FEATURE:
Spotlight
but there are many reasons why I wanted to spotlight SACHA. Usually, artists with single names – unless you are Adele – are quite hard to Google and locate! Or there are others sharing that name. However, when it comes to SACHA, there is no confusing her with anyone else! With this huge confidence, amazing raw talent and this phenomenal passion, it is hard to ignore her. There is something very relatable and down to earth about her. Sacha Taylor is a former hairdresser from Scotland, but she is now one of the most in-demand and captivating voices in Dance music. Someone who says she takes inspiration from the likes of Becky Hill and Ella Henderson, It got me thinking about classic Dance and the modern scene. SACHA is undeniably striking and stunning. Tattooed and super-cool, she has this incredible combination of sides and dynamics. Unlike so many artists who are filtered on Instagram and it is all about glamour, sexy shoots and that side of things, SACHA is very much real and authentic. She is someone who has collaborated with some amazing producers and artists, though I can envisage a solo album coming from her. Before getting to an older interview and something more recent, I did want to focus on that authenticity. Unfortunately, I have recently left a comment on an Instagram page for an artist (I shall not name them). It turns out that they were A.I.-generated. It is hard to tell judging by the photos, though alarm bells were perhaps raised retrospectively considering the glossy and slightly computer-generated feel of the photos and lack of interviews. However, the song vocals didn’t sound like your typical A.I.-generation stuff. What baffles me is why A.I. artists exist and what they hope to achieve. They will never feel the range of human emotions and be able to project the realness and authenticity you get from human singers. The Guardian explored this for a feature. That the sort of grief and heart-baring music that defined 2025 can never be understood and replicated by A.I. If artists like Dave Stewart have said we need to engage with A.I., most artists are wary about A.I. and it leaving them vulnerable. Taking away their rights and leaving them exposed to being stolen from.
I don’t think that music fans will ever flock to A.I. The most powerful and popular music is that with heart. When it comes to modern Dance music and incredible vocals at the front, what defines them is this incredible soulfulness, passion, heat and energy. SACHA has this incredibly powerful and soul-stirring voice. It can perfectly bring the heat of Ibiza and get clubs bouncing and uniting. It also has this adaptability and range that means it can bring the temperature and pace down for when the light goes down and people want to chill. When I was a child in the 1990s, some of my favourite music was the Dance tracks of the time. Often produced by male artists, it would have a woman at the front. Providing these incredible vocals. Often too, the female artist was not named or talked about, and they would also sometimes write on the track but never get the credit. I loved their incredibly potent and wonderful vocals, but always felt the fact they were marginalised or anonymous was brutal. I think things have shifted a bit, though does Dance still have a way to go when it comes to gender parity? Having interviewed a few female D.J.s in the genre, they say that there has been a step back. Many of the D.J.s are making their own music because they often collaborate with male producers and artists and do not get credit, or their contributions are diminished. I think that SACHA has had some great collaborations and partnerships, though I can see her going completely solo one day and putting out these wonderful albums. When you hear her sing, she is very much the genuine article! She has been in music a little while though, over the past year, she has really stepped up a notch. Getting stronger and more astonishing with every track, I do think this year is going to be pivotal. I would love to interview her one day to hear her take on the modern Dance scene and what her experiences are. The music she listened to growing up and her plans going forward. Before closing things up, there are some chats to get to. Some features. The first takes us back a little bit, but it does give you a sense of where SACHA started and where she headed. In 2024, The Courier shone the spotlight on this hairdresser who is now one of the most essential and important voices in U.K. Dance. Someone who is primed to be a global superstar very soon:
“Last time we spoke, in 2021, she was trying out the pop thing, and when we catch up now, she’s refreshingly unabashed about her pick-and-mix of a back catalogue.
“At that point I was still experimenting sound-wise,” says Sacha thoughtfully when we speak over Zoom.
She just back from the gym, but aside from speaking at “1,000 miles a minute”, she seems every bit the put-together starlet in her matching workout set.
“I went down the pop route and then a spent a while doing sort of rock-pop. Then I went to LA and did a lot more American-sounding music there.”
Sacha had her first proper taste of commercial success in 2022 when she ventured into dance music, providing vocals on a track called Hopeless Heart by German artist Keanu Silva and Austrian DJ Toby Romeo.
But she wasn’t done cutting her teeth.
“That song streamed really well,” Sacha says, modestly downplaying the more than 50 million Spotify streams. “But then everyone was trying to push me into dance music, and at the time I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do.”
I glean, during this call, that Sacha Taylor is not a woman who is easily pushed or rushed.
“I’ve always loved dance,” she continues. “It’s the perfect soundtrack for a holiday, or getting ready to go out with the girls. So now I’m exploring the dance sphere, and that’s really where my head’s at.”
Sacha going ‘Higher’ than ever with new track
Now that her fangs are sharpened, Sacha’s finally getting a bite of the real action.
