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DJ Mag Top100 DJs
77
Firebeatz
11

From: “We're both from the Netherlands, Tim is from Tilburg and Jurre is from Hilversum.”
DJ style: “Energetic and in-touch with the crowd.”
Best known for: “Our variety in productions and our collaborations with Martin Garrix, Tiesto and Calvin Harris.”
What’s the next new big track? “If you know, please send it to [email protected].”
Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2016: “Jay Hardway.”

Since first blowing up on the Dutch scene back in 2008, Tilburg’s finest, Tim Smulders and Jurre van Doeselaar, have barely left the airwaves and charts in their Netherlands homeland. Early productions like 'Speak Up' and 'We’re Going Back' quickly garnered attention in what some would call the right corners of the scene, with luminaries like Fedde Le Grand and Roger Sanchez quickly tuning their ears to the pair’s solid b-lines and keen use of vocal samples. 

High-profile gigs quickly began to follow, not least at festivals like Rockit and Free Your Mind, firmly establishing the name Firebeatz in the European clubbing consciousness. Since then, collaborations with and remixes for the likes of Flo Rida, Funkerman, Snoop Dogg, Calvin Harris, Tiesto, Martin Garrix and James Blunt all show a definite upward trajectory for the duo, whose dates this winter will see them hit everywhere from Yangon in Myanmar to New York, USA and Puebla, Mexico.

Tomorrow’s global superstars, today’s rising champions of an unapologetically big room sound that shows no sign of waning in popularity — those looking for dance acts made for the main stage should be taking notes. 

What have been the new frontiers for you this year?
“Jauz, Chainsmokers and DJ Snake.”

Is electronic music taken seriously enough as an art form?
“More and more, you can see that in all the collaborations with traditional musicians.”

What’s the best new bit of DJ/production technology, and why?
“Splice is a cool new platform to use samples.”

If you had to switch your style to another genre, what would it be?
“Techno.”

As a fan, what is the top price you would pay to see yourself DJ?
“Max €2,52, we want to spend the rest on beer.”

What can be done to prevent drug-related deaths at dance music events?
“Education.”

How can we increase diversity in dance music?
“By collaborations between different genres, and just trying to think outside the box.”

WORDS: MARTIN GUTTRIDGE-HEWITT