The 10 Best Boiler Room Sets of All Time

Boiler Room has long been the go-to platform for electronic music lovers to catch the best DJs in action, from house music to techno and UK garage.

The best Boiler Room sets provide a window into how the leading DJs approach selecting tracks and mixing techniques to create seamless mixes in style.

We’ve hand-picked 10 of the best Boiler Room sets, which capture the forward-thinking approach to different genres from some of the music industry’s leading DJs.

The 10 Best Boiler Room Sets of All Time

Whether you’re committed to the latest hip-hop DJs or prefer to listen to house music and techno, Boiler Room sets cover all the dance music genres.

Let’s explore the iconic Boiler Room sets worldwide, from Frankie Knuckles’s pioneering house music to various contemporary DJs.

10. Frankie Knuckles: New York City, 2013

A fitting start to this guide to the best Boiler Room sets is a DJ mix from Frankie Knuckles, recorded in the early years of the broadcasting platform’s existence.

Recorded in 2013 at a house party in Brooklyn, New York City, this set pays apt homage to his contribution to the birth and growth of house music in the Big Apple.

The set features an extensive selection of deep cuts from the best of house music, with tracks from Knuckles along with artists such as Joey Negro, Eric Morillo, and Harry Romero.

It’s an uplifting house music set that reflects the fusion of funk, soul, and disco with electronic music production methods that would characterize the genre.

Knuckles’s skills behind the decks are evident throughout the Boiler Room set, blending vocal-driven house tracks in style.

It’s an especially moving DJ set, considering it was released a year before Frankie Knuckles died in 2014, one of the last times he would hit the booth.

Today, his legacy continues to live on in the music industry, with the rerelease of his seminal work, House Masters, further proving his enduring popularity.

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9. Skrillex: Shanghai, 2016

It was only a matter of time before EDM legend Skrillex took to the decks to deliver a killer DJ set for the Boiler Room audience, and the moment came in 2016.

Skrillex didn’t disappoint fans and general music lovers with a set that oozed energy and passion, showcasing his inimitable performance style.

A genuinely eclectic DJ set that covers everything from house and EDM to dubstep and hip-hop, Skrillex wastes no time taking the listener on a wild musical journey.

His technical prowess is evident throughout the mix, cementing Skrillex’s reputation as a master of the mixer capable of getting the most out of the features.

Skrillex’s career was in full swing by the time of this performance, collaborating with artists including Missy Elliot and winning Best Dance Recording at the 2016 Grammys.

This multi-genre approach to music production influences his DJing style, with the entire set effortlessly bouncing from one genre to the next.

It’s an impressive example of his ability to deliver commercially appealing sets that underground music fans can also appreciate, and one of the best Boiler Room sets.

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8. Nicolas Jaar: New York City, 2013

For those who prefer a more experimental and minimalist approach to DJing, the 2013 set from Nicolas Jaar in New York City’s Clown and Sunset will be right up your street.

Jaar’s background as a composer and highly reputable music producer is evident throughout this exceptional mix that focuses on minimal techno.

His mixing techniques are on full display, from impeccable phrase mixing to incorporating live production elements alongside his track selection.

Jaar also demonstrates his inventive use of equipment, such as using the laptop keyboard as a synthesizer and incorporating live radio into his samples.

The set is also an excellent example of how to create a sense of drama and tension over time, building to a series of excellent breakdowns and drops.

It’s a raw, rugged Boiler Room set that showcases the best Nicolas Jaar has to offer and is a textbook example of how to get the crowd excited.

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7. Chase & Status: London, 2023

Frequently ranked among the best drum and bass artists of all time, Chase & Status has appeared on Boiler Room several times, both in open-air venues and nightclubs.

Their 2023 set broadcast live from London is one of the stand-out mixes of their career to date, capturing their performances’ pure energy and style.

Right off the bat, the duo drops a banger from their discography, the fast-paced and frenetic track “On the Block” featuring Mozey and Sav’o.

The energy level doesn’t let up from there on, with many more tracks from the Chase & Status archives mixed with artists, including ATMOS and Dimension.

It’s a powerful set that captures the true sound of drum and bass in all its glory, fully deserving of the ten million and counting views on YouTube.

Chase & Status continues to lead the genre, venturing into the UK garage with the single “Backbone” in 2024, featuring the artist Stormzy.

6. Honey Dijon: North Carolina, 2018

Honey Dijon kicks off her Boiler Room set from Sugar Mountain’s open-air festival in North Carolina with suitably soulful opening vocals that drive the mix into pure house music territory.

Ranked among the best female DJs, Dijon has become a leading figure in the house music scene, with deep ties to the roots of Chicago house music.

The influence of her early mentors, such as Mark Farina and Derrick Carter, is evident in her approach to groovy and bouncy house in the Jackin’ style.

Energetic pacing, the infusion of snappy vocal samples, and punchy brass and loops from other instruments keep the vibe rolling throughout the entire mix.

Honey Dijon has remained firm to her Chicago origins throughout her career and continues to perform in Chicago to packed crowds.

