Onno: The Dutch Master of Melodic House

Onno is a Dutch DJ and producer who has become a central figure in the international melodic house and techno scene. Hailing from the Netherlands, his breakthrough came with the 2018 single "Lionheart," which became an anthem on streaming platforms and solidified his reputation for emotive, driving productions.

Early career

Born Onno van Gessel in 1990, his musical journey began in his teens, influenced by the rich electronic music culture of the Netherlands. He started producing in the early 2010s, releasing his first tracks on smaller digital labels and building a steady following through his immersive DJ sets at Dutch clubs.

Breakthrough

Onno's career shifted significantly in 2018 with the release of "Lionheart" on the respected Armada Music sub-label, Armind. The track's powerful melody and robust rhythm captured the attention of major DJs and playlists, propelling it to the top of Beatport's Melodic House & Techno chart and earning gold certification in the Netherlands for streaming equivalents.

Key tracks

Lionheart — This 2018 single was his commercial breakthrough, dominating dance charts and becoming a festival staple.

Valleria — Released in 2020, this track showcased his refined sound design and further cemented his position within the genre.

Meraki — A 2022 collaboration with labelmate Nourey that highlighted his skill in crafting vocal-led melodic house.

Chronos — This deeper, more techno-influenced 2021 cut demonstrated his versatility beyond peak-time anthems.

Following this success, Onno became a mainstay on Armada Music, releasing a consistent stream of EPs and high-profile collaborations. His 2021 single "Atlas" with Dezza and his 2023 track "Reverie" continued his chart presence on Beatport, often landing in the Top 10 of the melodic house rankings.

His dynamic DJ performances have taken him to major festivals and clubs across Europe and North America. While he has not yet released a full-length album, his focused output of singles and EPs has built a cohesive and recognizable sonic identity centered on atmospheric leads and energetic grooves.

Fans of Onno's brand of emotive, rhythm-forward electronic music should also explore similar artists from the thriving Dutch scene. Tinlicker shares a mastery of progressive melodies and club-ready energy. Ben Böhmer operates in a similar melodic space, though often with a deeper, more subdued approach. Jerome Isma-Ae offers a more tech-influenced but equally melodic take on the house genre. Colyn explores the deeper, more atmospheric corners of the melodic techno spectrum.

Onno's music is a regular feature on the electronic music programming across our partnered stations. His tracks receive consistent airplay on dedicated melodic house radio stations, underground techno streams, and flagship electronic music FM channels, reflecting his broad appeal within the genre.

Listeners can discover the driving melodies of Onno by tuning into the various electronic and melodic house radio stations available right here on onairium.com, where his music is frequently featured in daily rotations and specialist DJ mixes.