At the age of 14, many teenagers are focused on school, homework, maybe getting their first cellphone, and some crushes. But not many would imagine themselves DJing at one of the biggest electronic music festivals in the middle of a snowstorm. This was the reality for Elfigo, a 14-year-old DJ who performed two sets at the Tomorrowland Winter festival in March at Alpe d’Huez.
After making hundreds of people dance despite the cold weather, Elfigo shared his experience with 20 Minutes. His journey began on a couch, in front of Tomorrowland.
Snowy weather and an ecstatic crowd
On stage, the young Belgian DJ Elfigo (Elias by his real name) brought the house down. However, the whole experience still seems surreal to him. “The Frozen Lotus, honestly, it was incredible. People actually came despite the snowstorm,” he recalls, still reflecting on his set. But it was elsewhere that he had his favorite moment: “On the Brass stage, it was really something. It was like a Boiler Room… It was incredible. I can even say that it’s my favorite.” A format closer to the audience that he particularly enjoys.
At this age, what stands out the most is his ability to analyze his feelings as a DJ. He talks about a “communion” with the audience, a closeness that seems almost like that of a seasoned artist.
A passion sparked on a couch, in front of Tomorrowland
His story began far from the snowy stages. At 8 years old, Elfigo discovered DJing in front of his TV. “I used to watch Tomorrowland with my dad every year. We would dance on the couch with my sister. And at one point, DJ Snake was playing… And I don’t know why, but it shocked me,” he says.
The rest is history. He asked to try it out, started taking lessons, and then got into mixing. “I loved it so much, so I kept going,” he says. Soon, he started posting his mashups online, just to share. But then things took off: “At one point, it blew up. For me, there’s no mystery: social media is what got me there. I don’t see any other reason.”
Social media, which the young DJ didn’t have access to at first because he was too young. “It’s my dad and mom who run my Instagram and TikTok account,” he explains. And his first stage performance? In a villa in Ibiza (where he lives), in front of about twenty people when he was 11 or 12 years old. “I was so happy,” he remembers.
Between exams and festivals, an almost normal life
Behind the image of the young DJ on the rise, there is also a very structured daily life. “I attend a French high school in Ibiza, from 9 am to 4 pm. And afterward, I make music, lots of music,” he explains. A double life that is not always simple: “Sometimes, it’s complicated because I have a lot of homework and a lot of music too.” But for now, he manages to keep up. His priority is still his exams: “I’ll be taking my exams in May. Actually, they suggested a date on that day,” he jokes.
Despite his growing popularity, his family keeps a close eye on him. Always accompanied by his father, who also manages his career, he remains very protected. “It’s chill, it’s always a game,” he sums it up. A still very healthy view of the profession. His father confirms: Elfigo “has his feet on the ground,” doesn’t talk about his career at school, and remains discreet about his success.
“My real dream is to create hit songs and revolutionize music”
Although Elfigo is already performing at several festivals, he aims higher. “I want to play at big festivals like EDC, Ultra,” he says. But above all: “My real dream would be to create hit songs and revolutionize the music industry.”
For the past two years, he has been producing his own music, using his own method: “I take three ideas from artists, three tracks, and I mix them.” His inspirations range from James Hype to DJ Mehdi for mixing, and from Daft Punk to Chris Lake for production. He spends hours “digging” for sounds: “It’s one of the most important things in music.”
If his father passed on his love for music, today the roles are almost reversed. “He introduces me to some great tracks, honestly I’m impressed,” he says. A relationship fueled by music, evolving over the years. On April 17, the young artist will release a new track, proving that behind the DJ decks, the teenager is gradually building his own signature.
At 14, Elfigo is still evolving. But between a set in the snow at Tomorrowland and a teenager’s room filled with music, one thing is certain: the game has only just begun.
