Apocalypse Festival 2026: Four Rising Artists Ready for Their Breakout Moment

One of the biggest rewards of attending a festival like Apocalypse is discovering the artists who won’t be flying under the radar for much longer. While the lineup is stacked with established names across bass music, some of the most exciting sets of the weekend may come from the next generation of talent.

From jump up drum & bass and hybrid bass to forward thinking dubstep and genre blending, these four artists are proving why they’re deserving of a spot on one of bass music’s biggest stages.

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MAYLAY

Tampa based producer MAYLAY has quickly become one of the most exciting emerging names in the jump up drum & bass scene. Known for her energetic productions and playful seal branding, Maylay has spent the last year steadily building a national presence through both releases and touring.

Her recent shows include support for drum & bass heavyweights Kanine, REAPER, and Simula. In addition, she has multiple releases on Play Me Records that have continued to showcase her production skills. She also performed at Forbidden Kingdom 2025, further solidifying her position as an artist on the rise.

Adding to the momentum is her recent collaboration with LMNOP, “Seal Dem,” a track that has generated significant attention across social media while perfectly capturing the fun & energetic personality that has become central to the MAYLAY project.

For fans looking for jump up energy and plenty of seal visuals, MAYLAY is a set worth arriving early for.

PapaJay

Denver’s PapaJay has been quietly building one of the most unique sounds in bass music by blending elements of future bass & deep dubstep into a style both emotional and heavy.

As a mentor on Barnyard Records and an active member of Denver’s thriving bass music community, PapaJay has earned a loyal following through both original tracks and creative remixes. His reworks of tracks like Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” and Nickelback’s “Rockstar” have found significant traction, introducing new listeners to his distinctive sound.

Recent milestones include a set at this year’s Forbidden Kingdom & a release on Liquid Stranger’s record label Wakaan. He also recently signed with UTA, marking a major step forward in his career trajectory.

Beyond the music itself, PapaJay’s sense of humor has become a defining part of his brand, with fans immediately recognizing his signature phrase, “WE’LL BE TALKIN'”, frequently featured throughout his content.

With strong industry support and a rapidly growing fanbase, PapaJay is ready for a breakout year.

Green Matter

Denver based producer Green Matter has emerged as one of the most compelling rising artists in bass music, blending the nostalgia of early dubstep with modern sound design.

Since officially launching the project in 2019, Green Matter has released on respected labels including Circus Records, Bassrush, and Subsidia, which has earned support throughout the bass music community and helped establish her as an artist.

The momentum has only continued to build throughout the past year. A recent highlight came when Jason Leech showcased Green Matter’s GRiZ and Levity “Pop Off” flip during his Red Rocks performance, exposing her music to a massive audience. Additional recent achievements include a performance at Denver’s well known Club Studio Time, and upcoming performances as support for Mersiv at The Caverns & Lost Lands.

Crumb Pit

Hybrid bass duo Crumb Pit has become one of the most exciting collaborative projects to emerge in recent years. Comprised of producer Matt Barri and vocalist Jorlov, the pair first connected at Icon Collective Music School before quickly establishing themselves as a force within bass music’s underground.

Since releasing their debut single in 2023, Crumb Pit has built impressive momentum through releases on respected labels including Space Yacht, Dim Mak, and Subsidia. Their music blends drum & bass, UKG, trap, and bass music influences into a sound that is immediately recognizable.

What truly separates the duo is the chemistry between Barri’s polished production and Jorlov’s distinctive vocal delivery, creating memorable records that carry the energy of both electronic music and live performance.

That momentum has translated directly onto stage, with a recent performance at Forbidden Kingdom & tour support for bass music acts REAPER & JKYL & HYDE. With Bass Canyon, Lost Lands, and Rampage performances later this year, Crumb Pit’s sound will be introduced to larger audiences around the world.

The Future of Bass Music

Apocalypse has built its reputation on delivering some of the biggest names in bass music, but festivals are equally valuable as a platform for discovering what’s next. Artists like MAYLAY, PapaJay, Green Matter, and Crumb Pit aren’t simply filling out the lineup, they’re helping shape the future of the scene. Don’t forget to save these artists in the Insomniac App and make sure to catch their sets at Apocalypse Fest later this month!

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