A Struggling Giant?

For over two decades, Q-Dance has been a defining force in the hard dance scene, creating legendary events like Qlimax, Q-Base, Qapital, and multiple international editions of Defqon.1. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dutch powerhouse has faced increasing difficulties. Many of its most beloved events have been canceled, including the Defqon.1 editions in Chile and Australia, the long-running Q-Base, and more recently, the shocking demise of Qlimax, a festival many considered the spiritual home of raw and euphoric hardstyle.

Defqon.1: The Last Man Standing?

Another concerning sign has been the shift in Q-Dance’s Dediqated program, which once offered early ticket access for multiple events but has since become exclusive to Defqon.1. Now, with the mobile app rebranded entirely around Defqon.1, many are wondering if Q-Dance is being slowly absorbed into its flagship festival, leaving behind the rest of its event portfolio.

Adding to the concerns, Q-Dance’s presence at major festivals has been steadily declining. The company previously hosted full takeover stages at Tomorrowland, showcasing the best of hardstyle over an entire weekend. Then, their presence was reduced to a single day. More recently, it was scaled down to just a few sets with a mini end show. In 2025, for the first time in years, Q-Dance will have no presence at Tomorrowland at all.

In addition, in a recent episode of the Dutch podcast “De Machine,” the owner of Defqon.1 and Q-Dance shed light on the company’s evolving strategy. He revealed that instead of expanding, Q-Dance aims to focus on fewer events while ensuring they are the absolute best in the industry. This aligns with recent shifts. While this approach could mean more high-quality, immersive experiences, it also raises concerns about the long-term future of some of Q-Dance’s most iconic events. You can listen to the full interview here.

What’s Next?

Is Q-Dance simply undergoing a rebrand, or are we witnessing the slow disappearance of one of hard dance’s most influential brands? For now, it’s all speculation, but with so many major changes happening in the last few years, it’s clear that Q-Dance is at a crossroads. Whether this marks the beginning of a new era or the end of an institution remains to be seen.

[H/T] Guettapen

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HARD Events has announced the official afterparties & pre-parties for the 15th Edition of HARD Summer Music Festival, returning to Los Angeles for the first time in 10 years from August 5th-6th, and they are filled with the biggest names in the game. As a matter of fact, the afterparty and pre-party list includes artists like John Summit, Sullivan King, Kayzo, Black Coffee, The Martinez Brothers, Boys Noize, Hayden James, Nitti & Friends, and more. 

These parties will take place at a variety of key venues in LA. In fact, Exchange LA, Academy LA, The Belasco, 930 Mateo St Warehouse, 1720, and Sunset at Edition are in the rotation with events taking place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Check out the full schedule below.

As for the festival itself, HARD Summer will utilize a brand new venue combination with various stages spread out across the campuses of the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Exposition Park, and BMO Stadium. The festival lineup includes Skrillex b2b Four Tet, Kaskade b2b John Summit, 21 Savage, Kid Cudi, Diplo b2b BLOND:ISH, Dillon Francis, Black Coffee, MK b2b Sonny Fodera, The Martinez Brothers, Ludacris, Bicep (Live), Giolì & Assia, Oliver Tree, Fat Joe, Gorgon City, Kayzo b2b Sullivan King, Boys Noize, Emo Nite, Netsky, Blossom, SIPPY, and much more.

Finally, remaining tickets are currently available via HARD Summer’s official website.

Stay tuned for more news!

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As for the lineup, HARD Summer went all out by including many names that marked the festival’s history. In fact, some of the most prominent artists in the industry find themselves performing over the weekend, with some playing pretty special back-to-backs. For instance, the two headline performances for the weekend are none other than Kaskade b2b John Summit and Skrillex b2b Four Tet. Obviously, those names have been four of the hottest ones in the world for the past few months, so it’s pretty special to have them performing at the same event.

The rest of the lineup also includes some HARD alumni, alongside some familiar names. Fans will have the chance to dance to the sounds of Diplo b2b BLOND:ISH, Dillon Francis, Gorgon City, Kayzo b2b Sullivan King, Black Coffe, Oliver Tree, Yellow Claw b2b Flosstradamus, and many others. Let’s just say that this edition of HARD Summer should be a pretty unique one.

HARD Summer will also continue to invest in creating a comfortable experience for attendees, with this never-before-used venue complex providing the perfect canvas to expand this mission. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 10th at 10am PT. For more info, please visit the official website.

Stay tuned for more news!

