11.10 AM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Ferry good times for business

(SUPPLIED)

Published
By Rachel McArthur

Ferry Corsten is a busy man. The Dutch DJ has just flown in from Cairo having played the Egyptian capital for the first time last night. Today, he is getting ready for his show at Dubai's Madinat Arena. The 35-year-old superstar is back in town with tunes from his new album, Twice in a Blue Moon. Emirates Business caught up with Corsten ahead of his highly anticipated appearance.


It has been a while, Ferry. How are you?

I'm great, thanks. There's so much going on. I can never wait to be back in Dubai. I love it here; there are nice hotels, restaurants, and Wild Wadi. I love the Dubai crowd.

You released your latest album, Twice in a Blue Moon last November. What has the feedback been like?

The album's been doing really well. We've released three singles so far: Brain Box, Radio Crash and Made Of Love featuring Betsie Larkin. The fans are really enjoying it, which is great.

Due to the success of the album, you're launching your first-ever concert experience, Twice In A Blue Moon: The Experience. Will we get a taster in the UAE?

Not this time around, because this date was booked before we launched the concept. The debut is on May 29 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Tell us more about it.

As well as the music, it'll be an awesome visual experience. I am very excited because this will be the first time I will have put my own production and vision into one massive show. I'm working with some brilliant people.

Do you think you'll return to Dubai with it?

I'm hoping so. You can keep up-to-date with the tour at Ferrycorsten.com.

Where do you particularly like spinning at?

I love Argentina, and I also love Beirut. I love the fact that despite the conflict and misery, they still know how to have a good time. You only live once after all.

You once said America had the least friendly passport control where "they treat everyone like a terrorist". Does that still stand?

Oh yes, it's still a nightmare entering the US.

Let's talk business. In former Mixmag editor Dom Phillips' new book, Superstar DJs Here We Go, it is suggested that the millennium represented the financial peak of big-name DJs. What's your take on that?

I think it's just the opposite. Bookings are on the rise, and personally, I'm getting more requests for bigger shows. There are a lot more DJs becoming artists now rather than spinning other people's tracks all the time. More DJs are creating and producing their own music. Therefore, I think there is more money.

So the credit crisis hasn't affected the industry?

More people want to go to shows in economic times like these. More people need entertainment.

Are you involved in the business side of things?

There's my radio show, which is approaching two years now. Plus, I have my own record company.

Are you good with money?

I have people that take care of my finances, but generally, I'm not too crazy on spending.

No weaknesses at all?

If I was a big spender, cars would be my weakness. I love European SUVs. I'm a big fan of the Audi Q7. As for sports cars, I love Aston Martins. I'm also developing a watch fetish. I never used to like them, now I'm always looking at them in catalogues.

What about music? Do you spend a lot of money on it or do you get most of it for free now?

I get most of my music for free now, especially since the launch of the radio show. The only bad thing about the job is I have to listen to everything I get, so the selection process can be time-consuming.

How do you ensure you don't lose your music when travelling?

It's simple – I leave it with no-one! It comes onto the plane with me as hand luggage; there's no way I'd check it in. It happened to me once a long time ago; I had lost all my music. I wasn't that well-known then, but I convinced the other DJs to lend me some tunes. Unfortunately, they had been playing very different music, so it was a unique set for me that night!

So it could have turned out very different for you. Ferry Corsten: The hip-hop DJ for instance?

Haha. Imagine the bling I'd be wearing!

 

Keep up with the latest business news from the region with the Emirates Business 24|7 daily newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter, please click here.