This summer has seen her soaring to success in the dance scene with hit track Higher from chart-topping UK DJs Nathan Dawe and Joel Corry, released on Atlantic Records.
The track, which was released in August 2024 has already surpassed 700k streams on Spotify, and broke into the UK Top 100.
But even more excitingly for Sacha, it got her spontaneously flown out to the massive annual dance festival Ibiza Rocks – where she performed her first ever live gig.
“It was all very last minute,” laughs Sacha.
“It was two days before I was going on holiday with my family, so I was scrambling around, messaging stylists and trying to get all my stuff ready for the live performance.”
Ibiza Rocks was first ever live performance
Turning on a dime, Sacha rallied the troops, and three of her closest friends flew out to help her get ready.
“I had 25kg worth of clothes in my suitcase, and I swear I wore them all,” she chuckles.
After a whirlwind flight and packed content shooting day in Ibiza, where the social media teams for pop stars Rita Ora and Dua Lipa filmed Sacha, it was time for the show.
And for seasoned recording artist Sacha, the pressure was on to deliver live.
“I was so excited all day, and then reality struck,” she says. “I mean, it’s quite a tough first gig. It’s a big crowd, but not a huge venue. Plus it’s broad daylight, and a little early.
“Normally later on, people have had a few drinks and there’s less pressure. So that was nerve-wracking. But it was a brilliant crowd! They were super hyped and really supportive.
“I think about halfway through, I started to relax and really enjoy it. And as soon as I came off stage, I thought: ‘Oh God, I want to go right back on and do it again!'”
Mum Charlie ‘always knew’ Sacha would succeed
However, there was one thing missing from Sacha’s live debut – her family, including her “biggest supporter”, mum Charlie.
“They wanted to come, but for the first one, I just wanted a bit less pressure,” she smiles.
Indeed, it seems the only person more sure of Sacha’s success than herself is her mother.
“I’ve had this thing recently where I’m just being completely delusional, and thinking: ‘Whatever I want to happen, I will just make it happen,” Sacha says.
“And d’you know what? I think my mum is just as delusional as I am!
“She’s like: ‘Sacha, I’ve always known you were going to be a star. It was always going to happen, it was just a matter of time!’
Bold fashion is passion for singer
Sacha’s look is part and parcel of her artistry. With her slicked-back, bleach-blonde tresses, perfectly-laminated eyebrows, armful of ink and flamboyant fashion sense, she’s bombing into the dance scene like a sultry-voiced Bratz doll.
“I’ve always loved fashion,” she gushes, beaming when the conversation turns to her style.
“If, God forbid, something terrible happened and I couldn’t do music, I would be a stylist.
“I love clothes – the bright, the colourful, feathers, sequins – anything that’s standout and a bit outrageous”.
@sacha_sings Someone pinch me 🤯 #arminvanbuuren #SACHA #singer #setmefree #tour ♬ Set Me Free - Armin van Buuren & SACHA
In February 2025, LOOP wrote about how SACHA and Jack Fargo are primed to take over your playlists. Often, women in Dance and D.J.s are paired with male counterparts or not given their own articles. No offence to Jack Fargo – who is excellent -, but I am more interested in SACHA and what she has to offer. This is someone who is very much going to play some huge sets and stages:
“The London-based powerhouse, SACHA, is dropping tracks that feel like the love child of classic dance music. Inspired by legends like David Guetta, Tiësto, and Avicii, Sacha is shaping the next wave of “hands in the air” anthems.
“My main focus right now is dance music,” she says. “I’m obsessed with timeless anthems that still feel fresh today. I want to make that kind of impact.”
Her journey started in Scotland, working on lyrics and melodies with a local producer before making the move to London. Now? She’s writing four to five songs a week, stacking up bangers that are ready to set dancefloors and festivals.
“I’ve always been a melody-driven writer,” she explains. “That’s what I fell in love with first. Once you lock in the melodies, the lyrics almost write themselves. Sometimes I’ll start with a hook that just sticks in my head, and before I know it, the entire song takes shape around it.”
Her ability to connect is undeniable, and social media has been a game-changer. “After my last release with Joel Corry and Nathan Dawe, I realized just how much music can impact people,” she shares. “Seeing fans tattoo my lyrics? That’s next-level. Getting messages from people saying my song helped them through a tough time reminds me why I do this.”
And the best part? She’s just getting started. While she’s keeping details under wraps, she hints at major collaborations dropping in 2025. “I can’t say names yet, but let’s just say, these collabs are big.”
Performing live has also been a revelation for Sacha. “I performed for the first time last year in Ibiza, and it was surreal seeing people singing back the lyrics I wrote. That’s exactly why we write music, to create moments that bring people together.”
Fashion is another way Sacha expresses her artistry. “I’d say my style is loud,” she laughs. “I love turning heads and making statements. Some days, I’m all about sleek, futuristic looks; other days, I want something weird and experimental. That’s how I approach music, too—I love pushing boundaries.”
