Qlimax

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Qlimax
The laser show during Qlimax
GenreHardstyle, Hardcore, Hardhouse, Hard trance (formerly), Subground (formerly)
Location(s)Netherlands
Years active2000–present
Founded byQ-dance
WebsiteQ-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.

History[edit]

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[edit]

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]

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. FOH is placed out in the crowd, giving the technicians 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[edit]

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

  • 2003: The Prophet – Follow the Leader
  • 2003: Deepack – The Prophecy
  • 2004: Future Tribes – Deadlock (Unofficial)
  • 2005: DJ Zany – Science & Religion
  • 2006: Alpha² – The Dark Side (Co-produced by JDX)
  • 2007: Headhunterz – The Power of the Mind
  • 2008: Technoboy – Next Dimensional World
  • 2009: D-Block & S-te-Fan – The Nature Of Our Mind
  • 2010: Brennan Heart – Alternate Reality
  • 2011: Zatox – No Way Back
  • 2012: Psyko Punkz – Fate or Fortune
  • 2013: Gunz For Hire ft. Ruffian – Immortal Essence
  • 2014: Noisecontrollers – The Source Code of Creation
  • 2015: Atmozfears – Equilibrium
  • 2016: Coone – Rise of the Celestials
  • 2017: Wildstylez – Temple of Light
  • 2018: Sub Zero Project – The Game Changer
  • 2019: B-Front – Symphony of Shadows
  • 2020: None (each artist made an anthem for the source movie)
  • 2021: Ran-D ft. Charlotte Wessels – The Reawakening
  • 2022: Ran-D ft. Charlotte Wessels – The Reawakening
  • 2023: Hard Driver – Enter The Void

Editions[edit]

