Garrixers.com : How did your journey with Martin Garrix begin?

Romain Pissenem : After his two sets as guest in 2014, we created “Multiply” a show for his first residency in the summer of 2015. We designed a stage specifically for him. Back then, no one wanted an open DJ booth, but Martin was one of the first to embrace that idea. We moved from seeing just a DJ’s “bust” to seeing the full artist. We also placed the big plus and lights behind him, it marked the beginning of his iconic silhouette. That was the start of a long adventure.

It’s been ten years since Martin first performed at Ushuaïa. What has changed in that decade?

Everything has changed in ten years. First, there’s Martin’s growth as both an artist and a person, but also the evolution of electronic music as a whole, the way shows are produced, and technological advancements in production. Today, electronic music is one of the most significant branches of the entertainment production industry.

And what about Martin himself? How do you perceive his evolution during this time?

When we first met Martin, he was still a teenager. Although he already displayed impressive artistic maturity, what strikes me most is that he has maintained his humility and kindness, which is rare and precious. He’s truly a wonderful person, always respectful to the team. He makes a point to greet all the technicians, for example. Everything has changed except for him as a human being. It’s not easy to stay grounded when you achieve such massive success.
I really admire Martin.

With Ushuaïa Dubai, the new Universe Ibiza club, and the Olympic closing ceremony… You’re excelling on all fronts! Do you still have dreams to pursue?

Absolutely! I don’t dwell too much on what we’ve accomplished. The Olympics were a childhood dream for me. To do it in Paris, featuring electronic artists, made me really happy and proud. I never think about what we can do “more.” I view it as adventures, each unique—like Snake at the Stade de France, David Guetta at the Velodrome, or Amelie Lens in the USA earlier this month. I’m genuinely interested in the human experience, not just in making the biggest splash but in creating the most beautiful human adventure.

How do you prepare for a residency show? Is the stage design and visuals created by Ushuaïa, or does Team Garrix provide an all-inclusive show?

It’s a collaborative process. We communicate a lot with Martin and his team. At the closing of a season, we already have ideas for the next year’s show—content and production in mind. The Ushuaïa show is part of a larger picture. We also work on other sets, like Sziget last summer. There’s a ton of back-and-forth, discussions—it’s a true collaboration. You could say Martin directs his own shows, in the sense that he sets the vision and is involved in every aspect, while remaining open to input from various partners. He knows exactly what he wants, and I love working like that.

Do you have a particular anecdote or memory with Martin Garrix that you’d like to share?

What fascinates me isn’t so much a single anecdote, but rather his immense enthusiasm for production. He’s always smiling and pleasant, even when he’s had little sleep. He’ll still come to the studio and spend hours perfecting his show. His attention to detail has always impressed me. When you design shows with him, it’s fantastic. Over the past ten years, we’ve created countless memories at Ushuaïa and beyond, like his Area21 show that we recorded in a Belgian arena during COVID—such a positive experience and great memories.

What stage design or show stands out as your best “Garrix” experience?

Personally, I take great pride in designing the large plus for the back of the stage. It’s one of the longest-lasting designs in the industry and has become one of the most iconic in electronic music. It has truly become legendary, and we love to keep working on it with Martin and his team.

What advice would you give to young people wanting to embark on their own ventures?

Just because you work hard doesn’t guarantee success, but one thing is certain: if you don’t work hard, you won’t succeed. The more you practice, the better you become. It’s a fantastic constant. For us, we’re lucky to travel the world and meet amazing people, but it’s a lot of work, even if it’s driven by passion. It’s like when you create a fan club or magazine about Martin Garrix—you might not see all the work behind the scenes, but there’s a lot that goes into it. When you’re passionate, you give your all, and you can reap the rewards of what you’ve sown.

Regarding Ushuaïa Dubai, is it intended to be a permanent venue or more of a temporary experience?

We’ll have a big opening show and will announce several artists for the next few months. It’s the first time we’re taking Ushuaïa out of Ibiza, and we believe Dubai is the perfect place for this expansion!

Can we expect to see Martin Garrix there soon?

Haha, we’re keeping the upcoming artist lineup a surprise, but they’ll be revealed soon!

Thank you so much for this interview, Romain, and congratulations on an incredible season at Ushuaïa!

My pleasure! See you again soon!

This interview was first published in Garrixers Mag 03 – Fall 2024. All rights reserved.