LOCAL LEGEND: STEPHANE PETIT

I became obsessed with DJ culture… around 2004/2005. I fell in love with DJing when I saw Erick Morillo at Le Palais in Cannes, and Martin Solveig at Papagayo Club in Saint Tropez. Pure masterclasses.

My first DJ gig was… in Bar Du Port in Saint Tropez. It was 2003 and I was 17 years old. I was playing a lot of soulful house – artists like Masters At Work, Jamie Lewis, Joe Negro, Miguel Migs, Yass and more. The boss really enjoyed it and gave me a summer residency.

My first gig in Dubai was… in 2009 at a beach club called La Plage at the Sheraton JBR.

Playing eight-hour sets, I was able to tell a story from the afternoon, through sunset and into the late evening. I have very fond memories of this period.

My first gig at COYA Dubai was… for the opening in 2014. I remembered being impressed by the design of the venue, the quality of the food and drinks, the beautiful crowd and the A-team staff. People really followed what I had to offer musically.

I realised COYA was more than just another venue when… the variety of the concept seduced me fast. Back then it was rare to have a place with a Members Club – with live bands and different events – regular art exhibitions, a Pisco Bar with DJs playing daily, and a party brunch with entertainment. I was inspired by the expansion plans for the brand and the trust that management had in me.

Being Global Music Director at COYA means… that after creating the musical DNA of the brand in 2015 and 2016, I must ensure that artistic standards are respected across all our venues. When I joined, Dubai was the group’s second opening. We’ll have 15 venues worldwide by the end of 2026.

The biggest challenge is… making sure we are consistent at all levels. Because of the experience and the history of the brand, we’re attracting talented profiles. However, competition is high in the UAE and we must keep the focus and the creativity. It’s a healthy challenge I like to face.

The biggest reward is… developing the people who work or have worked with me. Spotting talent and witnessing them growing successfully in their career is very satisfying.

Launching COYA Music in 2019 was important to me because… it was a way to shine the spotlight on my resident DJs.

This year the label will… enjoy showcases around the world at Mila Club Miami, SXM festival in Saint Martin, Café Del Mar in Phuket, COYA Ibiza opening, and more. With the opening of COYA clubs in Dubai and Marbella, we slowed down the release schedule. We’re planning to have less ‘organic’ and ‘Afro’ style and focus on faster BPM dancefloor-oriented tracks, while keeping some tribal elements. We’ll put out three or four releases this year from a mix of resident DJs and international artists.

When booking local DJs for COYA… I look at how passionate they are about music, their career vision and if they are open to travel.

For me, success means… running three or four successful events at COYA Club in Dubai, and successfully opening COYA in Ibiza, Milan and Athens this year.

My goal for 2026 is… to see COYA Music collab with even more artists from different musical backgrounds, work on having more presence in Asia and Eastern Europe, and to release music under my Poulardo project with Erik Hagleton.

Don’t miss… our new Act One party on 12 February with talented DJ and producer Tayllor playing alongside our resident, NSI. And me and Erik playing as Poulardo at our weekly Ritual party on 14 February, alongside residents Victhor and Non Gratta.