Hailing from South Africa and based in the Netherlands, DJ and producer Lee Ann Roberts has established a strong presence in the global techno scene thanks to her energy, depth and unwavering authenticity. Through her own label, NowNow Records, she provides a platform for her artistic vision and for independent artists. Her music is a blend of personal history, cultural identity and clear-cut convictions. She makes clear statements at major festivals and iconic clubs, inspiring young women in particular with her open, powerful sound and her commitment to diversity in a male-dominated scene.
She began her musical journey not for strategic reasons, but out of an inner need for expression and connection. Born in South Africa and raised in Cape Town’s vibrant scene, Roberts developed an intuitive relationship with music from an early age: sound became language, emotional space and identity. As part of the psy-trance community, she experienced collective ecstasy and energetic flow — experiences that would later influence her techno. She combines repetitive structures, hypnotic transitions and raw energy with emotional depth.
In Amsterdam, where she now lives, these influences have come together to form her distinctive style, which combines elements of hard techno, acid and emotional tension. Her productions are direct, unadorned and open to the unpredictable. In a scene long dominated by male narratives, Lee Ann Roberts takes a clear stance: creativity knows no gender. Her stage presence is simultaneously confident, vulnerable and powerful; her sets tell stories of rhythm, resistance, joy and transformation. Her appearances at festivals such as DGTL, ADE, Awakenings, DURO, IKARUS, HIVE, Medusa, Hocus Pocus, Time Warp, and Soenda, as well as her Boiler Room performances, reveal an artist who shapes the spaces she plays in. She reads the audience, reacts, leads, and leaves a lasting mark on the dance floor. This impact goes beyond the moment, standing for technical mastery, artistic independence, and authenticity as strength.
A central milestone in her career is her own label, NowNow Records. The name represents working in the moment and creating music with an immediate effect that shows attitude. With her debut single ‘Miyamoto’ on Suara, Roberts reached number two in the Beatport Hard Techno Charts, consolidating her position on the international scene. EPs such as ‘Always in Flux’ and ‘Come With Me’ demonstrate her ability to balance driving energy with emotional depth. Alongside her own releases, NowNow also features remixes by D.A.V.E. The Drummer, Jay Clarke and Dense & Pika, which expand upon and reflect her sound.
Lee Ann Roberts is unmistakable in her consistent refusal to be pigeonholed. For her, techno is not just a genre, but a means of expression. Tracks such as ‘Africa’ blend her roots with a global perspective, bringing narrative depth to the dancefloor. Away from the decks, she uses her visibility to promote empowerment, diversity and the development of young talent. Her own story exemplifies the idea that musical expression is not a privilege, but a form of identity and resistance.
She delivers intense performances at Boiler Room, Madrid’s Blackworks, Gotec Club in Karlsruhe, Uebel & Gefährlich in Hamburg, Fabrik in Madrid, Amnesia Ibiza, Club Space in Miami and all-night shows in London clubs. She also performs at underground events and festivals such as Thuishaven, Maassilo, Rotterdam Rave and the Caprices Festival — places where techno culture thrives. Her collaborations with artists such as Lokier, Milo Spykers and Tred highlight her extensive international network. These not only expand her own sound, but also strengthen an independent network that embraces techno beyond commercial boundaries.
