Sammy Virji brings UKG heat to two sold-out shows in Seattle

If you’ve spent any time doing Boiler Room deep dives, or read our “5 Must-See Shows Coming to the PNW” article, chances are you’ve come across the infectious grooves of Sammy Virji. The rising UKG (UK garage) star from London has been on a fast rise the past couple of years, blending bass-driven beats with vocals and a touch of old-school rave nostalgia.

With accolades like “Spotify’s Artists to Watch in 2024” and a DJ Mag Best of British nomination under his belt, Virji is on everyone’s radar—and rightfully so. His North America Tour 2025 Part One Seattle shows came just ahead of his Coachella Weekend One appearance and a stacked summer festival run, including sets anticipated at Lighting in a Bottle in California, Electric Island in Canada, Movement Music Festival in Michigan. When we heard he was stopping by Seattle on his tour, we were ecstatic, and as were all Seattle UKG fans.

Playing not one, but two back-to-back sold-out nights at the Showbox Market on April 3 and 4, Virji’s Seattle stop was nothing short of a full-on party. With tickets long gone weeks before the show, fans were scrambling on resale apps and DMing strangers for last-minute tickets. The buzz was real, and you could feel it before even walking through the venue doors.

The Showbox was packed wall-to-wall with 20- and 30-somethings, many of whom clearly found their way to Virji through his viral Boiler Room set. And unlike your typical head-bobbing Seattle crowd, this one danced. From front to back, everyone was dancing hard—and mean, really dancing, not just the usual side-stepping. The energy was electric, rare for a DJ set in this city.

Warming up the crowd was Seattle’s own Daphne Too, who delivered a crisp and well-curated set, perfectly easing everyone into the night. Then came Hans Glader, who brought his uniquely Californian take on the UKG sound. With jazz and R&B influences shining through his catchy grooves and percussion. He teased the crowd with his collaboration, Be Careful, with Sammy himself. By the time his set wrapped, the floor was buzzing and the crowd had made their way back from the bar to the dance floor.

Sammy hit the decks just after 11 p.m. and kicked off his 90-minute set with a curveball that somehow worked beautifully — Violin Concerto in G minor primed his set as lasers danced across the ceiling, building anticipation like a classical opener is guaranteed to. Then the beat dropped, and the room exploded. Virji took the crowd on a wild ride through house, bass, drum and bass, classic EDM bangers, and even a sprinkle of techno. He knows how to read a room and throw in just enough surprises to keep things fresh.

The crowd roared every time one of his originals dropped — especially for I Guess We’re Not The Same, which had every single person on their feet, shouting lyrics under the spinning disco ball. Shella Verse featuring Flowdan brought the heat to a room full of already sweaty fans dancing harder than I’d ever seen at the Showbox. He wrapped things up with his iconic banger If I Need It, giving the crowd one last euphoric moment before the house lights turned on and they were left chanting for an encore that never came.

For those lucky enough to snag tickets, this was one of those rare shows you leave still buzzing from. Sammy Virji has officially planted his flag in Seattle — and the city’s dance scene is anticipating his return.