Qlimax

Last updated
Qlimax
7-1-scaled.jpg
Genre Hardstyle, Hardcore, Hardhouse, Hard trance (formerly), Subground (formerly)
Location(s) Netherlands
Years active2000–2024
Founders Q-dance
Website Q-dance Website

Qlimax is an annual hardstyle and hard dance event in the Netherlands. It is a major attraction held by Q-dance, and considered to be one of the leading hardstyle events, attracting nearly 30,000 people annually. [1] It contains some of the most sophisticated production and setup, as well as sound system for any Q-dance event. On the 25th of July 2024, Q-Dance announced that Qlimax 2024 will be the very last edition.

Contents

History

During the first few years following Qlimax's debut, the event used to have several editions each year. Since 2004, it was changed to the third or fourth week of November. At first it was held at the Beursgebouw (Eindhoven) and then moved to various other venues such as the SilverDome (Zoetermeer) and Heineken Music Hall (Amsterdam), but has now settled at the GelreDome (Arnhem).

Artists and event

Many artists consider being chosen to play at Qlimax as a highlight since the event is used to showcase the most successful artists in their respective genre. The beginning saw the lineup featuring genres ranging from Hardhouse to Techno. This was changed to traditionally begin with one Hardtrance act, numerous Hardstyle acts and then finish off with one Hardcore/Gabber act. This was changed in 2008 with the removal of the Jumpstyle act and in 2009 with the replacement of the Hardtrance act to one playing early Hardstyle.

in 2021 the event would have taken place during the day for the first time, to adhere to the COVID-19 pandemic precautions and guidelines at that time in the Netherlands. [2] A week before the event was due, the event was cancelled and adapted to an online event. [3] [4]

On the 25th of July 2024, Q-Dance announced that Qlimax 2024 will be the very last edition. With this announcement, Q-Dance has ended one of the oldest hardstyle events.

The sound, light, pyrotechnic and stage setup at Qlimax is substantial. Around 350 L'Acoustics speaker boxes are deployed in the arena, with a majority being suspended from the ceiling. The conventional part of the lighting setup is controlled from 3 light desks, and the laser show is done by a certified laser show operator. Booths for technicians is placed out in the crowd, giving them the overview they need, as well as the sound coverage needed to ensure everyone is having the most ideal possible sound at all times.

Anthems

Like most of the Q-dance events, an anthem is made every year by the headlining DJ (with the exception of 2001 and 2002) to represent that edition. Below is a list of the anthems for each edition:

