Hey everyone,

Last month was a great time to meet people in the music industry and hear inspiring discussions at the MaMa Music & Convention, a 3-days conference in Paris for music professionals. It gave me topic ideas for future editions and today I’ll focus on live DJ sets.

Between Boiler Rooms, Cercle, HÖR or livestreams on Twitch, you’ve certainly already seen some of these viral videos. In the last edition I started discussing live digital concerts with the Tiny Desks but those are not specific to electronic music as only two DJs participated to Tiny Desks in their 15 years of existence. This phenomenon of DJ sets on platforms is becoming an essential part of artist promotion and is almost becoming a mandatory step for electronic artists to grow their audience.

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💻️ How Live DJ sets redefined music discovery

A shift to digital… whatever the setting

Cercle launched in 2016, starting with small DJ sets in co-founder’s apartment before noise complaints pushed them to underground locations in Paris. A year later, they took a new direction, setting up shows in stunning cultural sites like the Eiffel Tower and national parks, gaining millions of YouTube fans along the way. These immersive videos, paired with live DJ performances, transformed each set into an experience that pulled in millions of YouTube fans. Cercle’s unique format didn’t just showcase music; it created a visual journey, making it a global favorite in electronic music.

HÖR, launched in 2019, took off during COVID, bringing fans into its gritty Berlin studio—aesthetic. Its underground vibe drew fans seeking a raw connection to the music. Boiler Room, meanwhile, has been existing since 2010, creating a high-energy, club-like experience with DJs surrounded by live crowds, establishing itself as the original platform that inspired others.

Global Reach

Platforms like Cercle, HÖR, and Boiler Room have become essential tools for DJs to build global fanbases, giving both emerging and established artists visibility far beyond traditional venues. Streaming on YouTube and social media amplifies this reach through algorithms that push content to music fans worldwide, regardless of location. These platforms tapped into the power of visuals to elevate the music, making it feel even more impactful.

With more people watching music on smart TVs and other devices, online sets now reach living rooms as well as dance floors. By breaking down traditional barriers, these platforms democratize music discovery, allowing smaller artists to connect with massive audiences and transform how fans around the world experience music. As music video clips are becoming less popular among artists due to high production costs, appearing on these platforms can provide an alternative way for artists to build a visual identity.

Community and Engagement

These platforms go beyond streaming to foster real-time fan engagement that redefines the DJ-audience relationship. Livestreaming on social media enables fans worldwide to interact during shows, creating a virtual gathering that feels personal and interactive. Some fans don’t just watch—they participate, building tight-knit communities centered around shared music tastes and aesthetics, from HÖR’s underground vibe to Boiler Room’s club energy and Cercle’s scenic settings.

Beyond promotion, these platforms are evolving into cultural hubs. With dedicated merch lines, festivals, and branded experiences, they offer fans a sense of belonging that extends beyond the screen. As a result, they drive not only increased visibility for DJs but also greater fan loyalty, bringing together people who may not typically attend live shows yet feel fully immersed in the music and culture online.

Here to stay?

Some of these performances have been career-defining for DJs. Kaytranada’s 2016 Boiler Room set, with over 20 million views, helped launch his global popularity, while ARTBAT’s show with Cercle in Rio de Janeiro gave them a similar boost. For FKJ, his Cercle performance showed fans his range as a multi-instrumentalist, surprising even some of his followers. These platforms give artists a chance to showcase new singles, remixes, or exclusive material, offering valuable exposure that traditional venues may not.

However, these sets aren’t always lucrative. Platforms like Boiler Room faced criticism for not paying DJs, while HÖR has recently started compensating artists. For many, the payoff is still primarily exposure, acting as a “stamp of approval” and a powerful promotional tool.

New platforms keep emerging to tap into this model. Book Club Radio in New York began by filming DJ sets at house parties and later expanded to popular party locations like rooftops, basements, and clubs. Launched just a year and a half ago, it now has more than half a million followers, with some sets having more than 15 millions views. Although some newer platforms resemble established ones, each brings its own twist, showing there’s plenty of room for innovation and growth.

This trend extends to physical events, with unique experiences reshaping live music. Sofar Sounds, for instance, offers audiences surprise performances in cultural spaces across European cities, while companies like MINO and Sonorium in Paris host album listening parties to unite music fans. Sonorium already hosted 150 album listening parties in Paris and is planning to create a dedicated place that will blend the album listening with some visual settings. Both the digital and physical worlds are innovating with the shared goal of connecting fans through music and visuals. With an increasingly digital listening experience on streaming platforms, fans are seeking fresh, original ways to connect, bridging the digital-physical divide and coming up with new ways to experience music.

💿️ Album Recommendation

Ravyn Lenae - Bird’s Eye

Ravyn Lenae released her second album in the summer. She first gained attention in 2016 with her debut EP, followed by the promising Crush EP in 2018, produced entirely by Steve Lacy. Now, Ravyn Lenae expands beyond the R&B genre, experimenting with new sounds. The album includes features from artists like Childish Gambino, Rex Orange County or Ty Dolla $ign. The songs Love Me Not or One Wish are great introduction to this album, which you can find in my playlist. If you want to discover more new music, I’ve also curated the playlist featuring my favourite tracks released in the past few months.

Have a great day and see you soon!