From: Antwerp, Belgium.

DJ style: “Techno.”

Best known for: “Playing high-energy techno.”

Fave tune of 2022: “Farrago ‘Quieto (Flashpoint Mix)’.”

Rising star DJ/producer of 2022: “Dana Montana.”

In 2022, Amelie Lens threw herself headlong into a whirlwind of international gigs, playing in the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and Costa Rica: “I’ve been touring heavily because of rescheduled gigs from 2020 and 2021”.

Her high-octane techno could be heard booming from the speaker stacks at festivals like Creamfields, Parklife, Awakenings, and Sonus, while her Exhale club concept took up a residency on Wednesdays through August at Ibiza’s DC-10, inviting guests like Ellen Allien and Or:la to throw down. In Berlin, Lens staged a 24-hour Exhale mega-rave with a huge line-up of techno associates, brought the club brand to Barcelona’s OFFSónar and Belgium’s Extrema Outdoor festival, and held a special event in her native Antwerp. 

The kinetic rhythms that comprise Lens’ signature sound were also well represented on her Lenske label this year. Farrago’s ‘Flashpoint’ EP was stuffed with galloping beats and intense warehouse atmospherics, while Amelie Lens’ own ‘In My Mind’ EP matched psychedelic sound design with trippy riffs and granite-tough kicks that hit like a drop-hammer. She also found time to drop a new ‘Global Underground: Antwerp’ mix compilation in October.

What’s the best DJ set you’ve seen this year?

“Milo Spykers at Brunch Barcelona.”
 

Name one great festival you played for the first time this year…

“Primavera Sound, Barcelona.”
 

What’s the longest DJ set you’ve ever played?

“A 10-hour set in my hometown Antwerp.”
 

What’s one piece of studio hardware you wish you owned?

“The original Roland TB-303.”
 

What’s the last tune you bought?

“‘Cuir en Cage’ by MAC DECLOS.”
 

What’s the next big sound?

“I’m hoping that techno is going back to its old school and groovy roots.”