WE CAUGHT UP WITH BE-BEACH MUSIC DIRECTOR ALEX TWIN

The UAE club scene is shored up by a force of local legends, the unsung heroes who help it thrive. Each month we celebrate one of these key figures and first up is DJ Alex Twin…

From: Romania
Years DJing: 17
Years in Dubai: 11
My sound: A mix of deep house, Afro house and melodic house
Catch me DJing at: Be-Beach and UshuaÏa Dubai Harbour

First great clubbing experience: I was 14 years old and my cousin took me to one of the biggest clubs in Bucharest. I don’t remember who was playing, but I fell in love with the powerful soundsystem – my insides were vibrating.

What does being a Music Director mean? Being a Music Director involves overseeing the musical direction of the venues, events and to ensure they align with the brand identity. Recruiting, assembling and managing an exceptional team of DJs is another interesting part of my job, because I must be very wise in making the decisions and booking the best fit artist for venues like Be Beach, Ushuaia, Clap, and several other locations.

What's your favorite Dubai venue and why? My favorite venue in Dubai is Be Beach, a truly exceptional spot that offers a diverse range of experiences, capturing the vibrant essence of the city from. What makes Be Beach so special is its ability to transform seamlessly throughout the day, creating distinct atmospheres that cater to a wide array of preferences. As night falls, Be Beach becomes a pulsating hub of entertainment. Guests can enjoy weekly the performances from some of the world's best DJs, turning the venue into a vibrant party scene.

First DJ gig: Bucharest in 2008, for maybe 500 people in a new club where I was the resident. I played house and micro house.

First DJ gig in the UAE: VIP Room in Dubai, playing house and deep house. I was very lucky to play my music considering VIP Room was a 100% open-format music venue.

Current role: Music Director for Addmind Group in Dubai.

It involves: Overseeing the musical direction of Addmind’s venues and events to ensure they align with the brand identity. This includes recruiting and managing an exceptional team of DJs and booking the best fit artists for Be Beach, Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour, Clap, and several other locations

Favourite Dubai venue: Be Beach, Dubai Harbour. An exceptional day-to-night venue, it captures the vibrancy of the city – from laidback poolside vibes to epic parties after sunset with some of the world’s best DJs.

Music is… a driving force in my life, guiding me through various phases and shaping who I am today. Through DJing, producing, music curation and management, I’ve been able to explore different roles in the music industry and connect with talented artists and creators from around the world. I’m passionate about bringing creativity and business together in the music industry.

The club scene in the UAE is… very close to the club scene in Ibiza or Tulum. When I moved here, the night life industry focused 90% on commercial music and 10% on deep house. I told all my friends it would change in a few years. And now, here we are… the market has changed completely and we have 80% electronic music and 20% the rest. Today, Dubai is a clubbing destination for the musically educated.

First tuned ever made: A house tune called ‘Paradox’, in 2015.

Biggest release to date: ‘Bandido’. A collaboration with RBØR, it was released on Go Deeva Records last summer and achieved remarkable success.

In the pipeline: I’m meticulously crafting my debut album, ‘Here For Love’, working with great artists and friends who are very close to my heart. It will be released by the end of the year. Before that I have a bunch of beautiful tracks ready to see the light, like ‘You Can Get It’, which came out recently on Natural Elements Records.

Post-Ramadan plans: In April I’ll mostly be DJing at Be Beach, alongside the likes of Bedouin, Fideles and Tony Selkaly. I’m also DJing at the Ants takeover at Ushuaïa Dubai on 4 April – that will be huge.