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How to Survive and Thrive at Defqon

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As I now have been to three editions of Defqon (2015, 2017, and 2018) and countless of other camping festivals, I feel as though I am qualified to provide my tips to those of you making the epic pilgrimage to Defqon next year. My advice is directed primarily to Americans, because this is an American publication and I’m from the US, but it can be applied to anyone traveling to the Netherlands for Defqon!

1. Three Months Before Defqon

Buy your flight (if applicable) and festival tickets early and start making plans as soon as possible. I cannot emphasize this enough. Tickets usually sell out close to the event so get yours as soon as they go on sale in March to be safe! Moreover, arrange with your friends in advance what camping option you plan on doing.

How long should you stay in Holland?

If you’re coming from the US I would suggest at least a week. Your best bet is to arrive in Holland on Wednesday to rest up and explore. Then on Thursday get all the supplies you need for Defqon then later that night come to the QSA meet up in Amsterdam to meet our amazing group of Americans (shout out to QSA!). Then, Defqon goes from Friday to Monday, which leaves you with at least a day and a half to recover.


How should I get to Defqon?

If it’s your first time in Holland, Amsterdam is probably your best option. Getting to Defqon from Amsterdam is easy and you have a variety of options. However that being said, if it’s not your first time in the Netherlands go somewhere else, I live in the Den Haag area which is awesome, but Utrecht and Rotterdam are two other major amazing cities!

If you’re traveling in a large group I suggest renting a car. This past year my friends and I rented a car from Sixt from Schipol Airport. WARNING to Americans: cars are a LOT smaller here than in the US. You might think you are getting a seven person car but in reality it really only fits four people with all the camping supplies in the back (we stuffed six people and all of our camping supplies but it was a very tight fit). Also this might be obvious but please do not forget your credit card and passport when you go to pick up the car (this happened to my group of friends don’t let it happen to you!).

If you’re traveling solo or in a small group your best options are to either: (i) take public transportation to Dronten station then the Defqon shuttle; or (2) take the bus from Amsterdam (or wherever you are staying) to Defqon.

If you choose option (i) book your shuttle ticket online from the Defqon website. The shuttle buses leave throughout the day starting at 13:00 on Friday. Definitely get that shuttle ticket in advance because it fills up and increases in price. Additionally public transportation is very easy in the Netherlands, although a bit pricy. There is a very handy app/website that provides you with all the information you need (https://9292.nl/en). You can change the language to English after you download the app by clicking the wheel (settings) then click “Taal” and change it to “Engels”. If you plan on using the train, tram, or bus in the Netherlands you should purchase an OV chipcard. You can buy an OV chipcard from any train station just look for the large yellow machine, then you can load money on the card and travel anywhere in the Netherlands. This is cheaper than buying individual tickets.

For option (ii), you can book a bus trip from Event Travel (https://www.eventtravel.nl) from most cities in the Netherlands. I did this in 2017 from Den Haag and it was about 30 euros round trip. The only issue with the bus is its extremely slow, it makes a lot of stops, and then you are sitting in the bus line traffic at the entrance to Defqon. The bus we took in 2017 left Den Haag at 9:00am and we arrived at Defqon sometime after 13:00.

Where should I stay at Defqon?

This is obviously dependent on your personality and festival style. In 2015, I chose the regular ticket including a Defqon sleep package (tent, sleeping bag, etc), in 2017 I did friends camp with my 2015 tent, and this year I did regular camping with my own tent. If you’re interested in camping and do not live in the Netherlands your best option is probably to do either the regular camping option including the tent or friends camp including the tent. If you’re traveling in a large group friends camp is a great option because you get a designated camping area with picnic tables, a much faster check in and security line, and we even got Defqon power banks which we could charge at the stations! Personally, camping is my favorite part of Defqon because the party never ends and if you need anything throughout the day you could always just go back to the campsite to get it then the next day all you have to do is walk right into the festival!

