2HOT2PLAY: unity in duality

Berlin has always thrived on contrasts, and 2HOT2PLAY embody that balance between raw energy and sharp precision. What started with two friends playing around has grown into a sound that reflects the grit and open-mindedness of their home city. Rooted in trance but never boxed in, their sets lean into intensity without losing sight of the atmosphere on the floor, always shaped by a sense of dialogue between them and the crowd.

Now, with shows stretching from Europe to Australia, the duo are testing how far that dialogue can travel. Tracks like “Think About It” and their early cut “Keep the Balance” didn’t just put them on the map, they marked the start of a global community that’s beginning to recognize their signature. For 2HOT2PLAY, it’s not just about BPMs or drops it’s about leaving each crowd with a sense that they’ve been part of a moment, one that can only happen when two visions meet behind the decks.

“Since the very beginning of 2HOT2PLAY, our roles have fallen into place naturally. Basti takes care of most of the production, and Pascal handles the artistic direction, ideas, and performance. But generally speaking, as a duo, we have a greater creative input that results in more possible outcomes. Playing on stage as a team enables us, on the one hand, to perform a more complex DJ set, and on the other hand, it helps us read the crowd and tap into the mood of the people on the dancefloor.”

If Berlin was their artistic cradle, it’s no coincidence. Every artist who passes through the German capital absorbs its codes, but 2HOT2PLAY recognized the city’s evolutionary drive, choosing to root themselves in trance while pushing it into new, harder, less melodic territories.

Berlin is a great city for the push of new, upcoming music genres. We were mainly rooted in Berlin’s Trance scene and quickly realized the open-mindedness of the people. At any point, we had the feeling that there was a big interest in the development of the Trance sound. We felt people were looking for a new sound that’s a little harder and a little less melodic, creating energized, uplifting vibes, which is something we always try to achieve in our live shows.”

What started as a Berlin identity has now become a global passport. After conquering Europe, 2HOT2PLAY carried their sound all the way to Australia, learning that every dancefloor has its own personality, but never abandoning their core imprint.

“At the moment, it’s so exciting to get to know so many different crowds around the world. We always try to bring our identity everywhere we go. Yet we adjust our sets to fit the setting. Usually, we try to gauge the expected energy level of the crowd and, in comparison with the setting, adjust accordingly. It feels like crowds are always different due to their local background. That’s a fascinating part of playing shows, every show feels different.”

Inside every set are moments that define them: emotional anchors capable of creating collective memory between the DJ and crowd. These are the tracks that, no matter the latitude, ignite the energy of the floor.

“There are a few tracks we always love to play, no matter where we are. Definitely one of our favorite opening tracks, since it’s imposing and gets everybody’s attention, is ‘FTS’ by Showtek. The ‘Where Have You Been’ edit by DJ Tallboy, Paul Meier & Paracek is one we really love performing, as most of the time people will sing along with it and feel more likely to do so when we sing as well. Last but not least, our track ‘Think About It.’ Especially in Australia, this track put us on the map, and the people went crazy when we played it.”

At the center of their journey lies Amsterdam. ADE is not just an event, but a crossroads where careers take shape, where meetings and milestones turn into long-term stories. For Basti, his first experience there was unforgettable: a moment of pure synchronicity that today finds its completion in their return to the same stage.

“Last year, in 2024, I visited ADE for the first time and attended some events of my favorite artists. All my friends were going to another event, but I just had to go to the Funk Tribu Invites Intercell event, so I went on my own. After quickly becoming friends with the DJ ‘Friendly Neighbor,’ I got to see first Caiva and then the act he had been waiting for: Funk Tribu B2B Bad Boombox. Not only did they play an insane set, but while I was trying to get as close to the DJ booth as I could, they also played our track ‘Keep The Balance.’ As I was rushing through the crowd, I completely lost it when he heard them mix in our just-released remix of ‘Let Me Think About It.’ I made it to the DJ booth, gave Eduardo and Djeki a handshake, and got chills while having the brightest smile on my face. Funny enough, we’re going to have a full-circle moment, playing at this year’s Intercell Funk Tribu Invites!”

But their aim isn’t just to make people dance: it’s to deliver a total experience, an interplay of intensity and belonging, euphoria and human warmth.

“On the dancefloor, we want people to feel both the rush of intensity and the warmth of belonging. We want everybody to have the best time of their lives.”

Step by step, track by track, 2HOT2PLAY has built its identity through milestones. From the breakthrough of Keep The Balance, which made them recognizable, to the worldwide explosion of Think About It, they have shaped a sound unlike anything else.

“The start of our typical 2HOT2PLAY sound came with ‘Keep The Balance.’ It’s the first track in which we found our signature sound and the first track that people heard and told us sounded like something new. But the one that really put us on the map was definitely ‘Think About It.’ This track clearly opened doors for our visibility worldwide.”

For them, the future is never just a distant horizon, it’s a constant promise. Tours, collaborations, global dreams: each step becomes a springboard pushing them further, with the same enthusiasm as day one.

“Big things coming… Jokes aside, in the near future, we’re going to work on collaborations with some of our favorite artists. We’re also planning our next tours outside of Europe again. As our recent Australia tour was one of the most exciting things we’ve ever done, while making a ton of new friends, we feel like we need to come back as soon as possible, too! Playing on every single continent on earth is also on our bucket list. Honestly, we couldn’t be more hyped about what’s coming in 2026!”

2HOT2PLAY don’t waste time on pretence. Their formula is simple: hard-edged trance energy, delivered with the precision of two minds locked into the same vision. From Berlin’s sweat-soaked basements to festival main stages across Europe and beyond, they’ve built a reputation on impact, not on hype.

The next chapter is already in motion. Tours outside Europe, collaborations with their heroes, and a clear intention to leave a mark on every continent. No fluff, no compromises—just two artists pushing their sound as far and as loud as it will go.