Distortion started as an experimental party project in 1998. In 2000 it became a 5-day-long party-crawl going through one Copenhagen district per day. The magic started with plenty of intimate backyard grill parties, receptions, happenings, party bus and champagne boats, all over Copenhagen, with 30-200 people at each get-together. Each event was cute, but it was the combination and the fact that Distortion was a travel through the city, full of genuine love for Copenhagen, that created the special atmosphere. Many of these events were not totally legal, but we were always semi-responsible: we cleaned after ourselves and respected the neighbours. The Police was nice when we met them – and since we were mobile and happy, we just moved around and no problemo.
For the first time in 2007, we got 1,500 guests at one single street party on Enghave Plads and almost 3,000 guests at Final Party. Until then, we had never had a strategy or a budget: Distortion was just for fun. In 2008, we opened a semi-professional entrepreneurship (the Distortion secretariat, Nus/Nus) made a contract with the Copenhagen City Council and bought a trashy black 1982-Mercedes stretch limousine – and somehow relaunched the festival. Things have gone fast since then. In 2011 we broke into the mainstream with 100.000+ guests at Vesterbro’s block party. In 2012 we became a not-for-profit Foundation and in 2013, we were finally ready to soon be known around the world as the craziest party on the planet.
Headliners
070 Shake (2019*), Acid Arab (2018), Adriatique (2022), Âme Live (2019), Andrew Weatherall (2012), Bedouin (2022*), Ben Böhmer (live) (2017*, 2022), Carl Craig (2009), Cashmere Cat (2015), Charlotte de Witte (2018*, 2023), Cyril Hahn (2015), Daniel Avery (2013), Diplo (2005)*, Dixon (2016), DJ Harvey (2013)*, DJ Koze (2015), DJ Snake (2013)*, Dubfire (2017), Eats Everything (2018)*, Erol Alkan (2013), Fjaak DJ Set (2022)*, Four Tet (2022), Fritz Kalkbrenner (2015), Ghostface Killah (2018), Grandtheft (2017), Helena Hauff (2014)*, Hot Chip (2005)*, Hudson Mohawke (2014), Hunee (2019), IAMDDB (2018)*, Jackmaster (2015)*, Jamie Jones (2010)*, Jayda G (2019), Jeff Mills (2013), Jillionaire (2017)*, Kaytranada (2013)*, Kelela (2016), KiNK Live (2019), Kode9 (2010)*, Kollektiv Turmstrasse (2019), Kölsch (2022), Le1f (2013)*, Len Faki (2010)*, Lido (2016)*, Little Simz (2017), Lunice (2018)*, M.I.A. (2005)*, Maceo Plex (2017), Madlib (2010), Mano Le Tough (2016), Max Richter (2015), Michael Mayer (2009), MK (2016), Mura Masa (2017), My Nu Leng (2016)*, Mykki Blanco (2014), MØ (2010), Nguzunguzu (2012)*, Nils Frahm (2014), Nina Kravitz (2010)*, Omar Souleyman (2012), Optimo (2005)*, Peggy Gou (2022), Pete Tong (2012), Pharoahe Monch (2015), Princess Nokia (2018), Rejjie Snow (2019), Rico Nasty (2019)*, Riff Raff (2017)*, Ron Morelli (2013)*, Ryan Hemsworth (2013)*, Sebastian (2013), Sebastien Tellier (2005)*, Seth Troxler (2011), Simian Mobile Disco (2004)*, Siriusmodeselektor (2015), Skepta (2015)*, Skream (2014), Slowthai (2019), Solomun (2018)*, Sophie (2015)*, Sun Ra Orchestra (2014), Superpitcher (2003)*, Tale Of Us (2014)*, Theo Parrish (2011), Tierra Whack (2019)*, Tim Sweeney (2009)*, Todd Terje (live) (2014)*, Todd Terje DJ Set (2022), Toro y Moi (2019), Trentemøller (2003), TTC (2003)*, Vini Vici (2019)*, Waka Flocka Flame (2016), What So Not (2017)*, When Saints Go Machine (2014), WhoMadeWho (2005), Yaeji (2018)*, Yellow Claw (2017)*, Zebra Katz (2012)*
See all artists year-by-year overview of past lineups.
20th Anniversary Gallery
Take a trip down memory lane in the 20th Anniversary Gallery.
