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Festival attendees dancing to drum & bass in The Trench on Groove Cruise
September 30, 2025

The Trench Steers Groove Cruise Into The Drum & Bass Frontier

Drum & Bass (D&B) isn’t just music, it’s movement! Born from the UK’s jungle and breakbeat underground, the genre has grown into a global force, blending rapid-fire breakbeats (160–180 BPM) with deep sub-bass, soaring melodies, and energy that grips both body and soul.

On Groove Cruise, that energy finds its home in The Trench, a space dedicated to drum & bass culture, where Captains can dive headfirst into fast tempos, euphoric drops, and a community that thrives on connection.

Deeper Purpose performing a high-energy drum & bass set on Groove Cruise

Why Drum & Bass Hits Harder on a Festival Cruise

At sea, drum & bass takes on a new dimension:

  • Dynamic contrast – A burst of speed and intensity between house, trance, and techno sets.

  • Community spirit – D&B thrives on back-to-backs, MC-led moments, and shared highs, all perfectly aligned with the Groove Cruise ethos!

  • Genre crossovers – Many artists from other scenes weave in jungle breaks and D&B-inspired drops, creating unexpected bridges between sounds.

Highlights from The Trench

Though still new to Groove Cruise, The Trench is already making waves. Here are some highlights:

  • First Onboard D&B Party
    In its 2025 debut, Groove Cruise hosted intimate D&B sets in Comedy Live on night one, featuring Deeper Purpose and Deepfake stepping beyond their usual styles. They were joined by Nikita Page, Dubyes, Voyajer, and Brian G. It was a bold experiment and the crowd loved it!

  • Genre Fusion Moments
    On Groove Cruise Miami 2025, many DJs across all genres incorporated D&B breaks or interludes into their sets. Those crossover moments helped bridge fans into The Trench.

  • Artist-Led Activities (D&B Style)
    For 2026, Blossom will host a Drum & Blossom fitness class, complete with a custom mix synchronized to the workout. Expect breath, beat, and motion to merge in a way only drum & bass can deliver.

  • 2026 Lineup Preview

Who do you think might do a surprise DnB set on Groove Cruise Miami 2026? 👀Check out the full lineup here!

A Guide to Drum & Bass Subgenres

Want to understand what you’re hearing in The Trench? Here’s a quick primer:

Substyle
Tempo & Feel
What You’ll Hear
Best Time at Sea
Liquid / Liquid Funk
160–174 BPM
Soulful vocals, jazzy chords, warm pads
Sunrise or daytime chill
Neurofunk
170–180 BPM
Dark atmospheres, razor-sharp basslines
Peak energy, late night
Jump-Up / Drumstep
165–175 BPM + half-time
Bouncy drops, playful hooks
Party hours, dancefloor hype
Atmospheric / Ambient D&B
160–170 BPM
Ethereal soundscapes, rolling drums
Early hours, reflective sets

The beauty of The Trench is its versatility. You’ll hear the full spectrum, from smooth and melodic to heavy and relentless.

The Future of The Trench

Alley Kay playing a DnB set on the Promenade aboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas

As drum & bass surges worldwide, The Trench is growing with it, becoming one of the most anticipated parts of Groove Cruise. From veteran Captains discovering a new passion to longtime D&B heads finding a home at sea, the community is expanding every voyage.

Expect more:

  • Sunrise and sunset D&B takeovers

  • Unexpected back-to-backs

  • Artist-hosted activities off-stage

  • Crossover moments where jungle meets house, trance, or techno

The Trench represents a new frontier. A place for discovery, connection, and movement that keeps evolving with every sailing.

Drum & Bass FAQs

What is the difference between jungle and drum & bass?
Jungle, which emerged in the early 1990s, laid the foundation for drum & bass with breakbeats, reggae influences, and heavy basslines. Drum & bass evolved from jungle, focusing on faster tempos (typically 170 BPM), cleaner production, and a broader range of substyles like liquid, neurofunk, and jump-up.

Why is drum & bass so fast?
The tempo of drum & bass (usually 160–180 BPM) creates its signature intensity. The fast rhythm delivers adrenaline on the dancefloor while still leaving room for deep basslines and melodic atmospheres.

What’s the role of MCs in drum & bass?
MCs (masters of ceremony) are an integral part of drum & bass culture. They hype the crowd, add lyrical flow, and create a deeper connection between the DJ and the dancefloor. At sea, MC-led sets in The Trench bring even more energy and interaction.

What are the main drum & bass subgenres?
D&B spans many styles, including liquid funk (melodic and soulful), neurofunk (dark and technical), jump-up (bouncy and fun), and atmospheric/ambient (spacey and minimal). Each has its place depending on the vibe of the set and time of day.

Why is drum & bass growing in popularity again?
A new wave of producers and cross-genre collaborations have pushed drum & bass back into the spotlight. Its mix of high energy, emotional depth, and technical skill appeals to both veteran ravers and new fans discovering the sound for the first time.

How is drum & bass different from other electronic genres like house or techno?
House and techno often run at 120–130 BPM with a steady four-on-the-floor beat, while drum & bass is defined by syncopated breakbeats and much faster tempos. The result is a more frenetic, rolling energy that feels distinct on the dancefloor.

Check out our other blogs to learn more about all the genres you’ll experience aboard Groove Cruise!

Dive Into The Trench

Drum & Bass is about energy, resilience, and release, and at sea, it transforms into something more. Whether you’re a lifelong junglist or hearing your first rolling breakbeat, The Trench invites you to lose yourself in the sound, the sea, and the community that makes it all possible.

When the bassline drops, will you dive in?

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Drone show during Groove Cruise Miami 2025
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