Dutch Anthems

Editions

YearDateLocationThemeAnthemMCLineup (in no particular order)
20003 JuneBeursgebouw, Eindhoven (Holland)N/AN/ARuffianCaptain Tinrib, Dana, Nick Sentience, Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Ian M, Remy, Rank 1, Jon the Dentist, The Advent, CJ Bolland, and Pavo.
20012 June Heineken Music Hall, AmsterdamN/AN/ARuffianAcid Junkies, Alpha Twins, Bas & Ram, Dana, Gary D, Jon The Baptist, Kai Tracid, Lisa Loud, Marco V, Michel de Hey, and Mauro Picotto.
20026 April Thialf Stadion, HeerenveenCosmosN/ARuffianCaptain Tinrib (Live), Cosmic Spoils, Dana, Gary D, Kai Tracid, Pavo, Technoboy, and Warmduscher.
200221 SeptemberSilverDome, ZoetermeerInfectionN/ARuffianAlpha Twins, Bas & Ram, Charly Lownoise, Dana, The Darkman, Gizmo, Haze & Abyss, DJ Isaac, Luna, Melanie de Tria, Pavo, Pila, Sunny D, Technoboy, and Zenith DJ.
200312 April Thialf Stadion, HeerenveenFollow The Leader The Prophet - Follow The LeaderRuffian Dana, Gary D, Isaac, Luna, Pavo, Pila, Super Marco May, Technoboy, The Prophet (Anthem Show), and Zenith DJ.
200322 November GelreDome, ArnhemThe Prophecy Deepack - The ProphecyRuffianBas & Ram, Daniele Mondello, Deepack (anthem show), Kai Tracid, Luna, Max B Grant, Pavo, The Prophet, Technoboy, and Bass D & King Matthew
200427 November GelreDome, ArnhemDestiny's PathFuture Tribes - Deadlock (Unofficial)Mouth Of MadnessCharly Lownoise, Dana, Luna, Igor S, Outblast, Pavo, Technoboy & The Prophet, and Zany.
200519 November GelreDome, ArnhemScience & Religion DJ Zany - Science & ReligionRuffianBas & Ram, The Beholder & Ballistic, Pila, Zany (Anthem Show), The Prophet, Luna, DJ Isaac, Alpha Twins, Technoboy, and Vince.
200625 November GelreDome, ArnhemThe DarksideAlpha Twins - The Darkside (Co-Produced with JDX)RuffianAlpha Twins (anthem show), Dana, Luna, The Prophet feat. Headhunterz, Promo, DJ Ruthless, Showtek, Tatanka, Zany & Donkey Rollers (Live), and Yves de Ruyter.
200717 November GelreDome, ArnhemThe Power of the Mind Headhunterz - The Power of the MindRuffianFausto, DJ Ghost, Brennan Heart, Showtek (feat. MC DV8), Headhunterz (Live) (Anthem Show), Technoboy, The Prophet & Zany, and DJ Neophyte.
200822 November GelreDome, ArnhemNext Dimensional World Technoboy - Next Dimensional WorldRuffianMark Sherry, Showtek, Headhunterz (Live), Project One, D-Block & S-te-Fan, Technoboy (anthem show), Tatanka, and Zany & Vince.
200921 November GelreDome, ArnhemThe Nature of Our MindD-Block & S-te-Fan - The Nature of Our MindRuffianDJ Isaac, A-Lusion, Davide Sonar (Live), Brennan Heart, Technoboy, D-Block & S-te-Fan (anthem show), Headhunterz, Noisecontrollers (feat. MC Renegade), Deepack, and Noize Suppressor (LIVE).
201027 November GelreDome, ArnhemAlternate RealityBrennan Heart - Alternate RealityRuffianPavelow, DJ Stephanie, Wildstylez, Wildstylez & Noisecontrollers (Surprise Act), TNT aka Technoboy & Tuneboy (Live), Brennan Heart (Anthem Show), D-Block & S-te-Fan, Psyko Punkz (Live), Zatox, and Endymion vs. Evil Activities.
201126 November GelreDome, ArnhemExperiment DomeZatox - No Way BackRuffianStana, Coone, Headhunterz, Zany & The Pitcher (feat. MC DV8), Noisecontrollers, Zatox (anthem show), Ran-D, Gunz For Hire, and The Prophet.
