Why Héctor Oaks Arrives Late to His Sets

For most DJs, arriving early to the club is part of the ritual — check the booth, test the monitors, feel out the room. But for Héctor Oaks, it’s the opposite. His ritual? Showing up late. Almost at the edge of stress.

While it might sound reckless to some, for the Spanish artist, it’s an intentional way to trigger an adrenaline rush that sets the tone for the night. When he slides into the booth just minutes before his first track, there’s no time to overthink or over-prepare. He jumps straight into the deep end, completely locked into the energy of the room.

That tension — that edge — is what makes his sets so electric. As house and techno heads know, the magic of a great set isn’t just about flawless beatmatching or a perfect tracklist. It’s about the raw, unpredictable moments when the DJ and the crowd connect on a different level. Héctor thrives in this chaos.

In an interview at ADE, Héctor says, "I like to arrive there in a sort of stress almost level... it gives me a rush of adrenaline, and I think this works very well."

Adding to the challenge — and the magic — Héctor plays only vinyl records. This makes his choice to arrive late even more remarkable, as he has to go straight into crate digging and selecting on the fly, trusting his instincts completely.

Sometimes, technical problems add to the high. A wobbly turntable, a record that’s running a touch too fast — instead of seeing these as setbacks, Héctor sees them as chances to push the energy even higher. He plays on the edge, risking imperfect blends to keep the momentum alive.

This approach makes every set feel urgent, alive, and totally one-of-a-kind. And it’s exactly why crowds lose themselves when he steps up. Those who’ve watched him know the look: head down, locked in, constantly adjusting and sculpting the vibe in real time.

For Héctor, it’s not about playing it safe. It’s about living in that moment of pure connection, where the rush is real and the floor feels like it might lift off. Next time you see him play, remember — he probably just got there. And that energy you feel? That’s the sound of an artist who came in hot, plugged in, and let the adrenaline write the story.