engagement and a festival landscape that requires immense, often year-long preparation—is not only inspiring but serves as a reminder of the dedication it takes to succeed in the dance industry. It’s clear that, for Maarten, the hard work pays off, but finding moments of personal balance is key to keeping that energy sustainable over time.
A GROUP EFFORT
Dennis Rochat is known for his work with Elevation Events, where he has played a key role in organizing and programming high-profile events like the Soenda Festival and WAS. Club. He is responsible for curating line-ups, managing artist bookings, and coordinating the overall event experience. His work spans both large-scale festivals and more intimate club events, giving him a broad perspective on what it takes to create successful events at different scales.
His thoughtful and strategic approach to programming emphasizes the importance of clear communication, relationship-building, and understanding the practical aspects of event planning alongside creative vision.
“I think the most important thing that benefits ever- yone is clear communication (From artists to club and festival owners to the audience). One of the fun things about programming is also the tactical aspect of it, so you have to weigh your words well, and some basic communication skills help a lot. This also counts for communication with advancing, marketing, or other disciplines. It helps that all the parties are in the know when something changes or happens differently.”
He is aware of the delicate balance between booking big-name artists to drive ticket sales and maintaining a unique atmosphere that resonates with the audience.
“When you are booking a program, you try to fac- tor in all these things, with the line-up being the most important factor. For example, an event can have the coolest underground line-up, but if it’s not selling any tickets, it will not benefit anyone at the end of the day. However, the lineup doesn’t have to be the main selling point of
accessibility can also really help with selling the event. For an event to succeed, I think it’s important to keep all those things in mind and create a balance that benefits your audience the most while also making sure your event stays healthy.”
the event. Location, production, vibe, or
His ability to juggle the business side of event planning with his passion for music and creativity has made him a respected figure in the industry, and he brings a level of transparency and honesty to his work, which is appreciated by both artists and event teams.
“The basics of programming are not that difficult. You reach out to an agent who is representing an artist (or sometimes an artist themselves if they don’t have an agent), and you ask if the artist is available and wi- lling to play at an event you are booking on x date. When they are, you make an offer, negotiate a bit, and confirm the show.” He shared.
“However, you are often not the only event that is trying to book ‘X’ artist. Especially if they’re quite popular. At any given moment, multiple events around the world are also trying to book that same artist. That’s where the fun part starts. Why should an artist choose you and not the other event? Money is a factor, but that’s not the only thing and sometimes not even the most important aspect.”
Photo: Artist Courtesy -
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