David Guetta looks back on ‘crazy’ year
“When the crowd is going crazy, I’m ready.”
That’s how superstar DJ David Guetta gets pumped up before dishing out the beats in gigs — reportedly over a hundred this year alone — all over the world.
If his last show in Manila back in 2012 was any indication, then the Frenchman wouldn’t have any trouble getting ready and all when he revisits the Philippines for a show come Jan. 5, 2017 at the Big Dome.
The Philippine stopover is part of the Asian leg of Guetta’s Unity World Tour 2017.
To date, the 49-year-old record producer, remixer and songwriter has sold over nine million albums and 40 million singles worldwide. His bio says that after playing in Paris clubs starting in the late ’80s and then self-producing records from 2001 onwards, he finally struck international commercial success through his fourth studio album titled
One Love in 2009. It featured collaborations with the likes of Akon, Ne-Yo, Kelly Rowland and The Black Eyed Peas for the chart-topping dance track I Gotta Feeling. Other A-listers he has since worked with are Rihanna, Sia, Usher, Snoop Dogg and Nicki Minaj, among others.
For all his work, Guetta has been credited for popularizing and placing EDM (electronic dance music) in the mainstream spotlight. And while EDM as a musical or creative form has generated its fair share of critics and naysayers, it seemingly continues to be, as CNN puts it, “the fastestgrowing music genre out there.” The STAR had an e-mail interview with Guetta ahead of his show to be mounted by Wilbros Live, also the producer of Bryan Adams’ concert in early 2017. How would you sum up your 2016? What was the
best part as well as most challenging part?
Past year has been crazy. I have been doing a lot of shows and released a few tracks. Of course, the EURO
2016 was one of the best parts. I got to play at an event like this in my home country and I made a song together with Zara Larsson. 2016 was absolutely amazing!
How do you feel about performing again in the Philippines?
The Philippines is a place where I look forward getting back to every time.
It says in your profile it took you 10 years to break into the mainstream scene? How tough was it?
Yes, I’ve worked hard to cross over my sound to the mainstream. I have found so much joy in producing music and sharing it with the crowd… that’s the most important (thing) for me.
How do you prepare before each and every show?
When I play a show somewhere, I make sure that I’ve rested well. Besides that, I get a lot of energy when the beginning of my set approaches. The moment I see the crowd going crazy, that’s when I’m ready!
Who do you want to team up among those whom you haven’t worked with?
That is a difficult question because I already collaborated with a lot of artists, but I’m always open for new collaborations with talented artists.
How do you feel about new DJs coming up with a similar sound in hopes of replicating your success?
I am just so proud of this new generation of electronic artists, that I can only support them in what they are doing! If you had to explore another music genre, what
would it be and why?
I really like hip-hop and I have already collaborated with several artists in this genre. Hiphop has always been a genre which I’ve liked. But for now, I really like to keep on producing with my current influences.
What other new developments are we going to expect from you in 2017?
There will be new music and I will keep touring throughout the year. Keep an eye on my social media pages to see what’s coming for 2017. (Tickets, which cost from P2,630 to P5,780, are available at all Ticketnet outlets nationwide and via online at www.ticketnet. com.ph. Or call 911-5555 for inquiries.)