Representing a generation of DJs who don’t think in terms of genre boundaries, Helena Lauwaert blends house, UK garage, speed house, and techno into high-energy sets full of rhythmic twists and turns. The Ghent-based artist fuses house, UK garage, speed garage and techno to create high-energy sets full of rhythmic twists and turns. But her influence extends beyond the DJ booth. Through Loose Legs and HYENA’s PACK, she advocates for greater visibility, diversity, and freedom within club culture. Helena Lauwaert shows that musical independence and social activism can go hand in hand.
Sometimes a musical journey begins in the back seat of a car. For Helena Lauwaert, it was her parents’ house compilations that laid the foundation early on. At just 14 years old, she discovered electronic music for herself. This was followed by her first DJ mixer, intensive practice sessions, and performances at private events. Gradually, her passion evolved into a professional career through SoundCloud mixes and her first club gigs.
Her musical development was anything but linear. Initially enthusiastic about tech house, she evolved into an increasingly fast-paced, versatile sound. The decisive moment came when she started pitch-shifting house tracks and combining them with the energy of techno. Today, her sets blend hard house, speed house, hardgroove, UK garage and techno. Her selections remain playful, groovy and exceptionally danceable.
Lauwaert took her first major steps in her hometown of Ghent, performing at venues such as Charlatan and Decadance, where she later became a resident DJ. As her reputation grew, more opportunities arose. She has performed at Fuse, Kompass and Club Vaag, as well as at festivals such as Extrema Outdoor, Paradise City, Dour Festival, Awakenings, DGTL, Tomorrowland, Glitch and Rampage.
A major boost to her career came from Amelie Lens. They connected via Instagram, which ultimately led to her performing at ‘Extrema Outdoor 2023’. For Lauwaert, this was a pivotal moment in her career and an example of how experienced artists can help bring younger talent into the spotlight.
However, Helena Lauwaert doesn’t define success solely by bookings and big stages. With ‘Loose Legs’, she founded her own queer event series in Ghent. The idea behind it is simple: club nights should be places where everyone is welcome, regardless of their gender, background or identity. Her own experiences of being excluded have shaped this vision.
Through HYENA’s PACK, she is also committed to supporting the next generation of female DJs. The collective supports emerging female artists, offering them the opportunity to develop musically and perform in front of an audience. Together, they curated a techno stage at the Rampage Festival, among other projects.
Helena Lauwaert is an artist who does not define herself by a single genre. She has a talent for discovering hidden musical gems, creating surprising transitions and harnessing the energy of the dance floor. Alongside her DJ career, she is focusing more and more on music production, working to further develop her own sonic language in the studio.
Helena Lauwaert champions a club culture that is more open, not just louder. She uses her position to push musical boundaries and open up new opportunities for other women, not as a symbolic figure, but as an active shaper of a scene where diversity is the norm.