How I approached my BOOM Festival Set.
I thought I’d put a few words down about how I approached my BOOM Festival set that’s just gone live on Youtube. This also relates to all my other performances, so you get a little insight into how I approach playing gigs. Before each show, I always do a lot of research—figuring out who’s playing before and after me, so I have a feel for the vibe surrounding me. The set time can dictate a lot, especially at festivals like BOOM where music flows almost non-stop for seven days. It’s important to understand the bigger picture of what’s happened musically throughout the day and night, so I can choose the energy levels that will give the best possible experience on the dance floor at that specific moment.
My set time was midday to 3pm. The energy had been full-on throughout the night, with driving techno all the way up to the DJ before me, still playing high-tempo tracks. Naturally, in the morning, people are tired and need a break, so this time slot is challenging as the crowd has already thinned out. My instinct was to create a sonic reset—an energy pause that would allow the crowd to gently wake and ease into a new musical adventure, especially under the midday sun that can get pretty warm. I started with a long ambient intro, letting everyone adjust, then opened with a slower, deeper groove that immediately caught people’s attention, like a gentle massage easing them into their day.
This really worked. The dance floor started filling, and having three hours allowed me to continuously read the crowd, finding the right moments to create magical peaks while slowly building energy and intensity, always keeping in mind that we were just beginning our day. Sets like this are among the most challenging; a few wrong moves can lose the vibe. So it’s crucial to make the musical journey interesting and engaging —mixing heads-down groove moments with rising energy, without the need to play power tracks.
This is why it’s impossible for me to pre-plan any set fully. There are multiple factors at play, including reading the dance floor in real time. As you’ll see in the video, the reward comes from watching the crowd and energy build over time, culminating in a fun, magical ending with a packed dance floor. My first BOOM set in this slot was an instant success, creating a connection that has now become our regular gathering at this time slot, something I’ll always cherish.
No two sets of mine are ever the same, whether at festivals or clubs. I adjust the power, the energy, and the vibe to suit the moment, which is why I have such a large palette of musical tools and knowledge—to know exactly what to reach for at the right time. Since the age of 15, I’ve dedicated my life to researching and hunting for music almost every day. This is why very long sets come naturally to me— I can share my musical knowledge with you, something I’m blessed to do. I never take it for granted and am forever thankful for your support that allows me to share this journey with you. Thank you.
