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Celebrating Headhunterz: Dutch Hardstyle Pioneer Turns 39

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Today, September 12, 2024, marks a special day in the world of the harder styles as Willem Rebergen, better known by his stage name Headhunterz, celebrates his 39th birthday. As one of the most influential figures in the hardstyle genre, Headhunterz has left an indelible mark on the scene, captivating audiences worldwide with his unique sound, and many memorable performances around the world.

The Rise of a Hardstyle Icon

Born in 1985 in Veenendaal, Netherlands, Rebergen’s journey to becoming Headhunterz began in his teenage years. His passion for music, particularly the harder styles of electronic dance music, led him to experiment with production and DJing. By the mid-2000s, Headhunterz had emerged as a rising star in the hardstyle scene, known for his innovative approach to the genre.

Career Milestones and Achievements

Headhunterz’s career has been punctuated by numerous highlights that have solidified his status as a hardstyle legend. His breakthrough tracks like “Rock Civilization” (2007) and “Power of the Mind” (2008) catapulted him to international fame, showcasing his signature sound that blends powerful kicks with melodic elements.

Throughout his career, Headhunterz has been a staple at major festivals, including Defqon.1, Qlimax, and Tomorrowland, often closing main stages with his high-energy sets. His popularity extended beyond the festival circuit, with his 2012 album “Sacrifice” reaching number one on the Dutch dance charts, demonstrating his crossover appeal beyond the hardstyle community.

In 2014, Headhunterz surprised fans by venturing into mainstream EDM, collaborating with artists like Krewella and W&W, broadening his artistic horizons. However, his homecoming to the hardstyle scene in 2017 was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from fans, marked by the release of “Destiny” with Sub Zero Project.

Adding to his list of achievements, Headhunterz co-founded the successful hardstyle label Art of Creation, fostering new talent and pushing the genre forward. This move further cemented his role as not just an artist, but a leader in the hardstyle community.

Impact on Hardstyle

Headhunterz’s influence extends far beyond his discography. He has been instrumental in bringing hardstyle to a global audience, bridging the gap between underground and mainstream electronic music. His technical expertise in production and his ability to craft emotional, story-driven tracks have inspired countless artists and producers.

Looking Ahead

As Headhunterz celebrates his 39th birthday, he stands on the cusp of a significant career shift. Recently, he announced that 2024 will mark the end of his touring and live performances, pivoting his focus primarily to music production. This decision represents not an end, but a new chapter in his illustrious career.

While the live shows may be coming to an end, Headhunterz’s impact on the hardstyle scene is far from over. With a new EP on the horizon, set to kick off with a track release on September 15th, it’s clear that Headhunterz will continue to shape the hardstyle landscape from the studio, promising more groundbreaking music for years to come.

Birthday Wishes from the Community

The hardstyle and greater electronic music community comes together today to wish Headhunterz a happy birthday. From fellow DJs to fans across the globe, social media is abuzz with messages of appreciation and celebration for the artist who has given so much to the world of hardstyle.

As we celebrate Headhunterz’s 39th birthday, we not only look back on an illustrious career but also forward to this new phase of his musical journey.

Happy Birthday, Headhunterz – here’s to a new chapter of innovation and creativity in hardstyle production!

Defqon.1 News

Andrea Zelletta, Luca Testa & Loruare Drop ‘TAKATIMÌ’ Via Tankfloor / Warner Music Italy.

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Andrea Zelletta Luca Testa Loruare

Andrea Zelletta, Luca Testa, and Loruare, three of Italy’s most dynamic forces in dance music, collide for the summer’s most infectious club anthem, ‘TAKATIMÌ’, released via Tankfloor / Warner Music Italy.

‘TAKATIMÌ’ is an electrifying fusion of Afro rhythms, deep grooves, and festival-ready energy. Combining Zelletta’s dance floor intuition, Testa’s global production finesse, and Loruare’s Afro-Latin signature sound, the track delivers a high-octane experience that’s tailor-made for peak-hour sets across the globe.

Andrea Zelletta is a multifaceted artist, DJ, influencer, and model whose deep-rooted passion for electronic music has made him one of Italy’s most in-demand selectors. His breakout hit ‘Superstar’ earned a Gold certification in France and has amassed over 28 million Spotify streams, confirming his star power in the European dance scene.

Luca Testa is a globally recognized DJ and producer who began as a piano prodigy in Turin and rose to prominence with releases on powerhouse labels including Spinnin’ Records, Dim Mak, Armada, and Revealed Recordings. Named one of DJ Mag Italia’s emerging talents in 2022, he reached #136 on DJ Mag’s Top 150 and has rocked stages at Ultra Music Festival, Sziget, Balaton Sound, Defqon.1, and iconic venues like Hi Ibiza and Privilege.

Loruare is a rising name in the Afro House and Latin Tech House scene. With his vibrant sets he has built a reputation for rhythmic, globally-inspired productions and high-energy performances. Active on platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube, Loruare represents the next wave of international talent from Italy’s electronic underground.

