After sold-out Shrine runs, Subtronics takes dubstep to Coachella’s biggest stage

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Subtronics, the stage name for 33-year-old Jesse Kardon, has become a major name in electronic dance music. He started as a teenager experimenting with music production in his bedroom, and over the past 15 years, he’s grown from playing local clubs in Philadelphia to headlining at huge venues like the Sphere in Las Vegas and selling out six shows at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

He first appeared at Coachella in 2022 with a surprise performance at the smaller Do Lab stage. This year, he’s making his official debut at the festival as one of its biggest dubstep acts, headlining the Sahara Tent on Sunday, April 19th. In between his Coachella sets, he’ll also be performing at the Fox Theater in Pomona on Tuesday and at the GV Surf Club in Palm Springs on April 18th.

Although electronic dance music (EDM) is now hugely popular and makes up almost half of this year’s festival acts, artists who play dubstep and riddim – genres that can sometimes be controversial – aren’t often featured so prominently.

Subtronics’ music has evolved recently, blending intricate melodies with powerful bass. He’s received acclaim for his remix of John Summit’s “Crystallized feat. Inéz,” and his new track, “Fibonacci Pt. 2,” continues his series of releases inspired by mathematical concepts. Other notable songs include “Infinity,” a collaboration with Grabbitz, and “Contour,” featuring vocals by Lyrah.

Subtronics’ music has grown to include richer melodies, but he’s still passionate about sharing the genre that started his career. He often reflects on his childhood drumming, which gave him a strong sense of rhythm, and how the energetic hip-hop and trap music of his hometown, Philadelphia, continues to influence his sound.

Dubstep isn’t just music to me, it’s a huge part of my life. Growing up, sharing that sound with my sister really brought us closer. And later, it led me to Sonya Broner, who everyone knows as Level Up. She’s an incredible dubstep artist, and now, my wife! We even get to work together creatively, which is amazing.

From his home in Laurel Canyon, Subtronics discussed his recent performance at Coachella, previewing his set and reflecting on his impact on dubstep music and his future goals.

This interview is lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

What is your mindset? How are you feeling going into this weekend?

I immediately started planning for Coachella as soon as our tour ended about two or three weeks ago. It’s been a full-team effort, and we’ve been working on it constantly.

Can you describe what it was like when you found out you were going to play Coachella? Had you and your team been actively trying to get a spot on the lineup?

Getting to Coachella was a long-term goal we’d been working towards for several years. We spent a lot of time considering past opportunities and future plans, figuring out how to build momentum. That’s essentially what performing at the Shrine was all about. We hoped selling out three nights there would significantly increase our chances of being booked for Coachella, and we ended up selling out many more. Performing at that time and on that stage is a dream come true – it’s incredibly exciting for both me and my inner child!

Did you take a moment to celebrate?

Definitely! It usually hits me in small moments, like when I suddenly stop and realize how far I’ve come. I have these moments where I fully grasp the significance of everything – that all the hard work has actually paid off. Landing a spot at Coachella, even just being able to perform at all, helps me overcome feelings of self-doubt. It’s honestly more than I ever imagined, and I just started out wanting to learn how to create interesting music.

Do you ever consider the broader historical picture – how your work fits into the evolution of electronic music and the legacy of the Coachella festival?

I absolutely love that question! From the beginning, beyond just wanting to improve my skills, my biggest goal has been to make a lasting impact on music culture. I’m a huge fan of the history of dubstep and dance music, and Coachella has been the site of so many iconic moments. It’s a real honor to be a part of that. Thinking about artists like Daft Punk who’ve played here… it’s incredible. Ultimately, what matters most to me is creating something memorable that contributes to the culture for years to come.

As a huge fan of bass music, I’m really excited about the possibility of bringing it to a wider audience. I truly believe that when one of us in the dubstep and bass scene succeeds, it benefits everyone. There are so many incredibly talented producers out there, and I think it’s amazing when someone gets a chance to really make a living doing what they love. The more popular the scene becomes, the more opportunities there are for everyone to thrive and build a sustainable career.

Have you been feeling any pressure? And if so, how have you been handling it?

I definitely feel pulled in different directions. On one hand, I feel pressure from my core fans to stay true to a specific sound. On the other, as a DJ and producer, I’m often presented with opportunities that are quite different from traditional dubstep, and I feel pressure to read the crowd and play what they want. It’s like being pulled in two opposing directions. To deal with this, I’ve decided to trust my own instincts and ignore external expectations. I believe my taste is what’s brought me this far, so I’m focusing on what I genuinely enjoy.

What is your overarching goal for these shows?

I create a lot of different kinds of music, but I primarily consider myself a dubstep and bass music artist. It’s incredibly exciting to be able to share that with so many people, especially those who might not usually go to EDM festivals. The livestream is amazing too, because it reaches a huge audience who may be completely new to this style of music. I feel a responsibility to introduce people to bass music and present it in a way that makes sense, while also being true to myself and expressing my unique artistic voice.

What do you think mainstream audiences might not understand about dubstep?

As a long-time fan, I always loved the early days of dubstep – that original UK sound from around 2004 to 2008. It was actually on the radio, and it was really melodic and musical. It wasn’t so divisive back then. It definitely changed as it came over to the US, becoming much more intense and over-the-top. What I’m trying to do with my own music is find a balance between those two sides. When I first started touring, I noticed people often mislabeled my style as ‘riddim,’ and I’ve been trying to carve out my own space ever since.

The problem is that ‘riddim’ is already established as a genre within dancehall, though many people don’t realize that. We were brainstorming different names – things like ‘swamp’ or ‘trench’ – but I initially called it ‘wonky step’ because of its unusual, repetitive sound. Ultimately, ‘riddim’ just became the name that stuck. I was performing for an audience more accustomed to melodic and theatrical music, and they surprisingly responded well to it. They’d tell me they’d never liked riddim before, but it made sense in my set. I see myself as a bridge between different audiences, hoping to express myself genuinely through original music that appeals to both mainstream listeners and those already familiar with the genre.

Thinking back to my very first Subtronics show… wow, it feels like a lifetime ago! Honestly, that early energy – the raw excitement of connecting with a crowd for the first time – is something I still chase with every performance. It’s a reminder of why I got into this in the first place, and I’m definitely bringing that feeling with me into this weekend’s shows. It keeps me grounded and focused on delivering the best experience possible.

You know, the first time I actually played a show – like, a real venue with my name up on the screen – it was at SoundGarden Hall, now called the Ave. But honestly, one of the most mind-blowing moments early on happened at an after-party in a pretty rough part of Philadelphia – seriously, one of the most intense places I’ve ever been. I was standing near the entrance where things were being… dealt, let’s say, and some random stranger walks in and asks, ‘Hey, is Subtronics playing tonight?’ It completely blew my mind! It was the first time someone I didn’t personally know had even heard of my music. I’ll never forget it, ever. Seriously, that moment has stuck with me all these years.

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2026-04-12 21:05