Sandwell District

Sandwell District is the influential techno collective centred around Karl O’Connor (Regis) and Dave Sumner (Function), alongside the late Juan Mendez (Silent Servant) and Peter Sutton (Female). Emerging from the Downwards label orbit in the early 2000s, the group helped redefine underground techno with their uncompromising, art-driven approach, culminating in the cult 2010 album Feed-Forward. After years of internal tensions and a long silence, Sandwell District unexpectedly reunited to create End Beginnings - a cinematic, deeply atmospheric techno album that bridges industrial heritage, hypnotic dancefloor energy and experimental electronics, while also serving as a tribute to Mendez following his passing in 2024.