The Prodigy

Hard-hitting UK electronica act, The Prodigy, have been wowing audiences with their incendiary live performance since 1990, with their punishing mishmash of rave, hardcore techno, jungle, breakbeat and rock/punk influences. The group currently consists of members Liam Howlett (founder, keyboardist and composer), Keith Flint (dancer and vocalist), Leo Crabtree (drums), Rob Holliday (lead guitarist) and Maxim (MC and vocalist). The Prodigy have sold over 25 million records worldwide, becoming known as 'the premiere dance act for the alternative masses.'

The Prodigy achieved success early on in the UK, with their single "Charly" reaching number three in the UK SIngles Chart in 1991. Their first full length, "Experience" (1992) also achieved critical acclaim, with its singles "Everybody in The Place," "Out of Space" and "Fire/Jericho" becoming big hits on the UK rave scene.

It was not until their release of "The Fat of the Land" (1997) that Prodigy broke into the international market, with their single "Firestarter" becoming a huge hit, reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart. The album featured a heavier, more punk/rock influenced sound that attracted fans outside of the electronica scene, becoming a big crossover hit and helping The Prodigy to become one of the most successful acts in the dance genre. Their music was not without controversy however, with their single "Smack My Bitch Up" attracting much criticism for its lyrical content supposedly promoting violence against women. The music video was particularly extreme, featuring a first-person viewpoint as the protagonist indulges in drugs and alcohol before embarking on a wild night clubbing.

The Prodigy have achieved continued success, with a short hiatus in 1999 before reuniting in 2002. Their record, "Invaders Must Die" (2009) charted at humber one in the UK within the first week, as well as reaching the top ten in several other countries. Their live performances have become stuff of legend, often featuring dramatic light shows and pyrotechnics, becoming huge favourites on the global festival circuit, headlining many festivals every summer.

One of Britain’s best-known and, indeed, best-loved house DJs, Cox actually began his career in hardcore and rave in the eighties, where he commanded crowds at iconic clubs that included Heaven in London and The Hacienda in Manchester. His charisma and personality guaranteed him several radio jobs during his nineties heyday, including on Radio 1 - where had a monthly residency - as well as on Kiss FM. He’s released four solo albums to date - 1996’s ‘At the End of the Cliche’, 1999’s ‘Phuture 2000’, 2005’s ‘Second Sign’ and, in 2011, ‘All Roads Lead to the Dancefloor’. He’s put out a slew of single over the course of his career, too, but he’s best known for his live work.

His main focus these days are his two record labels, Intec Records and 23rd Century Records, but he continues to perform live; he curates a night at Manchester superclub the Warehouse Project on an annual basis, and also has his own stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Florida, Electric Daisy Carnival in New York, and the world’s biggest dance festival, Tomorrowland in Belgium. The free reign he's given over the curation of a stage at these huge festivals tells you everything you need to know about his revered status in the dance world.