Another great option is the tipi. Tipis come in different sizes and my friends always get them. It’s a great after party spot, its rain resistant, has electricity, and cots to sleep on. I also saw for the first time this year a Yurt (not sure if they had them in years passed), this is a large tent with electricity, beds, and is easily lockable. We walked past some pretty wild after parties in the yurts this year!

For those who like the convenience of staying at the festival but don’t want to camp can choose the comfort camping option. With this you are in a cabin with electricity, have access to an exclusive bar; chill area, bbq, breakfast and more. So if you have the money and are someone who needs privacy, sleep, or electricity this is for you.

If you’re not one for constant loud noise, getting disgusting, and large crowds (not sure why you wouldn’t like that-lol) there are also hotels, cottages, and apartments. However, if you do decide to stay outside of Defqon just keep in mind that you have to be on time to take the bus back to your accommodations and are subject to wait in long lines in both directions. However, three nights of camping (especially in the rain and it ALWAYS rains at Defqon) can be brutal so if you’re someone who needs to sleep, shower, and have access to Wi-Fi this is a good option for you.

Regarding showering at the Defqon campsites the lines can be long especially in the mornings. One of my friends always brings this great dry shampoo, Lush No Drought. Lush is a popular chain in the Netherlands so you can get it here or order it online.

One other thing to keep in mind is that a lot of places in the Netherlands do not take international credit cards, so bring some cash with you. The major places especially in Amsterdam take credit cards but smaller stores, cafes, restaurants, and grocery stores don’t.

2. One Week Before Defqon

As previously mentioned if possible you should arrive in the Netherlands a week before Defqon to get everything you need and get situated!

If you’re looking for camping supplies your best options is Decathlon (Americans, its like Sports Authority or Modell’s) and Action (Dutch version of a dollar store but better! Note: they do not take international credit cards). This year I just got a tent lock at Decathlon but they have tents, sleeping bags, air mattresses, etc. Decathlon is your go to for the higher quality larger camping needs. From Action I got baby wipes, protein shakes, a collapsible cooler, and in the past an air mattress. Both of these stores are located all over the Netherlands and will come in handy a week before the festival.

A new essential camping item I discovered this year (shout out to Anne!) is the Wegwerp BBQ, this is a one-time disposal BBQ that you can easily use at the campsite. This is great for sausages, chicken, etc. and can be found at Hema (Dutch version of Target) or Gamma (Dutch equivalent of Home Depot).

With regard to food and drinks, Jumbo is a great grocery store that takes American credit cards (most don’t). The main grocery store in Amsterdam and in the Netherlands is Albert Hejin and for liquors its Gall & Gall. Your best bet for Defqon depending on your personal dietary needs is getting boxed wine, canned beer (bottles are prohibited), protein shakes, yogurt, granola/protein bars, juice, bread, meat, cheese (to make sandwiches), and some things to grill. Food at the festival is expensive although I always make sure to buy fries and a smoothie there because they are really good. If you do have dietary restrictions (such as celiac disease or a religious restriction) try to get a note from your doctor so you can bring in your own food and drinks onto the festival grounds.  I usually pack at least four protein shakes and coordinate with my crew so we have enough food and drinks to share. Then I usually set aside 40-50 euros for tokens at the festival. Unlike in the US, Dutch festivals do not accept any other currency except for tokens meaning you have to visit the token area (they are all over the camp grounds and the festival, they take international cards and cash) if you plan on eating or drinking that weekend. As for water, I recommend bringing a camelback backpack and just filling it up at the festival. They sell them for 25 dollars now on Amazon.

If you are looking for some good vitamin shops for some pre and post festival supplements while you’re here, Holland and Barrett (similar to GNC in America) is a great one. They have a discount card you can sign up for and always have specials.

3. At Defqon

You made it to Defqon, good for you! Try to arrive as early as possible and coordinate with your friends to secure your campsite. When I get there I usually set up, get tokens, get a program/timetable from the information then hang out at the campsite for a while until the Gathering starts. The Gathering is the official start of Defqon and it starts at 20:00. This past year the only two stages that were open were the Blue and Black stages (bring back the Yellow Silent Disco please!). This year there was also a small area in the sculpture garden where Dr. Peacock played under his Saint Benhard alias dropping some funky, psychedelic and dubby beats. This past year they also had a silent disco but not at yellow but that was still pretty cool! Then after The Gathering is over the party moves to the campsite!

