Belgian DJ ROW1 is riding the crest of a new wave of hard dance talent that is emerging from Europe’s underground. Still early in his journey but already shaping things with a distinct identity, his approach leans into intensity, emotion and instinct, but always with unstoppable momentum. This year, he has continued to play live and serve up his own tunes: they're bold and bouncy and, he says in this interview, often inspired by interactions with dancers in the club. 

He also expands on what he has already learnt in the DJ booth, how he approaches his sets and the role the gear plays in how he plays. Read on and tune into the accompanying mix, which is a blend of hard dance and trance inspirations. 

What has been your moment of the year so far and why? 

So far, my highlight of the year has been seeing my progress as a DJ and getting more opportunities to share my sound with people. Every set feels like a step forward, but the most special moments are when the crowd really connects with the music. When you see people reacting to a track you love, that energy is something you can’t really describe — it reminds me why I started doing this in the first place.

What draws you to hard dance and trance,why does that appeal most? Does it reflect your personality?

Hard dance and trance have always attracted me because of the energy, the BPM, and the mix of happy and emotional vibes combined with bouncy basslines and kicks. I really like the combination of the euphoric, uplifting, and emotional side with the darker power and intensity. That contrast really speaks to me. I think it reflects my personality quite well — I like music that feels big, emotional, and energetic, something that can truly move a crowd.

Can you remember the first DJ set you played where you got paid? How did it go, how were the nerves? 

Yes, I definitely remember it. I was pretty nervous at the beginning because it was also my first live set. But once the first few tracks were in and I saw people reacting to the music, the nerves instantly disappeared. After that, I could just focus on the energy and enjoy the moment. Looking back, it was a really important experience because it gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward.

What are the most important things you have learnt and skills you have developed since then? 

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how important it is to read the crowd. Technical skills like mixing and track selection are essential, but understanding the energy of the room is what really makes a set work. Knowing when to push the energy and when to let the music breathe is something that comes with experience.

How do you construct your sets? 

I usually prepare a playlist at home with all the tracks I might want to play. I normally only know my first two or three tracks and my final track. The rest of the set really depends on the crowd. I like to read the energy in the room and decide in the moment which direction to go. For more important sets, I sometimes organise my playlist more carefully beforehand, but I always leave room to react to the crowd. If people react strongly to something, I follow that energy and adapt the set. 

Tell us about your mix, the aim you had with it, and what you wanted it to say. 

With this mix, I wanted to show the range of sounds that inspire me within hard dance and trance. The idea was to build a journey that starts more melodic and uplifting, and gradually moves towards a more energetic and powerful vibe. I wanted the mix to feel dynamic and emotional while still keeping the energy high.

What gear did you use, is that important to you? 

For this mix, I used CDJ-3000s and a Pioneer DJM-A9 mixer. For me, gear is important in terms of reliability and workflow, but at the end of the day, it’s more about the music and the energy you create with it. Good equipment helps you perform smoothly, but track selection and the story of the set are what really matter.

What are you working on for the rest of the year? 

For the rest of the year, I’m 100% focused on producing and developing my own tracks. I’ve been spending a lot of time in the studio working on my sound and experimenting with new ideas. My main goal is to finish and release music that really represents my style. I’m especially looking forward to playing some of my own tracks in my sets this summer and seeing how people react to them on the dancefloor.