Zamna x Primer has officially revealed the first names for its 2026 edition and it's looking like one of the strongest & most promising lineups the festival has put together in years.

First things first, this year's edition is a special collaboration with Zamna, the globally recognised brand that started in Tulum, Mexico and has since expanded to destinations around the world. The festival returns to OAKA on September 4th and 5th, with two stages operating across both days: the Helios Stage and the Lunar Stage.

For Greece, this collaboration is more important than it might initially seem. It puts Athens under the spotlight of one of the most recognisable festival brands in electronic music and further strengthens the city's position as a growing dance music destination. Looking at the lineups announced so far for other Zamna editions around the world, it's fair to say that Athens has been given one of the strongest combinations of artists outside of Tulum itself.

Over the years, Primer has established itself as Greece's biggest dance music festival. Names such as Tiësto, Steve Angello, Eric Prydz, Martin Garrix, David Guetta, DJ Snake, Armin van Buuren, Alesso have all performed in Athens through the festival. For many Greek dance music fans, seeing artists of that calibre locally once felt almost impossible.

For 2026, Primer isn't slowing down. The first phase of the lineup includes Axwell (Swedish House Mafia), MRAK (Tale Of Us), Armand van Helden, Stephan Bodzin, Bedouin, Adam Ten, Omiki, with additional artists still to be announced.

Axwell

This is arguably one of the most significant bookings Primer has ever made. While some may gravitate towards bigger streaming numbers or newer trends, true dance music fans understand what Axwell represents. In terms of legacy, influence and pure quality this is historic for Greek's dance scene.

Axwell will return to Athens after more than a decade, bringing with him one of the most influential catalogues in dance music history. Whether through Swedish House Mafia, Axwell /\ Ingrosso or his solo career, his records have helped define multiple generations of electronic music fans.

From classics like "One", "Don't You Worry Child", "Greyhound" and "Moth To A Flame", ''More Than You Know'', ''Sun Is Shining'' to solo anthems such as the grammy nominated ''In My Mind'', or ''Resurrection'' to "I Found U", "Feel The Vibe", "Watch The Sunrise", and "Tell Me Why", very few artists have remained as relevant across so many different eras of dance music.

With Swedish House Mafia currently preparing their second studio album after ''Paradise Again'', & Ax ready to release one of the hottest IDs in the coming days, plenty of new music expected in the following months, there's a good chance we will get to hear some fresh material when Axwell takes the stage at OAKA.

MRAK

Known as one half of Tale Of Us and co-founder of Afterlife, Carmine Conte has spent the last few years building MRAK into a project with its own identity.

Unlike a traditional DJ set, MRAK performances are usually presented in a live format, combining synthesizers, Ableton and original productions to create a much more immersive experience. His sound remains darker and more introspective than what many people associate with the current melodic techno scene, with a strong focus on unreleased music and live performance.

With a debut solo album currently in the works, MRAK arrives at Primer at a particularly interesting moment in his career. For now his album date has not been confirmed yet. His sets in general are filled with unreleased tracks.

Armand Van Helden

He needs no introduction to anyone who's spent time in house music.

Over the last three decades, he has produced some of the genre's most recognisable records, including "You Don't Know Me", "I Want Your Soul", "The Funk Phenomena" and, alongside A-Trak as Duck Sauce, the global hit "Barbra Streisand".

His sets usually move between classic house, disco, French house and funk influenced sounds, mixing old school energy with a modern approach. For younger fans, this is a chance to see one of the artists who helped shape house music as we know it today. A lot of today's house DJs you see have influenced by him.

Stephan Bodzin

Long before melodic techno became one of the dominant sounds in electronic music through labels and projects like Afterlife, Stephan Bodzin was already helping shape the genre.

The German producer built his reputation through emotional melodies, powerful analogue synths and a cinematic approach to techno that has influenced countless artists over the years.

Unlike a traditional DJ set, Bodzin performs live using synthesizers and custom hardware, allowing him to manipulate and reshape his music in real time. Tracks such as "Singularity", "Healing" and "Falcon" have become staples of his performances. His sets are largely built around his own productions.

Adam Ten, Bedouin & Omiki

Adam Ten has quickly become one of the most talked-about names in the underground house scene. His blend of deep house, minimal grooves and Middle Eastern influences has earned support from artists such as Keinemusik and Black Coffee, while recent releases continue to push his profile higher. If you're into groovy, deeper sounds rather than big festival drops, Adam Ten should definitely be on your radar. His latest single ''I Never Knew'' was released on the legendary label Defected.

Bedouin bring a different flavour to the lineup. The duo of Tamer Malki and Rami Abousabe are known for combining organic house, melodic elements and Middle Eastern influences into sets that focus more on atmosphere and groove than peak time energy. Out of all the names announced so far, this booking feels particularly aligned with Zamna's identity and audience.

Finally, there's Omiki. Returning to Primer for a second appearance, after 2024 when he appeared as a guest beside ARGY to play together his powerful Rmx of the huge ‘Aria. His sound is between psytrance and melodic electronic music, combining powerful basslines with emotional melodies. Fans of artists such as ARGY will likely find plenty to enjoy in his sound. His sets are energetic, uplifting and designed for large festival stages.

Final Thoughts

One thing worth remembering is that Greece is still a relatively small market when it comes to electronic music. While the genre has existed here for years, the last three to four years have marked a significant shift, with more people discovering dance music and more international events choosing Athens as a destination.

That growth is exciting, but it also comes with challenges. Booking world class artists isn't easy, especially when promoters and festivals are competing with countries like Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany, where electronic music has been part of the culture for decades and audiences are much larger. That's why festivals like Primer deserve credit for continuing to invest in the scene and bringing names that, not long ago, many Greek fans could only dream of seeing locally.

The reality is that the more the audience grows, the more opportunities there will be for bigger events, stronger lineups and even more international attention in Greece in general. And judging by the direction things are moving, we're definitely heading the right way.

Next phase lineup is coming within 10 days!

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