Burning Man Festival News
Arodes Talks About His Coachella Performance, Upcoming EP On Rose Avenue, Plans For 2023 & More!
Interviewing electronic dance music artist Arodes is an opportunity to delve into his world of music, where melody and percussion take center stage. Arodes draws inspiration from different cultures, places, and artists to create a sound that touches the heart and transports audiences to magical moments. With a new EP called ‘Lunar’ coming out on RÜFÜS DU SOL‘s label Rose Avenue, Arodes shares his creative process, studio setup, and favorite instruments and plugins. He recently performed at The Do Lab Stage at Coachella 2023, an experience that he describes as “magical.” With a busy summer ahead, including debuts at Hï Ibiza and Pacha, Arodes‘ fans can expect to see him on the dance floor.
Hey Adrian, thanks for joining us today. How’s 2023 treating you so far?
I started the year with a lot of motivation and energy. In January I played 2 very good festivals, Buena Vida Beach in Colombia and BPM in Costa Rica. Then February was more like a celebration month since I had the wedding of 1 of my best friends in Mexico and then my birthday at the end of the month. In March several dates in my home country Spain as well as in Dubai and Israel. I was also at the Caprices Festival, which was spectacular, and my debut at Spaces at Miami Music Week. and one of the biggest gifts of this year, playing at Coachella has been a dream come true
Also, I had a couple of good releases so far this year (Esperanza and Elevate) and A big collaboration (Future Call) with my good friend Andrea Oliva. Now I am working on the preparation for the upcoming releases I have in the following months. But most importantly is that I started the year very focused on doing my best in each performance, keeping connecting with the audience, and continuing to give magical moments through my music.
How would you describe your sound, and who are some of the artists that you draw inspiration from?
My sound is influenced by different musical styles, different places in the world, and different cultures. It has a significant influence from Africa, particularly Afro-house, and their percussion is the foundation of my music. I’m heavily influenced by Techno and House too, but mostly my music is dominated by melody. I’m a very sentimental, sensitive person and I like to transmit that with my music. I like to touch people’s hearts and give them an experience, not just make them dance. I achieve that with melody, which is what defines my music. Regarding artists, the well-known Keinemusik, Adriatique, Cassian, or Colyn, for example, continue to be a reference. But there are also other very good emerging producers like Fahlberg, Josh Gigante, or Beswerda who are doing an exceptional job and I am using their music in my Sets.
Could you shed some light on the creative process behind the making of your upcoming EP «Lunar» on RÜFÜS DU SOL’s label Rose Avenue?
After releasing Storm, I wanted to give continuity to this darker and more progressive sound than other songs like Reborn or Esperanza, I seek to evolve and not get stuck in a single style. This EP is a more forceful version of Arodes.
What does your studio setup look like? Can you mention some of your favorite instruments and plugins?
At home I have a Home Studio, where I made an effort to have a decent sound treatment, I don’t have analog equipment, apart from a “UAD Apollo and my focal speakers” I start many projects on my laptop when I’m traveling, the inspiration you never know where or when it arrives, so I’ve gotten used to working “in the box”, my favorite daw is Ableton because of the ease it gives you to get started in a few minutes, I couldn’t live without the Diva synths or Serum, and my package Some of my favorite plug-ins are FabFilter.. apart from the native Ableton plug-ins.
Lately, I’m working with other artists doing collabs and for everything to flow you have to look for 100% compatibility
You have recently performed at The Do Lab Stage at Coachella 2023. What was that experience like?
Went to Coachella 12 years ago for the 1st time and now I have the opportunity to experience this…WOW!
Life can be magical & I can only feel grateful for it. It has been wonderful, the dolab stage is a lot of fun, the people, the atmosphere, and being there with my friends and family have been very significant and special.
If you could collaborate with any artist in the scene right now, who would it be?
Right now there are many artists with whom it would be an honor to collaborate but if I have to stay with someone, it would be the Keinemusik guys.
When you’re not working on music, how do you prefer to spend your downtime?
I love playing sports, playing soccer, paddle and I try to be as good as possible with my family and friends. It is important for me to have them close, recharge, and continue with my creative process.
What else do you have coming up in 2023 that we should be looking out for?
Summer is coming with many dates in Europe. Debut at Hï Ibiza and Pacha, and again we will play at Ushuaia and Tomorrowland. Another good news is that we repeat residence in Void Mykonos and to close the summer of 2023 we return to Burning Man.
I will publish this agenda and all the dates that are added to my social networks so I hope to see you on the dance floor.
DJ SHARE (Sharon Pieksma) is never far from a dance floor, always on the go bouncing between gigs and festivals.
But we managed to steal a few minutes with her! In this super quick catch-up, we threw a few fun questions her way to get to know the woman behind the decks.
Can you tell us a bit about your musical journey? Did you start out in the organic house direction, or has your style evolved over time?
Actually, I started out playing deep tech and minimal. That was the sound that first got me booked at clubs in Rotterdam where I’m from, and across the Netherlands. One of the biggest turning points for me was Burning Man. It completely changed how I connect to music. The experience there opened me up to more organic sounds, deeper, more emotive, more layered, and that’s when my style really started to evolve in that direction.
