In Dublin, PT Connection have been representing the ‘Psytrance’, drum ‘n’ bass and minimal side of things. Next to headline the event, with a two–hour set, is German duo, AKA AKA! Their track ‘Woody Woodpecker’ earned the twosome third place at the annual Beatport Music Awards for ‘Best Minimal Track’.

The pair run party labels Pentagoni and Burlesque Musique, specialists in minimal and tech house influenced by swing, jazz, Balkan and funk. Speaking about their upcoming gig, they say, “We love melodies and real instruments, but dry and raw techno sounds as well”.
Supporting are Joao Moita, Nando PGM and Arte. It all takes place April 13 at the Twisted Pepper. Check some pre–event viewing inspiration here:youtube.com/watch?v=44TJZXNxn0Y.
Movin’ up north next, DSNT are taking a break until summer. In the meantime they are going focus on their new label. Another imprint representing the North is Acroplane Records. Run by Paul Moore for the past eight years, Acroplane loves hip-hop, dub and techno. Their next release, Nebula, is a five-track EP of acid electronica courtesy of UK duo Posthuman, out April 16. Look for the remix mid-May, with Datassette, Nightwave and The Host chipping in. You can catch label head Paul Acroplane April 9 at the Hudson, Belfast, where he’s opening for Move D, who’ll be headlining the Easter weekend event. For a whole Easter basket of downloadable freebies including past releases, featured mixes, and links to their upcoming releases, which you should definitely support, check acroplane.org.
Back in the Republic we can’t wait for We Are Electronic’s first birthday! Special guest is Nina Kraviz, making her Irish debut April 7 at the Twisted Pepper. Keep up-to-date with their events, podcasts and see we-are-electronic.com
Another label finding it’s footing is Dublin’s Swink Music. It has been been garnering attention with the recent Miami 2012 Compilation, a 16–track artist sampler, out now! Next up is the Ain’t Love EP, by 23–year–old Liverpool producer Liam King. The four-tracker pays homage to ’90s garage, deep house and summer vibes and is due end of April.
Life Festival hype is building. Jamie Jones, Ace Ventura, Engine Earz Experiment, Kryptic Minds, PAS, and SYNKRO, are already confirmed. Ticket info and full line–up at life-festival.com.