"20": Sander Kleinenberg / Saint Glock / Matt McCue

Superstar Dutch DJ and producer Sander Kleinenberg has built his international reputation on an ability to create different atmospheres, for myriad crowds, at venues all over the world.

Kleinenberg is not only an artist who declines to stick to a single, easily defined sound, he also utilizes more than one medium to create a night out. Long at the forefront of integrating video imagery and other visuals in his VDJ sets, Sander includes Pioneer among his sponsors for these innovative performances. The manufacturer has been involved with outfitting select clubs around the world with the SVM-1000 audio-visual mixer (which Kleinenberg helped develop), DVJ players, plasma televisions, and other custom video installations exclusively for his performances.
Integrating music and images single-handedly requires sharpened skills and on-the-fly invention. "Now, in the process of DJing, I am in control of another dimensions. The thought processes are not just about music; there is a visual element as well." Which allows his to shape his identity, and stimulate crowds, in a host of fresh ways. "This is a whole new way of looking at what you do creatively. In the end, that is very challenging. It makes you more versatile as well. I love keeping on my toes."
Sander will continue to show off his aesthetic flexibility at residencies around the world during the course of the year, including Pacha in Ibiza, Avalon in Los Angeles, Ministry of Sound in London, and Paradiso in Amsterdam. Each of these gigs affords him unique creative opportunities; the exclusivity and luxury of Pacha elicits different impulses from him than the storied, historic Avalon, pristine sound quality of the Box main room at Ministry of Sound, or the iconic pop temple status of Paradiso for example. Which is how he likes it. "Residencies are like laboratories: You can go in and experiment. As you get to know the sound system and the clientele, and become comfortable, you have more faith in each potential change of direction."
Kleinenberg is also hitting the summer festival circuit, with performances scheduled at Global Gathering, SW4, Exit Festival, Extrema Outdoor, Lovelands and more to be announced.
So his calendar is jam-packed. But for Sander, there is always still more to do. The head of his own Little Mountain Recordings label, and a producer of sublime original tracks that elude being easily date-stamped, Kleinenberg plans to tap into all the facets of his creativity for his debut artist album, which he has been working furiously in the studio to complete over the past year with the one and only Josh Gabriel. "I am working on a definitive document," he hints. "I want to create a real landmark, both visually and musically, where I say, 'This has been my journey over the last twenty years… and this is where I am now.'"