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Mon, Nov 10, 2025 | Jumada al-Awwal 19, 1447 | Fajr 05:13 | DXB 
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Lost Frequencies on 'Kesariya', pre-show ritual, and why Dubai always feels like home
In a pre-show chat ahead of his Bohemia Presents show, the international DJ reveals his unique playlist ritual, his connection with Indian fans, and how he’s redefining his sound this year
Just minutes before hitting the stage in Dubai on Saturday night, Felix De Laet — better known to millions as Lost Frequencies — was in his own world. The Belgian DJ, behind global chart-toppers like Are You With Me and Where Are You Now, wasn’t hyping himself up with dance bangers or last-minute rehearsals. Instead, he was grooving to something unexpected — a playlist he calls Africanism.
As the city’s nightlife pulses back to life with the return of outdoor events, Lost Frequencies was in town to headline the season opener for Bohemia Presents at FIVE Palm Jumeirah’s Bohemia Beach Club, one of Dubai’s most vibrant open-air beach clubs. The air buzzed with anticipation, but behind the scenes, Felix’s pre-show ritual was calm, grounded, and intentional — a moment of quiet energy before the storm of lights, sound, and thousands of fans.
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“I try to put a lot of tracks from Africa — from Morocco to South Africa — and in different languages that I don’t really understand,” Felix confessed to City Times in a quick chat ahead of his show. “It’s not about the lyrics, it’s about the vibe. I was actually listening to it in the shower right before you guys came.”
It’s an intriguing choice for someone whose own music has become synonymous with bright, euphoric melodies and feel-good energy. But that’s the essence of Lost Frequencies; his sound has always existed at the intersection of emotion and escapism. The African influences, he explains, help him tune into rhythm rather than words, letting him carry that energy to the stage.
Despite being in the middle of a busy tour — he’d just performed in Doha the night before — Felix exuded an easygoing calm that’s rare for artists who live life on the move. He says it’s because he doesn’t overthink the performance ahead.
“I’ve been here quite a few times, so I know the people, the staff, the crew — it really puts me at ease," he admits. "I just enjoy having a good time in my room before I go down.”
For him, Dubai has become more than just another city on his map of global tour stops. It’s a familiar place where he feels at home amid a melting pot of cultures and a crowd that always gives back the energy he puts out.
“You have a lot of international people coming to the shows, but the staff here — many are from India. I made a remix of Kesariya, and every time I play it, they get super excited. It’s my little wink to them, like: ‘Hey guys, I’m thinking of you!’”
His Kesariya remix, released in 2023, often lights up his Dubai performances, and has quietly become one of those moments that fans remember long after the music fades.
That sense of connection — between people, places, and emotions — has always been at the heart of what Lost Frequencies represents. When he began the project nearly a decade ago, Felix was reimagining “lost” songs and forgotten melodies, giving them new life with his distinct blend of deep house and melodic pop. Over the years, his sound evolved, and so did his creative process.
“My production skills got better over the years, I hope,” he laughs. “Back in the days, I was sampling a lot of vocals and guitars because that’s what I couldn’t record. Today, I can, and I’ve had the chance to work with incredible artists. But I still love doing remixes; they give me the freedom to do whatever I want.”
That freedom, to experiment, reinterpret, and reshape, is something he guards closely, especially in a world where electronic music often moves fast, chasing trends and viral moments.
Touring the world could easily blur one city into another, but Felix keeps his feet firmly on the ground. His secret to staying balanced is surprisingly simple.
“Seeing my friends,” he says instantly. “They’re not really big fans of my music — they don’t want to listen to it! Which I actually appreciate. It lets me be just Felix, not Lost Frequencies.”
It’s a telling detail — behind the sold-out shows, the platinum hits, and the endless travel, there’s a clear boundary between the artist and the person. Felix values that separation; it’s what allows him to step back, reset, and return to the studio with new ideas and clarity.
Looking ahead, the 31-year-old producer finds himself at a creative crossroads.
“I’m being challenged right now to make music that drives me,” he says. “For the last 10 years, the direction was kind of obvious. Now it’s blurry — there’s a lot happening in electronic music. I’m curious to see what comes next and how it’ll change the vibe of my sets.”
That curiosity to discover new sounds might just define his next chapter. Whether he’s experimenting with Afro-inspired rhythms or Indian melodies, Felix’s journey feels like it’s entering a new phase.
As for what Lost Frequencies stands for in 2025, Felix sums it up: “Maturity and positivity, that’s what I always try to share,” he says, pausing for a moment of reflection. “Good, positive, melancholic vibes.”
Husain Rizvi
Husain Rizvi is a Senior Features Writer who covers entertainment and lifestyle stories and has a profound interest in tech (games) and sports. When he’s not working, you can find him at the gym, or finishing a boss fight in a video game.
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