One of the most influential movements in contemporary psy-techno, Artcore, is set to make its long-awaited Egypt debut this October during Starlight Festival. Taking over the No Sleep Giza Stage on Friday, October 9, the showcase will bring founder Indira Paganotto together with Charlie Sparks, BIIA, Paolo Ferrara, Valentinø, Reblok, and Juno for an unforgettable night beneath the iconic Great Pyramids of Giza.
The announcement follows a series of sold-out Artcore showcases at Hï Ibiza and [UNVRS], continuing the brand’s rapid global expansion. The Egypt debut marks another major milestone for the collective, which has become synonymous with high-energy performances that blur the lines between techno and psytrance.
Starlight Festival’s main event takes place on October 9 and 10, while Welcome and Farewell parties will be held in Cairo on October 8 and October 11. Set against one of the world’s most breathtaking historical landmarks, the festival promises a unique fusion of electronic music, ancient heritage, and contemporary culture.
Indira Paganotto leads the showcase. The Spanish DJ and producer, ranked No. 36 in DJ Mag’s 2025 Top 100 DJs poll, founded Artcore and holds a residency at Hï Ibiza, where she presents guest DJs across the label’s roster. Her sets fuse techno and psytrance.
BIIA, one of Portugal’s leading techno exports, is known for high-energy, peak-time sets that have taken her across major European festivals.
London-born Charlie Sparks has built a following in hard techno for a sound he describes as “hard and happy”, a blend of acid, industrial techno, EDM and psytrance.
Italian DJ and producer Paolo Ferrara, founder of HEX and a longtime admirer of Egyptian culture has carved out a unique place within the hard techno scene through his blend of metal influences, industrial intensity and driving peak-time energy. His fearless approach has established him as one of the genre’s most influential contemporary artists.
Completing the showcase are Valentinø, Artcore’s Italian resident known for his dark and hypnotic industrial techno sets, and Reblok, one of the Balkan region’s biggest electronic breakout artists. Reblok has reached the Beatport Hard Techno Top 10 multiple times, released music on Artcore, Filth On Acid and Verknipt, and earned support from leading names including Indira Paganotto, Reinier Zonneveld, Kobosil and I Hate Models.
Starting out on Belgrade’s underground techno scene, Juno has rapidly established herself as one of electronic music’s most promising new talents. The youngest artist in the Artcore showcase, her breakthrough year has included a standout set at the Artcore takeover during No Sleep Festival, a Tomorrowland debut, and performances at the ARTCORE residency at Hï Ibiza, where she became the youngest DJ ever to perform.
The Artcore showcase joins an already outstanding lineup, featuring Adriatique, Charlotte de Witte, Michael Bibi, Enrico Sangiuliano, Pete Tong, Vintage Culture, WhoMadeWho, Awen, Deer Jade, Fiona Kraft, Layla Benitez, Lanna and many more.
With the Great Pyramids of Giza as its backdrop, Starlight Festival in partnership with Visa is poised to become one of the world’s most extraordinary music events. Produced by EXIT Festival and P+US, the electronic music platform of Venture Lifestyle, it will be the first-ever multi-stage electronic music festival held in this iconic setting, bringing together world-class artists, ancient history and contemporary culture in a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
