Illum Sphere

Illum Sphere

Illum Sphere is the recording name of Ryan Hunn, a London-born electronic musician and DJ associated with outsider house, post-dubstep and techno. He is also a central figure in the Manchester club scene.

DJ work and club culture

He is known for DJ sets that move across hip-hop, psych, techno, boogie and other styles. He performs at clubs and parties in a wide range of settings, including Low End Theory in Los Angeles and events in Sydney. He also DJs at the afterparty for Radiohead’s O2 concert.

In 2008, he co-founds Hoya:Hoya with Jonny Dub. The night grows into a significant Manchester platform, with residents including Eclair Fifi, Jon K, Lone and Krystal Klear, plus mic work from Chunky and Fox and visuals by EMN. It also brings acts such as Four Tet, Dabrye, Ikonika and Kuedo to the city and helps establish a reputation as a distinctive club night.

Releases and labels

Illum Sphere releases music on Fat City, 3024, Tectonic, Young Turks and Ninja Tune. His early EPs for Fat City move from sci-fi atmospherics and loose beats into more varied rhythmic forms. Titan on 3024 brings a bleep-led dancefloor sound, while Dreamstealin on Tectonic combines warped strings, distant rhythms and a boogie-tinged ending. His Young Turks EP adds a stronger 4/4 focus, including the tracks h808er and Birthday.

Collaborations and recognition

XL Recordings commissions him to remix Radiohead. Radiohead later invite him to appear on the King of Limbs remixed edition of Boiler Room, alongside Caribou, Jamie xx and Lone, and to DJ at the afterparty for their O2 concert.

His productions are described as shifting freely across genres rather than following a fixed template, and his work continues to build a reputation beyond Manchester through both DJ appearances and recorded releases.