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HARD Events has announced the grand return of HARD Summer Music Festival to the City of Angels for the first time in ten years. Taking place in Downtown Los Angeles from August 5th-6th, the milestone fifteenth edition of HARD Summer will utilize a brand new venue combination with various stages spread out across the campuses of the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Exposition Park, and BMO Stadium. Fans can hop on the LA Metro for an easy journey to and from the event, or taste some of the city’s most celebrated food vendors at the foot of the Coliseum Torch.

Since its debut edition in 2008, HARD Summer has become a staple of the Southern California festival scene with its return to LA showcasing the evolution of the festival in an entirely new setting. As a part of the iconic LA Coliseum’s centennial anniversary celebration, the 2023 edition will provide attendees with a brand new take on the multi-genre HARD Summer experience.

HSMF’s new home will offer a fully immersive footprint for fans of many genres and styles to explore. Admirers of dance music’s biggest mainstage acts can hold it down at the HARD Stage at the Green Lot on the south side of BMO Stadium, while followers of more esoteric strains of house and techno can see their favorite global icons on the Pink Stage at Christmas Tree Lane Park. Multi-genre curation will triumph on the HARDER Stage on the South Lawn, where mind-blowing headlining performances from the industry’s foremost titans have become commonplace. Bass music devotées can ride the rail at the festival’s Green Stage inside the LA Memorial Coliseum, while a spotlight will continue to be shined on live acts and new subgenres du jour at the Purple Stage inside BMO stadium.

HARD Summer will also be hosting a series of official afterparties at premiere venues around Los Angeles, offering a true city-side takeover. More afterparty details will be announced closer to the festival.

Two-day festival passes will be available for purchase on February 3rd at 10am PT through the official website for HARD Summer. To celebrate the festival’s return to the 213 area code, fans can also secure passes with a $2.13 deposit on February 3rd for one day only.

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Known for bringing multi-genre acts, HARD is staking a claim in the major week for dance music THAT’S capped off by Ultra Music Festival on March 25 to 27.

“HARD is known widely for its ability to cross genres and bring together artists on the cusp with the scene’s most celebrated stars,” organizers stated on Friday.

“The brand’s Miami edition sees this curatorial ethos extend into the international currents of house and techno.”

Organizers added: “Detroit’s seminal tastemaker and Mahogani Records boss Moodymann tops the bill, alongside Turbo leader Tiga, and rising UK icon TSHA.” The headliners will be joined by local artists including DJ Ray b2b Latane, From Fundido, Inbal and Jonny From Space.

While HARD’s flagship is HARD Summer in Southern California, it has left a mark in various cities in the past. Miami is one of them.

“Those in the know will tell you that HARD Miami remains a storied flagship of the MMW calendar and a show not to be missed,” the organizers said.

HARD Expansion

News of HARD Miami comes a month after organizers revealed they’re expanding HARD Summer from two to three days. The massive event is set for July 29 to 31 at NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, California. That’s the same venue regularly used by Insomniac, which has owned HARD Events since 2013. HARD Summer will offer five outdoor stages, mist systems and a one-acre lagoon. The lineup has yet to be unveiled.

And that’s not all. In December, HARD Events announced its expansion to the Pacific Northwest. HARD PNW will take place on March 19 at Tacoma Dome in Washington. Its lineup features Dillon Francis b2b Baauer, Kayzo, Joyryde and Wax Motif, among others. It goes down just five days before HARD Miami.

Tickets for HARD Miami, taking place at 143 NW 23rd St., can be purchased here.

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The one-day event will feature some of the biggest names in the industry. In fact, Alesso, Jauz, Tchami, Malaa, Dillon Francis, and Noizu will perform at the all-day summer party. A few other popular DJs like Kayzo, Duke & Jones and Whipped Cream will make an appearance at HARD London. The festival is set to take place at The Drumsheds, a venue created by the people behind Printworks. 

Even though this is the first stand-alone iteration in London for HARD Events, this is not the brand’s first appearance in the city. Indeed, they did host a stage at Creamfields back in 2016. Throughout the years, they consistently delivered stacked lineups for each of its events. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic slowly fades away and the excitement surrounding music festivals this summer grows, HARD London has a very good chance of selling out in a matter of hours.

You can check the lineup here. For now, keep in mind that there are still a couple of artists to add to the lineup. However, we can all agree that it is already pretty convincing. Limited GA and VIP passes will be available for pre-sale beginning on Wednesday, March 31 at Noon GMT. Early bird passes start at £39.50. You can sign-up for pre-sale access on HARD London’s website. Stay tuned for more details!

