Born in a small Spanish town Wade has rapidly risen to prominence in the dance music world. Growing up in a neighborhood filled with flamenco and rhythmic drum beats fueled his passion for music early on and still inspires his sounds today. Featuring on labels such as Universal Music, Atlantic Records, and Black Book Records, Wade blends driving rhythms with hip-hop elements. He has also collaborated with artists like David Guetta, Joel Corry and Solardo and topped charts while picking up millions of streams on Spotify. His energetic DJ sets ignite dance floors worldwide and soon bring him to Dubai to play at FIVE Palm Jumeirah’s crown jewel, Bohemia Beach Club, which has seen the likes of French Montana, Franky Rizardo, Lost Frequencies and more. Here the Criterio founder speaks to us about his upcoming performance and plans for the new year.
What’s good and bad in your world right now?
- The good? The energy from the fans and the opportunities to keep evolving musically. Every gig feels like a new chapter, and the connection with the audience is unmatched. On the flip side, the schedule can be intense—balancing touring, studio time, and personal life is always a challenge. But honestly, I wouldn’t trade this for anything. The highs far outweigh the challenges.
How did you celebrate the New Year? Were you DJing? What tune did you play at midnight if so?
- I rang in the New Year doing what I love most—DJing. There’s no better way to celebrate than sharing the moment with a crowd that’s full of energy and ready to dance into a new chapter.
What is the most important lesson you have learned in your journey so far?
- The most important lesson has been to stay true to myself and my sound. Trends come and go, but authenticity is what really connects with people. Also, I’ve learned the importance of patience and consistency—building something meaningful takes time, and it’s worth the effort to get it right.
You’re heading to Dubai to play at Bohemia Beach Club this January – what have you got in mind for your set?
- For Dubai, I’m planning something special. Bohemia Beach Club has such a unique vibe, so I want the set to reflect that energy. It’ll be a mix of my signature sound with fresh edits and a few unreleased tracks I’ve been working on. The idea is to create a journey that matches the atmosphere of the location.
Do you repack your record bag/USB before each gig, or have folders for certain sets or moods or vibes? How do you organise things?
- I always prepare folders for each show, and inside those folders, I organize the songs by intensity and musical tone.
Will there be any road testing of new tracks at all, is that something you do across the year?
- Absolutely. Testing new tracks on the road is a crucial part of my process. It’s the best way to feel how a track connects with a live audience. You can tweak things in the studio endlessly, but nothing compares to seeing how people react on the dance floor. I always carry a few unreleased tracks to test throughout the year.
Have you got any favorite tools or tech that you rely on when DJing or in the studio?
- I always use 4 CDJ-3000s, a V-10 mixer, and a RMX-1000. I like to play around by adding live vocals with the fourth CDJ.
Will you plan to do anything else in Dubai, is there anywhere you will check out or any places you’ve been before you can recommend?
- Whenever I perform in Dubai, I stay for at least a week to visit places and have some leisure time, as it’s a city where you can have a lot of fun. I love going on desert excursions, visiting the Burj Khalifa, and of course, spending the afternoon at Dubai Mall.