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5. Nightmares On Wax: London, 2013

Returning to the home of Boiler Room, London, for another performance from one of the UK’s most renowned and celebrated DJs and music producers.

Nightmares on Wax has long been adept at the art of DJing, and this Boiler Room set demonstrates his ability to captivate the audience.

The artist has likened himself to a mad scientist, and the effortless ability to smoothly transition between genres and moods is evident in this set.

One aspect of Nightmare on Wax’s DJing approach is his clear appreciation for all types of music, with a deep and varied playlist from which to draw.

We’re treated to everything from a run of lush downtempo tracks to upbeat cuts from Janet Jackson and Ray Parker Jr., with effortless blends throughout the set.

It’s a true testament to the crate-digging habits of high-end DJs and their ability to switch between electronic music and traditional genres using instrumentation.

The laid-back vibes are enhanced by the casual crowd in the background, who soak in the atmosphere and enjoy the show Nightmares on Wax is putting on.

Read more: Find out how to become a DJ.

4. Ritchie Hawtin: Amsterdam, 2012

If you’re looking for an immaculate mix from one of the best techno DJs, this Amsterdam-based Boiler Room set from Richie Hawtin in 2012 is just what you need.

A huge influence on countless up-and-coming techno DJs at the time of its release, it’s a high point for Hawtin and a masterclass in DJing.

Hawtin’s position in the annals of techno history has been secure for decades, with his early DJing and production helping to define the genre.

Behind the decks, he’s in full control of the sound, masterfully guiding the crowd through a techno journey that blends the old with the new.

What holds everything together is the combination of slick grooves, quirky vocal samples, and lush synthesizers, providing a sense of melody.

Watching the crowd in the video, one can clearly sense their appreciation for DJ etiquette at Boiler Room events, which adds to the platform’s enduring appeal.

If you’re new to exploring techno’s possibilities or a long-time fan looking for the genre’s high points, this Boiler Room set is a must.

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3. Kaytranada: Montreal, 2013

Another outstanding contemporary DJ who isn’t afraid to draw on the vibrant history of music in his DJ sets is the Canadian artist Kaytranada.

Frequently ranked among the best gay DJs, Kaytranada’s Montreal Boiler Room set from 2013 incorporates classic soul, bouncy house, and much more.

The set begins with his track “Roots” and quickly dives into a who’s who of modern and classic artists, detouring into hip-hop with De La Soul.

Kaytranada also includes a broad selection of his remixes in the set, showcasing his experience with mainstream artists ranging from Busta Rhymes to Azaelia Banks.

Impressive cuts from more underground artists, notably Letherette and Flume, bring a modern approach to house music to the table.

It’s a Boiler Room set that’s as entertaining to watch as it is to listen to, thanks to the antics of the amusingly inebriated crowd dancing in the background.

Few sets effectively capture the feeling of wonder that music can have on an audience, and few artists match Kaytranada’s sense of style and finesse.

2. Fred Again: London, 2022

Fred Again are undoubtedly among the rising stars of the UK dance music scene, with the artist earning a place in DJ Mag’s hallowed top 100 DJs list in 2024.

Two years before achieving this accolade, Fred Again was hard at work behind the decks for his impressive DJ set at Boiler Room in London.

Blending garage, dubstep, and other popular mainstream genres with style, it’s a high-energy mix that captures the essence of club DJing.

Fred Again’s mastery of advanced DJing techniques is clearly evident, as he drops one killer track after another while throwing in spinbacks and scratching.

The mix includes many iconic EDM tracks from Fred Again, as well as tracks by Skrillex, Swedish House Mafia, and other luminaries of the genre.

Flirting with progressive house, electronica, UK base, and even jungle, it’s a DJ set that is performed with complete mastery and unqualified skill.

Cementing Fred Again’s position among the stars of the electronic music scene, it’s earned its 39 million YouTube views without any reservations.

Learn more: Find out how to write a compelling DJ resume.

1. Carl Cox: Ibiza Villa Takeovers, 2013

We’re wrapping up this guide to the best Boiler Room sets in style with one of the best British DJs of all time, the legendary house and techno DJ Carl Cox.

Presented at the Mecca of dance music, Ibiza Villa Takeovers, it’s a set that takes place against a suitably sunny and vibrant backdrop.

Throughout the set, Cox showcases his dedication and experience of house music and techno, from classics by X-Press 2 to driving techno masterpieces.

Cox delivers the set with a sense of nostalgia that marks his place in the pantheon of dance music DJs with a talent for getting the crowd energized.

Recorded two years after the launch of his studio album All Roads Lead to the Dancefloor, it captures the same spirit of propulsion and drive that makes Cox such a popular figure.

A technically outstanding performance with a varied approach to styles, this Boiler Room set has enduring appeal and plenty of repeat listening value.

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Summary

Whatever your taste in music, Boiler Room sets are renowned for delivering the latest genre releases mixed to the highest standards by the world’s leading DJs.

The best sets from Boiler Room featured in this article are the tip of the iceberg, providing a great starting point for anyone new to the music broadcaster.

Boiler Room’s popularity shows no signs of slowing down, so we can anticipate many more exceptional sets from world-class DJs in the years to come.