Judging from some of this German trance DJ’s song titles (Breaking Waves, Ocean Drive, Kuta Beach, Acapulco Waves and our personal favourite − Son of a Beach), Roger Shah is a man well obsessed with the ocean.

Clad in his signature white tracksuit, Shah shares the love with the masses who bliss out to his expertly-crafted Balearic beats each year on Ibiza. Shah is a veteran – he’s been playing there since 1996 – but this past year was his first time as a resident of the Gatecrasher parties. He tells us: “If you’re on the island every week it’s totally different than going there once but it still has its magic.”

Much of what Shah plays is easily recognisable as classic Balearic trance. Still, he insists that his musical tastes are varied. His latest release Openminded!? reflects that eclectic sensibility. And what’s Shah’s take on the future of dance? “I see a bright future without any subgenres − just all about dance. You can play a wide range of sounds... even including electro or dubstep. Everything is possible.”

Maddie Gressel

Roger Shah plays a set at Hyde on March 24. Tickets: $250 adv, $300 door.