Regarding the rest of the festival, the majority of the stages this year opened at 11:00. Even though I am sure you have a set list of DJs you must see (I used to be like that) take the time to explore all the stages (especially the Yellow Stage!) and to discover some new artists. Additionally, one of my favorite parts of Defqon is the Big Chill. Trust me at some point in the festival you’ll want to lie down in a large fishing net hammock contraption.

It gets cold here in the summer and rains a lot, so be sure you have a jacket with you and pants. I usually would wear shorts in the morning and then bring pants, my leather jacket, and a sweatshirt to put on later. I kept half of my stuff in my camelback backpack and fanny pack (all my power banks, gum, chapstick, charger, extra clothes, hand wipes, etc.) and the rest in a locker. You can rent the locker either on the website in advance or when you get there. One of my friends had one so we all shared it and it really came in handy!

For the end shows on Saturday and Sunday I suggest getting there early and sitting in the very very front left on the grass on the side of the stage. You will be seeing it from the side but you will have plenty of space to either dance or sit (I personally like to sit on the grass and watch the end show) and can more easily get out than just standing in the middle of the crowd. This is good advice for anyone who is short, the Dutch are the tallest people in the world so unless you are one someone’s shoulders it’s hard to see.

What should you do after Defqon? Go and get a kapsalon! Kapsalon is a Dutch-Turkish dish served usually in an aluminum tray consisting of fries, meat, cheese, and a bit of salad on top. You can find them at any snack bar or döner kebab restaurant.

So there you have it! Reflecting on this past edition, Defqon is by far one of my top three festivals in the world. The production level, the music, the energy, the decorations, and the fact that every year more than 200 Americans go are just a few reasons why Defqon is extremely special. This year my favorite sets were Rob Gee, Dr Peacock in Concert (at the red stage which was insane) and the Sickest Squad. I also personally love Power Hour (even though I am more of a Yellow Stage girl) for its insanity and energy.

My final advice is the most important! Take the time to rest, drink water, and eat, it’s worth it. Even if you can’t properly sleep just lay down in your tent for at least three hours a night, your body needs it. Furthermore, wear earplugs AS SOON AS YOU GET INSIDE THE FESTIVAL. Thunderplugs are great and are only 10 euros (www.thunderplugs.com). Also, always look out for your friends, this may be a once in a lifetime experience but your friends are more important than even your favorite DJ.

Reach out to me if you need any advice! See you at Defqon 2019!

Curious about my 2017 experience check out my party report here:
https://af5942a.wixsite.com/mcunicorn/single-post/2016/03/31/Whats-Cooking-Mexico

Disclaimer: The opinions and views in this article are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the artists and organizations I work with or am affiliated with.

Articles, Events, Reviews

Basscon presents Angerfist, Radical Redemption, Minus Militia and The Hard Data Ballroom Takeover Event Review

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December 23 was the return of Basscon to the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Unlike previous Basscon shows however, this promised to be very different. Insomniac managed to bring out a very special lineup featuring exclusively raw hardstyle and hardcore acts, a first for Basscon! In the main room, Basscon featured Angerfist, Radical Redemption solo set, and the US premiere of  Minus Militia. In the Ballroom was The Hard Data’s very own Ballroom Takeover, featuring The Hard Data DJ Team – DJ Deadly Buda, Mindcontroller and Lost Boy. The hype for the US debut of Minus Militia, along with the return of Angerfist, brought a larger than life crowd, even selling out the show in the last few days of ticket sales. It was raining hard when many of the partygoers arrived at Belasco and many were getting drenched while waiting for security, but as I watched people get checked in, the excitement on their faces was palpable. Everyone knew they were in for a good night!

