Hardwell News
Hardwell Talks ‘United We Are’ Anniversary And Love For Eminem
In the lead up to hitting the mainstage at Airbeat One, we got the chance to speak with the legend that is Hardwell.
The 2-time number 1 DJ in the world opened up about the 10th anniversary of his iconic ‘United We Are’ album, why he loves going to Germany, and revealed what his favourite Eminem song is…
Q: To start off with obviously you’ve toured all around the world, what’s special to you about coming to Germany?
A: Germany was one of the first countries to support me and my music. I really started in the club scene here in Germany. I just drove from Holland to here, going everywhere in Germany and doing small club shows. It feels really organic how my profile grew here in Germany. Before it was trying to enter the big main stages. I love the German fans, they have supported me since day one, even before my world tour. We did amazing shows here, like all the festivals, Parookaville, World Club Dome, and of course AirBeat One, all unbelievable. Germany really knows how to party.
Q: This year you’ve got the 10th Anniversary of ‘United We Are.’ What does that album mean to you? And what’s it like, kind of looking back on it compared to what you make now?
A: I’m super proud of that album. I think at that time I really outdid myself. It took a lot of sweat and tears to make that album. Imagine making that album happen in the first place while doing 200 shows a year. Was crazy. Every single spare moment that I had in my off time was working on the album. The collabs on that album, the sound of the album. The sound of the album kind of changed all the shape of EDM for me back then. And yeah, it was the early stages of big room. I’m really proud of the album. Means a lot to me. And I’m, not scared to say it, but I’m already kind of emotional to do the throwback next week. So yeah, it’s so special. It means a lot. I did the whole ‘United We Are’ world tour as well. Celebrating an album with fans is one of the best things I will always have experienced for the rest of my career. If I work on a new album, I will do a world tour again, because you make memories around music. I think everybody can relate to it. Like the most important thing about music is, how you feel emotionally connected to the music, with even the memories. I can name you a song, a random song, you have a certain memory about it. That’s what makes music special, and doing a world tour with an album, I think that’s the most important thing. Making memories with the fans.
Q: Something we got recently which was really cool to hear was Giuseppe Ottaviani’s remix of ‘Echo.’ What’s it like for you to hear someone else put their spin on a song of yours?
A: Yeah, since there are two things happening, so ‘United We Are’ is a 10-year anniversary and Revealed the label is a 15-year anniversary this year. So, we’re working on a lot of new remixes, and when somebody is touching one of my songs, I’m sceptical about it. Not that I don’t trust the producer, but that, I made the song with a certain vision, and I don’t want that certain vision to be changed. I’m open for new versions in different genres, but don’t change the vision of the song and well have to say, Giuseppe Ottaviani he made the perfect balance of that. So, let me rephrase it. ‘Echo’ was already really trancey back then. I was inspired on the Above & Beyond songs back then. And I think he was the perfect fit to make a remix of this song. And I love it. I play it in my sets, and he’s such an amazing producer. I’m really honoured to have him on this remix.
Q: So, I know you said in the past, one of your dream collaborations would be Eminem. I think that would be something that’s really interesting in how it sounds. I’m wondering, what direction do you think that would take?
A: I think we can go any direction you know? I’ve been playing ‘Lose Yourself’ in my set, I played ‘Without Me’ in my set. I’m probably the biggest Eminem fan you will ever meet. So yeah, if ever I had a chance to work with him, I could adjust myself in every single direction he would want me to. And, you know, just as a fan of him and his work, I know a collaboration is never going to happen, but I love to dream, and I love to think about it, and that gives me inspiration, you know? Dare to dream.
Q: It may be too hard of a question, but what is your favourite Eminem song?
A: Whoa, my favorite Eminem song. My album is, it’s definitely the ‘Marshall Mathers LP.’ That’s my favourite album, and I think one of my favourite songs is, could be ‘The Way I Am’, or ‘Stan’ actually. I think it’s based on the album, but ‘Without Me’ is cool but it’s more on the commercial side. But I love the song. Now I think if I had to pick one song, you’re right, ‘The Way I Am.’ 100%.
Q: You’ve used Eminem as part of your intros to one of your sets, and that’s always been a really good part of your sets. A very strong intro, always gets everyone hyped. How do you sort of pick a song for that? So, I know ‘Sanctuary’ has been your recent one, which has also been amazing. How do you get that started?
