As Hardwell gets ready to return to play at Siam Songkran in Bangkok, Thailand, we were lucky enough to get insights on what makes this festival special and his deep connection to the country’s dance scene. With the 10th anniversary of United We Are and 1,000 releases on Revealed Recordings, he reflects on his evolution as an artist while continuing to evolve his sold. In this exclusive interview, Hardwell shares his thoughts on revisiting big room at Tomorrowland, his approach to innovation and what fans can expect from him both on and off the stage.
You’re returning to play at Siam Songkran this year, having performed at the festival back in 2023. What does it feel like coming back to this event, and how does it compare to other festivals you’ve played?
Thailand has such a passionate dance music crowd and playing there is always special. What makes this festival unique is the whole Songkran celebration – it’s not just a music festival; it’s a cultural experience. The energy at Siam Songkran is unreal and it all comes together in a way that’s so unique.
Thailand has always been a special place for dance music, and you’ve performed here multiple times throughout your career. What’s your connection to the country and its dance music scene? Also, have you ever experienced Songkran outside of performing?
Every time I come here, I feel the love from the fans. The scene is thriving, and the passion for dance music continues to grow! As for Songkran, I’ve experienced a bit of it outside of performing, and it’s absolutely crazy in the best way. I’m excited to be returning!
Last year at Tomorrowland, you surprised fans with a throwback set at the Freedom Stage, bringing back iconic big room classics. What was the thought process behind crafting that set, and how did it feel revisiting that era of your music in a festival setting?
That set was all about celebrating an era that meant so much to me and to the fans. Big room had such a massive impact on the festival scene, and I wanted to take everyone on a trip down memory lane. I even put it to fans on social media to find out what kind of set they wanted to hear, and that made the set even more special. It was such an emotional set, I loved every minute of it and it reminded me why I fell in love with this music in the first place.
Over the past few years, you’ve shifted your style, moving from big room into more techno-driven sounds. Do you see yourself continuing in that direction, or is there another evolution on the horizon? What excites you most about the next phase of your career?
For me, evolution is everything. I never want to stay in one place musically. Coming back with REBELS NEVER DIE was a way for me to reset and push my sound into a new direction. Right now, I’m still loving that harder, more techno-infused energy, but who knows? The beauty of music is that it’s always changing. I just follow my instincts and let creativity take the lead.
From launching Revealed Recordings to your work in radio and your involvement in new music technologies, you’ve always pushed boundaries beyond just DJing. Are there any upcoming projects, collaborations, or new ventures outside of music production that fans should keep an eye on?
Revealed is still a core focus for me. We’re constantly discovering new talent and evolving as a label. This year also marks our 15th year so we’ve big plans for the months ahead. I’m also really interested in the future of music tech, AI, and how we can use new tools to enhance creativity. There are some exciting projects in the works, but unfortunately I don’t want to say anything just yet.
Your album Rebels Never Die marked a shift towards a big room techno sound. What influenced this evolution, and how have your fans responded to this new direction?
Ultimately that album is about freedom – musically and creatively. After my break, I wanted to return with something that felt 100% true to where I was at. Big room was always my foundation, but I wanted to bring in darker, more driving elements. The response ever since has been nothing but incredible. It’s amazing to see fans, and the scene as a whole, embrace the evolution and vibe with the new sound.
Many fans might be surprised to learn about your voice acting roles, such as voicing The Flying Dutchman in the Dutch version of SpongeBob SquarePants. How did these opportunities come about, and do you have plans for more voice acting in the future?
Yeah, that was a fun experience. I’ve done voice work in the past, previously voicing Mel the Pug in ‘Secret Life of Pets’. It sort of came out of nowhere but was one of those unique opportunities that I had to say yes to. I love movies, and its nice stepping out of my world for a moment and trying a different project. If the right opportunity comes up, I’d be down to do more!
As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of your debut album United We Are, how do you feel your music and personal journey have evolved since its release?
That album was such a huge moment for me. It was my first full-length project, and looking back, I can see how much I’ve grown both as an artist and as a person. My sound has evolved significantly since then, my approach to music too has changed, but that album will always be special because it represents a chapter in my story.
Revealed Recordings recently celebrated its 1,000th release. Looking back, what are some of the most memorable moments or releases from your label’s history?
When I started Revealed, I wanted a home for my own music and also to be a platform to support fresh talent, and now it’s grown into this massive family. Some of the biggest moments? We’ve had some amazing hits on the label over the years which is incredible and hitting our 1,000th release was a really insane one for me. Hosting arenas at festivals like Creamfields, Ultra and Tomorrowland are standout moments, as is helping support incredible talent like Dannic, Dyro, Maddix, KAAZE and many other artists early in their careers. I’m super proud of everything we’ve built and how the label continues to evolve.
With that, don’t miss Hardwell‘s set at Siam Songkran in Bangkok on April 12th as he returns to celebrate music, culture and the Thai New Year!