Belasco’s two separate rooms allowed the crowd to wander around the venue between the two stages easily and get a little taste of all the artists playing that night. I was reminded of many fond memories from previous shows at this venue as I walked in hearing Darksiderz playing one my favorite hardstyle tracks, TNT & Audiofreq – Screwdriver, as I made my way to the Ballroom.

The Ballroom was packed full of loyal hardcore heads for The Hard Data DJ Team and I felt like I was immediately surrounded by friends from all over coming up to say hi. Mindcontroller was on the decks when we walked in, and we made our way over to see The Hard Santa. My friends and I told him to check his list, and he said despite us being very naughty this year, he still had a present for us – The Hard Data Ballroom Blitz CD – a special CD mixed with everything from raw hardstyle to happy hardcore to hardcore and uptempo. I always love receiving CD’s at shows and I knew we would be listening to this on the drive home!

The Hard Santa passing out The Hard Data DJ Team Ballroom Blitz CDs

We bid Santa farewell and did a time check; there was just enough time to grab a drink at the bar and make our way to the dancefloor before Radical Redemption. As we walked to our ususal spot we had the pleasure of running into Chain Reaction and Crypsis! I had a short conversation with them and Chain Reaction told me that he was very excited to play for the US crowd for the first time. Crypsis added that it was exciting for them all to finally bring Minus Militia to the US.

I looked around the room and it was packed as Darksiderz finished his set. The anticipation for Radical Redemption to begin had built an immense amount of excitement from the crowd. When Radical took to the stage his powerful baselines and melodies echoed throughout The Belasco! Radical’s set was a whirlwind of raw hardstyle and his set included a great mix of some of his popular tracks, including Smack Bitches, HardBass Tribute, Suicide Baseline, and a collection of his iconic Brutal tracks including: Brutal 3.0, as well as crowd favorites Brutal 5.0 and his brand new Brutal 6.0.

As Radical Redemption finished his set it was time for a short intermission while Joey (Radical) ran to get his wardrobe changed for the Minus Militia set. In the meantime while the crowd waited, a live vocal female singer alongside Darksiderz kept the corwd entertained. As we waited, I looked over to the bar and I noticed Angerfist standing nearby. I went to go talk with him and he also mentioned to me that he was excited to play. He said that it was amazing to see so many people come out for the night and he couldn’t wait to play some hardcore for us! It was at this time I saw Crypsis, Chain Reaction and Radical Redemption take their place crouched behind the decks in their flack jackets and preparing for their US assault. Finally, it was time for the US debut of Minus Militia!
What happened next is hard to put into words. The lasers created a web of light over the crowd and powerful kick rolls and screeches brought so much energy to the crowd, I thought the barricade fence at the front of the stage was going to fall over from the force of the crowd that raged behind it! Their set included Obey and Arise (Official Militant Mayhem 2016 Anthem), Cracking Your Ribs, The Genesis (Supremacy 2014 Anthem). To complete the Minus Militia experience, Chain Reaction stood at the edge of the stage waving the large red minus Militia flag over the crowd before finally throwing it out to one very lucky fan.

Last but certainly not least, it was time for Angerfist to unleash hardcore upon the crowd. The mosh pit that had formed for Minus Militia grew as people dug deep to finish the night with hardcore. Angerfist pounded the crowd with his track selection, including classic tracks like Incoming, The Depths of Despair, Streetfighter, The Voice of Mayham, Strange Man In Mask and Just Like Me. I was also very excited to hear (and from the cheers of the crowd so were they) when Angerfist crossed over into dropping several frenchcore tracks, including The Sickest Squad ft. Lenny Dee -Minimal is Criminal, Radium – Rocking Fire, and his collabs with Dr. Peacock – Caveman and Inframan.

Overall I thought that the night was a blast and I hope that this show opens the door for Basscon to throw more exclusively raw hardstyle and hardcore events! Relive the night and check out some of our photos here. Up next for Basscon – Check out 15 Years of TNT featuring TNT aka Technoboy and Tuneboy, Audiofreq and Mekanikal on January 21, and Atmosfears’ North American GATE Tour featuring Atmosfears, Code Black and Tuneboy with a ‘Classics’ set on February 24th.

