HI-LO — is the alias of Dutch DJ and producer Oliver Heldens, under which he explores a deeper, darker, and more energetic side of techno and melodic house. This project represents the artist’s second creative persona — a symbol of his evolution, maturity, and experimentation. HI-LO fuses Heldens’ recognizable groove with an underground atmosphere and has earned recognition from techno legends such as Adam Beyer, Charlotte de Witte, Reinier Zonneveld, and Enrico Sangiuliano.
Early Years and Project Creation
HI-LO was born in 2015 when Oliver Heldens, already a global future house superstar, decided to create a new alias for his darker, heavier tracks. The name “HI-LO” is a play on words, reflecting his artistic duality — “high–low,” “light–dark.” Under Oliver Heldens, he produces melodic and uplifting tracks, while HI-LO reveals his underground alter ego — deep, industrial, and acid-driven techno.
Breakthrough and Success
HI-LO’s first releases — “Crank It Up” and “Renegade Mastah” — immediately caught the attention of top techno DJs. However, the true breakthrough came with “Zeus” (2020), released on Reinier Zonneveld’s label Filth on Acid. The track blended raw basslines, industrial rhythms, and melodic grooves, becoming an anthem for a new generation of techno lovers.
Since then, HI-LO has consistently released festival bangers charting in the Beatport Techno Top 10 and played at major events worldwide.
Selected Discography
- “Crank It Up” (2015)
- “Renegade Mastah” (2016)
- “Poseidon” (with Sander van Doorn, 2017)
- “Kronos” (2020)
- “Zeus” (2020)
- “Athena” (2021)
- “Saw of Olympus” (2021)
- “Nirvana” (with Reinier Zonneveld, 2022)
- “Samsara” (with Space 92, 2023)
- “Arpeggio” (2024)
Sound and Style
The HI-LO sound is a fusion of driving techno, acid, and melodic elements. Each track induces a hypnotic sense of motion, combining powerful sub-bass, industrial percussion, and emotional atmospheres.
Key Traits:
- Heavy, analog-style sub-bass and thick low-end energy;
- Industrial percussion and cinematic breakdowns;
- Hypnotic melodic pads and synth layers;
- A perfect balance between underground intensity and festival energy.
Festivals and Collaborations
HI-LO regularly performs at leading festivals such as Tomorrowland, Awakenings, Time Warp, Ultra Europe, Loveland, and Drumcode Festival. He performs both solo and in B2B sets with Reinier Zonneveld, forming one of the most powerful duos in the techno scene.
Collaborations with artists like Space 92, Adam Beyer, Wade, and Layton Giordani have cemented HI-LO’s reputation as one of the most in-demand techno projects of recent years.
Achievements
- Multiple entries in the Beatport Techno Top 10;
- The collaboration “Nirvana” with Reinier Zonneveld reached #1 on Beatport Techno;
- Resident performer at Awakenings and Tomorrowland;
- Host of the “HILOMATIK Radio” podcast;
- Founder of the HILOMATIK label (2023), focused on techno and melodic sound.
Interesting Facts
- “HI-LO” is an anagram and conceptual play derived from “Heldo” (from Heldens’ surname), representing inner duality.
- Mythological themes such as “Zeus,” “Athena,” and “Poseidon” often appear in HI-LO tracks.
- Oliver crafts his techno tracks using analog Moog and Roland synthesizers.
- HI-LO’s live sets combine immersive visuals with drum machines for real-time performance.
- As HI-LO, Heldens expresses his darker, more introspective artistic side — the opposite of his upbeat future house persona.
Legacy and Significance
HI-LO stands among the most powerful and respected projects in today’s techno scene. It proves that a world-class artist can remain innovative while maintaining depth, strength, and charisma. HI-LO bridges mainstream and underground, light and darkness — becoming a synonym for excellence in modern techno sound.