201224 November GelreDome, ArnhemFate Or FortunePsyko Punkz - Fate Or FortuneRuffian (with Villain as a B2B MC)A*S*Y*S, Wildstylez, Frontliner, Isaac, Technoboy, Zatox, Psyko Punkz (Anthem Show), Brennan Heart, B-Front (feat. MC DV8), Adaro, and Evil Activities (feat. E-Life).
201323 November GelreDome, ArnhemImmortal EssenceGunz For Hire ft. Ruffian - ImmortalRuffianActi, Wildstylez & Max Enforcer, Code Black, Coone, Gunz For Hire (anthem show feat. Ruffian), Noisecontrollers, Zatox, Alpha Twins, and Mad Dog & Art of Fighters.
201422 November GelreDome, ArnhemThe Source Code of CreationNoisecontrollers – The Source Code of CreationRuffianAudiofreq & Technoboy, Headhunterz, Atmozfears, Frontliner, Noisecontrollers (Anthem Show), Ran-D, Crypsis, Endymion, The Viper, and Partyraiser.
201521 November GelreDome, ArnhemEquilibriumAtmozfears - EquilibriumVillainDJ Isaac, Bass Modulators, Atmozfears (anthem show), Noisecontrollers & Wildstylez (90 minute set), Brennan Heart, Ran-D, Zatox & Adaro (DJ), Frequencerz, Deetox, and Tha Playah.
201619 November GelreDome, ArnhemRise of the CelestialsCoone - Rise of the CelestialsVillainTuneboy, Audiotricz, Brennan Heart (vs. Blademasterz), Coone (Anthem Show), Project One, Bass Modulators, Frequencerz, B-Front, Angerfist, and Ran-D.
201718 November GelreDome, ArnhemTemple of LightWildstylez - Temple of LightVillainTNT aka Technoboy & Tuneboy, D-Block & S-Te-Fan, Wildstylez (Anthem Show), Da Tweekaz, Noisecontrollers & Atmozfears, Frequencerz, Phuture Noize (Surprise Act), Sub Zero Project, Gunz for Hire, and N-Vitral.
201824 November GelreDome, ArnhemThe Game ChangerSub Zero Project - The Game ChangerVillainLuna, Sound Rush, Coone, Bass Modulators, Wildstylez (LIVE), Sub Zero Project (Anthem Show), Tweekacore, Phuture Noize, B-Freqz, and Dr. Peacock (feat. Da Mouth of Madness).
201923 November GelreDome, ArnhemSymphony of ShadowsB-Front - Symphony of ShadowsVillainThe Qreator, KELTEK, Sound Rush, D-Block & S-Te-Fan, Headhunterz, B-Front (Anthem Show), Ran-D, D-Sturb, Rejecta, Radical Redemption (feat. MC Nolz), and Miss K8.
202028 November
  • Various location (The Source)
  • Centrale Markthallen, Amsterdam (Afterparty; Streaming)
The Source (as visual concept album)Qlimax The Source OSTVillainThe Qreator, Sub Zero Project, Phuture Noize, Headhunterz & JDX, B-Front, KELTEK, and Sefa.
202120 NovemberCentrale Markthallen, Amsterdam (Streaming)Distorted Reality (originally as The Reawakening)Ran-D ft. Charlotte Wessels - The ReawakeningVillainZany, D-Block & S-Te-Fan, The Qreator, Sub Zero Project, Ran-D, Shadow Priests (KELTEK, Devin Wild, Frequencerz, Vertile; Surprise Act), Sound Rush, Rebelion, D-Sturb & Act of Rage, and Sefa.
202226 November GelreDome, ArnhemThe ReawakeningRan-D ft. Charlotte Wessels - The ReawakeningVillainZany, The Qreator, Sound Rush, D-Block & S-Te-Fan, Ran-D (Anthem Show), Sub Zero Project, The Prophet, Rebelion, D-Sturb & Act Of Rage, Rooler, and Sefa.
202318 November GelreDome, ArnhemEnter the VoidHard Driver – Enter The VoidVillainDeepack, Brennan Heart present Blademasterz, Showtek, TNT (Technoboy & Tuneboy), Hard Driver (Anthem Show), Devin Wild, The Qreator, B-Front x Phuture Noize: The Enlightenment, Shadow Priests (Cryex & The Purge & Adjuzt), Vertile, Warface, Deadly Guns, MC Villain.
202416 November GelreDome, ArnhemThe Final ProphecyTBATBATBA

