Mika Akela is the alter ego of Maikel Vermeulen. This Rotterdam-based open-format/genre-fluid DJ has a deep love for various music styles and their rich histories. Because of this, he’s never confined to just one sound—he has an arsenal of DJ sets ready to go. From pop classics to indie/alternative rock, from disco house to techno, he plays it all. Check out his website to see what he has to offer, and let’s have some fun!
ABOUT THE NAME...
The name Mika Akela is an anagram of A.K.A. Maikel, giving a nod to his past. "Akela" reflects his scouting days (where the leader is called Akela) and his childhood obsession with worn-out VHS tapes of The Jungle Book (where Akela is a character). The remaining letters forming "Mika" pay tribute to the British artist Mika, who inspired Maikel to embrace his own (bi)sexuality.
Mika Akela is more than just a stage name—it’s a statement.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN...
Every house party has that one person who can't stop messing with the playlist—Maikel was that guy. After studying at the Zadkine Pop Academy, this rocker found himself behind the decks at De Kroepoekfabriek (Vlaardingen), where he seamlessly connected bands through music. But it was the after-parties that really sparked something in him.
From there, he started playing silent discos and house parties, perfecting his skills along the way.
When the Netherlands won Eurovision 2019, Maikel took on the challenge of curating an all-night Eurovision party. He pitched the idea to FERRY (Rotterdam), and they welcomed it with open arms. Then... the pandemic hit.
As a resident DJ at FERRY, he adapted to every curveball Miss Corona threw at the nightlife scene.
- DJing for seated audiences? Sure!
- Livestreaming during lockdown? Why not!
- Peaking early in the night? Done!
- Karaoke with drag queens? Hell yaaassss!
After the final lockdown in 2022, Mika Akela proved himself to be the ultimate chameleon. FERRY evolved from a cozy café into a pumping party club, weddings and private events started rolling in, and he became a regular presence at LGBTQ+ Prides. His reputation as an open-format DJ was cemented.