Beatport Live Launches ‘The Block’ A Touring Container Stage Spotlighting Emerging DJs
A Touring Container Stage Spotlighting Emerging DJs at Junction 2, Creamfields, and The Prospect Building. Over the last five years, more than 400 nightclubs have closed in Britain and Beatport recognises the urgent need to offer more than just a digital platform for artists and fans.
The newly formed Beatport Live & Interactive Team will lead this mission, and one of the team’s first major community initiatives is The Block – a mobile shipping container stage built to travel across key festivals and cities. This self-contained, high-quality performance space will give emerging DJs a new path to visibility while bringing local energy and flavour to every stop.
“We’re creating spaces where new artists can be seen, heard, and celebrated – beyond the screen,” says Ed Hill, SVP of Beatport Live. “The Block is about giving raw, local energy a place to thrive at major events.”
The Block will debut at Junction 2 Festival in Boston Manor Park, London, on 25 – 27 July 2025. Since its launch in 2016, Junction 2 has become renowned for its commitment to underground electronic music. The Block will then head to Rockstar Energy presents Creamfields (21 – 24 August) before arriving at The Prospect Building in Bristol for their Autumn/Winter season of events.
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, said: “The UK’s nightlife ecosystem is under immense pressure, with rising costs and widespread venue closures threatening the future of electronic music culture. Beatport’s initiative provides a much-needed platform for emerging talent at a time when opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. Creating accessible and innovative spaces like this not only helps nurture the next generation of artists but also reinforces the cultural and economic value of nightlife across our communities. It’s a bold and positive step forward, and we’re proud to support it.
Maria May, Head of Electronic at CAA said: “Supporting the next generation of artists is something we should all see as our responsibility to the scene, especially when we can help those from under privileged and under represented backgrounds. I applaud Beatport for coming up with this innovative idea to give new artists the opportunity to perform and gain experience in front of a crowd to hone their skills and build their fanbase. I am looking forward to seeing how the first acts perform and how their careers will develop after this unique opportunity”
Selected artists will not only get the chance to showcase their sound to a new audience, but will also receive complimentary day passes for themselves and their friends, offering a full festival experience alongside their performance. Aspiring DJs can apply to play at Junction 2 by submitting a mix via Beatport’s dedicated sign-up. Selected artists will not only get the chance to showcase their sound to a new audience, but will also receive complimentary day passes for themselves and their friends, offering a full festival experience alongside their performance.
Beatport’s evolution into physical events is a reflection of its broader vision to be more than just a destination for tracks, charts, and streaming; it aims to be a partner in every stage of a DJ’s journey, from discovery to performance. In addition to its longstanding digital expertise, Beatport Live will: Support DJs through album-focused live events, bring events into unexpected spaced, and offer a new layer of value to artists.
