Who was Matt Tolfrey? Top DJ, music producer passes away aged 44

Renowned British DJ and music producer Matt Tolfrey passed away on October 13, 2025, at the age of 44. Tolfrey was best known for his significant contributions to the electronic music scene and for founding the influential record label Leftroom over a decade ago. In addition to Leftroom, he also launched three other imprints: Leftroom Limited, Leftout, and Is This.

Throughout his career, Tolfrey performed at numerous venues across the world and built a reputation within the club circuit. His solo projects, including his album Word of Mouth released in 2012 and tracks like Don’t Be Leftout, showcased his talent beyond the DJ booth. His discography features tracks such as Are We Family, Misunderstood, Bounce for Me, and Drop the Bomb, among others.

The news of his passing was shared by his longtime friend and fellow artist Damian Lazarus via Instagram. Posting a photo of Tolfrey, Lazarus described him as an integral part of the “extended Crosstown Rebels family.”

Lazarus reflected on their friendship, recalling when they first met in Nottingham and began years of creative collaboration. He praised Tolfrey’s legacy, saying, “Matt believed in community and bringing people together on and off the dancefloor and his record label @leftroomrecords has played an important role in bringing like minded music makers together. Matt was a brilliant DJ and was represented by myself and Will in the very early days of the Rebel Agency (now NGE).”

He added that Tolfrey’s warmth, spirit, and contributions to the music world would be missed, particularly by those closest to him. He concluded his tribute with, “My heart goes out to everyone that knew and loved Matt but especially to his beautiful daughters Arla and Beau. RIP Matt, you left the room too early.”

Born on the Isle of Wight, England, Tolfrey began his career as a DJ in a bar based in Worcester. His growing reputation led him to play at high-profile venues, including the famed DC-10 in Ibiza. He was particularly celebrated for his influence in techno and electronic music.

In a 2011 interview with Defected Magazine, Tolfrey reflected on the success of Leftroom, saying, “The five years of Leftroom tour was a great achievement for me as it really showed that we are still supported by the market out there… I am just happy to still be putting out music that I truly believe in.”

In another interview with Decoded Magazine, Tolfrey credited Nottingham-based promoter James Baillie for giving him his first major opportunity. He recounted that after Baillie heard one of his mixtapes, he invited him to play at the venue “the Bomb.” Recalling a pivotal moment early in his career, Tolfrey said, “About 3 or 4 months after this I got a phone call from James asking if I was going to Tyrant that night, which of course we were, and he said good, because Lee Burridge can’t make it so you’ve got to open and close for Craig Richards.”

Matt Tolfrey’s passion for music, community, and innovation left a lasting mark on the industry. His work continues to influence a generation of DJs and producers around the world.