Two of the most prominent women in the melodic house and techno spaces have teamed up for a special run of back-to-back shows in the United States. Henri Bergmann — one of Dancing Astronaut‘s Artists to Watch in 2025 — Layla Benitez — who appeared in Dancing Astronaut‘s Artists to Watch in 2024 — kicked off their run on March 30 by closing down Club Space during Miami Music Week. Bringing their inescapable energy to the terrace, Henri Bergmann and Layla Benitez kept the Miami crowd dancing for hours upon end with a set filled with IDs that render Shazam useless. Next on their schedule is the most anticipated set of the tour as they land in Indio, California for a prime-time slot at Coachella’s Do LaB stage.
And if that wasn’t enough, Bergmann and Benitez will release their first-ever collaboration, “Memory Leak” alongside Jono Stephenson on the same day as their Coachella performance. The following day, the trio will head to Floyd Miami for the “Memory Leak” release party, where they will play an extended back-to-back-to-back for four hours. Marking their first collaboration and their first tour together, Henri Bergmann and Layla Benitez will soon show the U.S. why they are two of the fastest-rising DJs across dance music. Dancing Astronaut sat down with the pair for an exclusive interview.
How did your first back-to-back performance go at Space Miami?
Henri Bergmann: “We have really similar taste in music so it felt seamless, as we were playing we realized that half the tracks on our playlists were the same. The party started the night before and we played at 4 pm so it was pretty impressive that so many people stayed until the end. Space feels like home so no one ever wants to leave.”
When did you decide that it was time to start working on a song together?
Henri Bergmann: “We had a few opportunities to play together and have been on each other’s radar for a while so a few months ago we said we should make a track together. We also both love Jono [Stepehenson]’s music and he was on my label Automatik’s first ever VA so it was perfect for us when the initial idea for Memory Leak started with him.”
Layla Benitez: “I think we originally connected because we were playing each other’s music, and through this we decided it was necessary to do a collaboration together. We spent a while trying to figure out what felt right for us because we knew it must be special. During this process we developed a close friendship which really affected the way we are writing together and now playing together and traveling together at times. I originally met Jono the same way, we connected through music and decided to try writing together. They are both amazing artists. Upon realizing Henri and Jono were connected, Memory Leak happened very organically with us.”
What can people expect in these back-to-back sets musically? Do you change your styles to accommodate each other?
Henri Bergmann: “We don’t really need to as we make and play a similar sound but we adapt our styles for the party we’re playing, like at Coachella we’ll play a more festival friendly set.”
Layla Benitez: “Totally agree with what Henri said. It’s super fun to just let things flow naturally especially when your artistic visions are quite similar. Nothing is really planned at all for us, and I think it’s really exciting to go into sets this way. It keeps things raw.”
Have either of you played Coachella before? What are you most looking forward to for the set?
Henri Bergmann: “No, I’ve never played before so it’s especially exciting for us. We’re playing right before sunset which is such a nice time to play out in the desert and I’ve been going to the DoLab party for years so can’t believe I’m actually playing it myself this time.”
Layla Benitez: “I played Coachella at the Yuma tent in 2022, and it was really a life-changing experience for me. I couldn’t be more excited to head back but this time to DoLab, an extremely honorary and unique stage. I’m looking forward to having a totally different experience this time going b2b with Henri.”
Where else can we see you in U.S. in the coming months? Are there any future plans to play together past Floyd Miami?
Henri Bergmann: “I am playing Chicago with WhoMadeWho next month and The Spotlight Los Angeles right after the DoLab set. We’re both playing Zamna Sāo Paolo next weekend but separately, and Layla and I have another collab in the works later in the year so I’m sure we’ll be doing many more b2bs in the future.”
Layla Benitez: “After Coachella, I am off to my tour in Australia and Bali! After that I play with ANNA At Avalon in LA, Bloom in Chicago, Mirage with ARTBAT in NYC, then I’ll be starting my yearly summer European tour. I will only be heading back to USA during the summer for a few special events that are TBA. The party at Floyd is in fact a regular party that I put on, every couple of months, as I am based in Miami. It is usually a Sheep At Night branded show, which is my label, but this time it felt right to make it a release party for our track Memory Leak with Jono. We are playing b2b2b all night for 4+ hours. Can’t wait for it!”
Featured image: @enterrupt_studios/Instagram
Categories: Features
