August 2, 2024 |
Over the past few years, a new guard of DJs and producers specialising in a specific brand of dance-focused electronic music have made themselves known, one beat-backed sample at a time. Appearing on line-ups galore, one of its prime suspects is Danish artist Adam Emil Schierbeck, otherwise known as Main Phase.
Making his debut under the moniker in 2020, it seems the Copenhagen-born talent has barely slept since then. Gracing the stages of international festivals a-plenty, his recent b2b with fellow artists like Frazer Ray and Silva Bumpa at Croatia’s Outlook saw his energetic medley of two-step, garage and spirited dubs gleefully received by a boatful of sunglass-clad bass lovers bobbing around in the Tisno sea without a care in the world. Radio shows are a dime-a-dozen at this point, with a roster sporting Berlin’s famed Hör bathroom and London go-tos like Balamii, Rinse and NTS. He’s also a dab-hand at production, dropping his latest single ‘Grindin’ via heritage Garage label Locked On, all whilst running his own label All The Wicked with frequent back-to-back partner, Interplanetary Criminal.
Showing no signs of slowing down, the artist is set to bookend August with an appearance at Boiler Room’s largest-ever London event alongside Bradley Zero, Giggs and Skream. Ahead of the open-air, multi-stage party, we sat down with Main Phase to talk about his key ingredients for a successful set, his favourite thing to see behind the decks and what’s coming up next.
1. What are your key ingredients for a successful set?
Dubs from myself and mates, mixing old and new. If I can play a couple vinyl as well that’s perfect.
2. What’s your favourite city to play in?
That’s a hard one, I feel like I love every city I have a sick set in. Right now I’m very excited for a few upcoming shows in Amsterdam, but then again… Manchester’s always sick, so is London. Down Under [as well], I love playing in Sydney and Melbourne. It’s tough to just pick one, have to shout out Copenhagen as well of course!!
3. Who’s Boiler Room set are you most excited for?
Giggs or the boyzzz Marlon Hoffstadt b2b Malugi.
4. What’s your favourite thing to see from behind the decks?
People moving and dancing. I hate when the front row is either ketted or bored, like.. make way for the next row of people who are much more energetic than yourselves??? Apart from that, I love when a crowd has patience and understand that it’s not only about big drops but also about being taken on a journey through different tunes and genres.
5. Your last Boiler Room was b2b with Interplanetary Criminal, a frequent collaborator, how does a b2b compare to a solo set?
I love playing b2b’s as it kind of frees up my hands and ears to actually listen to what the other DJ plays and I try to move back and forth with them sonically. For the solo ones I try to always remember to fuse old with new and play with the BPM and feel of the whole set. Stuff like that is definitely tougher when it’s a b2b.
6. Any post-set rituals?
Water, air, space.
7. Are there any tracks you always look forward to playing?
Whenever I’ve finished a new bit I always really look forward to playing it and seeing the reaction for the first time.
8. What’s on your rider?
It’s all non-alc ATM so I have maté, water and some snacks. I kinda wanna add something stupid to it though. I remember someone told me they had a “framed picture with the promoter and a dog”. I loved that. Wholesome and fun. And you have a closet full of 100 random people with random dogs in your house.
9. What’s the best set you’ve seen this year?
X-Coast at Mint Festival on our ATW stage.
10. What’s next for you?
Lots and lots of releases, a US tour, an Asia tour and some work on ATW Rec behind the scenes!
Photography courtesy of Main Phase.
