David Guetta Shuts Down Pre-Recorded DJ Set Claims: “It’s Absolutely Ridiculous”

Superstar DJ and producer David Guetta has weighed in on one of electronic music’s most controversial topics — pre-recorded sets — and made his stance crystal clear. In a recent video with WIRED, the French hitmaker called the idea that he would ever fake a performance “absolutely ridiculous,” sparking fresh debate across dance music circles.

“I never played a pre-recorded set,” Guetta stated firmly. “I hear so much about those stories of pre-recorded sets—I think it’s absolutely ridiculous because beat matching is so easy. I can teach a kid that is 10 years old how to beat match in a couple of hours. Today it really became easy.” (via MusicRadar)

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The topic isn’t new. Over the years, many big-name DJs have faced accusations of hitting play on pre-made mixes while delivering theatrical performances behind the decks. Critics point to minimal gear interaction, tightly choreographed visuals, and flawless transitions as evidence. Some artists—like Deadmau5 and Steve Angello—have openly admitted to preparing sections of their sets to ensure technical perfection, citing festival-scale productions where syncing audio and visual elements leaves little room for improvisation.

But Guetta insists his approach is different. While he admits to preparing the “skeleton” of his set, he says he stays ready to pivot depending on the crowd’s vibe. “If I see they’re into underground records, I’ll add some. If it’s a disaster and they want singalong hits, I’ll give them that. No problem.”

He even acknowledged some showmanship behind the decks. “Some of it is a little bullshit part of the show,” he said, referring to dramatic EQ knob turns. But he argues the essence of DJing today isn’t about basic beatmatching—it’s about reading the crowd and creating moments.

The full WIRED interview can be watched below