Skrillex champions live spaces over AI music after Berlin event
Electronic producer Skrillex has warned that AI-generated music cannot replace human connection, a stance he demonstrated by launching a new independent live event in Berlin.
US electronic musician Skrillex has used his first interview in over a decade to argue that artificial intelligence cannot replicate the emotional value of human artistry. The comments arrive as the producer transitions into an independent career and pushes to build physical live spaces in Europe.
Speaking in a new interview, the artist — real name Sonny Moore — argued that while AI tracks might achieve viral success, they lack a fundamental element of human connection. “Maybe there are some AI songs that can go viral, but you can’t have that feeling of being seen if there isn’t a human on the other side,” he said. For Europe’s economically vital nightlife sector, this distinction is increasingly central as venues compete with algorithmic entertainment for audiences.
Skrillex put this philosophy into practice in late May with CONTRA, a two-day event at Kraftwerk Berlin. The lineup featured performances from Ecco2K, Bladee, Blawan, Knock2, and Skrillex himself. He described the concept as an effort to “reverse-engineer some of the best experiences I ever had” and build a new type of production. “In this era of AI and smartphones, it's more important than ever to create spaces where people can just be present together and feel something the way it's meant to be felt,” he said.
The Berlin event aligns with a broader shift in Skrillex’s business operations. Following June’s surprise album ‘SOMA’ and this week’s collaborative single ‘Rumpta’ with Solomun, he is operating outside the major label system after departing Atlantic Records. It is a notable shift from the environment surrounding his 2010 breakout EP ‘Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites’, which he noted relied on natural virality rather than corporate backing, utilizing a marketing budget of just $2,000.
By moving away from label infrastructure to focus on curated, in-person events like CONTRA, Skrillex is tapping into a wider strategy within the European electronic music industry. Promoters and artists are increasingly betting that authentic, human-driven clubbing will remain economically resilient against the rise of synthetic, AI-generated digital content.
