Electronic music has always been about discovery. Taking dance floors to a next level with exciting new sounds, capturing audiences with a continuous element of surprise – innovation has invariably been the driving force here. One of the guiding lights in this ever-changing scenery is surely Michel de Hey, renowned for his 30 years of experience in the field, a worldwide respected DJ, producer, label boss and promoter. With his story still developing, things are getting more interesting by the day.

This is it

Of course, the early days of Michel de Hey's career speak volumes. Coming up in a still infant dance music scene back in the late 80s, he quickly became one of Holland's most upfront DJs. Known for his fluent techno style (often referred to as tech-house because of its clubby, uplifting qualities, at other times presenting a more gritty sound honoring his heroes from Detroit), Michel de Hey tends to wow audiences with his performances, always steady in delivering surprising new records and able to effortlessly switch between large rave gigs, mainstage festivals and underground club environments.

In short, he turned into an omnipresent artist — a flag bearer of the Dutch house and techno scene, playing every club and festival in the country, while also being one of the first Dutch DJs to explore the rest of the world, performing high-profile gigs from Berlin and Ibiza to Japan and the US. Here's an artist able to get things going at DC10 one day, followed by festival Thuishaven the next. Or taking on your local club and world-renowned techno rave Awakenings in the same weekend — Michel de Hey is a specialist to the masses, as well as a tastemaker to the specialists.

There's more..

This is, as they say, the story in a nutshell. Michel de Hey's leading role in Dutch techno and house music is equally due to his radio shows and his own productions released on labels such as PIV Records, Rejected, Snatch!, Nervous, Haven Trax, House Puff, Cecille and MicroHertz. Next to this, he recently founded two new labels called Future Feel and In the Future, being the home to artists such as Chris Stussy, ROD, Steve Rachmad, Ferro, Orlando Voorn, and Anil Aras, to name a few.

Supporting young and upcoming talent

Meanwhile, the Kweekvijver mark is taken to the floor. There are sold-out events in Holland's most well-known clubs like Toffler, Colorado Charlie, Shelter, and Melkweg, as well as the hosting of areas at festivals and events like Boothstock and Thuishaven. The recurring HEY! club night at beach venue De Karavaan is one of the recent highlights — a series of mind-blowing parties attracting crowds from everywhere, still going strong as we speak.

For sure, Michel de Hey is expanding his grounds. He’s giving upcoming artists a platform of their own with his Kweekvijver project, and never forgetting the club grounds he emerged from — this is someone on the move. And yes, this story has an open ending.

With Michel de Hey's club and festival shows at an all-time high, his productions getting better by the day and new crowds continuously discovering his charismatic and striking DJ performances, there’s no saying what lies next for this Dutch notoriety. Whatever it is, it will showcase electronic music in its most current shape — fresh and invigorating — with Michel de Hey as its most trustworthy guide.