Year Date Location Theme Anthem MC Lineup (in no particular order)
2000 3 June Beursgebouw, Eindhoven (Holland) N/A N/A Ruffian Captain Tinrib, Dana, Nick Sentience, Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Ian M, Remy, Rank 1, Jon the Dentist, The Advent, CJ Bolland, and Pavo.
2001 2 June Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam N/A N/A Ruffian Acid Junkies, Alpha Twins, Bas & Ram, Dana, Gary D, Jon The Baptist, Kai Tracid, Lisa Loud, Marco V, Michel de Hey, and Mauro Picotto.
2002 6 April Thialf Stadion, Heerenveen Cosmos N/A Ruffian Captain Tinrib (Live), Cosmic Spoils, Dana, Gary D, Kai Tracid, Pavo, Technoboy, and Warmduscher.
2002 21 September SilverDome, Zoetermeer Infection N/A Ruffian Alpha 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.
2003 12 April Thialf Stadion, Heerenveen Follow The Leader The Prophet - Follow The Leader Ruffian Dana, Gary D, Isaac, Luna, Pavo, Pila, Super Marco May, Technoboy, The Prophet (Anthem Show), and Zenith DJ.
2003 22 November GelreDome, Arnhem The Prophecy Deepack - The Prophecy Ruffian Bas & Ram, Daniele Mondello, Deepack (anthem show), Kai Tracid, Luna, Max B Grant, Pavo, The Prophet, Technoboy, and Bass D & King Matthew
2004 27 November GelreDome, Arnhem Destiny's Path Future Tribes - Deadlock (Unofficial) Mouth Of Madness Charly Lownoise, Dana, Luna, Igor S, Outblast, Pavo, Technoboy & The Prophet, and Zany.
2005 19 November GelreDome, Arnhem Science & Religion DJ Zany - Science & Religion Ruffian Bas & Ram, The Beholder & Ballistic, Pila, Zany (Anthem Show), The Prophet, Luna, DJ Isaac, Alpha Twins, Technoboy, and Vince.
2006 25 November GelreDome, Arnhem The Darkside Alpha Twins - The Darkside (Co-Produced with JDX) Ruffian Alpha Twins (anthem show), Dana, Luna, The Prophet feat. Headhunterz, Promo, DJ Ruthless, Showtek, Tatanka, Zany & Donkey Rollers (Live), and Yves de Ruyter.
2007 17 November GelreDome, Arnhem The Power of the Mind Headhunterz - The Power of the Mind Ruffian Fausto, DJ Ghost, Brennan Heart, Showtek (feat. MC DV8), Headhunterz (Live) (Anthem Show), Technoboy, The Prophet & Zany, and DJ Neophyte.
2008 22 November GelreDome, Arnhem Next Dimensional World Technoboy - Next Dimensional World Ruffian Mark Sherry, Showtek, Headhunterz (Live), Project One, D-Block & S-te-Fan, Technoboy (anthem show), Tatanka, and Zany & Vince.
2009 21 November GelreDome, Arnhem The Nature of Our Mind D-Block & S-te-Fan - The Nature of Our Mind Ruffian DJ 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).
2010 27 November GelreDome, Arnhem Alternate Reality Brennan Heart - Alternate Reality Ruffian Pavelow, 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.
2011 26 November GelreDome, Arnhem Experiment Dome Zatox - No Way Back Ruffian Stana, Coone, Headhunterz, Zany & The Pitcher (feat. MC DV8), Noisecontrollers, Zatox (anthem show), Ran-D, Gunz For Hire, and The Prophet.
2012 24 November GelreDome, Arnhem Fate Or Fortune Psyko Punkz - Fate Or Fortune Ruffian (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).
2013 23 November GelreDome, Arnhem Immortal Essence Gunz For Hire ft. Ruffian - Immortal Ruffian Acti, Wildstylez & Max Enforcer, Code Black, Coone, Gunz For Hire (anthem show feat. Ruffian), Noisecontrollers, Zatox, Alpha Twins, and Mad Dog & Art of Fighters.
2014 22 November GelreDome, Arnhem The Source Code of Creation Noisecontrollers – The Source Code of Creation Ruffian Audiofreq & Technoboy, Headhunterz, Atmozfears, Frontliner, Noisecontrollers (Anthem Show), Ran-D, Crypsis, Endymion, The Viper, and Partyraiser.
2015 21 November GelreDome, Arnhem Equilibrium Atmozfears - Equilibrium Villain DJ Isaac, Bass Modulators, Atmozfears (anthem show), Noisecontrollers & Wildstylez (90 minute set), Brennan Heart, Ran-D, Zatox & Adaro (DJ), Frequencerz, Deetox, and Tha Playah.
2016 19 November GelreDome, Arnhem Rise of the Celestials Coone - Rise of the Celestials Villain Tuneboy, Audiotricz, Brennan Heart (vs. Blademasterz), Coone (Anthem Show), Project One, Bass Modulators, Frequencerz, B-Front, Angerfist, and Ran-D.
2017 18 November GelreDome, Arnhem Temple of Light Wildstylez - Temple of Light Villain TNT 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.
2018 24 November GelreDome, Arnhem The Game Changer Sub Zero Project - The Game Changer Villain Luna, Sound Rush, Coone, Bass Modulators, Wildstylez (LIVE), Sub Zero Project (Anthem Show), Tweekacore, Phuture Noize, B-Freqz, and Dr. Peacock.
2019 23 November GelreDome, Arnhem Symphony of Shadows B-Front - Symphony of Shadows Villain The 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.
2020 28 November
  • Various location (The Source)
  • Centrale Markthallen, Amsterdam (Afterparty; Streaming)
The Source (as visual concept album) Qlimax The Source OST Villain The Qreator, Sub Zero Project, Phuture Noize, Headhunterz & JDX, B-Front, KELTEK, and Sefa.
2021 20 November Centrale Markthallen, Amsterdam (Streaming) Distorted Reality (originally as The Reawakening) Ran-D ft. Charlotte Wessels - The Reawakening Villain Zany, 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.
2022 26 November GelreDome, Arnhem The Reawakening Ran-D ft. Charlotte Wessels - The Reawakening Villain Zany, 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.
2023 18 November GelreDome, Arnhem Enter the Void Hard Driver – Enter The Void Villain Deepack, 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.

