From: Netherlands
DJ style: “Techno (diverse).”
Best known for: “On stage live performance and improvisation.”
Fave tune of 2022: “Eli Brown ‘Believe’.”
Rising star DJ/producer of 2022: “Kiki Solvej."
Ask the Dutch producer Reinier Zonneveld what he’s been up to this past year and his response is dizzying: “Playing over 20 live shows a month all around the world, producing music in the little time in between, curating and pushing new music on my label, Filth on Acid, and finally launching my own one-man festival in Amsterdam after having to postpone it twice,” he tells DJ Mag as though it’s business as usual.
The Live NOW Festival mentioned encompasses what Zonneveld does best — at his inaugural event in August 2022, he unleashed an 11-hour set, all performed live and composed entirely of original tunes which range in style from deep, melodic heaters to raging, peak-time techno. Though the modular whiz first gained notoriety by way of The Netherlands’ illegal rave scene, he’s quickly become one of the world’s most in-demand and versatile names, made evident in his recent studio sessions with artists like HI-LO, Armin van Burren and Angerfirst, just to name a few. With ingenuity and improvisation acting as constant guides, Zonneveld has carved a niche for himself outside of the box (quite literally) and he’s absolutely thriving.
What’s the best DJ set you’ve seen this year?
“I’ve seen many great performances but Sven Väth at the Time Warp afterparty in São Paulo made me more than festive.”
Name one great festival you played for the first time this year…
“Dour Festival in Belgium had been on my list for a long time but still managed to exceed my expectations. The crowd is so lovely there.”
What’s the longest DJ set you’ve ever played?
“I always play live, producing my own music live on stage with synthesizers and drum computers. My longest live set was 12 hours and 20 minutes, non-stop.”
What’s one piece of studio hardware you wish you owned?
“Fairlight CMI.”
What’s the last tune you bought?
“T. Raumschmiere ‘Monstertruckdriver’.”
What’s the next big sound?
“Who cares? Live the moment to the fullest.”