Brazilian producer RHR books Amsterdam and Berlin dates as European festivals diversify

Brazilian DJ and producer Roniere Santo, performing under the moniker RHR, is set to appear at major European music events, including a back-to-back set with Skrillex at the Dekmantel festival in Amsterdam. He also recently performed at the debut of the CONTRA event series in Berlin, which was curated by the American producer.

This rising profile across the continent highlights a strategic shift in the European nightlife economy. Festival organizers and independent labels are increasingly booking genre-blending artists to attract diverse, international audiences and differentiate their programming in a highly competitive market.

Santo’s recent touring schedule reflects this cross-border demand. Over the past few months, he has performed at Italy’s LOST Music Festival, London’s GALA afterparty, Albania’s KALA, and Finland's Solstice Festival, following a recent festival slot in Athens.

His appeal lies in a restless approach to electronic music, blending electro, techno, and Brazilian baile funk. This distinctive sound has attracted the attention of established European institutions, including the celebrated Berlin-based record label PAN, which recently released his latest EP, ‘GÍRIA’.

Santo emphasizes intentionality over rigid genre conventions in his performances. “For me, it’s about making your body dance in different ways, and being intentional,” he said, noting that traditional techno purists seeking a continuous groove might not enjoy his varied sets.

The producer’s methodology is rooted in his upbringing in Diadema and São Paulo, Brazil. He draws on a childhood surrounded by reggae, Brazilian folk music, and capoeira, as well as the independent, hip-hop-influenced street culture of his adolescence.

This background informs his current production techniques, which often involve manipulating field recordings from his global travels. Using a Japanese application called Shin:e Player, he chops and scatters ambient city sounds into textured, experimental audio diaries.

He describes his musical output as inherently tied to his origins and the emotions they evoke. “If I listen to music that [makes me feel like] a teenager in my neighbourhood, bouncing with my friends, or dancing in a way that makes me feel swag, it’s ghetto,” Santo explained.

The title of his recent EP, ‘GÍRIA’, reflects this adaptable, personal approach to sound design. Describing the Brazilian-Portuguese slang term, Santo noted, “It’s a code. It can mean anything; it’s something that you are creating for yourself.”