Saytek: Redefining Live Techno, One Improvised Set At a Time

Saytek has built a reputation as one of the most innovative live techno artists of his generation. 

Repeatedly voted among FAZE Mag’s Top 10 Live Acts, nominated by DJ Mag for Best Live Act and consistently landing Beatport Top 10 records, including a recent #1 in the Raw Deep Hypnotic chart with "Deep Inside (Live)" and he has carved out a unique and powerful lane in modern club culture.

Known for an approach that sees almost all his music created and recorded live, Saytek’s sprawling catalogue spans heavyweight labels such as Soma, Fabric, Bedrock, R&S, TRAX, Cod3Q, Kevin Saunderson’s KMS and his own Cubism imprint. Now, he returns to KMS with a duo of improvised recordings captured at London’s FOLD, a release that marks a full-circle moment for the hardware specialist.

“Returning to KMS means a lot,” he says. “It’s one of the original Detroit techno labels, going since ’87. Kevin has been a huge influence on me, especially his E-Dancer material.”

His connection to KMS deepens with his remix of E-Dancer & DJ Minx’s “Detroit,” also set for release on the iconic imprint. “That one felt special to work on,” he adds.

The new KMS material was recorded during Saytek’s recent set at Rebel Union at FOLD, an environment he describes as essential to understanding the sound.

“In my opinion, FOLD is London’s best techno club right now,” he says. “These tracks definitely represent the tougher side of my sound.”

Saytek’s workflow, recording tracks live, then lightly editing them for DJ usability, has never followed traditional studio polish. Yet his raw cuts routinely stand tall next to pristine productions in playlists and charts.

“If they work when I’m jamming them live in a club, they’re good enough to release,” he says. “It taught me to ignore that perfectionism that used to stop me being creative.”

That philosophy has paid off: he’s notched a #1, #2, and #3 in Beatport’s Raw Techno chart this year alone.

The FOLD recordings highlight how Saytek adapts depending on environment, whether a dark club or a sprawling festival stage.

“The way I perform live means I’m in total control of the arrangement and intensity of each element,” he explains. “The same raw material can sound very different depending on the circumstances.”

Though his performances are fully improvised, he insists the freedom comes from preparation.

“Preparation is key to letting instinct take over. You don’t want to be thinking when you’re performing live — you just want to be in the zone. That means knowing everything like the back of your hand.”

And how does he decide which live moments become official releases?

He laughs: “I release pretty much everything.”

Reflecting on the UK scene, Saytek describes a diverse and energised audience.

“I’ve played some amazing parties this year — FOLD, The Cause, venues across the country,” he says. “My kind of techno is a bit more niche here compared to Germany, but the crowds have been brilliant — everyone from 18-year-olds to people in their 60s. Proper techno lovers.”

Germany remains a particularly strong base for him. Voted a Top 10 Live Act by FAZE Mag for two consecutive years, he’s rocked major events such as Rave The Planet and countless clubs across the country.

“This is like a trick question,” he jokes when asked about his favourite spot. “Sisyphos is one of my favourite clubs ever, and playing live techno at Rave The Planet to hundreds of thousands of people is unbeatable. My sound fits so naturally into the scene there.”

Berlin, he says, still sits in a league of its own.

“The scale is on another level,” he explains. “I played Rave The Planet with 380,000 techno fans, then went to play Sisyphos while the parade was still happening — it was totally packed. The number of techno-focused venues is like nowhere else on earth.”

He’s also quick to note that Berlin has shaped him in return.

“I’ve spent many hours dancing in Berlin clubs, getting lost in the music. That’s had a huge influence on me.”

Touring has brought him around the world again this year, but what stands out isn’t the scale — it’s the spirit.

“It feels like a new generation is out now, mingling with the old timers, and the vibe is amazing,” he says. “It’s like PLUR all over again.”

He cites everything from LA warehouse parties to European clubs and Canadian techno gatherings as highlights.

As for what’s next, Saytek hints at a wave of new material. “I’ve taken some time off touring to work on new live material, so expect many releases in 2026.”

He’ll close 2025 with a NYE performance at Tanzhaus West in Frankfurt before ringing in the new year with a January 2nd set at Sisyphos.

Despite notable Beatport success, Saytek’s priorities remain rooted in the underground.

“I never make music for the charts — my tracks are literally just chopped out of my live sets,” he says. “But is it nice when they chart? Yes, it’s amazing seeing so many people playing my music everywhere.”

For him, what makes a track connect is simple:

“Music is about feeling, dancing, and losing yourself. I try to make what I love — and I think that resonates.”

As more artists adopt live setups, Saytek acknowledges a shift but believes the craft is still misunderstood.

“It’s becoming more common, but it’s still a bit of a dark art,” he says. “I used to care that everyone knew I was performing live, but now it’s all about moving a crowd. I don’t care if they know what I’m doing, I care if they feel it.”

And what sets his live shows apart from DJ sets?

“There’s a higher level of connection and interaction when it’s done right. You have more control, so creating a feedback loop with the crowd becomes everything.”

With a new KMS release, global touring and a fresh wave of recorded-live material on the horizon, Saytek continues to push techno forward through instinct, improvisation and sheer devotion to the dancefloor.

Saytek isn’t just performing techno, he’s redefining it in real time.

Read the full interview with Saytek on The Night Bazaar HERE.