Originally from Belgium, these brothers are passionate and extremely appreciative of all their success, and it is obvious that their talent and drive are making them two of the most popular DJs worldwide. With hits immediately climbing to the top of the charts, collaborations with the likes of Swedish House Mafia and Lady Gaga (to name a few), and becoming the “kings of Tomorrowland”, Vegas and Mike seem to be on the right track.

We got an opportunity to interview the brotherly duo and ask them a few questions about their loving fans, the many festivals they will be attending this summer, and how to separate the good, the bad, and the trendy in this music industry.

Jackie Willson: How was your experience at Digital Dreams? Anything in particular that stood out for you?

Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike: The whole night was a blast, it was a bit in-and-out for us because our travel schedule was so hectic and we literally flew in and out either end of our set, but as soon as we walked through the doors we could just feel the energy pumping, it was really easy to get our game head on and get into the groove of the party.

JW: When Mammoth was released, you hit number one right away and stated that it was “all because of your fans”. What do you think helped you build such an amazing fan base? How do you continue to keep their faith and support?

DV&LM: We’ve worked really hard over the past three to four years establishing ourselves on the road and with our music. We’ve been pretty relentless to be honest, especially with the music because we’ve had track after track come out and each one has been bigger than the last. Mammoth was definitely the breakthrough point for us as far as finally getting that Beatport #1, we had a couple of tracks before that that almost got there as well so when we finally did it, it felt like it was a long time coming. But with each track, with each tour that we’ve done, we’ve collected more and more fans along the way and we’re always talking to them over Facebook and Twitter, we’re always excited to share with them what we’re doing and to make them part of our journey.

I also think that our act is very unique, it’s not just a DJ standing behind decks but also the element of Mike MCing really lends itself to the bigger stages and the festival circuit which are our favourite places to play. The bigger, the better. We really connect with people when we’re playing and there’s a huge flow of energy between us and the dance floor, sometimes it gets a little crazy! But put all that together – the continuous music, the big performances, constant touring and, of course, our association with Tomorrowland, we’re always in the minds of fans because we’re always there, always working, always putting ourselves to the front as much as possible.

JW: What is your favourite part about collaborating with other artists? What is the most difficult part about it (if there is one)?

DV&LM: Favourite part – definitely getting to bounce off new ideas and getting a different twist on the way you thought the tune might go in the beginning. Difficult part – trying to make a track when everyone is in different parts of the world! It’s kind of back and forth over the Internet which isn’t as ideal as having everyone in the studio together.

JW: Tomorrowland is in a mere few weeks. You will be playing there for the fifth time and you’ve said that you are planning “a shitload of surprises” – can you give us any hints?

DV&LM: Well if we told you, if wouldn’t be ‘a shitload of surprises’ would it [smiles] It’ll be big, it’ll blow your mind, it’ll be epic Tomorrowland, trust us on that.

JW: Electronic music is blowing up all over the world. Some would say it’s becoming a trend and it’s hard to separate the good from the bad (or the talented from the untalented). What do you think makes a DJ successful and timeless?

DV&LM: Talent. Yeah there are a lot of producers out there but to be honest, there have been for the last ten years at least. Everyone’s acting like it’s a new trend but ever since the CDJ1000s came out and music went digital, it’s been a lot easier for everyone to get into DJing and producing. It’s like anything that becomes really popular, of course, there’s going to be a load more music coming out, but people’s ears don’t change just because there’s more to listen to. People still have taste and they know what they like, so as long as there’s quality, then that’s what people will go for. It just takes you more time to filter through the crap to find the quality stuff.

Photo courtesy of the artist

The post Making it: interview with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike appeared first on Quip Magazine.

Day one was off to a slow start, no lineups, no crazy crowds, just enough people to colour the park. With House of Boom being the first stage you come across after entry, it was the first area to get filled. Walking into a half point of Ricktoxic’s set, taking in the scene, dropping a couple moves while making our way to the front, soaking in the strobe light and the pretty damn awesome stage set up we quickly nicknamed the area the “Trap Tent”. With many options ahead of us we stayed behind a little longer to watch M|O|D light up the early arrivers on fire. Note to self, this one is a keeper.

“That area is my favourite! I love it! It’s my favourite!” screamed a young girl in cut-off shorts, pointing at the House of Boom just an hour later. This is the tent everyone loves, where the sun don’t shine, the drinks are plenty and the music doesn’t stop (all DJs smoothly replaced each other with an occasional parting hug).

A little later Fake Blood played an early show on the main, Dreams, stage. As soon as the first beat dropped you knew, this was it: tank tops are coming off, bodies are up in the air, Canadian flags are starting to unfold, and everyone’s favourite Nickelodeon characters are prying into the sky (Spongebob was a particularly popular one). People, get ready, now we dance. Following Mr Keating the most memorable act of the night was no other other than Paul Van Dyk. As soon as he graced the stage with his appearance the ground shook and the crowds shifted, the man still knows how to bring it and for that we take the hat of to him.

Day two started at the main stage with DJ’s Dzeko and Torres, it was obvious that Toronto was familiar with the duo and was undoubtedly ready to party…again. The tent and the Echo Beach were nearly empty while the main stage was already a hot mess for Dzeko and Torres’ midday performance. The bar for the rest of the day was set. By the end of their hype set, the grounds had filled to the rim, the fans were on queue, and the rest of the evening was up to the talent.

Moving on to the House of Boom, it was time for some hip-hop sound and hard beats. Taking the crowd by storm, Flosstradamus did what he does best: an intense, loud, and incredibly ratchet show for his fans. Feeling like you were in an intimate club with a full laser show and wicked sound system, he did not fail to make the crowd sweat.

We lingered behind to see Dillon Francis do his thing and watch the evening party starting to blow up one neon t-shirt at a time. As soon as his set was done, the entire venue looked like a carnival for EDM fans everywhere, complete with light shows, lasers, fur, wings, superhero masks, and, of course, a few crazy fans dressed up as Elvis (I mean why not, right?).

By 10 pm, The Flats were packed and the energy was insane. Most of the crowd was moving towards the main stage to see the final set of Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike with a mission to secure a decent dancing square for Wolfgang Gartner and Tiësto. If anything, even only in their second year, Digital Dreams has figured out how to go out with a bang. Getting the highest payed, and one of the most respected DJs in the world to end this two-day festival was a brilliant move. Tiesto seemed to be a joy for everyone that night. He and the crowd went through it, from the past to the present, Tiesto threw out his greatest hits from the ninety’s to his most popular songs of today, all lit up by fireworks and laser beams with bursts of confetti floating off into the jumping crowd.

Even if this isn’t your cup of tea, it is hard to ignore how much effort went into the festival. Even more so, the appreciation of music and the coming together of thousands of people in the city of Toronto are proof that this is certainly not the end of the dream. It just might be a rebirth of rave on this side of the globe.

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