FOLLOWING a two-decade journey through music, 2024 was a significant breakthrough year for Bristol born DJ and producer Eli Brown.
Now, he’s set to make his debut at this weekend – a career defining moment for the relentless electronic music innovator. Coachella cements his status as an artist operating at the peak of his powers.
But it’s been a long and unpredictable road to the desert stage for Eli, real name Gavin Harris.
With over three million monthly listeners on and a reputation for selling out shows in seconds, Brown’s cult-like following is hard-earned.
But as he’s quick to point out, none of it happened overnight.
“I was literally applying for in 2015 before I started the Eli Brown project,”; he reveals.
“I’d been making drum and bass for a long time, and this project came to life because I really just wanted to have a bit of fun and experiment with making other stuff.”;
That experiment turned into a huge success. His early techno productions were quickly picked up by key labels and championed by DJ heavyweights, leading to a meteoric rise.
Still, he remains his harshest critic. “I’m very rarely satisfied, so when I am, I know I’m on to a winner.”;
Brown’s dark, , and expansive sound was forged in the shadowy corners of Bristol’s underground scene, where acid house, hardcore, and drum and bass collided in the '90s. “Massive Attack and Portishead were super popular when I was growing up, but when Roni Size won the Mercury Prize in ‘97, it sent shockwaves through the city,”; Brown recalls. “That energy, resistance and rebellion continues to inform my production to this day.”;
His love for music was sparked by rave tapes passed down by an older sister’s friend. “That’s what really got me hooked. Everyone was into drum and bass, and it pushed me to buy turntables and start DJing in my bedroom when I was 16 or 17. I was obsessed.”;
That obsession became a lifelong commitment. “Even today, making music is a constant battle of highs and lows,”; he admits. “I’m my own toughest critic. I’m very rarely satisfied – so when I am, I know I'm onto a winner.”;
Eli Brown – Be The One
Two of those “winners” include his tracks Believe and Be The One, which he says carry a dark, club-focused energy that always resonates. “They’re inherently simple but have a distinctiveness that makes them stand out no matter the setting – club, rave, or festival.”;
Brown’s ability to reinvent while staying true to his roots is a key part of what’s kept him relevant and exciting. “I find conformity so boring. I’ve never cared about fitting into a category or chasing . I just make music that excites me, that makes me want to dance and that evokes a certain feeling.”;
Eli Brown – Believe
His influences are varied, from the rawness of early jungle and DnB to the electrifying presence of Carl Cox. “I saw him at and started incorporating more tech-house stuff into my sets. Now, I’m just writing all the time. Sometimes I’ll be watching a or listening to the , and something sparks me. Other times I go down massive rabbit holes.”;
Now, as he prepares to play Coachella for the first time, Brown’s goal is to bring that underground spirit to one of the world’s biggest stages. “It’s all a bit surreal, if I’m honest. Even last year, this felt like a total pipe dream,”; he admits. “But I’m here for it, and I’m going to go all in.”;
And while festival crowds differ from intimate clubs, Brown doesn’t compromise. “There’s a very singular energy I create when I play and it’s not something I’ve ever felt the need to change, so why stop now?”;
Whether it’s a desert stage or a sweat-soaked basement, Brown’s ethos remains the same: “When people arrive at my stage, I want them to surrender to my sound and lose themselves in the world of Eli Brown. My goal is to transport the crowd to another sonic realm, where nothing but the music and the people you’re with matters.”;
Beyond the stage, Eli’s creative ambitions have expanded into fashion. In 2024, he launched 92 Thing, a streetwear label inspired by the 1992 rave scene in . The line sold out immediately and was picked up by major outlets like Rolling Stone and WWD. “It was about creating something for my fans that felt genuine, something more personal than standard artist merch,”; he explains. “I want to carve out my own lane rather than follow the crowd.”;
That desire to push boundaries, whether in music or fashion, has been present throughout his career. “Conformity is boring,”; he says. “I just make music that excites me, that makes me want to dance, and that hopefully does the same for the listener.”;
Brown’s authenticity and relentless work ethic culminated in a landmark moment last September, when he became the first-ever techno artist to perform at New York’s iconic Rockefeller Centre. “It was completely sold out, and the energy was insane. We really unleashed the underground in one of NYC’s most iconic destinations. I’ll never forget it.”;
Still, despite the accolades and headline slots, Eli Brown remains grounded. “Honestly, I’ve never felt like I’ve ‘made it.’ I’m constantly amazed by how things keep progressing in ways I never imagined. But I’m grateful every day that I can do this as a career. That’s the real definition of making it, don’t you reckon?”;
Looking ahead, Eli has a packed tour schedule following Coachella, including a highly anticipated return to EDC and a weekend-long takeover at The Brooklyn Storehouse in June. “There’s a few more surprises on deck,”; he teases. “All I can say is buckle up... things are about to get wavey.”;
Whether on stage, in the studio, or designing fashion collections, one thing is clear: Eli Brown isn’t just riding the wave, he’s creating his own.
