2ManyDJs headline Forbidden Fruit Festival this June

Stephen Dewaele didn’t set out to change dance music. It just happened. As one half of electro duo 2ManyDJs (the other half is brother David), he was among the first deck-spinners to headline rock festivals.

Today, the trend is ubiquitous. Divisive figures such as Avicii, Afrojack and Deadmau5, are arguably the biggest ‘rock stars’ of the era, despite having never hefted a guitar.

“Some people say we are to blame for all of that,” says Dewaele. “We were programmed at Reading and Leeds, when DJs simply didn’t do this sort of thing. Nowadays, it’s all about two guys behind a mixing desk, hands in the air. You can see a connection.” He reflects. “You know, maybe we are a little bit guilty for starting it. That said, the current scene isn’t really for me. Not that I’m looking down on any of those artists. However, a lot of the music isn’t to my tastes.”