Most significant artists

Artist200020012002-12002-22003-12003-220042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023Times performed
Technoboy2002-12002-22003-12003-220042005200720082009201020122014201713
Headhunterz200620072008200920112014201920208
Zany200420052006200720082011202120228
The Prophet2003-12003-22004200520062007201120228
Brennan Heart20072009201020122015201620237
Dana200020012002-12002-22003-1200420067
Luna2002-22003-12003-220042005200620187
Noisecontrollers20092010201120132014201520177
D-Block & S-te-Fan20082009201020172019202120227
Ran-D20112014201520162019202120227
DJ Isaac2002-22003-120052009201220156
Pavo20002002-12002-22003-12003-220046
Wildstylez2010201220132015201720186
Alpha Twins20012002-22005200620135
B-Front201220162019202020235
Zatox201020112012201320155
Sub Zero Project201720182020202120225
Bas & Ram20012002-22003-220054
Coone20112013201620184
Phuture Noize20172018202020234
Showtek20062007200820234
The Qreator20192020202120224
Atmozfears2014201520173
Bass Modulators2015201620183
Frequencerz2015201620173
Gary D20012002-12003-13
Gunz For Hire2011201320173
Kai Tracid20012002-12003-23
Pila2002-22003-120053
Sound Rush20182019202120224
Deepack2003-22009201320234
Tuneboy2010201620173
D-Sturb2019202120223
Sefa2020202120223
TNT aka Technoboy & Tuneboy2010201720233
Adaro201220152
Captain Tinrib20002002-12
Charly Lownoise2002-220042
Crushed200420052
Da Tweekaz / Tweekacore201720182
Endymion201020142
Evil Activities201020122
Frontliner201220142
Keltek201920202
Project One200820162
Psyko Punkz201020122
Tatanka200620082
Vince200520082
Act of Rage202120222
Rebelion202120222
A*S*Y*S20121
A-Lusion20091
Acid Junkies20011
Acti20131
Angerfist20161
Art of Fighters20131
Audiofreq20141
Audiotricz20161
B-Freqz20181
Bass D & King Matthew2003-21
Code Black20131
Cosmic Spoils2002-11
Crypsis20141
Daniele Mondello2003-21
Davide Sonar20091
Deadly Guns20231
Deetox20151
DJ Ghost20071
DJ Neophyte20071
DJ Ruthless20061
DJ Stephanie20101
Donkey Rollers20061
Dr. Peacock20181
Fausto20071
Gizmo2002-21
Hard Driver20231
Haze & Abyss2002-21
Igor S20041
JDX20201
Jon The Baptist20011
Lisa Loud20011
Mad Dog20131
Marco V20011
Mark Sherry20081
Mauro Picotto20011
Max B Grant2003-21
Max Enforcer20131
Mean Machine20051
Melanie de Tria2002-21
Michel de Hey20011
Miss K820191
N-Vitral20171
Nick Sentience 20001
Noize Suppressor20091
Outblast20041
Partyraiser20141
Pavelow20101
Promo20061
Radical Redemption20191
Rejecta20191
Rooler20221
Stana20111
Sunny D2002-21
Super Marco May2003-11
Tha Playah20151
The Darkman2002-21
The Pitcher20111
The Viper20141
Vertile20231
Warface20231
Warmduscher2002-11
Yves de Ruyter20061

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hardstyle</span> Genre of electronic dance music

Hardstyle is an electronic dance genre that emerged in the late 1990s, with origins in the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy. Hardstyle mixes influences from techno, new beat and hardcore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GelreDome</span> Football stadium in Arnhem, Netherlands

The GelreDome is a retractable roof and pitch football stadium in the city of Arnhem, Netherlands. Built from 1996 to 1998 at a cost equivalent to €75 million, that opened on 25 March 1998. The stadium has been the home of association football club Vitesse Arnhem since 1998. It was one of the stadiums used during Euro 2000 tournament held in the Netherlands and Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angerfist</span> Dutch hardcore producer and DJ (born 1981)

Danny Masseling, better known by his stage name Angerfist, is a Dutch hardcore producer and DJ.

Sydney born Nik Fish is an Australian DJ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sensation (event)</span> Music event in Europe

Sensation is an indoor electronic dance music event which originated in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and organized by ID&T. The original event, which ran exclusively in the Amsterdam Arena for a period of five years until 2005, is now located throughout various European and a few non-European countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Technoboy</span> Italian DJ

Cristiano Giusberti, known by his primary stage name Technoboy, is an Italian hardstyle DJ and producer from Bologna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Headhunterz</span> Dutch Hardstyle DJ and record producer

Willem Rebergen, better known by his stage name Headhunterz, is a Dutch DJ and music producer. Rebergen is also a voice actor. He has done dubbing for several movies and TV series. He started his career in 2005 working on Hardstyle music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Showtek</span> Dutch electronic dance music duo

Showtek is a Dutch electronic dance music duo consisting of two brothers from Eindhoven, Wouter Janssen. and Sjoerd Janssen. The duo regularly manages to reach the top of multiple music charts and work with artists such as Tiësto, Chris Brown and David Guetta. Showtek was ranked 17th in the Top 100 DJs list of 2014 but by the magazine's 2016 list, they had dropped to 96th. The brothers, who have been musically active since 2001, also offer podcasts on their own radio show on the music streaming service iTunes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Q-dance</span> Dutch event organization company

Q-dance is a Dutch company that organizes events and festivals that focuses on the harder styles of dance music – mainly hardstyle, hardcore, and hard trance. Popular events and festivals organized by Q-dance are Defqon.1 Festival, Qlimax and Dominator. Q-Dance has organized multiple events and festivals in the past such as Qapital, The Qontinent, Impaqt, Q-Base, EPIQ, and X-Qlusive. The events of Q-dance are easily identified by the letter “Q” on the event names. The logo of Q-dance is inspired by the knobs on DJ mixers, which if turned 120 degrees to the right creates the letter “Q”.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildstylez</span> Dutch hardstyle DJ and record producer

