Christophe.

“The best export from Waarloos after Maes pils,” Belgian newspaper HLN once called Cemode, aka DJ Christophe. He prefers to let his records do the talking.

For fifteen years, he worked as a pastry chef in his parents’ bakery. Between the bread and pastries, another passion grew until it eventually took over: DJing. Luckily, he was already used to working nights.

He first stepped behind the decks in the mid-90s. His own parties, DJ contest wins and a residency at the legendary Illusion - The Level followed. It was there that he developed the style that still defines him today: plenty of groove, an ear for melody and records that bring out something extra in each other.

From Illusion, La Rocca and Outline to Tomorrowland, Extrema Outdoor, Secret Garden and Thé Dansant, Christophe has built his story around the dance floor. House is at the heart of his sets, with room for deeper sounds and fresh discoveries. He’s just as happy digging out a forgotten gem as sharing a new favourite.

Away from the decks, he’s rarely stood still either. With The Hype!, he hosted his own club nights at Illusion, while The Hype Records gave both his own productions and other artists a platform. Under his own name, he released tracks including Make It Happen. Today, his studio work carries the name Cemode, with releases on his own label Baked and labels including Sharam Jey’s King Kong Records.

In 2011, he founded 12 Inch Lovers together with Seelen. Their shared love of vinyl and classics grew into indoor and outdoor events across the Belgian provinces of Limburg and Antwerp, bringing thousands of music lovers together. Along the way came their own vinyl compilation series and a close-knit community.

After more than thirty years, Christophe is still happiest finding, making and sharing music. His bakery days are behind him, but the pleasure of making people’s day remains. These days, they just ask for one more track instead of another pastry.