Qlimax was an annual hardstyle and hard dance event in the Netherlands. It was 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.
Qlimax | |
---|---|
Genre | Hardstyle, Hardcore, Hardhouse, Hard trance (formerly), Subground (formerly) |
Location(s) | Netherlands |
Years active | 2000–2024 |
Founders | Q-dance |
Website | Q-dance Website |
History
editDuring 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
editMany 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
editLike 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
- 2024: None (the overall theme was The Final Prophecy)
Editions
editYear | 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 (feat. Da Mouth of Madness). |
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 |
|
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 & Dr. Peacock. |
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. |
2024 | 16 November | GelreDome, Arnhem | The Final Prophecy | N/A | Villain | Deepack vs Luna vs Zany, Wildstylez & Noisecontrollers, Coone, The Darkside of Hardstyle, Brennan Heart aka Blademasterz, D-Block & S-Te-Fan, Phases of Hardstyle, TNT (Technoboy & Tuneboy), SubZero Project, The Power of the Mind [HeadHunterz's Tribute], B-Front & Phuture Noize, Adaro, Rebelion, D-Sturb & Act of Rage, Mad Dog, Sefa & Dr.Peacock |
Most significant artists
editArtist | 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 | 2024 | Times performed |
Technoboy | 2002-1 | 2002-2 | 2003-1 | 2003-2 | 2004 | 2005 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2012 | 2014 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||
Zany | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2011 | 2021 | 2022 | 2024 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Headhunterz | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2011 | 2014 | 2019 | 2020 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
The Prophet | 2003-1 | 2003-2 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2011 | 2022 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
Brennan Heart | 2007 | 2009 | 2010 | 2012 | 2015 | 2016 | 2023 | 2024 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
Luna | 2002-2 | 2003-1 | 2003-2 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2018 | 2024 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
Noisecontrollers | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2017 | 2024 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
D-Block & S-te-Fan | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2017 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2024 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
Dana | 2000 | 2001 | 2002-1 | 2002-2 | 2003-1 | 2004 | 2006 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ran-D | 2011 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wildstylez | 2010 | 2012 | 2013 | 2015 | 2017 | 2018 | 2024 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
DJ Isaac | 2002-2 | 2003-1 | 2005 | 2009 | 2012 | 2015 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pavo | 2000 | 2002-1 | 2002-2 | 2003-1 | 2003-2 | 2004 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||
B-Front | 2012 | 2016 | 2019 | 2020 | 2023 | 2024 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Sub Zero Project | 2017 | 2018 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2024 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Alpha Twins | 2001 | 2002-2 | 2005 | 2006 | 2013 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Zatox | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2015 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Coone | 2011 | 2013 | 2016 | 2018 | 2024 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Phuture Noize | 2017 | 2018 | 2020 | 2023 | 2024 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The Qreator | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2024 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Deepack | 2003-2 | 2009 | 2013 | 2023 | 2024 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Bas & Ram | 2001 | 2002-2 | 2003-2 | 2005 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
D-Sturb | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2024 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Sefa | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2024 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Showtek | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2023 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Sound Rush | 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
TNT aka Technoboy & Tuneboy | 2010 | 2017 | 2023 | 2024 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Act of Rage | 2021 | 2022 | 2024 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adaro | 2012 | 2015 | 2024 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rebelion | 2021 | 2022 | 2024 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Captain Tinrib | 2000 | 2002-1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Charly Lownoise | 2002-2 | 2004 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crushed | 2004 | 2005 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Da Tweekaz / Tweekacore | 2017 | 2018 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dr. Peacock | 2018 | 2024 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Endymion | 2010 | 2014 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Evil Activities | 2010 | 2012 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Frontliner | 2012 | 2014 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Keltek | 2019 | 2020 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mad Dog | 2013 | 2024 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project One | 2008 | 2016 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Psyko Punkz | 2010 | 2012 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tatanka | 2006 | 2008 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vince | 2005 | 2008 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
A*S*Y*S | 2012 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A-Lusion | 2009 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tuneboy | 2016 | 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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
editReferences
edit- ^ "Waarom het mysterieuze hardstyle feest Qlimax zo populair is". De Gelderlander (in Dutch). 2019-11-23. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
- ^ "Hardstylefeest Qlimax keert terug, maar wel overdag". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
- ^ "Qlimax werkt aan 'WAT NOU: NEE' editie". 3voor12 (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-08-27.
- ^ "Stoppen na één dag opbouwen: Qlimax sneuvelt". NRC (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-08-27.