KODE9 (UK)

Born in Glasgow in 1973 and educated in philosophy and electronic music, Steve Goodman—known by his stage name Kode9—is one of the most influential and conceptually complex figures in contemporary soundscapes. His approach to music has always been intertwined with theoretical reflection, as demonstrated by his academic work and the book Sonic Warfare: Sound, Affect, and the Ecology of Fear, in which he explores the psychopolitical impact of sound in urban spaces. In the 2000s, he moved to London and founded the label Hyperdub, which quickly became a reference point for new electronic avant-gardes. It was through Hyperdub that seminal artists like Burial emerged, bringing to prominence a dark, atmospheric, and radically innovative style: experimental dubstep. Kode9 has never confined himself to defining a single genre; his artistic trajectory is a continuous crossing of styles and languages, fueled by a strong interest in Afro-futurist cultures, speculative science fiction, video games, and artificial intelligence.
Every project—ranging from solo productions and live sets to multimedia installations—is part of an ongoing exploration of how sound can shape perception and interrogate the present. His work transcends the dancefloor: each set is a hyper-sonic traversal of imagined cities—a sonic journey moving through dystopian landscapes and hyper-connected rhythms. His productions—such as Memories of the Future and Escapology—weave critical theory, cyberpunk imaginaries, and political tension, offering a musical experience that is as cerebral as it is physical.