Looking ahead, she has her sights set on some of the biggest stages in the world. “A dream of mine? Performing at festivals like Coachella, Ultra, Tomorrowland. That’s the goal”.
My big desire regarding SASHA is for her to be solo. Not forever, but for a few songs or an album. So many of the Dance songs played on radio with women in are part of collaborations. SACHA is such a standout voice who I can see writing enduring tracks and putting down some incredibly distinct and personal music. She is an awesome songwriter. Hearing her life and stories laid down and her being the producer too. I think that is where she will head. However, the D.J.s and producers she has worked with have very much given the vocal spotlight to her. That being said, she is this genuine star and standout, rather than being part of a collaboration. Also, seeing her appearing in amazing videos, as she has this gravitas. Someone who is supremely watchable, cool and engaging. Like Becky Hill and artists she has shouted out, you can see SACHA collecting awards and releasing these chart-successful tracks and albums. Fellow Scottish artist and D.J. Hannah Laing is someone who many would like to see a collaboration with. Performing at Laing’s festival back in the summer, The Courier caught up with SACHA and asked about that appearance and working with an icon:
“Last weekend was a memorable one for Perth-born singer and songwriter Sacha Taylor as she took to the doof in the Park stage.
The former hairdresser told The Courier that “there’s nothing like a Scottish crowd” after performing at DJ Hannah Laing’s inaugural one-day music festival in Dundee.
Sacha, who is now based in London, performed with dance and trance icon Armin Van Buuren in front of an electric crowd at Camperdown Park on Saturday.
“That might be the biggest crowd I’ve sung to yet”, she says.
“I think you could ask any DJ in the world and they will always say the Scottish energy is unmatched.”
This was despite the decision to attend doof in the Park being made last-minute.
It was only after a concert in Ibiza with Van Buuren last week that the famous Dutch DJ and producer invited Sacha to play at the event.
“Last week I performed for the first time with Armin at Ushuaia”, she explains.
“He just goes ‘what are you doing next Saturday?’, obviously not knowing where I was from.
“He’s like ‘I’m, performing in a place called Dundee’.”
Perth-born singer collaborating with Dutch dance icon
When Sacha told Van Buuren where she was from he thought it was a “no-brainer” and a trip back to Tayside was suddenly on the cards.
Around 15,000 revellers descended on Camperdown on Saturday to watch 25 acts performing across three stages.
Sacha’s performance with Van Buuren in her “home town” comes as she embarks on a tour of Europe with the dance icon and is set to release a new single with him.
“What I thought was amazing as well is, a lot of times when you see DJs performing or people singing at venues, there’s so many phones out”, says Sacha.
“Whereas yesterday, the majority of people were just enjoying it and not stuck behind a screen, which was so nice to see.
“I’m doing some really big shows with Armin over the summer but so far that was the biggest and obviously it being Scotland was incredible.”
Van Buuren has been recognised as one of the best DJs in the world, enjoying success with hits such as ‘This Is What It Feels Like’ in 2013.
But how did they end up working on a single together and then going on tour?
“How it sort of works in the dance world is you go in the studio, write a song and then pitch it to DJs to kind of finish the song,” she explains.
“You collaborate on the finished product, and then they release it. You get to go and sing it with them.
“As soon as I’d written the upcoming single, there was a few people I had in mind.
“I felt Armin was the perfect person.”
“My manager had pitched it to his team and then we went back and forth with versions and now, it’s coming out at the end of the summer.
“I absolutely love dance music. When I go in the studio I try to make songs like Armin’s.
“Using some of his older music and then actually having the song end up with him is incredible.”
Could Sacha Taylor collaborate with Hannah Laing?
Sacha is already planning a return to Dundee as the big shows with Van Buuren become a reality.
It is also possible we could see she her collaborate with Hannah Laing.
The pair bumped into each other at Ibiza Airport after Sacha’s performance at Ushuaia, and she says what the Doof in the Park founder is doing is “inspiring”.
“The whole dance scene is somewhat unpredictable, you can’t necessarily plan”, says Sacha”.
On Instagram over the past week or two, SACHA has shared happy memories about 2025. The people she has worked with, where she has performed and all the highlights. There have been some amazing hook-ups and tracks with great D.J.s. I think his will continue but, for me, there is that hankering to see an E.P. or album. She is a brilliant songwriter and singer. Whether you brings in her own collaborators on that or goes solo, it will be exciting to see! As she is based in London, it would be great to see her perform at some point, though I am not sure what her diary is like and where she is heading. The summer is going to be a packed one for sure. A modern and distinctly brilliant artist, she also puts me in mind of the legends and greats I grew up listening to on these anthemic and timeless Dance cuts. She will play enormous European and U.S. festivals and be named among the most important queens of modern music. A supreme talent forging her own path and building this incredible career, I feel that this year…
IS going to be her year!
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