From underground raves to jam-packed stages—meet Benwal, the ever-moving whiz kid.
Few have taken on the fast lane as fiercely as Dutchman Gijs. Emerging from his deep roots in Groningen’s nightlife, he stormed stages across Europe and Australia, celebrating euphoric festival homecomings. And when you see the thousands of people squeezing into his shows these days, it’s easy to wonder how his rise has come so quickly. Well, he’s paid his dues.
For seven years and counting, Benwal has poured in the work, the love and the relentless energy. From hours of geek talk and music digging with friends to endless sessions in the studio with production partner Jonathan Kruizenga, Benwal radiates his devotion. This hard-won versatility allows him to thrive in all-nighters, move across genres with unexpected B2Bs, and blend styles to create fresh, meaningful connections in both music and life.
Always ahead of the curve, Benwal carves his own path. As a skilled selector and true fan of the culture, he curates authentic, gripping sets that keep dancers on their toes for hours. While he may have helped spark the trance and hard house revival, he’s already broadening his musical horizon, focusing on select shows to further refine his vision and channel his energy.
And as the stages grow bigger, Benwal finds himself balancing between audience-charmer, genre-breaker, and taste-maker. It’s the ultimate challenge for any rising artist—to deliver during peak time while staying true to a complex vision—but Benwal does it with finesse. He keeps boundaries porous, trespassing between niche and widespread, juggling these conflicting worlds with youthful recklessness and precision. Because at the core of it all, he’s a passionate DJ, drawing energy from the high-tension moments behind the decks to maintain this dizzying pace with ease.