Skip to main content
DJ Mag Top100 DJs
58
Adam Beyer
10

From: Sweden, now lives in Ibiza

Rising star DJ/producer of 2021: “Layton Giordani. He’s been on Drumcode for a few years now, but really made a lot of progress in the last 12 months coming off the back of his second album ‘New Generation’.” 

Swedish DJ and producer Adam Beyer’s Drumcode empire has become inescapable, spawning its own Amsterdam-based festival in 2018 and virtually defining the sound of modern techno — Beyer’s DJ sets alone reaching from Berghain to EDC Las Vegas. 

Drumcode’s flagship radio show currently has 22 million listeners a week, giving some scope of its host’s audience, even during the past months of lockdown, and the loyalty his tireless, dogged passion has earned. The label’s output has continued unabated too; Dubfire, Alan Fitzpatrick, Luigi Madonna, Bart Skills and Jay Lumen among the big-hitters who’ve contributed to pushing the Drumcode legacy further in 2021. 

Beyer himself teamed up with Chicago’s DJ Rush, another techno stalwart, as well as Kevin Saunderson on ‘Re:Generate’, a huge remix project of tracks from Saunderson’s E-Dancer project. Drawing together techno pioneers such as Robert Hood and DJ Bone, with the current wave of youthful stars, including Amelie Lens and rRoxymore, it highlighted Beyer’s hugely respected standing across all techno’s various communities. 

How was your first gig back after lockdown? 

“They’ve all been amazing. I feel more gratitude than ever and don’t take anything for granted.” 

How have the last 18 months changed how you view your work/life balance? 

“Firstly, I’ve been touring for 25 years and I needed a break. So it was a good reset and I enjoyed resting up. But I also realised you should never take anything for granted. Moving forward, every show has felt more precious.” 

What further steps should the industry take to combat climate change? 

“Festivals need to remove single-use plastic.” 

What’s the best bit of tech you’ve added to your studio or DJ setup this year? 

“The new Pioneer DJM-V10 mixer, which I feel they’ve got bang on. It sounds and acts really good.” 

What’s the best album you’ve heard this year? 

“I’m into a Swedish trap artist called Yung Lean. I just find it quite fascinating that there is a Swedish trap artist who I’ve never heard of, but who is massive.”