After a period in which he seriously considered walking away from music altogether, Illyus Barrientos finds himself preparing for one of the biggest homecoming moments of his career.

The Glasgow DJ and producer returns to TRNSMT Festival this summer carrying renewed creative momentum, a fresh outlook on music and life, and a catalogue of house music that has soundtracked dancefloors around the world. Once known as one half of Illyus & Barrientos, he has embraced a new chapter as a solo artist, reconnecting with the passion that first drew him into music through experimentation, instinct and a refusal to chase trends.

Ahead of his appearance at Glasgow Green, Barrientos spoke about overcoming personal challenges, rediscovering his love for making music, the evolution of the project, his long-standing relationships with labels including Toolroom and Defected, and why playing TRNSMT means more to him than ever before.

What does playing TRNSMT mean to you as a Glasgow artist?

It genuinely means so much to me because just over a year ago, I thought music was done with me or maybe I was done with it. I was in a real low place and felt a bit lost in life. But I started making music freely again because of where my head was at, and from there I probably wrote some of the best stuff I’ve made in a long time. That journey has led me here, and honestly, I couldn’t be more buzzing about it.

The project has evolved a lot over the years, how would you describe where Illyus Barrientos is creatively in 2026?

Straight up dance floor anthems, that’s my mindset with it all. I try to make the kind of records that make people on the dance floor and DJs turn around and go, “What the f**k is that?”

I care less now too, to be honest. I got into music because I loved it, and somewhere along the way that got a little lost. But weirdly, when you stop overthinking everything and care a bit less about the noise around it all, music seems to flow together much more naturally. That’s probably when the best stuff happens.

Illyus Barrientos

How different does the energy feel playing a major festival stage compared with an intimate club environment?

I have actually witnessed the TRNSMT dj stages over the years so I’m not quite sure the madness here compares to other festivals hence why I can’t wait for TRNSMT. With a major festival you can get those summer anthems going which I always love. It’s seeing those happy faces that makes it worth while.

Glasgow has such a rich electronic music culture. How much has the city shaped your sound and approach to DJing?

I started off as a hip hop DJ playing vinyl, then moved into electronic music, Drum & Bass, Dubstep and everything in between. Eventually, straight-up house music found me, and I honestly think a lot of that comes from growing up in Glasgow.

The music taste in this city is so varied and welcoming that it naturally shapes you into the artist you want to be. You’re exposed to everything, and nobody really boxes you in creatively. Glasgow is just some city.

The Illyus & Barrientos catalogue became synonymous with that raw, percussive house sound. Do you feel pressure to preserve that identity while still evolving creatively?

Not at all. Like I said before, I just don’t care that much anymore, in the best possible way. I’m making records for me first and hoping that creative spark connects with people on dance floors.

What’s been really nice is seeing how strongly people are responding to it all. Honestly, it’s been pretty unexpected. But maybe that’s the beauty of house music, when something’s real and made from the right place, people can feel that.

Illyus Barrientos

Has transitioning into a solo-focused project changed the way you approach production or performance?

The main thing is I don’t really have anyone to lean on anymore, which felt so strange at first. I miss my man.

Production wise, I’d say I’m probably experimenting more again, similar to when I first started making music. I dig through my record collection more to sample or gain inspiration. I’m not even totally sure why, but maybe it just comes naturally to me at this point. I’m trusting instinct with a lot of things.

DJing feels similar too. I’ve started bringing some vinyl back to gigs because I really want to reconnect with the hip hop DJ roots I came from. That style of mixing and feeling music is such a big part of who I am, and I think bringing that energy back into what I do now feels really important.

You are playing back-to-back at this year’s festival with BETH. Can you give us an idea how you will approach the set together?

I think the main thing is have fun and make people happy. There’s not better place that Scotland when the suns actually out. If that’s the case we’re onto a good day.

Dance music trends move incredibly fast now, how do you avoid chasing hype and stay authentic to your sound?

A really simple way to live by is: if you’re chasing hype, the word says it all… you’re always chasing. You’re never actually at the front, mate.

Make music and play what feels right to you. Don’t look left and right, don’t compare yourself, and don’t compete with everyone else. Just focus on yourself and enjoy the journey. That’s when things usually fall into place naturally.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from the journey so far?

Wow that’s a tough one. I think you have to be true to yourself but in those down moments in music, if you really believe in yourself you have to push through those moments and never give up. This is not a hobby, it’s life/my identity and I think I even had to learnt that again.

Your productions have always balanced underground energy with accessibility. Is that balance something you consciously think about?

I actually think about that a lot because it all goes back to how I grew up and the styles of music that still influence me to this day. I don’t think music is supposed to be this overly serious thing. At the end of the day, it’s about making people feel something and making people happy.

If I can do that through different styles of music, then why not? I love seeing the underground heads go crazy to my tunes, but at the same time, if my mum hears one of my records on the radio and feels proud, that honestly makes me melt.

Illyus Barrientos

Are there any artists on the TRNSMT lineup you’re especially excited to see yourself?

I love Loyle Carner. It would be amazing to check his set out. Wolf Alice are cool too and of course my mate Danny Howard. Gotta give him a shout.

A lot of long-running dance acts eventually face reinvention. Did stepping into a solo identity feel natural or daunting?

I think because I was more or less ready to quit, I’d probably say it all happened naturally. The whole journey that’s led me here has felt natural because, in a strange way, it feels like music wasn’t quite finished with me yet.

I thought I was walking away from it, but somehow it dragged me back in.

Do you think audiences engage differently with electronic artists at festivals now compared to ten years ago?

Probably do but I think whatever way any generation wants to enjoy themselves is their right to do so. I don think the older crew are better dancers than the young team haha.

House music constantly cycles through trends. What do you think keeps certain records timeless?

909 Drums!!! I actually burst out laughing saying that. Straight up house is the only timeless thing. Trends will come and go but if you’re a producer you probably should make music that you can play in 5 years again and then in 10 years again.

Illyus Barrientos

You’ve had a long relationship with labels like Toolroom and Defected, how important were those platforms in helping shape your career early on?

Massively important because those labels shaped the beginning of an amazing journey but there are many other relationships I have in music that matter too. Being around and meeting people has always been a passion of mine. It sounds strange to some maybe but people is the most important thing in music. Everyone matters!

Labels like Toolroom have such a distinct identity and sound. Did being part of that world influence your production approach at all?

Not sure it did you know. I think maybe just the music I make naturally suits certain labels and toolroom is one of them. I probably would advise against trying to make music for a specific label in mind, again just follow your gut when making tunes. It usually starts flowing naturally where your sound is meant to go.

Do you approach records differently depending on whether they’re destined for a label like Defected versus your own independent direction?

Again my approach is just make music and worry about what label they go to after. You genuinely can’t guess what an A&R from any given label will like so you might as well just write music freely.

What does success look like for you now compared with when the project first started?

Making people happy and leaving something behind my boy can be proud of. He’s the man!

Catch Illyus Barrientos playing back to back with BETH at TRNSMT Festival on Sunday June 21st. More information HERE.

Read the full interview with Illyus Barrientos at The Night Bazaar HERE.