I don’t really concern myself too much with titles. I focus on making music. I focus on my shows and fans,” says DJ Tiësto when told he is world number two in his line of work. Recently in Delhi for the last leg of the three-city Sunburn Arena Tour, he turned some of the best tracks ever.
As his fingers moved on the console, the crowd grooved to his music. How Tiësto got attracted to music is a fascinating story. “I grew up in Breda. Holland had a big influence on me. There are so many great producers and DJs from Holland and kids look up to them. I grew up listening to a lot of rock music — Van Halen, Def Leppard and Iron Maiden. I started DJing for local house parties in my teens,” he says.
What lured him to his spot behind the console was the energy of the crowd. He likes making people happy. “That’s the best thing I love about my profession,” says the artiste who is the first DJ to have performed at an Olympics opening ceremony. “I played on the beach in Rio De Janeiro for over 250,000 people!” he smiles.
His music helps his fans unwind but the man himself finds relief in sports. “I love sports. It is a great way for me to unwind.” The DJ who has his wax lookalike at Madame Tussauds insists that he does not feel the necessity to be a part of the rat race for awards. “I focus on making music, my shows and the fans. All eyes are there,” he reiterates.
Having worked with artistes of various genres like Goyte, Armin Van Buuren and recently Bono of U2, he has changed his focus from trance to progressive house music.
“I make music based on my inspirations. There is so much flexibility with making electronic music. I can collaborate with so many artistes from so many different genres. To
me electronic brings the music community and world community together.”
To him Electronic Dance Music (EDM) is a term that describes all the great things happening in dance music today. “I am thrilled that dance music plays such a big role in the entire music industry as well as people’s lives. In addition, EDM is global. It is amazing to see the recognition it has received as a genre. Passionate dance music fans will make it bigger and bigger,” he says.
Ask him about Indian artistes and he replies, “Each country has its own flavour, India included. I have heard a few Indian DJs and they are good. I always tell DJs to
develop their own identity.”