Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike Interview: Ibiza is the Mecca of clubbing

2014 is all set to be the year of Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike. The duo have been on the cusp of great things for a hot minute in the crazy new world of electronic music that beats the way as EDM, slaying stadiums and huge arenas over in the states with their inimitable brand of electronic pyrotechnics (watch their jaw dropping spectacle in Belgium in December below for an inkling of what they're about).

They crashed into the top ten of the DJMag Top 100 for world's most popular DJs last year, and are bringing this fist pumping brilliance to the UK as they embark on tour here at the beginning of May with dates in in London, Manchester and Liverpool. The latter sees them heading off to the legendary Cream on Sunday 4th May Bank holiday weekend, joined by the likes of Nervo, Dyro, Cosmic Gate and many more across a typically glittering  line up (see it in the full glory here).

Their connection with the legendary clubbing brand gets extended that little bit further in the summer with two performances at this years Creamfields, kicking off the weekend under the name of 3 Are Legend alongside Steve Aoki in the Cream Arena on Friday 22nd August, then bringing the aural ruckus as a duo on the North Stage on Sunday 24th August. 

We caught up with the duo ahead of these shows for a quick fire round of questions, to talk the summer ahead, collaborating with Aoki and dreams of Biggie Smalls, 2Pac and James Brown all on the same stage.

Hi Guys, thanks for talking to us. You're heading over to the UK for shows at Manchester, Liverpool and the North East this May. What can the crowd expect to hear from you when you play these dates?

We have a lot of new music on the horizon. Most of it hasn’t been announced yet so we can’t offer too much info but we’ll be playing some very big collaboration tracks we have.. it’s going to be one crazy night!

In Liverpool you'll be playing for Cream. How much of an honour is it playing for one of the immortal brands of clubbing?

It's a massive honour! Cream is one of the clubbing scene’s most iconic nights and a bench mark for success in putting on amazing parties. We’re truly excited to be coming over to play there.

You're also appearing for them at Creamfields. What's your experience of the festival previously?

Creamfields is crazy. The level of detail and commitment to that event is wild. We had such a great time when we played because the crowd were absolutely insane... we’re very happy to be returning.

Tell us more about the project with Steve Aoki you'll be premiering at the Festival?

It’s a collaboration project but in a live sense. Steve’s an incredible producer and DJ and we wanted to merge our live shows with his to create something really unique. There’s lots of crazy fx and deck wizardry involved. The whole thing is really about pushing the limits of what we can all do and give the crowd something very special.

Why do you think electronic music fans love it when DJs combine like this? And are you planning to produce more records together?

We think it’s because it brings something different to the table. There’s the combination of what we do and what he does and so you know there’s going to be some magic in that. We just did a track together with Steve, and also Autoerotique, called ‘Feedback’ (below) which had a massive response. We’re talking about doing more music together around this so stayed tuned because we’ll probably feature it in this set.

What other production news can let us in on at the moment?

Well our current track is one with Martin Garrix called ‘Tremor’ which has had a massive response from Pete Tong and Danny Howard on Radio 1. We also have a new collaboration coming up with Steve Angello, and lots of new music coming up on our Smash The House label over May and across the summer.

Ibiza season is coming, and last year there was a lot of talk about how Vegas was starting to replicate some of the scenes we see on the island. Do you see any comparisons between them?

Only in that people love to dance and have a good time. Vegas is its own beast and has a very different culture and feel than Ibiza. Ibiza is the Mecca of clubbing and is unique with a very spiritual feel. Both are incredible but in their own way.

Where else have you got  gigs coming up?

We have lots of huge shows coming up at places like Sensation in Amsterdam, Summerburst in Sweden, World Club Dome in Germany, Mysteryland in New York, and of course Tomorrowland festival where we are residents.

But before all of this we have the UK tour with gigs in Glasgow @ 02 Academy, Manchester for Victoria Warehouse and Brixton Academy in London, as well as our Cream gig in Liverpool! It's going to be a busy summer.

Final question - lets say hypothetically next year Creamfields have given you your own stage and you can go back in time and get any musician from any era to play any way you want, for example you could have a 1979 Grandmaster Flash playing live with Amy Winehouse on vocals and Jimi Hendrix on guitar. Who would you pick to play your stage and why?

That’s a tough one but great question! We’d definitely have 2Pac and Biggie there, as well as James Brown and Michael Jackson for the moves and voice. Be incredible to get all the greats on stage and see what we could create live.

For more info on the Cream show, head to this link, whilst you can see all other upcoming DV&LM dates here.

Fancy seeing DV&LM share the stage with Steve Aoki as for a UK first this summer? There's only one place to do so, Creamfields. Head here for tickets.

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