Blending hypnotic tribal percussion, driving tech-house drops, and an irresistible hook, ‘TAKATIMÌ’ is designed to ignite dancefloors from Ibiza to Mykonos to Tulum. It’s a celebration of rhythm, movement, and cultural fusion, crafted by three artists whose musical worlds collide in perfect synergy.

‘TAKATIMÌ’ is out now on all major streaming platforms via Tankfloor / Warner Music Italy.

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Awakenings Festival News

DJ Mag Announces 2025 Top 100 Festivals

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DJ Mag has just announced results of their annual the top 100 festivals, receiving a record-breaking number of votes recorded in the poll once again.

DJ Mag Top 100 Festivals first started in 2019, when winners were selected by a panel of DJs. After a brief hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the poll returned in 2022 with votes being opened up to the public for the first time. Increased numbers have been recorded every year since, and, in 2025, votes came from every corner of the globe, from North and South America to Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa. DJ Mag’s influence can be seen in the list below, where you’ll find festivals spanning a wide range of electronic music styles, from EDM and hard dance favorites with jaw-dropping production to major house and techno events and underground staples with a sound-system focus.

Topping this year’s ranking is Belgium’s legendary Tomorrowland, once again crowned the world’s No.1 festival. Known for its fantasy-inspired stages, impeccable production, and community-driven atmosphere, Tomorrowland continues to set the benchmark for global dance music events. In fact, DJ Mag readers will also note not far behind is Ultra Music Festival in Miami, which remains a defining moment on the global electronic calendar, signaling the start of the festival season with world-class lineups in the heart of downtown. Rounding out the top three is Romania’s Untold, a relatively newer giant that has quickly become one of Europe’s most iconic and immersive festivals.

The top 10 also features heavyweight names like EDC Las Vegas (4), Glastonbury Festival (5), and Kappa FuturFestival (6), each representing different ends of the electronic music spectrum—from colossal Las Vegas-style EDM spectacles to refined European techno celebrations. Coachella (7) retains its influence thanks to genre-spanning programming and cultural impact, while Sunburn Festival (8) continues to elevate India’s presence on the global dance scene. A testament to DJ Mag’s poll prestige, rounding out the top 10 are Creamfields (9), a UK mainstay for electronic fans, and Defqon.1 (10), the epicenter of hard dance in the Netherlands.

Further down the list, standout festivals like Parookaville (18), Awakenings (20), Neversea Festival (21), and EDC Orlando (22) showcase the diversity of scale and sound that the electronic music community now embraces. From techno purists at Dekmantel Festival (17) to desert dreamers at Burning Man (24), and DJ Mag supported events at Croatian beach settings like Sonus Festival (37) to global franchises like Ultra Europe (31) and World DJ Festival (32), this year’s list proves that the electronic music world is not only growing but thriving in nearly every region.

Meanwhile, up-and-coming and regional events are breaking into the top 100 in record numbers. Vision & Colour Festival (94) and Beonix Festival (69) highlight the rise of new markets, while S20 Hong Kong (78) and EDC China (80) signal Asia’s growing influence in the scene. Boutique experiences like Houghton Festival (86), Glitch Festival (83), and Love International (87) continue to receive recognition for their intimate vibes, curated sounds, and loyal followings. Also, DJ Mag and its festivals like Pitch Music & Arts (96) in Australia and Saga Festival (79) in Romania further illustrating the global appetite for unique, immersive electronic music experiences.

The full list can be seen below:

100. Sónar Lisboa
99. Beats For Love
98. Lost Lands Festival
97. Medusa Sunbeach Festival
96. Pitch Music & Arts
95. Ultra South Africa
94. Vision & Colour Music Festival
93. Outlook Origins
92. Defected Malta
91. Unseen Festival
90. EDC Thailand
89. Fly Open Air Festival
88. Ultra Australia
87. Love Internarional Festival
86. Houghton Festival
85. Sunset By Neon
84. Baum Festival
83. Glitch Festival
82. Beyond The Valley
81. Groove Cruise
80. EDC China
79. Saga Festival
78. S20 Hong Kong
77. Soundstorm
76. Ultra Japan
75. Electric Castle
74. Defected Croatia
73. Jakarta Warehouse Project
72. Ultra Korea
71. Siam Songkran Music Festival
70. Creamfields Chile
69. Beonix festival
68. Lost Village
67. Together Festival
66. Ultra Taiwan
65. Positiv
64. Ravolution Music Festival
63. Sea Star Festival
62. Tomorrowland Winter
61. Blacklist festival
60. Airbeat One
59. HARD Summer
58. Les Plages Electroniques
57. A State Of Trance,
56. Snowbombing
55. S20 Taiwan
54. Ava Festival
53. Neon Countdown
52. Nibirii Festival
51. Nameless Festival
50. EDC Mexico
49. Lovefest
48. Loveland
47. Hideout Festival
46. Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
45. Dimensions Festival
44. Veld Music Festival
43. Panorama Festival
42. Primer Music Festival
41. CRSSD Festival
40. Untold Dubai Festival
39. Lollapalooza
38. DGTL
37. Sonos Festival
36. Arc Music Festival
35. S20 Songkran Music Festival
34. Terminal V
33. Mysteryland
32. World DJ Festival
31. Ultra Europe
30. Neopop Festival
29. 808 Festival
28. EXIT Festival
27. Movement Music Festival
26. Sónar
25. Primavera Sound
24. Burning Man
23. Electric Love
22. EDC Orlando
21. Neversea Festival
20. Awakenings
19. Monegros Desert Festival
18. Parookaville
17. Dekmantel Festival
16. AMF
15. Boomtown
14. Time Warp
13. Sziget Festival
12. Parklife
11. World Club Dome
10 – Defqon.1
9 – Creamfields
8 – Sunburn Festival
7 – Coachella
6 – Kappa FuturFestival
5 – Glastonbury Festival
4 – EDC Las Vegas
3 – Untold
2 – Ultra Music Festival
1 – Tomorrowland

