Back in 1999, Patrick Hagenaar moved to London to kickstart his DJ career - instantly grabbing both promoters and clubbers' attention by rocking the London club scene. He has held residencies at major clubs including Pacha and The Egg and picked up several awards along the way: Dutch Upcoming DJ Award and Pioneer Star DJ of the Month.

Patrick’s hard work paid off when Ministry of Sound selected him as a full Tour resident DJ, taking him to every corner of the globe throughout Europe, Asia, China, Africa and the Americas. When he is not busy travelling the world, Patrick works incredibly hard in the studio and it shows, with a string of chart topping club hits to his name such as ‘We Feel The Same’, ‘L.O.V.E’, ‘Won’t Let You Down’ and ‘In & Out’ plus remixes for major artists like Ke$ha, Toni Braxton & Wynter Gordon to name a few.

For Patrick, 2012 is going to be a very exciting year and with support from the likes of David Guetta and Tiesto you will be hearing a lot more from this rising star. Catch him at Ministry of Sound on Saturday 25th February as the Tour Residents takeover the 103!

Hi Patrick - first off, tell us how you came to be a Tours Resident?

Well, back in 2006, I was DJing lots on the London scene, but wanted to do more gigs around and outside of the UK. At that time, Matt Stuart launched a label imprint called Housexy with Ministry of Sound and started doing club nights around the UK/Europe. I pestered him for months about giving me a trail to show him what I was about and eventually joined as tour resident for Housexy. Over the years my sound as DJ and producer has developed a lot and fits better with what Ministry of Sound is about. After doing some trial gigs, I was asked to join the team :)

How would you describe your sound?

A mix of different bits of house – from groovy tech to proggy stuff to slamming electro. I’d like to think that with my Dutch roots and UK influences, I’ve found a happy balance in-between.

2011 saw you have great success in the digital dance music charts with L.O.V.E (You Give The). How did that record come about?

Well, often before I start making a track, I have a clear view of what kind of sound I’m trying to achieve. With this record, I wanted to make a feel good anthem. It started just as a instrumental and then I came to the dilemma (which most producers have) – what am I going to do now? Am I going to let someone sing on it? Or am I going to look for a hook myself? I ended up stumbling across this little sample snippet and it just worked a treat!

Right now I’m actually just finishing off a radio edit of the track with the amazing vocals of Ayah Marar, which hopefully is going to take this record into ‘the world of pop’!

How are you finding being a Tours Resident for Ministry of Sound?

It’s brilliant! I’ve always been a massive fan of Ministry of Sound – ever since I moved to London in ’99, I’ve been obsessed with getting involved with the brand. I now get to travel around the world, represent this brand and play to people who sometimes haven’t been exposed to this music before, which is wicked!

What's been the highlight of your DJing career to date?

Winning a DJ competition in Holland back in 2001 out of 500 DJs – I had only been DJing for a year and was the only one playing with CDs. That made me realise I must have been doing something right...

It must be a hard life travelling the world, playing in some of the most amazing places. Name one place you haven't played yet but would love to?

Funnily enough, the US! I have played Cananda, Middle and South America...so let’s hope they’re going to make things a bit easier on the Visa stuff out there...bit of a nightmare!

Your recent bootleg of Emile Sande’s hit Heaven is doing really well with some top DJs such as David Guetta and Tiesto playing it on their radio shows. Is it true that you are going to be making a new song together?

I wish! I’d love to do a collab with her sometime – she’s very talented and has an amazing voice! Who knows...

After an epic year in 2011, playing in every corner of the globe and in front of hundreds of thousands of people, how can you top that in 2012?

2011 was only the start – 2012 is all about bigger and better productions and more mind blowing gigs -  Unleash the Beast!!!

With so many options now, what is your DJing set up?

I started back in ’99 mixing with CDs – when that was still a dirty word (I often had to bring my own equipment to clubs and not mention I played with CDs haha)! Back in 2007 I switched over to laptop + Avid Torq 2.0 + Xponent – at that time there wasn’t any midi controller on the market with dedicated software, so that was the obvious choice for me. Since then I’ve been using it and sometimes taking a Trigger Finger with me as well to play with some samples and FX. This set up works really well for me – I know it inside out and can do whatever with it.

This Saturday Shane Kehoe, James Murray and yourself are kicking off the 2012 monthly Tours residency at Ministry of Sound with Fedde Le Grand headlining. As the world’s most famous club, what is it like to play behind those infamous decks?

I think any DJ who graces the decks at Ministry knows full well its historic significance and just wants to put in their best performance ever. I’m just really excited – it’s a home game!

Being Dutch yourself, what do you think of the explosion of Dutch house?

