Page 34 - We Rave You Magazine | October 2022

INTERVIEW > TO THE NEXT LEVEL: THE JOURNEY OF ELITE ARTIST MANAGER NICK ROYAARDS

“We all embrace digital, but the live connection is what it’s all about.”

PC: MATS VAN PALINGEN

Another world-class act you have under your wings is Do you believe that live shows for producers/DJs are the
Lost Frequencies, and he got on your radar early on in his big way to go?
career. How did that exactly happen?
In the case of Lost Frequencies, going live was always part
Felix (Lost Frequencies) is extraordinarily talented and also of the main vision and therefore the next logical step for
just the nicest person you can imagine. He’s like my little him and his music. If you have listened well, you will have
brother, which makes working together very enjoyable. How noticed that his sound has shifted over the years, and this
we started is another exciting story. Back in 2014, through evolution opened many possibilities for getting creative.
one of our record label partners, me and Dimitri Vegas got
to hear a version of what would soon after become the His 2017 sold-out ‘Less Is More’ show at the Lotto Arena in
global hit ‘Are You with Me’. The music spoke to us, and we Antwerp, Belgium, was a pivotal moment in this undertak-
were convinced the guy behind it had massive potential as ing. It confirmed the concept’s potential and opened the
a producer. Digging deeper into him, I found out that the way for his first real live show touring Europe and the US in
artist known as Lost Frequencies had only done a handful of 2019, followed by the current 2022 live tour. But unfortunately,
DJ sets, so I saw an excellent opportunity to guide this new the pandemic grounded us in 2020 & 2021.
young talent towards a successful international career as a
performing artist. So I rushed to get together, we exchanged Felix puts a lot of work and dedication into making his live
ideas, I explained my vision, and Felix and I had an incred- shows unique and entertaining, and I’m genuinely proud of
ible connection. Since then, our eight years together have the quality live show we have running today.
been a fantastic journey. Starting as a young local Belgian
talent to become a global music star with a powerful live In the case of Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, they already bring
show selling out concert halls worldwide, reaching 5 billion an enormous explosive show, but their music doesn’t really
streams, having countless number 1 records going multi- lend itself to being performed by a live band. However, their
platinum and diamond in more than 50 countries. Not that DJ performances contain many aspects of a live show, with
bad of an achievement for a 28-year-old kid from Brussels. Mike live on vocals doing all kinds of crowd interactions
and tons of visual side entertainment, making them truly
Felix is also the first Belgian artist to have his first five hit spectacular. Showmanshipwise, they are really world-class.
singles take the number 1 spot in the Belgian singles charts. But it all depends on the artist’s music and overall vision.
In addition, he is the first Belgian artist to have a number Concerning Lost Frequencies’ goals and dreams, going live
1 song on the UK singles chart and the first Belgian artist was definitely our big way to go, allowing him to connect
on Spotify’s Top 100 most listened artists worldwide. And deeply with his audience, giving them a truly unique and, in
with all this dizzying success, he remains the kindest, most some ways, even intimate experience showing all sides of
considerate, and most down-to-earth human being you him being an artist.
would ever meet.

34 we rave you.com PC: RAFAEL DEPROST oct 2022 35