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Anyma News

10 EDM Festivals You Don’t Want To Miss – June 2025

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June 2025 is set to be a stacked month for EDM enthusiasts no matter where they may be located across the globe, with a lineup of festivals that promise unforgettable experiences. From the mystical forests of Michigan to the sun-kissed beaches of Croatia, here are ten must-attend EDM festivals this June.

1. Electric Forest

Dates: June 19–22
Location: Rothbury, Michigan, USA
Electric Forest offers a unique blend of music, art, and nature. The 2025 lineup features artists like Tiësto, Louis The Child, Fisher, Disclosure, and more, set against the enchanting backdrop of Sherwood Forest. Attendees can also enjoy curated events, workshops, and immersive art installations.

2. Defqon.1

Dates: June 26–29
Location: Biddinghuizen, Netherlands
Known as the world’s premier hardstyle festival, Defqon.1 2025 promises high-energy performances from top artists like Vertile, Wildstylez, Sub Zero Project, and Angerfist. Set at Walibi Holland, the festival offers a weekend filled with powerful beats and an electrifying atmosphere.

3. Primavera Sound

Dates: June 5–7
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Primavera Sound 2025 boasts a diverse lineup with headliners Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, and Sabrina Carpenter. The festival, held at Parc del Fòrum, also features performances by LCD Soundsystem, Haim, Jamie xx, and many more, offering a mix of genres in a vibrant coastal setting.

4. World Club Dome

Dates: June 6–8
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Dubbed the “biggest club in the world,” World Club Dome transforms Frankfurt’s Deutsche Bank Park into a massive dance floor. The 2025 “Moon Edition” features a stellar lineup of international DJs, providing an out-of-this-world experience for attendees.

5. Hideout Festival

Dates: June 22–26
Location: Zrće Beach, Pag Island, Croatia
Set on the picturesque Adriatic coast, Hideout Festival combines beach parties, boat parties, and open-air venues. The 2025 lineup includes artists like Chris Stussy, Eliza Rose, Interplanetary Criminal, and Skream, offering a perfect blend of sun, sea, and sound.#

6. Escapade Music Festival

Dates: June 20–22
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Escapade 2025 brings a star-studded lineup to Canada’s capital. Headliners include Kygo, RL Grime, The Chainsmokers, and Disclosure, with special stage takeovers by Subtronics’ Cyclops Recordings and Anjunabeats’ Anjuna25 showcase.

7. World DJ Festival

Dates: June 14–15
Location: Seoul Land, Gwacheon, South Korea
Returning for its 18th edition, World DJ Festival 2025 features headliners like Anyma, Alan Walker, Alesso, and DJ Snake. Set in the vibrant city of Seoul, the festival offers a dynamic mix of global EDM talent.

8. Afterlife Festival

Dates: June 13–14
Location: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain
Afterlife Festival 2025 presents a two-day event curated by Anyma and MRAK, featuring artists like Mind Against, Kevin de Vries, Recondite, and Rebūke. Known for its immersive visuals and deep techno sounds, the festival offers a transcendent experience.

9. UNUM Festival

Dates: June 5–10
Location: Rana e Hedhun, Shëngjin, Albania
Set on the golden sands of Albania’s coast, UNUM Festival offers 120 hours of non-stop music across three stages. The 2025 lineup includes Dixon, Seth Troxler, tINI, and Sonja Moonear, providing a unique blend of house, techno, and minimal beats.

10. Palm Tree Music Festival Hamptons

Date: June 21
Location: Shinnecock Nation, Southampton, New York, USA
Hosted by Kygo, the Palm Tree Music Festival returns to the Hamptons with a lineup featuring Fisher, Mau P, Blond:ish, and Coco & Breezy. Set against the scenic backdrop of Southampton, the festival offers a luxurious beachside EDM experience.

With such a diverse set of festivals, June 2025 promises unforgettable moments for EDM fans worldwide. Whether you’re dancing under the stars in Europe or soaking up the sun in North America, these events offer something for every electronic music enthusiast.

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