Most significant artists[edit]

Artist 2000 2001 2002-1 2002-2 2003-1 2003-2 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Times performed
Technoboy 2002-1 2002-2 2003-1 2003-2 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2012 2014 2017 13
Headhunterz 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2014 2019 2020 8
Zany 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2011 2021 2022 8
The Prophet 2003-1 2003-2 2004 2005 2006 2007 2011 2022 8
Brennan Heart 2007 2009 2010 2012 2015 2016 2023 7
Dana 2000 2001 2002-1 2002-2 2003-1 2004 2006 7
Luna 2002-2 2003-1 2003-2 2004 2005 2006 2018 7
Noisecontrollers 2009 2010 2011 2013 2014 2015 2017 7
D-Block & S-te-Fan 2008 2009 2010 2017 2019 2021 2022 7
Ran-D 2011 2014 2015 2016 2019 2021 2022 7
DJ Isaac 2002-2 2003-1 2005 2009 2012 2015 6
Pavo 2000 2002-1 2002-2 2003-1 2003-2 2004 6
Wildstylez 2010 2012 2013 2015 2017 2018 6
Alpha Twins 2001 2002-2 2005 2006 2013 5
B-Front 2012 2016 2019 2020 2023 5
Zatox 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015 5
Sub Zero Project 2017 2018 2020 2021 2022 5
Bas & Ram 2001 2002-2 2003-2 2005 4
Coone 2011 2013 2016 2018 4
Phuture Noize 2017 2018 2020 2023 4
Showtek 2006 2007 2008 2023 4
The Qreator 2019 2020 2021 2022 4
Atmozfears 2014 2015 2017 3
Bass Modulators 2015 2016 2018 3
Frequencerz 2015 2016 2017 3
Gary D 2001 2002-1 2003-1 3
Gunz For Hire 2011 2013 2017 3
Kai Tracid 2001 2002-1 2003-2 3
Pila 2002-2 2003-1 2005 3
Sound Rush 2018 2019 2021 2022 4
Deepack 2003-2 2009 2013 2023 4
Tuneboy 2010 2016 2017 3
D-Sturb 2019 2021 2022 3
Sefa 2020 2021 2022 3
TNT aka Technoboy & Tuneboy 2010 2017 2023 3
Adaro 2012 2015 2
Captain Tinrib 2000 2002-1 2
Charly Lownoise 2002-2 2004 2
Crushed 2004 2005 2
Da Tweekaz / Tweekacore 2017 2018 2
Endymion 2010 2014 2
Evil Activities 2010 2012 2
Frontliner 2012 2014 2
Keltek 2019 2020 2
Project One 2008 2016 2
Psyko Punkz 2010 2012 2
Tatanka 2006 2008 2
Vince 2005 2008 2
Act of Rage 2021 2022 2
Rebelion 2021 2022 2
A*S*Y*S 2012 1
A-Lusion 2009 1
Acid Junkies 2001 1
Acti 2013 1
Angerfist 2016 1
Art of Fighters 2013 1
Audiofreq 2014 1
Audiotricz 2016 1
B-Freqz 2018 1
Bass D & King Matthew 2003-2 1
Code Black 2013 1
Cosmic Spoils 2002-1 1
Crypsis 2014 1
Daniele Mondello 2003-2 1
Davide Sonar 2009 1
Deadly Guns 2023 1
Deetox 2015 1
DJ Ghost 2007 1
DJ Neophyte 2007 1
DJ Ruthless 2006 1
DJ Stephanie 2010 1
Donkey Rollers 2006 1
Dr. Peacock 2018 1
Fausto 2007 1
Gizmo 2002-2 1
Hard Driver 2023 1
Haze & Abyss 2002-2 1
Igor S 2004 1
JDX 2020 1
Jon The Baptist 2001 1
Lisa Loud 2001 1
Mad Dog 2013 1
Marco V 2001 1
Mark Sherry 2008 1
Mauro Picotto 2001 1
Max B Grant 2003-2 1
Max Enforcer 2013 1
Mean Machine 2005 1
Melanie de Tria 2002-2 1
Michel de Hey 2001 1
Miss K8 2019 1
N-Vitral 2017 1
Nick Sentience 2000 1
Noize Suppressor 2009 1
Outblast 2004 1
Partyraiser 2014 1
Pavelow 2010 1
Promo 2006 1
Radical Redemption 2019 1
Rejecta 2019 1
Rooler 2022 1
Stana 2011 1
Sunny D 2002-2 1
Super Marco May 2003-1 1
Tha Playah 2015 1
The Darkman 2002-2 1
The Pitcher 2011 1
The Viper 2014 1
Vertile 2023 1
Warface 2023 1
Warmduscher 2002-1 1
Yves de Ruyter 2006 1

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  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.

External links[edit]