Name: Substance Presents: What So Not
Start: 2026-07-17T22:00:00-07:00
Location: SUBSTANCE

After charting America’s #1 Dance Album with his debut Not All the Beautiful Things in 2018, Chris Emerson—aka What So Not—stepped back from the spotlight to reconnect with the dancefloor, nature, and the roots of his artistry. Living in coastal towns and surfing treacherous waves, he turned these experiences into sound, ultimately creating Anomaly, a bold and personal album reflecting newfound clarity and creative freedom.
Blending cinematic builds, heavy basslines, and ethereal vocals, Anomaly featured collaborations with Oliver Tree, Killer Mike, Louis the Child, and MØ. Alongside the album, Emerson debuted a stunning immersive live show, complete with 3D animation exploring themes of purpose and existence.
After a major U.S. and Australian tour, Emerson continued pushing creative boundaries with his Motions EP, released independently and featuring Lucy Lucy, MNDR, IMANU, Habstrakt, and Maiah Manser. He described it as “a trajectory of love.”
In 2024, he launched the Dance Dance Revival Tour, spotlighting local talent across Australia and culminating in the Bunnings Warehouse Party—an unconventional event in Preston featuring Peking Duk and others.
What So Not kicked off 2025 headlining Snack’s New Year’s Eve in Perth before embarking on a North American tour with festival stops including Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Ubbi Dubbi.