In closing, I would just like to take an opportunity to say a very special thank you to my friend Elise Valiquette aka DJ unicorns for her help with this article and for the continued adventures we have together, Joel Bevacqua and The Hard Data for continuing to allow me to contribute, and thank you to all my friends (too many of you all to name) who continue to come out to shows and create such great memories with me! 2016 was epic, have a safe and happy New Year and I hope to see you all in 2017!

– CabZ

Articles, RANKED!, Reviews

DJ Thera: Five Thumpin’ Tracks you gotta know!

Pieter Heijnen, known for the fans as DJ Thera, is a raw hardstyle DJ and producer. He is also the founder of the famous label Theracords. Son of a musician, he started playing several instruments at an early age, but as he said it himself, he was too stubborn to play in a band, and his musical taste always aimed towards electronic music, so it was only natural that he would become a DJ.

His tracks are known for being unique and positive, and his art has established a brand new sound design in the rawstyle world. It’s powerful, melodic, hard and energetic, a combination bound to be successful.

From Canada to Australia, and even Russia, DJ Thera has performed pretty much everywhere in the last few years, proving that a diverse set of sounds in raw hardstyle never hurts. His popularity has been growing since his first album release and it doesn’t look like it’s going to change anytime soon, given the huge fan-base he has created for himself all over the world.

Check out these thumpin’ DJ Thera tracks:

  1. The Paranormal:

A mix between raw hardstyle and trance, this track is a perfect description of DJ Thera’s musical style. This combination of sounds has been called “the new era of hardstyle” by more than one specialist, and we can see why. It’s new, it’s fresh, but most of all, it’s perfect for raving!

  1. It’s a Fine Day:

This collaboration with Yuna-X shows how open minded DJ Thera can be with his musical creations. The sounds here are at the same time fast and soft, creating a perfect harmony.

  1. The Alliance:

Another collaboration that went extremely well for DJ Thera! Dark sounds and mysterious vibes, we can imagine this being played in a masked rave.

  1. Desolation:

Be ready to headbang like a madman, because this is what this track will do to you! The storytelling in it is great, but what’s better is the crazy strong beat that is definitely not for the faint of heart!

  1. Hate Society:

If you’re feeling rebellious, then this is the track for you! This song is for the freaks, the odd ones, the outsiders and the alien ones. It’s a cry of rebellion, a literal “F***you” to a society that doesn’t accept difference.

DJ Thera is a strong artist, with years and years of experience behind him. But more than that, he’s a visionary who knew that to be a good producer, you have to think outside the box and be unique.

To know more about DJ Thera, look up his Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/DjTheraOfficial/

Or… go to his upcoming show Dec. 3, 2016 in Los Angeles, WINTERFRESH MUSIC FESTIVAL!

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WARFACE: 5 Raging Tracks RANKED!

Born and raised in The Netherlands, Youri Claessens AKA Warface is a raw hardstyle DJ and producer. In just a few years, his popularity has grown and he became one of the biggest names the industry has seen.

He started his journey in 2010, hosting small parties with his friends in his hometown, simply for the love of music. It wasn’t until he met the hardcore artist Triax (Remco-Jan Prevoo) that he started to think more about making a career out of his passion for producing raw hardstyle. So when Triax asked him to collaborate on a new project named Warface, he said yes without giving it a second thought.

From a DJ on a small scale, Youri turned into a famous and well-respected rawstyle producer who garnered a big fan-base that went totally crazy over his music and his unique live-acts. Indeed, his presence on-scene is phenomenal. Always clad in a mask and suit, magnetic and charismatic, Youri knows how to turn a normal live show into a raging party. His style is aggressive, bold and pleases the crowd. His unique style is also an element we can’t ignore, and some of his latest tracks and collaborations quickly climbed the charts of hardstyle.com, which says a lot about Warface’s popularity, especially that he’s still considered a “rising” artist.

Warface’s production and DJ sets are different from what rawstyle fans usually hear, which contributed to his popularity and turned him into an “all weekends are booked” producer.