What’s funny is that I’ve recently started mixing some of that older deep tech and minimal music back into my current sets, which has been a fun full-circle moment.
Which of your own produced tracks has a special meaning to you?
A track that’s particularly close to my heart is “Moon.” It stands out from my other productions because it has a deeper, more introspective feel. The whole process was super organic, because I wasn’t overthinking it, it just flowed. I even used my own voice in the track, which made it feel really intimate and honest. The message, “reach for the light, reach for the moon,” is simple but powerful.
What’s the longest set you’ve ever played and how long did it end up being?
That would be a 16-hour set I played at a private event in Moscow, definitely the longest I’ve ever done! It wasn’t planned at all… I think I was originally meant to play maybe four to six hours. But the vibe was just so good, the energy kept flowing, and I somehow ended up behind the decks for a full 16 hours.
It turned into a real journey, not just for the crowd, but for me too. I went through so many different styles and moods, I’m pretty sure I played through my entire USB, including some deep tech tracks from way back in the day. It was intense, but also so much fun.
And yes, there were definitely a few moments where I’d put on a long track, run off to grab a bite, or even just walk around and soak in the energy before jumping back into the mix. It was wild… but in the best way.
DJ SHARE
If you were forced somehow to switch jobs and not be a DJ anymore, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
Wow, that’s a tough one. I feel so deeply connected to music, it’s hard to imagine doing anything else. Music makes me genuinely happy. I listen to it and dig for new tracks literally every day, so I think I’d still stay close to it somehow.
Maybe I’d become a guitarist and focus more on live music… or I’d dive more into organising retreats. I really love the idea of creating meaningful, mindful experiences for people, though I see that more as a passion than a full-time job. Either way, it would have to be something that feeds the soul.
If you were kidnapped and locked in a room with just one song playing on repeat, which one would you want it to be?
What a scenario! But okay, if I had to choose, I’d probably go with something calming and timeless. I don’t always listen to electronic music; I really love more downtempo, dreamy stuff that helps me unwind or gets me inspired.
Something by Thievery Corporation would be high on the list. Their blend of mellow, reggae-influenced sounds always feels full of love and light. But if I had to pick just one track… I think it would be “Porcelain” by Moby. It’s been with me for so long, and I never get tired of it. It has this beautiful calming effect, slowing my mind down in the best way. I could definitely survive on that one.
Connect with SHARE on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/share.musica/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sharedj/tracks
DJ Mag has just announced results of their annual the top 100 festivals, receiving a record-breaking number of votes recorded in the poll once again.
DJ Mag Top 100 Festivals first started in 2019, when winners were selected by a panel of DJs. After a brief hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the poll returned in 2022 with votes being opened up to the public for the first time. Increased numbers have been recorded every year since, and, in 2025, votes came from every corner of the globe, from North and South America to Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa. DJ Mag’s influence can be seen in the list below, where you’ll find festivals spanning a wide range of electronic music styles, from EDM and hard dance favorites with jaw-dropping production to major house and techno events and underground staples with a sound-system focus.
Topping this year’s ranking is Belgium’s legendary Tomorrowland, once again crowned the world’s No.1 festival. Known for its fantasy-inspired stages, impeccable production, and community-driven atmosphere, Tomorrowland continues to set the benchmark for global dance music events. In fact, DJ Mag readers will also note not far behind is Ultra Music Festival in Miami, which remains a defining moment on the global electronic calendar, signaling the start of the festival season with world-class lineups in the heart of downtown. Rounding out the top three is Romania’s Untold, a relatively newer giant that has quickly become one of Europe’s most iconic and immersive festivals.
The top 10 also features heavyweight names like EDC Las Vegas (4), Glastonbury Festival (5), and Kappa FuturFestival (6), each representing different ends of the electronic music spectrum—from colossal Las Vegas-style EDM spectacles to refined European techno celebrations. Coachella (7) retains its influence thanks to genre-spanning programming and cultural impact, while Sunburn Festival (8) continues to elevate India’s presence on the global dance scene. A testament to DJ Mag’s poll prestige, rounding out the top 10 are Creamfields (9), a UK mainstay for electronic fans, and Defqon.1 (10), the epicenter of hard dance in the Netherlands.
Further down the list, standout festivals like Parookaville (18), Awakenings (20), Neversea Festival (21), and EDC Orlando (22) showcase the diversity of scale and sound that the electronic music community now embraces. From techno purists at Dekmantel Festival (17) to desert dreamers at Burning Man (24), and DJ Mag supported events at Croatian beach settings like Sonus Festival (37) to global franchises like Ultra Europe (31) and World DJ Festival (32), this year’s list proves that the electronic music world is not only growing but thriving in nearly every region.