A: Well, the Eminem song was something different, because it was my comeback after a couple of years not playing Tomorrowland. So, yeah, “they tried to shut me down, but it feels so empty without me.” That was like a perfect lyric to the whole situation. That’s what Eminem is. That’s what I am. Well, I consider myself sometimes controversial. And yeah, I think it was like the perfect intro song for Tomorrowland. And I made a remix of ‘Without Me’, I changed the saxophone to my signature synth lead. And yeah, I think that was the perfect intro for Tomorrowland. As an Eminem fan, it couldn’t be any better.
Q: I know, outside of music, you’ve done a bit of voice acting. Do you have any character that is like your dream character to voice, or one you think you would do really well?
A: I’m always casted for the more busy like crazy parts. I think my dream thing right now is definitely do like a Disney character in a big Disney movie. I would love to do that. Doesn’t matter the animal, person, whatever. I would love to do that, 100%.
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Ultra Europe 2026 Drops Phase 2 Lineup with Armin van Buuren, Hardwell, DJ Snake and more confirmed for Split this July
Ultra Europe 2026 has dropped its Phase 2 lineup, adding more names to its return to Split, Croatia from July 10 to 12, 2026 at Park Mladeži. Now heading into its 12th edition, the festival’s latest announcement brings in Armin van Buuren, Hardwell, DJ Snake, AFROJACK, and Subtronics, joining a Phase 1 lineup that already included Calvin Harris, Martin Garrix, FISHER, John Summit, and Amelie Lens. The update gives the 2026 edition a much fuller look across the Ultra Main Stage and RESISTANCE, while keeping more names saved for the next announcement.
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Phase 2 Adds Trance, Big-Room, Bass, Techno and House to Ultra Europe 2026
The Ultra Europe 2026 Phase 2 lineup strengthens both sides of the festival. The new additions bring more mainstage names into the July weekend, while RESISTANCE also gets a heavier presence through techno and house bookings. With Phase 1 already led by names such as Calvin Harris, Martin Garrix, FISHER, John Summit, and Amelie Lens, this second announcement gives the 2026 edition a fuller lineup across its main festival stages.
Phase 2 additions:
- Adam Beyer
- AFROJACK
- Armin van Buuren
- CamelPhat
- DJ Snake
- Hardwell
- Jamie Jones
- Nico Moreno
- Oliver Heldens
- Subtronics
- HALO
- Maddix
Subtronics Stands Out Among Returning Ultra Europe Regulars
While several Phase 2 additions are familiar names for Ultra Europe, Subtronics still gives the 2026 announcement one of its more interesting talking points. He played Ultra Europe 2024, appearing on the same day as AFROJACK and DJ Snake, so his 2026 booking is not a debut. What makes it worth noting is the context around the booking. Ultra Europe has long been associated with mainstage EDM, house, techno, and its RESISTANCE programming, while large-scale bass bookings have not been as constant in the festival’s Croatia lineup. Bringing Subtronics back after 2024 keeps that part of the lineup visible and gives the July weekend a different pull next to the festival’s more established returning names.
For many of the other additions, Ultra Europe 2026 reads as a return to artists with a longer history in Split. Armin van Buuren, Hardwell, AFROJACK, and DJ Snake have all appeared at past editions, while Adam Beyer, CamelPhat, Jamie Jones, and Oliver Heldens have also been part of previous Ultra Europe lineups in recent years. That matters because Phase 2 is not relying only on newness. It brings back names already tied to the festival’s mainstage and RESISTANCE identity, then places Subtronics inside that structure as one of the less typical bookings for the Croatia edition. For a lineup that already had Calvin Harris, Martin Garrix, FISHER, John Summit, and Amelie Lens in Phase 1, this second announcement makes the 2026 edition feel more complete without giving away the full final lineup yet.
Ultra Europe 2026 Still Has More Names To Come Before July
With Phase 2 now out, Ultra Europe 2026 has a much clearer outline, but the lineup is still not complete. The festival has already confirmed a strong mix of mainstage names, RESISTANCE artists, and newer additions across the first two announcements, while the poster also confirms that Phase 3 is still on the way. That next update will likely help fill out the remaining stage programming, daily structure, and support acts as the festival moves closer to its July return to Split.
For now, the 2026 edition already has enough confirmed names to show how Ultra Europe is building its 12th edition. Calvin Harris, Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, Hardwell, DJ Snake, Amelie Lens, Sara Landry, Adam Beyer, FISHER, John Summit, and Subtronics give the lineup both familiar Ultra names and bookings that widen the festival’s appeal. More artists are still expected to be announced before Ultra Europe 2026 takes over Park Mladeži from July 10 to 12, with tickets and updates available through the festival’s official channels.
