POPOF
Patinoire de l'AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France for Cercle
Only the Cercle team could make a DJ set in an empty Parisian ice rink feel like a cinematic event we're all desperate to be part of, and POPOF plays his role as techno auteur to perfection. The vibe is grand, atmospheric, and meticulously curated, all sweeping visuals and echoing percussion against the vast arena. Locked into a relentless 125 BPM techno groove, he spends most of his time in the driving energy of Camelot 12A, delivering functional, peak-time tools with a mixer's precision that serves the spectacle.
Crate-digging pleasures include the sleek, melodic drive of Joran Van Pol's 'Illos' and a wonderfully unexpected drop of the Bicep remix of 'Lovelee Dae', a classic touch amidst the modern framework. From an enigmatic opener, he builds a narrative of relentless momentum, saving his finale for a marathon, 15-minute workout of Adam Beyer & Bart Skils' 'Your Mind'—because sometimes, the biggest statement is playing the biggest track and letting it run.