Fedde Le Grand on Club Nouveau & New Collaboration With DJ Tora, "Here Comes The Bass"
"Here Comes The Bass" is out now via Darklight Recordings.
Fedde Le Grand remains one of electronic music's most enduring innovators, a Dutch producer whose influence spans from the breakthrough success of "Put Your Hands Up For Detroit" to his groundbreaking theatrical production at the Dutch National Theatre. Now, with the launch of Club Nouveau – his new intimate club concept that echoes the spirit of his legendary Sneakerz events – and his explosive collaboration "Here Comes The Bass" with Tokyo's DJ Tora, Le Grand is entering a new chapter that balances artistic authenticity with global reach.
Fresh off Club Nouveau's triumphant debut at the iconic Klokgebouw and ahead of its Asian expansion to Tokyo's renowned ATOM venues, we caught up with Fedde to discuss bridging musical cultures, the evolution of his artistic vision, and why, after decades of festival headlines and chart success, he's returning to the underground spaces where real connection happens. From his extensive summer tour spanning three continents to his philosophy on adapting sets for intimate clubs versus massive stages like Tomorrowland, Le Grand reflects on what it means to stay creatively free while honoring the essence of house music.
1. "Here Comes The Bass" marks your first collaboration with DJ Tora. What drew you to work with him, and how did this partnership come about?
I’ve been making straight-up house music for a while now, so I thought it could be interesting to step outside that lane a bit and try something with a more tech-oriented edge. I’ve been in touch with Tora for years - we’ve always bounced ideas back and forth, but never quite landed on the right moment to collaborate. Recently, we started talking more seriously about how a track could bridge the gap between our two sounds - something that keeps the energy and groove of house, but also brings in that rawer, more underground tech feel that Tora’s known for. I think we really found that balance with “Here Comes the Bass.” It’s got both of our influences woven in, but still feels fresh and unexpected - exactly what we were hoping for.
2. The track bridges European and Asian electronic music perspectives. How did you and Tora navigate blending your signature main room energy with his Tokyo-influenced production style?
Like I said before, it all starts with an idea - that spark that makes you want to build something from the ground up. For this one, I drew inspiration from tracks I’ve done in the past, especially something like “Metrum”. That kind of stripped-back, driving energy has always stuck with me, and I wanted to revisit that vibe but give it a fresh twist that fits where I am creatively right now.
3. Club Nouveau made its debut at the Klokgebouw in May and is now expanding to Tokyo. What made you decide to bring this concept to Japan, and how do you envision it translating to Asian audiences?
I think music is universal, especially when it’s presented in the right setting. With Club Nouveau, we create that kind of space: a carefully curated environment where people can really connect with the music, no matter where they’re from. It gives me the opportunity to bring my sound, unfiltered and unconditionally, to new places, including Asia. That’s what makes this project so exciting for me: the chance to share what I love doing, in its purest form, with a completely new audience.
4. You've mentioned that the response to Club Nouveau's debut exceeded expectations. What specific elements of that first event convinced you this was the right direction for your artistic evolution?
Especially the crowd was exactly what we aimed and hoped for - open-minded, energetic, and fully engaged. That atmosphere made all the difference.
5. Club Nouveau draws comparisons to your legendary Sneakerz concept. How does this new venture differ from Sneakerz, and what lessons from that experience are you applying here?
In principle, it doesn’t vary that much, it’s still about creating a space for a group of people who want to hear artists play without concessions, where the focus is purely on the music and the experience. But now, it feels like an accumulation of everything I’ve learned throughout my career - from the flow of a night to the energy in a room, to understanding what truly makes a set or an event memorable. It’s not just about putting on a party anymore; it’s about crafting an experience that feels authentic, well-balanced, and creatively free - and I think that’s what makes it really special.
6. Your summer tour spans over 20 countries across three continents. How do you adapt your sets and energy for such diverse global audiences, from intimate Club Nouveau shows to massive festival stages like Tomorrowland?
Yeah, those are totally different beasts. A more intimate, specialist setting like Club Nouveau is all about subtlety, depth, and connection - where the crowd is really tuned in and open to musical storytelling. Tomorrowland, on the other hand, is massive, high-energy, and fast-paced, you have to grab people instantly and keep that momentum going. It’s about understanding the environment and adapting without losing the core of who you are as an artist.
7. You'll be performing at both ATOM Shibuya and ATOM Shinjuku with DJ Tora. What can fans expect from these performances, and how will they differ from your typical club sets?
I’m planning to give them my personal take on what house music sounds like right now. I’m not going there to play it safe or follow trends. I want to represent what I genuinely feel is relevant and exciting at this moment. So in that sense, it probably won’t differ too much from what I normally do. Of course, I’ll be mindful of the setting and the energy of the crowd, but at the core it’ll still be me - delivering the sound I believe in, just adapted to fit the moment. Whether it’s a more underground club or a big stage, I always try to stay true to that.
8. After decades in the industry and countless collaborations, what still excites you most about working with new artists like DJ Tora, and how do these partnerships influence your creative process?
Music is all about flow and discovery. For me, the most exciting things happen in the studio when there’s a natural rhythm, not just in the music, but also between the people you’re working with. As long as you’re open to challenging each other creatively, while still maintaining a good flow and mutual respect, that’s when real magic starts to happen.
