What Does DJ Martin Garrix have to say?

Are you heading out this weekend to the Middle East's Greatest EDM Extravaganza, BAO? We highly recommend you do! One for tonight and tomorrow night, you can experience spectacular performances by some of the world's Top DJs such as Dimitri Vegas, & Like Mike, Afrojack, Don Diablo, Nervo, R3hab, Alok, Salvatore Ganacci, Brooks, Dante Klein, Marcus Santoro and DJ Licious all at Meydan. 
But with all these amazing performances we are most excited to be seeing Martin Garrix live on stage.  At just 22 years, the Dutch DJ and record producer was ranked number one on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list for three consecutive years and has performed at music festivals such as Coachella, Electric Daisy Carnival, Ultra Music Festival, Tomorrowland, and Creamfields.
We caught up with him before his upcoming performance in Dubai and asked him about his influences, performing in Dubai and what advice he has for young DJs. 
What are your thoughts on Dubai as a city?
I really love Dubai! I think Dubai really is an amazing city and it has so many cool spots. 
If you have performed here before, how do you find the Dubai audience compared to every other place you've performed?
The audience here is great! But honestly, I just love seeing my fans all over the world. Crowds differ from one another, but I'm always excited to get on stage and have a great time with everyone.
How did you come up with your onstage persona and how did you think up of your name? My real name is Martijn Garritsen, and for other languages that is just a crazy name to pronounce. So, I thought of something more international, but still close to my own name. In terms of on stage we didn't come up with a persona, it's all me out there. I just get on stage and enjoy every minute of it. 
How would you say the DJ and music production scene has changed since you started?
The scene has grown quite a lot since I just started and has developed a lot in terms of technology. Nowadays, it's so much easier to share your music with the world. 
Where is your favorite place to perform in the world and why?
I honestly don't know what my favorite place is. I have seen so many cool places and played for amazing crowds. I'm super grateful that I get to travel the world and see all these amazing places and meet all these amazing people. So, I could never choose.
Who were your musical influences growing up?
Tiësto! He has always been a big inspiration to me and for the past years he has really been a great mentor to me and has become a very good friend. 
Which contemporary DJs or musicians do you like? Who is on your playlist?
I listen to all kinds of music, from hip-hop to pop to dance music.
What do you think really makes an artist stand out from the rest?
I think it's important for artists to have their own sound and identity. Something people can identify themselves with as well. And online following is a big thing nowadays. 
What do you see coming up in the horizon in terms of new sounds or trends in house music?
Music is evolving all the time and I think it's difficult for anyone to predict what's coming. We'll just have to wait and see. 
How important is social media in what you do?
To me social media is super important! I travel all over the world and I'm really glad I can share all the amazing things I get to see with my fans. I feel like I can really connect with my fans via social media and give them an insight in my life. 
What advice do you have for young artists in this region trying to make it?
Work on your own sound! There are a lot of people who want the same thing, so you have to stand out from the crowd. Try to have as much people as possible listen to your music so you can work with their feedback. Also try to collaborate with other artists, you can learn a lot from that!
 

• Dubai