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Insomniac shared a statement with fans about the postponement of the festival and explained the procedure moving forward for ticket holders. Those who are looking to attend HARD Summer 2021 can keep their current tickets for the event. As a token of their appreciation, Insomniac will have passes upgraded. GA passes will be upgraded to VIP; Those with VIP tickets will be given an additional one. Certainly, this is a deal that usually never comes around. However, for those who don’t plan to attend next year’s event, refunds will be made available. Make sure to keep an eye on your emails as more details will be emailed to you.

HARD Summer is one of many remarkable events that have been postponed this year. Coachella, EDC Las Vegas, Beyond Wonderland, and Ultra Europe have also been affected by COVID-19. Sadly, no one knows for sure when music festivals will be able to return. However, some experts predict that they won’t be able to return until some time in 2021. Hopefully, this will not be the case.

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JOYRYDE suffered a severe malfunction in his body due to a disk in his back collapsing as he stated. The 34-year-old artist opened up on social media about how he had to go through a tough time with meds and opioids to survive the surgery and pain.

The message wrote by JOYRYDE on his Facebook page reads as follows:

‘I wasn’t in the state of mind to finish the EP anymore. I knew right then it would be a long time until I could release music again and I really passed some moments disappointed in myself. But I learned there was nothing I could do.’

He finishes off stating the way he came back with pure will. To finish the album he went little by little, song by song. He ended sharing a wonderful phrase:

‘My role in life is to create for others. I’ve made peace with that notion. So here is something I did.’

Don’t forget to listen to JOYRYDE’s new album, BRAVE, here.

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Halloween is in full effect, and that means one thing, Halloween events. With Wynwood Fear Factory and Escape: Psycho Circus already behind us, there are only a few festive events waiting to take place. One of these events, is HARD Day Of The Dead.

While not exactly a Halloween event, ‘Día de Los Muertos‘ is just about as close as it gets, it is in November after all. HARD DOTD is set to take place this upcoming weekend, in Downtown Los Angeles. In preparation of HARD DOTD, we’ve got a special surprise for you.

Today we bring you a curated playlist from HARD DOTD artist, John Bryars. He sent us over fourteen selected tracks ahead of his DOTD set that are indicative of his upcoming performance. If you’ve yet to see Bryars live, you can catch him live at the ‘Duro Stage‘ this upcoming weekend. Below, are his picks, along with a brief comment in regards to his selections.

John Bryars’ Playlist

Anthony Rother – Polycentric

Solar – 5 Seconds

Chaos In The CBD – Come Together

Peach – Silky

Midland – Drumtrak

Kenneth Bager Feat. Jez Phunk – Drums Of Steel

Aphex Twin – Alberto Balsalm

Marie Davidson – Work It (Soulwax Remix)

Hayes – That You Know

David Vunk Feat. Mima – Olympics 84

Dave Aju – Everybody’s Watching

Jonquera – Findus

Cooper Saver – Pacifico

Bicep – Opal (Four Tet Remix)

And just like that, we’ve wrapped up John Bryars 14 picks, to showcase his upcoming set at HARD Day Of The Dead. HARD DOTD will be taking place this weekend, November 2, 2019 at the Los Angeles State Historic Park, in Downtown Los Angeles.

To stay up to date with John Bryars, be sure to check out his Soundcloud, and follow his Instagram, here. You can find the full HARD Day Of The Dead lineup, below. Be sure to get your tickets here. See you there!

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HARD Events has always been known for incredible lineups. if you recently attended HARD Summer, I’m sure you would agree. I had the fortune of attending last year’s HARD Day Of The Dead, and the lineup was amazing. It featured everyone from Justice to Shiba San, Knife Party, Die Antwoord, and many more. While this lineup was one for the books, it seems as though the folks behind HARD are set to outdo themselves.

Meet The 2019 Lineup

This year’s lineup features heavy-hitters like Dogblood (Boys Noize + Skrillex), The Martinez Brothers, TOKiMONSTA, and Blacklizt, which is Zhu‘s deep house & techno alias. In addition to these artists, you can also expect to catch Justin Martin, Elohim, Damian Lazarus, 1788-L, and Melé. It should be noted that there is also a special Josh Pan b2b X&G set on the lineup, which you do not want to miss.

If you’ve yet to attend an event at the LA State Historic Park, you might want to check HARD Day of The Dead. The venue is set in the heart of the city and features a beautiful backdrop of downtown LA. The park contains 34 acres of nature at its finest. When paired with the thumping music of events like these, you’ve got yourself a musical paradise.

For more information and ticket info, be sure to check out the official HARD website here. The full lineup can be found below. See you there!

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Relive HARD Day Of The Dead 2018 here.

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