Born in Manchester, Made Global: Inside the Teletech Phenomenon

Founded in 2017 by Anton Stevens and Tom Shenton, Teletech has grown from small, sweat-drenched nights in Manchester’s Fallowfield to a powerhouse brand shaping the global techno landscape. What began as a student-led movement has evolved into one of the most recognisable names in the scene — selling over 320,000 tickets a year, curating stages at Creamfields, Tomorrowland, Glastonbury, and hosting their own Teletech Festivals across Europe.

This October, Teletech returns to Australia with a four-date tour across Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney, bringing their signature intensity to the southern hemisphere once again. With every show sold out (as they always do), it’s proof that what started in Manchester now pulses through dance floors worldwide.

We spoke to the minds behind the movement to understand what drives Teletech’s meteoric rise.

What was the spark or moment you knew Teletech could grow beyond Manchester and become a global brand?

We weren’t ready to be a global brand when it happened - there wasn’t really a turning point, we made the move to go into Europe when we weren’t prepared so we kind of had to work backwards after being too ambitious at the start.

How do you stay true to your underground roots while scaling events, merchandise, and international reach?

We continue to have a local approach for every area we go to, regardless of how far. We take into account the community and culture of each location and curate a show that works with them, whilst also maintaining our Teletech standard of production - this keeps it underground and personal but also joins communities globally through the consistency of the brand.

In an era when many promoters lean toward commercial models, how do you define Teletech’s unique identity — and what do you refuse to compromise on?

We constantly look for new talent and we always support new, emerging artists - this keeps us fresh and relatable as a brand.

You’re about to hit Australia — what can fans expect from Teletech Down Under, and how does this leg of the tour fit into your global vision?

We’ve been to Australia 7 times and sold over 100,000 tickets - however this tour is a bit different as traditionally they want the international acts, but this time we’ve given a local hero (Restricted) his biggest ever tour.

The Teletech Ethos

Born out of a shared passion for authentic rave culture, Teletech has become more than just a party series — it’s a community. When most UK venues were closing their doors, Tom and Anton were opening new ones, curating events that put inclusivity, safety, and affordability at the forefront. Their mission: to preserve the essence of the underground while giving it a global platform.

Their approach has inspired a cultural shift. From Hidden in Manchester to La Halle Tony Garnier in Lyon, Teletech has hosted shows that unite tens of thousands under one roof. Yet despite their massive scale, the team remains hands-on — still involved in everything from bookings to stage design, ensuring every event keeps that same intimate, raw energy that started it all.

The duo’s influence extends far beyond the dancefloor. Their merchandise drops now sell out in hours, ranking among the top three best-selling music merch lines in Australia. Meanwhile, their work with Boiler Room, XXL Festival, and new booking venture JINN Agency continues to push their ethos of growth through community — a balance few manage to maintain.

The B2B Feature: Restricted x Jowi

As Teletech lands in Australia, the spotlight turns to two of the key names on this year’s lineup — Restricted and Jowi. Both part of the new generation carrying the Teletech spirit forward, they sat down for an exclusive back-to-back exchange, sharing insights from the booth, the road and more.

Restricted Asks Jowi

Was it always hard techno and hard dance for you, or were you messing around

with any other genres early on?

No, it wasn’t always hard techno and hard dance for me. I actually started messing around with mixing music six years ago with more classic, groovy techno. Over time, I felt how the whole scene started shifting toward harder sounds, and I really connected with that, because I’ve always been a fan of both techno and the harder styles. I love how those worlds are mixing today.

You’ve done some monster festivals already… Creamfields, Verknipt, Decibel, Kappa Future…any dream fests or places to tour that are still on the list?

I’ve already played at some incredible festivals like Creamfields, Verknipt, Decibel, and Kappa Futur, but there are still so many places I’d love to play. Of course, the Tomorrowland

Mainstage is a dream for pretty much every DJ, and for me as well. I’ve also always dreamed of Defqon.1. I got an invitation to play one collaboration track there this year on the Mainstage, which was a really special moment.

