Nuits sonores returned to the city of Lyon this summer for its first-ever sold-out edition, presenting a line-up that spanned big room names, local stars and rising scene shapers.

Listen to three key sets from the weekend in our mix series below: Helena Hauff b2b DJ MELL G, Justine Perry b2b Paula Koski, and TSVI b2b Surusinghe.

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Helena Hauff b2b DJ MELL G

Former Crack Magazine cover star Helena Hauff and electro and breakbeat visionary DJ MELL G came together for an exchange of “dark grooves, broken rhythms, and unexpected moments”.

Who: DJ MELL G & Helena Hauff.

Where: Hamburg.

What: Electro, techno.

When: Real Hamburg electro for big stages – DJ MELL G

Early evening festival in an old industrial warehouse – Helena Hauff

Why: Because it’s raw, direct, and underground. Electro and club music have this energy that hits you in the stomach and makes you move without thinking. That’s what inspires me: shaping sounds that feel rough and futuristic at the same time, taking influences from the underground and turning them into something alive on the dancefloor. When I DJ, it’s about creating that intense exchange with the crowd – dark grooves, broken rhythms, unexpected moments. It’s not about perfection; it’s about energy, attitude, and pushing limits. That freedom, that raw connection, that’s what keeps me inspired. – DJ MELL G

I want to bring like-minded people together, make them dance, sweat, love, and feel alive. Feel connected to each other and the vastness of the universe. When everything comes together perfectly, I can feel this shiver running down my spine, and that feeling is so addictive that I keep chasing it. Somehow, it makes me feel less lonely for just a few seconds. – Helena Hauff

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Justine Perry b2b Paula Koski

Berlin-based heavyweights Justine Perry and Paula Koski delivered an hour of fast-paced, hypnotic and trippy techno built for peak-time carnage.

Who: Justine Perry & Paula Koski.

Where: Justine is French and Paula is Finnish. We are both based in Berlin. 

What: Techno.

When: This mix is from our live set at Nuits Sonores Festival in Lyon, France. The stage was already full, and when the summer rain started, even more people came under the roof. It made the energy stronger, with everyone dancing, smiling and enjoying together. It became a very cute and special moment of music and community.

Why: For us, playing music is about sharing our passion and connecting with people.

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TSVI b2b Surusinghe

London-based DJs TSVI and Surusinghe came together at this year’s Nuits sonores for an evening of unpredictable percussive chaos, blending bass, techno, dembow and UK garage for a set built for the peak hours of the night.

Where: Originally from Italy, based in London – TSVI

From Naarm/Melbourne, Australia and based in London – Surusinghe

What: High energy club music – TSVI

I am mostly inspired by all things dub. I play a lot of bass music with percussive elements. – Surusinghe

When: The mix was recorded at Nuit Sonores, so it’s made for that kind of setting: peak hours of the night, open-air festival vibes, and big crowds – TSVI

This is definitely a peak time slot! Gu (TSVI) and I played this b2b during an incredibly beautiful sunset at Nuits sonores. We were in the French countryside and in the best of moods, as we’re lucky to be good pals and were super excited to play together. It was a real honour playing alongside him, and I am so glad this memory is archived forever. – Surusinghe

Why: For me, making music and DJing is about putting feelings and ideas into rhythm. It’s a way to push sound forward and connect with people – TSVI

I guess because of the feeling music brings to me, which is extremely addictive. It brings me calmness and clarity, so I assume that must be why I’m so inspired to be surrounded by it. – Surusinghe