Following the success of last year, Apple Music’s innovative offering for New Years celebrations has returned for the second annual ‘Apple Music Live: NYE’ event. To welcome in 2025 they have enlisted the avant-garde virtuosity of Björk and the gritty lyricism of British Grime Artist Skepta to headline its globally streamed celebrations.
The event kicks off early with a 24 hour radio DJ set which will begin at midnight PST / 8am GMT on Dec. 31, with a 24-hour DJ mix from Justice, John Summit, Rufus Du Sol, and other DJs worldwide.
.@Skepta and @unclewaffffles take #AppleMusicLive to London to ring in the new year. Watch their special performances on December 31st at 11pm GMT, only on Apple Music. https://t.co/KrhNzMXvo1 pic.twitter.com/nSM3T1uSqE
— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) December 18, 2024
The whole thing promises to be a cultural collision, uniting disparate sonic worlds under the auspices of Apple’s meticulously curated playlists.
The event is all anchored by a rare DJ set from Björk, who is known for her ethereal voice and boundary-pushing albums, her foray into DJ-ing is a rarity. It acts as a glimpse into her singular musical mind refracted through curated tracks rather than original compositions. Expect her set to oscillate between the hauntingly experimental and the unexpectedly rhythmic, a sonic journey that only Björk could conceive.
Skepta enters as a pioneer of grime, the genre that gave a voice to London’s streets, he has since ventured into new sonic territories, exploring house music with the same uncompromising energy. Whether delivering razor-sharp lyrics or curating beats that get the crowd moving, Skepta remains a compelling presence. His set promises to be as unpredictable as it is exhilarating—a reflection of his ever-evolving artistry.
The lineup also includes genre-defying artists like Swazi-born, South Africa-based DJ Uncle Waffles, a rising star in the global dance scene, who has become the face of amapiano, the hypnotic South African house subgenre taking over airwaves and dance floors alike. Born in Eswatini and based in South Africa, she exudes an effortless charisma behind the decks, her sets a celebration of rolling baselines, syncopated rhythms, and infectious vocal loops.
Both Skepta and DJ Uncle Waffles’ sets will be video rather than simply radio recordings from London’s The Cause—a venue celebrated for its contributions to dance culture, local nightlife, and mental health initiatives.
Tim Sweeney, has long been a tastemaker through his influential ‘Beats in Space’ radio show. Now, as a cornerstone of Apple Music’s DJ programming, Sweeney bridges the gap between niche dance floor sounds and mainstream accessibility. His sets are an education, seamlessly blending the familiar with the obscure, a testament to his encyclopaedic knowledge of electronic music and fitting for his role.
Last year’s inaugural event featured names like Kaytranada, Peggy Gou, and Honey Dijon, setting the stage for Apple Music to position itself as a leader in the intersection of live music and streaming innovation. It seems that this year’s line up will aim to transcend the humdrum of conventional New Year’s Eve fare. Apple Music hopes to reimagine the celebrations as more than just a concert, positioning itself at the forefront of innovation and connectivity in the streaming era.
Complete line up and respective timings for the event are listed below:
24-Hour Radio Takeover (Starting at 12am PST / 8am GMT on December 31):
- Justice
- John Summit
- Rüfüs Du Sol
- Sonny Fodera
- horsegiirL
- David Rodigan
- Chris Stussy
- SPINALL
- Jyoty
- Skratch Bastid
- Kayan
- DIDI HAN
- Erol Alkan
- Malechin
- DJ KOCO
- Yanamaste
- Stacey Hotwaxx Hale
- Dylan Ali
- ARCHANGEL
- Cashu
This segment will be broadcast on the new Apple Music Club and Apple Music 1.
Apple Music Live: NYE Performances (Recorded at The Cause in London):
- Björk
- Tim Sweeney
- NAINA
These performances will air at 1pm PST / 9pm GMT on Apple Music Club and Apple Music 1.
Video Livestream:
- Uncle Waffles
- Skepta
The video livestream begins at 3pm. PST / 11pm. GMT on Apple Music, Apple Music Club, and Apple Music 1.
All performances will be available to stream in Spatial Audio exclusively on Apple Music.
