Eli Brown: “I’ve Been Working Towards Something Much Bigger Behind The Scenes”

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Following his performance at Movement Detroit, Eli Brown sat down to offer insight into his set, his duties as label boss at Arcane, and what’s next for his project.

It’s safe to say Eli Brown has been a leading force behind modern techno’s mainstage takeover. Launching his project in 2016, he began to dial in darker tones as his career progressed, giving way to his unique, hypercharged sound. The British mastermind’s meticulous sonic worlds and alluring persona have drawn in fans worldwide, amassing over two million monthly listeners on Spotify.

In 2023, “Diamonds On My Mind” pushed the producer from underground acclaim to widespread notoriety as the tune took over the scene. Eli Brown has been on an absolute tear since dropping a string of club weapons and solidifying his impact on techno. As the head of techno imprint Arcane, Eli Brown has taken his influence to another level, creating a platform for techno’s fearless innovators.

No stranger to the stage, Eli Brown recently added another festival to his list of accolades as he made his debut at Movement Detroit. Eli Brown took time to fill us in on how he crafts a set for the mainstage, the growth of the Arcane imprint, and why he shifted away from his previous branding at the beginning of the year following his legendary set on the Movement Stage. Continue reading for our full conversation with the techno savant.

Stream Eli Brown and Pan-Pot – “Coming In Heavy” on Spotify:

You made your Movement Festival debut. What was it like playing at such an iconic event in the birthplace of techno?

Playing Movement is special because you can feel the history of techno in that city. Detroit is where it all began, and as an artist, you definitely feel the weight and energy of that when you step on stage. The crowd understands the music on such a deep level, and that pushes you to really give everything you’ve got behind the decks.

With Detroit being so rooted in techno culture, was there any pressure to incorporate deeper cuts or crate-digging selections into your set?

I wouldn’t say pressure. You definitely respect the history when you’re playing in Detroit, but I think the best thing you can do is be authentic to your own sound. The crowd appreciates honesty more than trying to be something you’re not.

You also played a set at Movement Detroit’s official afters. How do you go about building out a set for a main stage performance as opposed to an intimate club?

The approach is always different. On a festival stage, you’re playing to a much bigger space, so you naturally build more around those big moments. Whereas in the club it’s much more personal. You can take your time, go a bit deeper, and really lock into the room.

Photo Credit: Gavin Harris

Recently, you were a part of EDC Las Vegas’ first World Party Parade. What was it like DJing to the crowd of ravers while traveling through the Las Vegas Strip?

It was such a unique experience because it’s not something you get to do every day. Seeing people lining the Strip and dancing alongside the float created an amazing atmosphere. It felt like the whole city became part of the party.

Your label Arcane has now surpassed 100 releases. How has the label evolved since its launch in 2020?

When I started Arcane, the goal was simply to release music I believed in and build a platform around that. Over the years, it’s grown into a real community of artists and fans. It’s become a home for artists with a similar mindset, and that’s something I’m really proud of.

Reaching 100 releases is a reflection of everyone who’s been part of that journey, and we’re only just getting started. And the vision hasn’t changed, it’s still about pushing forward and supporting music that genuinely excites me.

The track that pushed the imprint past that milestone was your collaboration with Pan-Pot, “Coming In Heavy.” The collab has been holding on to #1 on Beatport for several months. What was it like working with the longtime duo to create such an undeniable dancefloor weapon?

I’ve got a lot of respect for Pan-Pot, so it was great to finally make something together. We both have a similar approach when it comes to making music that works on the dancefloor, so it was just about bouncing ideas back and forth until everything clicked. I think the end result reflects both of our sounds without either of us compromising.

What qualities do you look for in tracks that you’re considering to release under the Arcane label?

It always comes back to the club for me. If I can picture myself playing it and seeing a genuine reaction from the crowd, then I’m interested. I also love working with artists who aren’t afraid to push their own sound rather than copying what’s already out there.

At the beginning of 2026, you mentioned entering a new chapter of the project. Along with that shift, you said goodbye to your signature mixed upper/lowercase styling and let fans know they’ll be seeing a more personal side of Eli Brown. What was the catalyst for this change, and what does this new era represent for you?

I’ve been working towards something much bigger behind the scenes for quite a while now, and it naturally made me look at the whole project differently. It felt like the right moment to strip everything back and start a new chapter that feels more personal and more representative of where I’m heading creatively.

You’ve been teasing a number of IDs lately, including “India Vibes,” which blends techno energy with worldly flair. Can fans expect a release for some of these tracks in the near future?

There’s a lot of new music coming. Some of those IDs explore influences people might not expect, but that’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing. I love bringing sounds from outside techno into my own world. I’m excited for people to finally hear the finished versions, and it’s not much longer before the first tracks will be released.

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