Vintage Culture's world tour brings him to the MainStage

He has been a solid household name in his home country of Brazil since forever, and over the last few years the world has opened up completely for Vintage Culture.

Now, driven by his exquisite production work, rugged songwriting and charismatic stage presence, Vintage Culture is about to carve his name in the firmament of legendary Tomorrowland artists. The making of his brand new album, ‘Promised Land’, spanned roughly four years, during which he meticulously crafted his narrative.

Armed with that tour de force of an album, the Brazilian dance music superstar has kicked off an eponymous world tour – with a much appreciated stop at the Mainstage today. 

What does it feel like, having just released your debut album ‘Promised Land’? 

“Releasing ‘Promised Land’ feels like reaching a destination at the end of a long journey. It’s a culmination of years of hard work, passion and dedication. To finally be able to share my work with the world and see the reactions from fans is just incredibly rewarding. It’s truly a milestone in my career, and I couldn’t be more excited about the road ahead.”

What does the title stand for? How are you taking us to the proverbial promised land? 

“The album, and its title, symbolize a place of hope and fulfillment, a destination we all strive for. For me, music has always been a way of escaping, a safe haven. I wanted the album to reflect this journey, not just for me, but for everyone who’s willing to listen. It’s about finding that special place where you feel whole and at peace.”

During the festival summer, artists tend to change their sets a bit to accommodate a live audience. Do your live shows take a musical shift from your production work?

“My live shows do often have a bit of a different vibe compared to my official releases. When performing live, I try to read the crowd and adapt and morph the set to keep the energy high and the audience moving. This might mean playing extended versions, unreleased tracks, or even improvising a bit to create a unique experience.”

You’re hosting a residency at Hï Ibiza this year. Do you curate the line-ups yourself? 

“Yes, I do. It’s really important to me to bring together a mix of talented artists who can create an amazing vibe and complement the energy I want to bring to the night. I love working out that combination of established names and emerging talents.

It’s all about creating a journey for the crowd, and the right lineup is crucial in achieving that goal. I have artists flying in from around the world, and each and every single one of them is personally chosen for that specific night at Hï.” 

What’s the main difference between playing festivals in Brazil, your home country, and shows in Europe? 

“You know, in Brazil I have been well known as an artist for a much longer time. Many fans have followed me since I released my first track ten years ago. As my sound evolves, keeping those fans excited and devoted in 2024 is the challenge.

I want them to evolve and grow with me. I try to be respectful and combine the familiar sound that they know and love with the music I make today. It’s a balance that I continue to explore and work on.”

Does playing a huge crowd like Tomorrowland catapult you back to your own early days of going to clubs and festivals? 

“Absolutely. Playing in front of huge crowds, especially at Tomorrowland, is always a surreal experience. I’m grateful and appreciative for every fan in the audience who helped me to make my dream come true. These huge shows always make me reflect on my own long journey. The fans’ reactions and love fuel my passion to keep moving forward.”

Looking at the immense Tomorrowland line-up, are there any recommendations there that the People of Tomorrow absolutely have to catch this weekend? 

“Oh yes, I’ve had a deep look into the line-up and it’s incredible as always. Tomorrowland is a festival that combines superstar DJs with developing talent.

I’ve always admired how the festival gives young or aspiring artists a chance to have this experience. It inspires upcoming producers to grow and learn. I highly recommend the fans to come to the festival early to check out the new talent.

It is the perfect opportunity to catch a new producer just before they break out to a wider audience. But at the same time: stay late and save some energy for the big, popular Mainstage artists – they’re worth it too!”