Some of the best DJs and event hosts are the quiet ones: the observers who understand a room's energy because they've spent years immersing themselves in the local scene. These are the ones who become masters at creating spaces where everyone feels seen and can truly express themselves.
That's exactly the kind of curator Lionel is. Hailing from Cologne, our 29-year-old ambassador uses his expert understanding of vibes to bring people together. Better known as MR. VEE, he was part of CandidCologne: a creative collective whose expert curation gives Cologne’s music lovers unique nights full of unexpected sounds and friendly faces.
To find out how this multi-genre DJ and sound curator throws some of Cologne’s best parties, we caught up with the man himself. Here’s his take on why safe spaces matter more than ever, the importance of community, and why nothing compares to creating unique moments that live forever.
What inspired you to start doing your thing?
Everything started with the raw love for music and the passion of listening to new music, which I still have today. I always loved finding new music from different genres and surprising friends with new songs they never thought about getting into.
It evolved into the need to do music actively myself. So, I just took a leap of faith and started the journey during the Covid19 pandemic.
What is your role at the party?
As a DJ, I see my role in creating an atmosphere and shaping a unique musical experience for all guests. My personal goal is always for the night not just to be a party, but a memorable experience that stays.
What are your non-negotiables for partying?
Some of my non-negotiables are:
- freedom to express and to create
- a powerful sound system
- an authentic vibe that feels real
I’m not the biggest fan of song requests. The line up of a party night usually follows a concept designed to create a diverse musical journey. That's why DJs are carefully and thoughtfully selected. While ‘random’ song requests may occasionally be accepted, for me personally, they undermine the DJ’s body of work.
What makes a party go from good to legendary?
For me personally, when the song selection and the resulting vibe convince the crowd so much that nobody is sitting down, people sing along word for word or the audience is so immersed in the moment that even communicating with their own friends becomes impossible, that's when the magic happens.
From my own experience as a guest, I can say that on a truly unique night, every single moment is enjoyed to the fullest and the vibe feels almost ‘too relaxed’ in the best way possible.
What is your favorite party memory?
One of my most memorable party nights was the final event of our creative collective last year. All of them shared the line up and everyone played their unique sound without exception.
The musical diversity that came about, combined with the energy and reaction from the crowd, made it an unforgettable night. Looking back, playing together with all DJs and presenting the sound of CandidCologne as a collective one more time was truly special.
Why are Soundboks and Lightboks perfect for your kind of party?
For me as a DJ, having the right speaker makes all the difference. I need a system that can handle deep bass, crisp highs and powerful volume without distortion so the music hits exactly how I want it. What I love is that Soundboks is built for flexibility and mobility. I can fully focus, read the crowd and shape the vibe. It just makes my job easier.
Now add lighting that interactively reacts to the music. Perfect for Grime, UK Garage and UK House. As the saying goes: “you also listen with your eyes.”
What is your favorite song to listen to on a Soundboks?
To be honest, anything from the UK. Probably a Grime song. If I had to choose a song now, I would probably go with my favorite artist: Skepta - Victory Lap
If you wanna keep in the loop, chuck MR. VEE a follow:
