm ‘90s house with melodic passages and breakbeats, a style that has already seen him perform at Dekmantel, Tomorrowland and in the Panorama Bar at Berghain. His motto? Love is the message!
 
Helena Lauwaert
 
DJ Helena Lauwaert, from Ghent, is known for her energetic sets full of house, UK garage, hard house and techno, with a penchant for forgotten gems and surprising track choices. She has already performed at Pukkelpop and festivals in Australia and Colombia. She also founded Loose Legs, a platform that uses club nights and other activities to create more spaces for queer, FLINTA- and POC-artists within the nightlife scene.
 
KŌMA
 
KŌMA has become a permanent fixture of Brussels’ bass music scene. His sound combines breakbeats, heavy basslines and experimental electronica, inspired by British club culture. He already appeared at AB during a night curated by the BREAXX collective, of which he is the driving force. In 2026, he launched a new audiovisual live show that brings together music, lighting and stage design.
 
offcircuit
 
offcircuit is an electronic trio comprising musical friends Wig, Nasta and Yaga. Their sound combines raw breakbeats, heavy bass, rave and punk, with little care for genre boundaries. Live, it’s all about unpredictable rhythms, physical energy and a good dose of chaos. In early December, they’ll be guests at AB as Artist in Residence, where they’ll continue to fine-tune their explosive live show.
 
SAIDAH
 
SAIDAH delivers an energetic mix of UK garage, house and bassline, inspired by her London roots. She’s appeared at Lowlands, DGTL and Amnesia Ibiza, as well as presenting her own radio show sweet like chocolate on Radio Radio FM. Her debut EP takeme2 was released in May 2026, on which she combines old school garage with a fresh, contemporary sound.