He's collaborated with Nelly Furtado, Sean Kingston, Busta Rhymes and Flo Rida, but now Tiësto's Kaleidoscope World is coming to the UAE.
Recently voted the ‘Greatest DJ Of All Time' by the world's biggest dance music and clubbing magazine, Mixmag, after thousands of readers across the world voted for him, the Dutch superstar spin doctor will bring his legendary show to Abu Dhabi's Flash Forum tomorrow night.
Originally scheduled for late last year the concert was called off following electrical problems at Adnec (Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company) in the capital.
Named one of the US Billboard's ‘Top 25 Biggest Grossing Touring Acts of 2010', Tiësto beat the likes of Carl Cox and Sasha to take the title, thanks to a career which has seen him play at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Athens Olympics and perform before 250,000 revellers on Brazil's Ipanema Beach.
The Kaleidoscope World tour of 2010 saw him play 175 dates across six continents in front of more than a million people.
tabloid! caught up with the DJ for an exclusive chat ahead of the show.
Q. What is inspiring you musically right now?
I am feeling very inspired right now. I am signing some great new music to my Musical Freedom record label including tracks from Henrik B and Dada Life, plus some cool collaborations too.
Q. Are you looking forward to finally making it to an Abu Dhabi stage? You must have been disappointed last year.
A. Yes. It was a shame that the last show was cancelled. I am really glad I have managed to get back here again so that the fans can see the show.
Q. Who is the most exciting person you've ever worked with and why?
A. I have worked with so many great artists such that it is hard to pick just one. Every new collaboration is exciting, I recently worked with Hardwell on our new track Zero 76 and that was a lot of fun.
Q. What is the most memorable venue you've ever played and why?
A. Ipanema Beach was amazing — 250,000 fans takes some beating.
Q. Where do you start when beginning a remix? Is it ever difficult to create music on demand?
A. I have to really like the song. If I am going to do a remix, I will try and keep the essence of the original track but take it in a new and fresh direction. I think for any artist you have to be in the right mind frame to create your best work so I would say it can be difficult to create a track on demand.
Q. Who is the most important person in your life?
A. My mother who still lives in Holland. I try and visit her as much as possible.
Q. What do you do when you're not playing or making music?
A. Catching up on sleep, my travel schedule can be pretty crazy sometimes! I also like going to sports events. Recently I have been in the US a lot and I love going to NFL games.
Q. If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be and why?
A. It would be cool to collaborate with Kanye West and Arcade Fire.
Q. The most famous person in your mobile phone is?
A. Now that would be telling!
Q. What would you have been if you weren't a DJ? How did you get where you are today?
A. I love music so much it would probably be something in the business working at a label, venue, or radio station. Hard work combined with a huge passion for what I do are probably the two biggest reasons for my success.
