SVEN Väth

Sven Väth, with his larger-than-life demeanor, allowed him to become the pioneer who laid the foundation for the underground electronic music scene in both Germany and Ibiza. A true visionary and trailblazer, Väth's contributions have not only shaped the contemporary electronic music scene but have also inspired countless artists and enthusiasts worldwide. Sven’s love and dedication for dance music have allowed him to start a booking agency, an event company, own various nightclubs, and his record label - Cocoon. All the while, Sven continuously advances forward with his unique sound worldwide, showcasing his true versatility behind the turntables.

Sven Väth's journey began in the late 1970s, during the genesis of the electronic dance music movement in Germany. As a young enthusiast, he immersed himself in the underground scene, experimenting with different sounds and styles. At 16 years old, Sven hitchhiked from Frankfurt to Barcelona, where he then left his fate up to a coin toss that led him to Ibiza in 1980. For three months, Sven experienced the island’s hippie culture of love and music, clubs with no roofs, witnessed DJs like Pippi, Cesar De Melero, and Alfredo Fiorito, and slept on a stolen sunchair in the middle of a forest. Being one of the craziest people on the dancefloor, Sven felt a deep connection to the sounds of these DJs playing everything from Pink Floyd to African deep percussion, Reggie, and Italo disco. Having left a permanent imprint on Sven’s life, he said this regarding the island - “Ibiza was my first love, it was touching me very strongly, and I think it was always giving me a direction for my life.”

In 1988, he co-founded the influential dance club "Omen" in Frankfurt at the age of 24. During Mixmag’s 2015 interview with Richie Hawtin and Sven Väth, Hawtin had this to say regarding the club - “We were doing crazy parties in Detroit, or we thought we were, but what was going on there (Omen) it was really pure it was long and it was going until 11 or 12 in the morning. You know things didn’t really get started until 5 or 6, and I remember even when I was playing there I’d play two or three hours and it wasn’t until hour 5 that everything started to gel together and it got sweaty and the people started getting even more loose, it was something special.” It was during this time that Väth solidified his reputation as a true pioneer within the scene.

Throughout the 1990s, Väth's career soared to new heights as he cemented his position as one of the leading figures in the global techno scene. His mix compilations, such as "Accident in Paradise" and "The Harlequin - The Robot and the Ballet-Dancer," became iconic releases that showcased his talent for curating and mixing tracks in an unparalleled manner. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Sven Väth proved that his artistic vision extended beyond just DJing and making tracks. He established his record label, Cocoon Recordings, in 2000, which quickly became a vital platform for both established and up-and-coming artists. Prominent artists such as Adam Beyer, Dubfire, Dixon, and Nina Kraviz have all been featured on the label's artist roster. Cocoon's commitment to quality and innovation has been a driving force behind the label's success, and it has consistently released cutting-edge techno and house music, showcasing Väth's impeccable taste and his commitment to nurturing new talent.

Beyond his contributions as a DJ and label owner, Sven Väth is renowned for his legendary events and festivals. One of the most notable is Cocoon Ibiza, which has become a pilgrimage for electronic music lovers worldwide. Every summer, Väth curates an electrifying lineup of artists, transforming the iconic Amnesia nightclub into a utopia of dance and sound. Artists such as Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos, Loco Dice, Solomun, and Carl Craig can’t get enough of Sven’s parties in paradise, having regularly played at Cocoon events. The Ibiza parties have become a significant symbol of the vibrant and inclusive spirit of electronic music, where music enthusiasts from all corners of the globe unite on the dancefloor.