DJ · PRODUCER · FOUNDER
Music Doctor René
René is a DJ and music lover through and through. Disco, soul, funk, pop and dance have been the common thread throughout his musical life. He hears more than just a beat — he hears the story behind it. His DJ journey began in 1978, playing at school parties and in a campsite canteen. In 1982, he got the opportunity to DJ in Renesse. Until 1989, he played at every nightclub in this seaside village in Zeeland: The Game, Bar Orilla, Pigalle, Pinky’s Disco, Trinity and his personal favourite, ’t Roefke. In 1987, René joined the record label Polydor in Hilversum as a radio promoter.Alongside this work, he took his mobile DJ shows across the Netherlands. In 1995, he became the resident DJ at Late Night Dance Cafe Experience in Rotterdam. This was followed by the Maastheater and numerous other clubs in the Netherlands and abroad, including Mallorca. Radio was another constant throughout his career. René presented programmes on the then-renowned Stadsradio Rotterdam and worked as a music programmer for SUN FM, an urban music station that, sadly, was only available on Rotterdam’s cable network for a few years. In 2000, he moved to Q-Radio, a world music station broadcasting on the notorious 1224 kHz medium-wave frequency. The station later operated under the names Q the Beat and Colorful Radio, laying the foundations for today’s FunX. By then, René had moved on, while continuing to DJ at events, corporate parties and festivals. In 2007, he founded The Music Doctors with a fellow DJ and friend. The idea emerged as computer-based music systems became increasingly common in hospitality venues. Business owners would receive a system with around 2,500 tracks and a handful of standard playlists, but often lacked the time or knowledge to make the most of them. The Music Doctors set out to change that. They programmed, organised and expanded these digital record collections, tailoring the music to each venue, its guests and the desired atmosphere. From hotels and wellness centres to pubs and upmarket restaurants, their years of DJ experience and extensive musical knowledge helped them find the right sound for every setting. As a DJ duo, The Music Doctors joined the roster of Theaterbureau Jan Vis, which booked them for many years. Through the agency, René also spent several years DJing with the TopPop Roadshow, both on his own and alongside TopPop presenter Ad Visser. A particular highlight came in 2008, when The Music Doctors toured major Dutch festivals for Grolsch, including De Zwarte Cross, Rock in Park, Lowlands, Mysteryland and Loveland. Inside the enormous inflatable Grolsch tent, they played music videos on DVD rather than vinyl or CDs. Music and visuals came together to create the show. The original duo have since gone their separate ways, but René continues to DJ under the name The Music Doctors. In 2026, he began a new chapter: producing his own music. Using AI as a creative tool, he makes original tracks, tributes to musical heroes and bespoke productions. Music that gets a dance floor moving, brings back memories or expresses a feeling that ordinary words cannot quite capture. René sets the direction, writes and refines, listens and chooses. His taste, experience and intuition give every production its character.