Meanwhile, up-and-coming and regional events are breaking into the top 100 in record numbers. Vision & Colour Festival (94) and Beonix Festival (69) highlight the rise of new markets, while S20 Hong Kong (78) and EDC China (80) signal Asia’s growing influence in the scene. Boutique experiences like Houghton Festival (86), Glitch Festival (83), and Love International (87) continue to receive recognition for their intimate vibes, curated sounds, and loyal followings. Also, DJ Mag and its festivals like Pitch Music & Arts (96) in Australia and Saga Festival (79) in Romania further illustrating the global appetite for unique, immersive electronic music experiences.
The full list can be seen below:
100. Sónar Lisboa
99. Beats For Love
98. Lost Lands Festival
97. Medusa Sunbeach Festival
96. Pitch Music & Arts
95. Ultra South Africa
94. Vision & Colour Music Festival
93. Outlook Origins
92. Defected Malta
91. Unseen Festival
90. EDC Thailand
89. Fly Open Air Festival
88. Ultra Australia
87. Love Internarional Festival
86. Houghton Festival
85. Sunset By Neon
84. Baum Festival
83. Glitch Festival
82. Beyond The Valley
81. Groove Cruise
80. EDC China
79. Saga Festival
78. S20 Hong Kong
77. Soundstorm
76. Ultra Japan
75. Electric Castle
74. Defected Croatia
73. Jakarta Warehouse Project
72. Ultra Korea
71. Siam Songkran Music Festival
70. Creamfields Chile
69. Beonix festival
68. Lost Village
67. Together Festival
66. Ultra Taiwan
65. Positiv
64. Ravolution Music Festival
63. Sea Star Festival
62. Tomorrowland Winter
61. Blacklist festival
60. Airbeat One
59. HARD Summer
58. Les Plages Electroniques
57. A State Of Trance,
56. Snowbombing
55. S20 Taiwan
54. Ava Festival
53. Neon Countdown
52. Nibirii Festival
51. Nameless Festival
50. EDC Mexico
49. Lovefest
48. Loveland
47. Hideout Festival
46. Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
45. Dimensions Festival
44. Veld Music Festival
43. Panorama Festival
42. Primer Music Festival
41. CRSSD Festival
40. Untold Dubai Festival
39. Lollapalooza
38. DGTL
37. Sonos Festival
36. Arc Music Festival
35. S20 Songkran Music Festival
34. Terminal V
33. Mysteryland
32. World DJ Festival
31. Ultra Europe
30. Neopop Festival
29. 808 Festival
28. EXIT Festival
27. Movement Music Festival
26. Sónar
25. Primavera Sound
24. Burning Man
23. Electric Love
22. EDC Orlando
21. Neversea Festival
20. Awakenings
19. Monegros Desert Festival
18. Parookaville
17. Dekmantel Festival
16. AMF
15. Boomtown
14. Time Warp
13. Sziget Festival
12. Parklife
11. World Club Dome
10 – Defqon.1
9 – Creamfields
8 – Sunburn Festival
7 – Coachella
6 – Kappa FuturFestival
5 – Glastonbury Festival
4 – EDC Las Vegas
3 – Untold
2 – Ultra Music Festival
1 – Tomorrowland
Alex Cecil drops a high-energy track, ‘Hola Papi:’ releasing his newest production on Playero Records, he highlights his groove-heavy sound, underlining the creativity and technical skill behind his approach. Blending driving beats with playful details, ‘Hola Papi’ delivers a dancefloor-ready vibe – showcasing Alex Cecil‘s ability to fuse infectious energy with sophisticated sound design.
Through a soundscape where balanced rhythms meet with seductive vocal hooks, ‘Hola Papi’ unfolds into a dynamic sonic journey, revealing atmospheric moments that seamlessly manage tension and release while maintaining an engaging flow throughout. As catchy melodic motifs and bassline progressions weave amongst the arrangement, intricate percussive textures uphold the crisp, sharp groove of the track, continuing to build momentum through breakdowns and drops. With synth work layering in as the track journeys on, integrating pads, risers, and bouncy lines into the mix, ‘Hola Papi’ develops an evolving sound, introducing Alex Cecil’s diverse sonic palette and showcasing his approach to blending rhythm, texture, and melody in a cohesive and engaging way.
With a rich musical background, Alex Cecil continues to lean on his creative origins to craft work that feels fresh and unique. Refining a sonic identity with the aim to create music that resonates with listeners, he seeks to build connections through both his studio output and live performances – an approach he highlights further in this latest release. As his creative ambitions remain high, building off career highlights that include releasing on labels like 925 Music, RVDIOVCTIVE, and Deep Playa, and taking to iconic festival stages, such as Burning Man and Hideout Festival, Croatia, Alex Cecil maintains his momentum.
Now, adding another track that captures his signature style to his discography, he once again invites genre enthusiasts to explore his approach, skill, and creativity – enveloping them in his sonic world through the soundscape of ‘Hola Papi.’
‘Hola Papi’ is out now via Playero Records, available to stream and download across all major platforms.
Make sure to keep up with Alex Cecil and his evolving journey by staying tuned for his upcoming releases, projects, and performances via social media.
Listen and Buy ‘Hola Papi’ here:
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