It’s great and makes perfect sense to me. I don’t think there is a country in the world where dance music is so engraved in its culture. Everyone in Holland has been growing up with this sound since the end of the 80s and it has been part of the mainstream ever since. This is why so many producers/DJs come from Holland. In addition, it’s such a small country that everyone knows everyone in that scene.

Would you describe yourself as a DJing Producer or a Producing DJ?

A DJing producer – I only started producing in 2008. Everything I produce is with a mindset of a DJ as well. Producing is fun, but there is nothing better than having a big party with loads of likeminded people and you just providing the soundtrack to that.

We know you’re an avid fashion follower. What was your most recent purchase?

Yeah, I love anything LOUD. I love brands like Kid Robot, Drop Dead, Golden Child etc. Recently I bought some Adidas trainers with wings, designed by LA designer Jeremy Scott – he keeps doing these crazy designs of clothes and shoes for them – love it!

Thanks Patrick - can't wait to have you in the club on Saturday!

Patrick Hagenaar plays the 103 at Ministry of Sound on Saturday 25th February - for full info, listings and tickets, click here!

Danny Avila – the Spanish wunderkind who scooped the prestigious Best Newcomer DJ Award 2011 at the Vicious Music Awards at just 16-years-old – is causing what can only be described as bordering on mass hysteria.

Wherever he touches down, whether it’s because of his boyish good looks and natural charm driving women wild (don’t believe us – check the video footage!!), or his sensational combination of tech and electro claiming legions of EDM fans left, right and centre, Avila’s army is increasingly expanding across Spanish borders as news of this teenage upstart travels across the planet. 

It was at the tender young age of 12 that Avila was first introduced to dance music and the world that gravitated around it. With his father the interior designer of some of Spain’s most prestigious nightlife venues, the young Avila was afforded entry through the back doors into clubs where the likes of Fedde le Grand, Tiesto, Afrojack and the Swedish House Mafia presided over thundering sound systems and heaving dance floors. The music bug bit.

In the space of just four years, Avila has gone from star-struck observer to one of the most enlightening protégées on the European circuit. How many other teenagers can boast monthly residencies on international radio stations? Or say they’ve shared billing rights with David Guetta, Afrojack, Martin Solveig, Fedde le Grand or the Black Eyed Peas?

It’s Avila’s innate understanding of the dimensions of house that make him stand out. His mixes combine an almost ‘cheeky’ quality with a beyond-his-years ability to bring the filth right into the heart of proceedings. From the moment the beat drops, it’s clear from his track selection alone that Avila has been an avid student of the musical history that drives him – this is not your average ‘Beatport Top 10’ encounter. The tribal heat running through his sets smacks of throbbing classic Ibiza sessions – it’s no wonder then that 2011 saw him the youngest ever resident on the Balearic island. 

With huge showcase events confirmed across Europe and the Middle East this Spring alongside Fedde le Grand and Martin Solveig, festival appearances the see him share the mainstage with artists such as David Guetta, an extensive raft of new production ready for release and radio residencies bringing him to the ears of milions, Avila’s star is set for an explosive and earned ascendance towards global consciousness over the next twelve months.

Oh, and if all that wasn’t enough, he’s not only spear heading the next generation of superstar DJ/producers – he’s also pretty damn prolific when it comes to anything concerning a board. Verging on pro skate- and snowboarder status, Avila’s also notched up 2nd in the Spanish Wakeboard Championships, 7th in the European Wakeboard Championships and 12th in the World Wakeboard Championships.

There is, it seems, absolutely no stopping Danny Avila at whatever he turns his hand to. The future beckons, and it’s practically blinding.

Take the most famous dance music brand in the world (that'll be us). Take one of the most famous DJs in the world (step forward Fedde le Grand). Take one of the most famous clubs in Holland (Escape, Amsterdam). And the biggest dance music conference in the world (ADE). And what do you get?

Top tunes, enough energy to blow the speakers in the Box and a fair few Fedde bloopers...this is the Ministry of Sound ADE Takeover on 19.11.11 with Fedde le Grand!

Wish you were there? Then click here to keep up with ALL our international events!

Follow DJ Fedde le Grand on one of his busiest days on record and witness exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of three of the biggest events on the European club calendar this summer gone -- all done in the space of a mind-blowing twenty-four hours.



From lift-off in his private FLG jet in Croatia to the heaving streets of the Zurich Street Parade, stopping off to take over the thundering lowlands of Dutch mega-festival Loveland, to his final destination in London and the UK's first ever Sensation, this is a high-octane roller-coaster of a ride that any fan will want to take a front seat for.