Ever since its inception in 2012, Don’t Let Daddy Know has gone onto become one of the biggest the world’s biggest one night dance party. Having travelled to destinations such as Amsterdam, Antwerp, Manchester, Chile, Belgium, England, Netherlands, Hong Kong and Istanbul, while hosting artists such as Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Tommy Trash, Steve Aoki, Showtek, Major Lazer, Sander van Doorn, Skrillex, Sem Vox, Don’t Let Daddy Know has become an experience in itself, something which you can’t miss out on.
As the concept make its debut in India on 27th May in Mumbai, we had a chance to catch up with the founders of DLDK, Alex Hes and Essam Jamsen to discuss the conception of DLDK, its growth from a club residency to full scale world tour, and much more.
Read on!
TBB: Can you tell us about how the DLDK concept came to life?
We really wanted to create a lifestyle brand. More than ‘just’ a party. At this moment, we have a DLDK merchandise line and we just launched our very own music label named: DLDK Music. It really becomes a 360 degrees brand and not only a dance event.
TBB: What is the story behind the name of the brand?
A&E: What a crazy night it must have been when your dad asks how it was, and you just don’t want to tell him because of all the craziness that happened.
TBB: Your journey began at Privilege in Ibiza back in 2012. How has the experience been shifting from a club residency to a full scale world tour?
A&E: Well, it all went really fast to be honest. It is amazing to see the concept grow and evolve in something this big as it is today. It was kind of overwhelming (in a good way of course!) and satisfying at the same time.
TBB: Are you guys actively involved in the curation of the artist line-up for each edition of DLDK?
A&E: Yes, we are really active in every aspect that has to do with DLDK. This way we keep everything in control and keep up the quality as high as possible.
TBB: If you would describe it to a dance music fanatic, how does the DLDK experience differ to that of other well-known events, for example, Sensation, Creamfields, and Electric Daisy Carnival, etc?
A&E: Well we really are a lifestyle brand. This sets us apart from the others. The audience experiences more than just a show and music, DLDK is a way of living and a movement.
TBB: DLDK has become a major brand in the electronic music festival scene. How was the journey so far from Ibiza to Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Chile and the entire globe?
A&E: It has always been a dream to operate internationally. When we started DLDK we had never dreamt of such a thing. The two seasons in Ibiza put our brand on the international map. Even though some of the events were not completely successful due to the enormous competition on the island, we still managed to create and host two amazing seasons.
TBB: Essam, being the resident DJ at DLDK under your Sem Vox moniker, what was the experience like as an artist performing in front of thousands of DLDK fans?
A&E: Amazing and overwhelming. Being a resident DJ at such amazing events is one of the best things in the world. It is always an honour to play for thousands of people, but being a resident makes it even more special because you want to bring the real DLDK vibe at every event.
TBB: What has been your favourite country to hold an event so far?
A&E: DLDK in Chile Santiago. That was an amazing crowd! People truly live for dance music there.
TBB: Are there any specific audience favourites in terms of DJs?
A&E: Martin Garrix for sure. He Played at DLDK from day 1, long before he was famous.
TBB: What made you guys choose India as the next destination for DLDK?
A&E: Dance music is exploding in India right now so it is a logical next step. I can’t wait for the DLDK show which will take place at one of the biggest indoor stadiums in Mumbai. It is a 15,000 capacity venue and we have an amazing production and line-up which we will release very soon. It has been great to partner with our local partners, Ferriswheel Entertainment and we will be doing a lot more shows soon across India! Follow #DLDKINDIA for all updates.
TBB: What can the Indian fans expect from the show? Any special plans in store?
Lots and lots! Expect the unexpected. But as you might guess, it must remain a secret until the 27th of May.
We also caught up with Mrs. Shubhra Bharadwaj, Founder and Creative Director of Ferriswheel Entertainment, responsible for bringing DLDK to India, to discuss Ferriswheel’s future plans in the music space in the country, the future of DLDK in India and more.
TBB: In a highly competitive event management industry, what made you dive into the electronic music scene?
Shubhra Bharadwaj: Oh! We are a cool agency. We agree with the dance music space and we love what we are doing. This is going to be a great offering in the already existing offerings. It will be a fantastic outing for music fans to have that kind of music talent and production value in one evening. There is a clear need in the market to bring down and curate International experiences and what better than a unique worldwide known party concept that of Don’t Let Daddy Know!
TBB: How did this valuable partnership between Ferriswheel Entertainment and DLDK come to life?
Shubhra Bharadwaj: Alex and Essam are amazing people to work with. We really got along with them as all of us have the same wavelength; we have the hunger, the passion and the ambition. Essam and I have one thing in common that we both take our mothers everywhere. So it’s one of those funny connects but we have a lot going in terms of our energies and it’s going to be resulting as into a successful outing.
TBB: Will we see Ferriswheel Entertainment doing only dance music shows in the country, or can we expect a branching out to other genres, say rock or pop as well?
Shubhra Bharadwaj: Yes! Pop. Pop for sure.
TBB: Talking about Ferriswheel’s association with DLDK will this be a one off event or are we looking at more editions in the future, spanning different cities?
Shubhra Bharadwaj: Don’t Let Daddy Know is definitely going to three cities next year. We have got other properties coming up too. Our dance music outings have a five year plan which are already under execution.
TBB: Now that Ferris Wheel Entertainment has entered the dance music realm in India with DLDK, what future plans lie ahead? Can the Indian audience expect something bigger in the coming future?
Shubhra Bharadwaj: Yes but surprises are meant to be surprises. Along with DLDK India and other dance music outings, we also have multiple other IP’s like Worldfest – Ferriswheel’s annual international performing arts, travel and tourism festival that attempts to bring the world together in one place and Funonym – a distinct theatre festival curated by me, specially for children. We have also recently worked on the VIVO IPL Opening Ceremony, Festa De Diu, Mumbai’s Ballard Estate Festival, Pakistan Super League Opening Ceremony and have many more such projects in the pipeline.
Don’t Let Daddy Know’s debut in India will see Steve Angello headline, with the likes of Arty, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Third Party, Anish Sood and NKHL being the supporting acts. The early bird tickets are out, and you can buy them from Bookmyshow.
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