On July 21st, beneath the streets of Wuppertal, we hosted a night of global sound with DJ Lag, the godfather of Gqom. From soulful Amapiano to sunrise Batida, each set built a shared experience of rhythm, energy, and connection. It was more than a party—it was a celebration of community through music.
On July 21st, something special happened beneath the streets of Wuppertal.
We welcomed DJ Lag, the pioneer of Gqom, the sound that once shook Durban’s minibus taxis and now commands stages worldwide—to Open Ground.
The evening began with a deep, soulful Amapiano set from Markus Ernestus (co-founder of Open Ground) and Arthur, their blend of melody and log drums setting the tone for what was to come. Frau Beji took over with a pulsing mix of Afrohouse and Afrotech, building the room’s energy before DJ Lag stepped up.
Backstage, he told us he planned to drop new, unreleased material—and he delivered. The crowd responded with open ears and moving bodies, locked into his powerful, bass-driven world. The sound system carried every detail of the gqom pulse with surgical precision.
After two unforgettable hours, Piccell brought his signature touch to the decks, before Foudjo introduced the crowd to batida in a glowing sunrise set that ran until 6 AM.
This night wasn’t just a party. It was a celebration of global sound, connection, and community. Beautiful people, deep conversations, and music that moved us all
DJ Lag feat. Barulho world @Freifeld/OpenGround
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AFRO ELECTRONIC MUSIC SUMMIT 2025
A platform bringing together artists, industry professionals and cultural practitioners to explore the future of African electronic music.