Joram Metekohy, better known by his stage name Wildstylez, is a Dutch hardstyle DJ and record producer. Having previously released hardstyle records under the alias 'Seizure', Joram Metekohy had his first solo release as Wildstylez in 2007 on the Scantraxx sub-label Scantraxx Reloaded. In 2010, he started the record label Digital:Age in collaboration with Noisecontrollers. After he stopped releasing on Digital:Age, and its subsequent collapse, Wildstylez had a string of releases on Q-Dance Records and also released many tracks for free via social media. In 2013, Wildstylez founded his own hardstyle label, Lose Control Music, under the parent label Be Yourself Music. As of 2014, he and Max Enforcer now release their own music through Lose Control Music. Later, in 2018, Wildstylez founded the label Art of Creation with Headhunterz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hardwell</span> Dutch DJ and music producer

Robbert van de Corput, known professionally as Hardwell, is a Dutch DJ and music producer from Breda. He was voted the world's number one DJ by DJ Mag in 2013 and again in 2014. In 2022, he was ranked at number 43 in the top 100 DJs poll by DJ Mag. He is best known for his sets at music festivals, including Ultra Music Festival, Sunburn and Tomorrowland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defqon.1 Festival</span> Annual music festival in the Netherlands

Defqon.1 Weekend Festival is an annual music festival held in the Netherlands. In the past, it was also held in Chile and Australia. Founded in 2003 by festival organizer Q-dance, the festival plays mostly hardstyle and related genres such as rawstyle, hardcore, early and classic.

Frenchcore is a subgenre of hardcore techno. The style differs from other forms of hardcore in terms of a faster tempo, usually above 160 –185 BPM, and a loud and distorted offbeat bassline.

Audiotricz are a duo from Nunspeet, Netherlands, consisting of Kenneth Kroes (20/01/1990) and Leon Benschop (27/12/1990) who perform and produce music together within the Hardstyle genre.

Thijs Ploegmakers, known musically as Adaro, is a Dutch DJ and producer. He has produced music in several dance styles, and in 2008 started producing raw hardstyle, for which he is considered to be one of the originators of.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Code Black (DJ)</span> Australian DJ

Corey Soljan, better known by his artistic name Code Black, is an Australian hardstyle-DJ and music producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ran-D</span> Dutch DJ and music producer

Randy "Ran-D" Wieland is a Dutch DJ and music producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atmozfears</span> Dutch hardstyle producer

Tim van de Stadt, known his stage name Atmozfears, is a Dutch hardstyle artist. Atmozfears was previously a trio, consisting of Tim, Kevin Keiser and Michael Jessen, formed in 2009. By the end of 2012, Jessen had left the group. In February 2012, Atmozfears joined the hardstyle label Scantraxx Records. Atmozfears has played at such festivals as Defqon.1, The Qontinent, Q-Base and Tomorrowland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amsterdam Music Festival</span> Dutch music festival

The Amsterdam Music Festival (AMF) is an electronic dance music (EDM) event that takes place during the Amsterdam Dance Event mid-October in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Since the second edition in 2014, the main event has taken place in the Johan Cruijff Arena. In 2015 and 2016 the event was a multiple day EDM-event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sub Zero Project</span> Dutch music duo

Sub Zero Project is a Dutch hardstyle producer duo, consisting of Thomas Velderman and Nigel Coppen, most known for making the Qlimax 2018 anthem "The Game Changer". They are the youngest Qlimax anthem makers in history.

References

  1. ↑ "Waarom het mysterieuze hardstyle feest Qlimax zo populair is". De Gelderlander (in Dutch). 2019-11-23. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  2. ↑ "Hardstylefeest Qlimax keert terug, maar wel overdag". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  3. ↑ "Qlimax werkt aan 'WAT NOU: NEE' editie". 3voor12 (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  4. ↑ "Stoppen na één dag opbouwen: Qlimax sneuvelt". NRC (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-08-27.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.