Other dream stages would definitely be Awakenings, Boiler Room, Exit, Nibirii, Dour, Coachella, Free Your Mind, EDC Las Vegas and many more. My main goal, though, goes beyond just the big festivals. This year I’ve already played in 26 countries, and I’d love to eventually play in every country where people listen to techno to connect with them through music. That’s what it’s all about for me. I want to bring that energy even to places where people don’t have easy access to electronic music and give them the chance to experience

it together.

Name something on tour that always does your head in, but you can’t avoid it?

I think a lot of DJs who travel by plane will totally feel me on this one. It’s definitely the people and the whole airport experience. The security checks, the waiting, the stress, the delays, running through the airport. Sometimes I honestly wish there were “business airports” just for artists on tour.

And then there’s the Deutsche Bahn. In so many countries, public transport works perfectly fine, but in Germany if you’re traveling by train, it’s just next level delays. I used to take the train a lot back then and it drove me absolutely crazy. So yeah, delays, delays, and more delays that’s what really does my head in on tour.

Amelie, Charlotte, I Hate Models… all machines. What’s one thing you’ve learned watching them dominate the scene?

What I’ve always thought when I saw DJs on TV, YouTube, or while I was out partying, is that they’re just people like us, down to earth and approachable. I always noticed their friendliness and the positive energy they showed on stage, and that really taught me to stay grounded and to always be present with people.

Especially the artists you mentioned, they’ve grown so much within the scene and have had the courage to try new things. That’s something that really stuck with me too.

And of course, they’ve always delivered on such a high professional level. Not only with their own productions but also with their track selections. Everything is always super clean, tight, and well thought-out.

But most of all, it’s the authenticity and connection with people that matters. Of course, ravers don’t usually see what happens backstage, so it’s important to me to show them who I really am. I think people can feel that, and that’s what creates real connection and sympathy.

Jowi Asks Restricted

When did your journey with electronic music actually start, and what inspired you

to begin producing?

I started when I was 14. My brothers would always have pre-drinks and blast this one playlist on repeat. One night after they left for a party, I stole all their music, bought some decks and started DJing in my bedroom. A year later, I was producing my own tracks, and I haven’t stopped since.

What’s the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you during a set?

I was in North Queensland, this guy spent the whole night trying to get me to do a shoey.

Just to make him stop, I finally said, ‘give me the shoe.’ I poured my drink in, started drinking, and immediately felt these clumps of something. It was disgusting. I asked what it was, and he goes, ‘Oh yeah, I put bicarb soda in my shoes, so they don’t stink, I never wear socks.’ Absolutely fucked. I still hate thinking about it.

I’ve seen you drink from a shoe on stage. I need to know more about that! But my real question is: is it actually the shoe you were wearing whilst playing, or do you bring an extra shoe just for that?

I bring it on stage with me. Its just a funny part of Australian culture that I think a lot of people outside of Australia find so fascinating. Not much to it, Ice, drink, shoe. Bang, you’re on.

What’s your favourite mermaid from H20, and why?

I’ll admit, that show was my guilty pleasure. I had a bit of a thing for Emma growing up, she’s the whole reason I started watching it.

Looking Ahead

As Teletech gears up for another sold-out tour across Australia, the message is simple: the underground is alive and louder than ever. With their hands-on approach, fierce sense of community, and commitment to giving back to the culture, Tom and Anton are redefining what it means to run a modern techno empire.

Whether it’s Manchester, Paris, or Melbourne — Teletech’s sound and spirit transcend borders, proving that passion, vision, and authenticity will always outlast trends.

TELETECH AUS TOUR 2025

10.10 - Metrocity, Perth

11.10 - Timberland, Melbourne

17.10 - Tivoli,Brisbane

18.10 - Ivy, Sydney

with

Restricted

Jowi

Doruksen