It’s one of the most frequently asked questions leading up to the Defqon.1 weekend: Why isn’t Sefa on the line-up? The Dutch producer, known for his explosive live shows and creative vision within the frenchcore genre, broke the silence yesterday via his Instagram Stories. He called it “one of the hardest decisions of my life” and shared an honest explanation behind it.
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Since making his Defqon.1 debut in 2017, Sefa has been a regular presence at the festival. From that moment on, he delivered unique performances year after year — with the 2024 Spotlight Set as a recent highlight. Yet this year, he felt it was time to take a step back. “Since my first set, I always wanted each Defqon performance to be bigger, better, crazier and more innovative. But eventually, that backpack gets too heavy.”
The combination of demanding creative projects – such as his recent album Het Ergste Moet Nog Komen, his sessions with the Metropole Orkest, and a touring schedule with around 100 bookings, took a serious toll on both his mental and physical health.
“At a time when I should’ve been resting, I did two tours in one month”
Sefa candidly shared how, during the past winter, he lost a significant amount of weight and noticed his body wasn’t functioning the way a 24-year-old’s should. But this didn’t come from obligation or burnout, quite the opposite. It was the joy and fulfillment he felt from his work that kept him going, often without pause. “I simply didn’t know how to stop anymore,” he admits.
Although he tried to allow himself a break after an intense year, he was soon back on stage: an album tour, a church tour, and multiple TV appearances in the Netherlands. All projects that brought him happiness, but also kept him from truly recovering.
“I need space to reflect”
Sefa emphasizes that he only wants to perform when he can give 100% – physically, musically, and creatively. And right now, that simply isn’t possible. “I need to reflect and see what I’m doing, and I can’t deliver a proper performance in this state.” His decision to skip Defqon.1 comes from a place of love for his fans, but also out of respect for what his performances should be. “I take my audience seriously. I don’t want to just let the train keep rolling.” It’s a step back – so that, in the long run, he can move forward stronger, sharper, and more consciously.
A heartfelt message to his fans
To close his message, Sefa spoke directly to his fans: “So no, I’m not sick. And no, I haven’t suddenly become religious (I already was). I love you all very much and I hope this is the best Defqon weekend of your life.”
