In front of the booth—front left, to be precise—is where Sarkawt Hamad honed much of her knowledge and vision as a DJ. Raised in a Kurdish-Iraqi family, and subsequently shaped by Amsterdam’s club scene, this rising star now pushes the limits of how far she can drive the emotional current on a dance floor. Her experimental sound blends a range of textures, timbres, and grit: from left-field and dub-techno to sparkling house and breakbeat-derived bumpers. The resulting sonic space allows bliss to coexist with darkness, introspection, and (various expressions of) emotional depth. We’re thrilled to welcome Sarkawt back for her sophomore set at Dekmantel Festival.