Amelie Lens has risen rapidly through the European techno ranks over the past couple of years. She’s now consistently high up the bill (if not topping it) at events like Awakenings, DGTL and Ibiza staples DC-10 and Hï, and this year debuts in the Top 100 DJs poll. 

 

The Belgian’s Lenske label has simultaneously gone from strength to strength, building its name around the five-person crew of AIROD, Farrago, Milo Spkyers, Ahl Iver and Lens herself. Granite-tough techno is the name of the game; epic vibes suited to the cavernous hangars Lens fills on a regular basis. And with its newest addition — Lens’ ‘Higher’ EP — the label has now dropped 13 releases in just two years.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing for Lens in 2020, though; in August she became the primary target among a group of techno artists who were criticised for playing legal but non-socially distanced parties in countries that had begun to open up from coronavirus lockdown, only to see cases rise again. Lens’ most recent appearance, however, saw her back at home, spinning a vinyl set for her YouTube followers. “This year has mostly been about studio time, plus I’ve started working out three times a week and watched a lot of documentaries,” she tells DJ Mag.

 

“Having so much time to make music, my cats and my rooftop!”