We’ve all been caught in the whirlwind of brat summer, trying to live our life as fun, carefree and recklessly as possible. But if you speak to DJ and producer Amber Broos, you’ll discover she’s surpassed everyone’s expectations. These past three months, she’s jumped from festival to festival, from club to club, all across Europe. At just twenty-one years old, she’s one to watch: she hosts a radio show, has played several times at Tomorrowland, and is hungry for more. Today, we speak with her about the challenges of pursuing an artistic career, preparing for a large audience, and the music she’s obsessed with right now.
Hi Amber, it’s nice to speak with you. How are you feeling today, and where do you answer us from?
After an intense festival season this summer, I feel truly fulfilled. It’s been an incredible three months performing at so many amazing festivals, feeling the energy of the crowd, and sharing my new tracks with them. Now that I’m back home in Leuven, I’m taking the time to recharge. Being back in my hometown brings me a sense of calm and balance after the whirlwind of the summer. It feels great to be able to reflect on everything I’ve accomplished and prepare for what’s coming next.
These past months, you’ve played at different venues and festivals across Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Croatia, France, and Germany. Was it a fully realised brat summer?
Yes, it absolutely was a fully realised brat summer! I embraced the freedom and adventure that came with traveling and performing. Playing at festivals and venues across Europe was incredible. Each place had its own unique vibe, and along the way, I met so many amazing new people—artists, fans, and locals. It really felt like I was living life to the fullest. This summer was all about being unapologetically myself, having fun while performing, and creating unforgettable moments.
Pursuing an artistic career doesn’t come as easy as some might think. What have been the most important struggles or obstacles you’ve come across?
Pursuing an artistic career definitely comes with its challenges. One of the biggest struggles for me has been time management. Balancing everything—from my DJ performances to my radio show on Studio Brussel, producing new tracks, and trying to maintain some personal life in between—can be quite overwhelming at times. It’s all about finding the right balance.
You’re from Belgium, which in terms of music, I’d say is pretty eclipsed by the massive scene in the neighbouring country, the Netherlands. So what can you tell us about the Belgian scene that most people might be unaware of?
Belgium might not always get the same recognition as the Netherlands, but it has an incredible history in electronic dance music. In the late '80s, Belgium was at the forefront with the rise of new beat, which had a huge influence on the global scene. Then in the '90s, we had a really strong club culture, with iconic venues that shaped the underground sound. Let’s not forget the era of Eurodance, which also had major success worldwide.
Today, Belgium is still a force in for example techno, with a lot of talented artists and a passionate community that supports the genre. So while the Dutch scene is massive, Belgium has contributed a lot and continues to be a key player in electronic music.
Today, Belgium is still a force in for example techno, with a lot of talented artists and a passionate community that supports the genre. So while the Dutch scene is massive, Belgium has contributed a lot and continues to be a key player in electronic music.
You have a strong bond with Tomorrowland. What is your earliest memory of the festival?
My earliest memory of Tomorrowland is actually from the first time I got to perform there. Before that, I wasn’t even allowed to attend the festival because I was too young! In 2022, after the long break due to Covid-19, I had the honour of playing on the Freedom Stage. It was such an unbelievable experience—being part of something so iconic and finally stepping onto that stage was surreal. The energy from the crowd and the entire atmosphere were beyond anything I had imagined. It’s a memory I’ll always cherish.
You’ve played at the festival several times in the past two years, both in the winter and summer editions. Taking on that massive stage with such a large audience, and knowing the repercussion it’ll bring, must be both thrilling and scary. Could you tell us more about the first time you played there?
Yes, I was definitely nervous the first time I played at Tomorrowland. The size of the stage and the massive audience can be overwhelming. But the People of Tomorrow have such a positive and welcoming energy, they made me feel at ease almost immediately. Their excitement and love for the music helped me get over my nerves pretty quickly. Plus, having my friends and family there made it even more special. It was incredible to share such a beautiful moment with the people closest to me.
After your first time, how have the following sets been different from that one? Were you calmer or, on the contrary, even more nervous?
After my first performance, each set has been a bit different. I've definitely learned to manage my nerves better over time. Playing on such big stages has taught me how to control my anxiety. For me, the key to staying calm is thorough preparation. When I prepare my sets well in advance, it helps me feel more confident and in control.
Besides festivals, you’re also a radio host, where you also play some DJ sets. What are the differences and the similarities between preparing for (and playing) a set in front of a live audience vs an invisible one?
Yes, there are definitely differences between preparing for and playing a set in front of a live audience versus on the radio. When you’re performing live at festivals or clubs, you can adjust your set based on the audience’s reaction. If you notice that a particular track is resonating more with the crowd, you can tweak your setlist in real-time. In contrast, with radio, you don't have the visual feedback from an audience, so you can't make immediate adjustments based on their reactions. However, I use my radio show as an opportunity to explore new music and introduce listeners to emerging artists.
It’s impressive to know you’re only twenty-one years old and have achieved so much in such a short time. Do you pressure yourself a lot? And also, do you feel pressure or expectations from others to succeed/perform?
I understand that being twenty-one and having achieved what I have so far might seem a lot. I'm definitely aware of the opportunities I’ve been given and I’m very grateful for them. The pressure I feel comes from within myself; I set high standards for my own performance. Fortunately, I receive a lot of support from others, which helps me stay motivated and focused.
When speaking with older DJs who grew up in the analogue days, they talk about how exciting it was to find new music on record shops and always taking the time visit a few ones when touring/travelling. You’re an Internet kid, so I guess most of your discoveries are via Soundcloud and Shazam, am I right? Still, I’d like you to expand more on the process of finding songs.
Actually, I do have a connection with record shops. My father owned a record shop for DJs for many years, so I’ve grown up surrounded by a huge collection of vinyl records. While I do discover a lot of new music through Soundcloud and similar platforms, I also receive many tracks directly from artists and producers for my radio show or DJ sets.
The future ahead looks bright. What are some of the goals you’d like to achieve, both personal and professional, in the coming years?
Looking ahead, I’d love to continue doing what I’m doing right now for as long as possible. A personal and professional goal of mine is to host a club event in Ibiza; that would be the ultimate dream. Beyond that, I’m excited to keep exploring new music, connecting with fans, and growing as an artist.
To finish, what songs/albums are you currently listening on repeat?
Right now, I’m listening to Sara Landry’s EP, Because They Want Our Seat, on repeat. It’s truly legendary.