So, without further ado, here are Warface’s 5 most popular tracks. Enjoy them!

  1. The Danger Zone:

What to start with… if not a collaboration with the mighty Luna? The “operatic” sends you directly in the mood of what becomes a dark and intense track. It starts slow but quickly turns into that sick beat that’s Warzone’s signature. If you close your eyes while listening to this, you’ll feel the rave surrounding you.

  1. Throwback:

This collaboration between Warface and Crypsis is worth the detour. Hard and fast, you can recognize both producers’ signature in it. You can feel the rhythm in your bones, urging you to ignite the dance floor on fire.

  1. Warzone:

All of Warface’s tracks have a reference to the battlefield, which is understandable. But you don’t have as much fun in a battlefield than in a rave –unless you’re a sociopath –  and that’s where Warface truly shines!

  1. Wakin’ Up:

This track is another masterpiece collaboration that has an extremely hip-hop vibe to it in the beginning, but soon switches to the rawstyle that Warface is famous for. The beat is sick and will make you dance as if no one is watching.

  1. The Truth:

This track is truly on fire, and that’s normal, since it’s a flaming collab’ between Warface and Delete. As they say, “Get up!” and dance, because the present is all you’ve got.

Warface is now one of the most energetic, eclectic and appreciated name in the rawcore scene. His original live sets and fiery albums turned him into an important name in the industry and he’s now booking shows all over the world.

For more info about Warface, check out his Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/WarfaceOfficial/

 

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Crypsis: The Best 5 Tracks RANKED!

Working under the Minus is More label, Grzegorz Luzynski AKA Crypsis is a Dutch-Polish rawstyle DJ and producer. He was first discovered by the hardstyle legend Luna who took him under his wing and made him the raw hardstyle star he is today.

Fascinated by Crypsis’s unique take on hardstyle, Luna suggested a collaboration that ended up giving us the magnificent E.P. called “Choices”.

Crypsis is known for his progressive, raw and energetic musical style, and for his original live shows that set the roof on fire (metaphorically speaking, of course). And most importantly, he cares about his fans and what they like. He said once in an interview that he, as a DJ and producer, didn’t get to choose which music was “cool” or not, because in the end, it was all about his fans and whether they liked what he made or not. Him caring about his fans’ opinion that much is what helped him gain a huge fan-base, not only in Europe, but all over the world.

After his albums ‘Statement of Intent’ in 2009 and ‘Cryptology’ in 2012, Crypsis established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the rawstyle scene and as Minus is More’s front soldier and one of their most important producers.

Today, you will get to discover Crypsis’s 5 most popular tracks ever. Get ready, because you will be dancing A LOT!

  1. Program Hostile:

We’re starting with a pretty dark collaboration here, with Crypsis and MC Nolz. This is a track that starts strong and end the same way, leaving you banging your head even after you’re done listening to it. The dark side of it adds a shade of mystery to an already noir track.

  1. Bathe In Blood:

No, Crypsis is not trying to turn you into a psycho murderer who could bathe in their victims’ blood. This is metaphorical, y’all! This track is fast and you can truly feel the raw side in it. We imagine this being played in a party where everyone is wearing fantastically creepy Jason masks. It just gives off this kind of nicely disturbing vibes.

  1. Lost In The Mist:

This track starts on the conventional side, and just when you’re getting used to it, it hits you with a mix of opera and Asian sounds, which is a testimony of how inventive Crypsis can be with his art.

  1. Kill For The Thrill:

And once again, this is metaphorical y’all! Don’t go murdering people in the streets, even if you feel like this track is definitely killer!

  1. Say My Name:

This feels like a Beaking Bad reference, but sadly, it isn’t. What is it though is a sick track that will make you mooove!

This last September, Crypsis released his latest album at Supremacy 2016, and as always, it didn’t disappoint! He has now more die-hard fans than ever, and he impresses with his original style and progressive tracks.

Check out Crypsis’s Facebook page and find out more about him here:

https://www.facebook.com/crypsismusic/