DJ style: EDM
Best known for: “Smashin’ the house.”
Fave tune of 2022: “Mau P ‘Drugs From Amsterdam’." (Dimitri); Chambord ‘Life iI Strange (Lunar Plane remix)’.” (Mike).
Rising star DJ/producer of 2022: “Massano.”
The kings of Tomorrowland, there are few main stages that Belgium-Greek duo Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike haven’t conquered. From EDC Las Vegas to EXIT festival, Parookaville to Creamfields, the pair have brought a rock star energy to the world of EDM, winning this poll in recent years and breaking free from the normal confines of clubland to play events such as the UEFA Champions League Final in Madrid and Lollapalooza South America.
Unsurprisingly then, the last 12 months have seen a further redefinition of what they’re capable of. Back on the road, what Dimitri calls “0 to 100 real quick”, music is now only one string to his bow. Having filmed his first lead role in the film ‘H4Z4RD’, an action-comedy car chase movie that naturally features Darude’s ‘Sandstorm’ in the trailer and has been compared to everything from Quentin Tarantino to ‘Crank’, he’s also been writing various scripts. Not content, however, with conquering the film world, he’s also working with artist and writer Erik Burnamn on a first graphic novel series, Alien Samurai Dino Warriors, which — since this is 2022 — already has an accompanying NFT collection. None of this has stopped him on the studio front either, Vegas collaborating with David Guetta, Nicole Scherzinger and Azteck on the slinky ‘The Drop’.
Like Mike, meanwhile, also returned to the fray after “taking some time to focus on my mental and physical health” to reprepare him for the rigours of touring. Recently releasing single ‘Desire’, the track showcased his love of a meeting point somewhere between EDM and melodic techno. Playing his first solo set at Tomorrowland, he also showcased a slower, groovier sound to contrast with the mainstage hype he and his brother brought to their triumphant return to the festival that helped forge their reputation.
Amongst this busy schedule they’ve also been fitting in what Mike says are “intermittent studio sessions”, ensuring fans will soon have a follow-up to recent hits such as ‘Believe’, ‘Fuego’ and their massive take on Energy 52’s ‘Cafe Del Mar’, a team-up with Vini Vici and MATTN, that landed on their own Smash The House label.
What’s the best DJ set you’ve seen this year?
Dimitri: “Idris Elba at Ushuaïa Ibiza.”
Mike: “Dixon at Alemagou, Mykonos.”
Name one great festival you played for the first time this year?
Dimitri: “I played at many new festivals this year, but nothing beats playing at Tomorrowland for the first time again after three years.”
Mike: “My first solo set at Tomorrowland.”
What’s the longest DJ set you’ve ever played?
Dimitri and Mike: “Probably around 12 to 14 hours.”
What’s one piece of studio hardware you wish you owned?
Dimitri: “Telefunken C-12 microphone.”
Mike: “Waldorf Quantum.”
What’s the last tune you bought?
Dimitri: “Supermode ‘Tell Me Why (Meduza remix)’.”
Mike: “Chambord “Life Is Strange (Lunar Plane remix)’.”
What’s the next big sound?
Dimitri and Mike: “Anything goes.”