Spinning EDM magic

The venue is the Liqui Moly Motorbike Fest in Kochi. The crowd has been patiently waiting. But the moment a tattooed right arm goes up in the air from behind a DJ console, all composure is lost and there is head banging, hooting, howling and swaying. Diego Miranda sets a pace that touches crescendo, slow and steady, just like how he clambered up the chart of top DJs in the world. From the 94th position to the 56th, this enviable jump has been achieved in just five years.   Diego's fans in Kochi waited for a few hours to see their favourite DJ perform. They grooved to the music of others until the man of heavier beats and sounds flew down to the venue of the automotive show and gave his followers a night to remember. 

It's hard to imagine that the person who electrified the stage earlier is the one readying for a conversation with us. It’s as though the spirit he had while shouting One More Mile (his recent track) has vanished into thin air. The energy with which he holds a gathering for 90 minutes seems to have been lost but the charisma lingers on. Diego, the world-famous DJ from Portugal, is very shy. He talks less to the media and often delegates the role to his interlocutor companion. Somebody who is only comfortable with candid chit-chat stands face-to-face with a journalist after being assured that it’s not an interview, only a friendly conversation.   “I am nervous talking into those (pointing at the recorder),” he says with an apology-laced smile. This is his second visit to Kerala. 

Back in 2013, he was a headliner at the Sunburn Campus Festival hosted by NIT, Calicut. India’s Sunburn Festival and Spring Festival in Taiwan are some of the prominent stages he has played on.  Having toured across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, the reason why he loves to play in India is his audience. If he gets an invite and there’s time, Diego always make it a point to come. “India is one of the greatest countries to perform in. The energy is unlike other places. Last March, I did seven shows here. The people here dance like crazy,” he beams, pointing to the dancing crowd inside the auditorium. “Look at them and see for yourself. I just love them,” he says. 

Ever since he was a 14-year-old DJ, Diego had played at renowned dance parties and festivals like Rock in Rio, Sensation White, MTV Shakedown and Creamfields. After becoming world no. 94, in 2013, he earned the credit of being the first Portuguese DJ to enter the top 100.  This is how DJ Mag describes him. “Life has been one epic tour for Portugal’s most prominent EDM artist, Diego Miranda, as he continues to take his heavyweight blend of euphoric electronica and thundering anthems across the world, just as he has done for well over 10 years.”

Being a part of this elite club of DJs has only inspired Diego to put on impressive shows in the last five years. From the 94th spot, he catapulted to 70 in a year’s time and steadily climbed to the 56th place, as per the stocktaking from 2017.  In the middle of the short conversation, Diego is happy to share the news that his new album is getting ready for a June release. “My new album, Someone Like You, will come out next month. There are 12 songs in it,” he says, while modestly admitting that his involvement is restricted to spinning music only. “I never see what is written. I make music and the singer is free to sing what he/she really feels about the music and send a message to the people,” sums up the man who believes that with regard to his music, “the best is yet to come”.