Returning to Riga on July 24–25, 2026, UNDER Festival will bring together international artists, local creators, and experimental approaches to electronic music across Sporta 2 Quarter and Spēlēt concert hall.
Featuring performances from artists including Rene Wise, Lady Starlight, Ksenia Kamikaza, Dmitry Puffin, and South Korean artist Marcus L, the festival continues to explore the relationship between music, technology, and contemporary culture.
A key figure in Seoul’s electronic music scene, Marcus L has spent years developing a sound that bridges futuristic perspectives with references to the past. As the founder of Ameniia and Kammer Radio & Records, he has played an important role in building platforms for local and international artists while supporting the growth of Seoul’s underground community. Known for his driving yet hypnotic techno, 90s influences, and deep exploration of electronic music culture, Marcus L will present a rare cassette DJ set at UNDER Festival Riga 2026.
Ahead of his appearance in Riga, we spoke with Marcus L about the creative possibilities of analog formats, the unpredictability of tape-based performances, the DIY energy shaping Seoul’s electronic music scene, and how he continues to connect past influences with the future of dance music.
What can the crowd expect at Under Festival, Riga?
A tightly crafted energy curve: driving, danceable grooves to pull people in, a slow build into a deeper, emotional middle, then a high-impact climax that takes over the room — a set for both dancing and full immersion.
Perfect balance between future sound and ’90s classics?
Use ’90s elements as reference points — kicks, snares, vocal hints — but treat them with modern sound design. Keep the nostalgia, update the textures and production so the feel is familiar yet unmistakably current.
One thing the world still doesn’t know about Seoul’s electronic scene?
Its DIY, community-driven experimentalism. Clubs, indie labels, art spaces and underground parties are tightly networked, constantly exchanging ideas and turning experiments into real moments fast.
Why bring reel-to-reel tapes and cassettes into a techno set in 2026?
Digital DJ sets are great and a lot of fun, but I chase something that pushes and challenges me. Analog adds texture and unpredictability — tape hiss, wow/flutter, and physical quirks — and there’s a risk you can’t fully control.
I pour time and passion into preparing for one performance, and overcoming those risks live gives me a real thrill (even if the audience might not know everything that went into it). Plus the tactile manipulation becomes part of the show’s energy.
Marcus L on IG
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