Taking Shanghai by storm

Axwell (left) and Sebastian Ingrosso of the Swedish electronic dance music duo Axwell & Ingrosso.[Photo provided to China Daily]

After a successful debut last November, Storm Electronic Music Festival is returning to Shanghai from Oct 5 to 6 with hot beats, party animals and leading DJs.

Axwell & Ingrosso is one of the most anticipated headliners among the lineup that includes Avicci, Afrojack and Dash Berlin.

It will be the China debut for the outfit formed by two former members of the Swedish electronic dance music trio Swedish House Mafia - DJ and producer Axel Christofer Hedfors, who's better known as Axwell, and Sebastian Ingrosso.

"It will be a huge show with amazing visuals, firework, and incredible music," Axwell says.

He promises "some you might know and some new exclusives".

Axwell was impressed by last year's crowds and lasers.

"It was so amazing to see electronic music reaching China," he says.

"I think when music does its job, it doesn't always mean you need your hands in the air. It's about me seeing the way the music is designed to make you feel really working. That can be euphoria, tranquility and love. It's incredible to watch."

Axwell, who ranks 19th on the DJ Magazine Top 100 DJ Poll, says crowds and show elements are the best things in his life.

His career took off after Axwell (left) and Sebastian Ingrosso of the Swedish electronic dance music duo Axwell & Ingrosso.the 2008 formation of Swedish House Mafia, which took 10th place in the DJ Magazine Top 100 DJ Poll 2011. Axwell and Ingrosso kept going after the group split after its tour last year.

"We just kept making music until we decided: 'What the hell! Let's do our first album'," Axwell recalls.

Ingrosso says: "The idea to work together as a duo is fun and alluring."

They signed a contract with Universal Music Group, and their forthcoming album is expected to be released by Def Jam in early 2015. They plan to return to China for an album tour.