Hardwell has officially unveiled his 2026 North American tour, marking a powerful return to the United States this June with five high-octane headline performances. Undoubtedly, anticipation is building for the Hardwell USA Tour.
After three monumental shows in 2025, Hardwell is returning to the USA, and this time he’s bringing even more heat. The global electronic titan has now officially unveiled his 2026 North American tour, marking a powerful return to the United States this June with five headline performances across key cities as part of the Hardwell USA Tour.
Set to take in New York, Washington D.C., Dallas, Denver and San Francisco, the run signals Hardwell’s biggest capacity US tour in recent years, a statement of intent from an artist who continues to evolve at the forefront of mainstage techno and big room innovation. Clearly, this Hardwell USA Tour will set new standards for electronic performances. Fans from across the country are eagerly awaiting his USA tour.
Following a relentless, globe-spanning schedule, Hardwell has played at Ultra, Tomorrowland, Coachella, and other key festivals across every continent. Building on these global appearances, he recently made a landmark return to EDC Mexico, performing to 75,000 fans, and he is slated as one of the headline acts for EDC Las Vegas later in the year. Looking ahead to 2026, Hardwell continues to ignite the Americas. Armed with a recharged sonic direction, his post-REBELS NEVER DIE era now leans further into driving, high-impact techno influences, while still retaining the melodic tension and cinematic builds that cement his status as one of dance music’s most influential figures. As a highlight for electronic music lovers, the USA Hardwell Tour is clearly one to watch.
Fans can expect a forward-facing show designed around unreleased material, bespoke edits and exclusive live IDs, alongside reinvigorated versions of classics that shaped festival main stages worldwide. Looking forward, Hardwell’s USA Tour promises to deliver unforgettable experiences across America.
A two-time World No.1 DJ, Revealed Recordings founder and architect of some of the most defining anthems of the past decade, Hardwell’s trajectory has never been about nostalgia. Instead, the Dutch heavyweight continues to push into new territory: sharper, darker and more uncompromising than ever, making the USA Tour part of his next chapter.
Speaking on the upcoming run, Hardwell stated: “Last year’s run of shows was so much fun. Every single night the fans brought that crazy energy, so I knew we had to do it again in 2026, and here we are! After the voting campaign, a lot of fans were really vocal about their desire for an extended tour, so I’m seriously pumped for this one. We’re hitting five cities this time, and it’s going to be even crazier. Let’s go one more time!” The excitement surrounding Hardwell’s national run demonstrates the impact of his USA tour.
Pre-sale registration is now live via his official website, with general on-sale details to follow. Moreover, fans are encouraged to register early so they don’t miss any updates regarding the Hardwell USA Tour.
For tickets and early access: www.djhardwell.com/usa Secure your spot now and be part of the unforgettable Hardwell USA Tour experience.
The Ultimate NYE Lineup: Neon X Announces Hardwell & W&W World-Debut B2B to Celebrate Its Decade Milestone
Neon Countdown returns this December with a tenth anniversary edition that marks a decade since the festival first launched in Malaysia. What began as a compact New Year event has developed into one of Thailand’s leading countdown festivals, supported by rising regional attention and a steady lineup of international acts. This year also brings a notable shift as the event moves to Rajamangala Stadium, expanding its presence in Bangkok for the two-day celebration. At the centre of the anniversary is the world-debut B2B from Hardwell and W&W, confirmed as the highlight of the festival. The wider lineup strengthens the occasion with performances from Alesso, KSHMR, Third Party, Amelie Lens, Dimension, Mesto, Nicky Romero, and others across both days. With its tenth edition set for Bangkok, Neon Countdown returns for a year-end weekend that brings together many of the festival’s most recognisable names.
From Malaysia Beginnings to Neon’s Ten Year Milestone in Thailand
Neon Countdown began in Malaysia, where it introduced a New Year festival format featuring international electronic acts and large-scale December celebrations. The festival gained recognition through lineups that included W&W, KSHMR, Armin van Buuren, Blastoyz, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Vini Vici, and Martin Garrix, among others. These artists contributed to the event’s visibility and helped establish Neon within Southeast Asia’s electronic music landscape. The consistent year-end timing also allowed audiences to associate the brand with New Year celebrations. Across its Malaysia editions, Neon maintained a focus on internationally recognised performers and a clear identity tied to December festivities. This initial period set the foundation for the festival’s later transition.
Neon eventually moved into Thailand, where it introduced its established format to a broader audience while continuing its December tradition. Bangkok editions allowed the festival to operate in a market with strong interest in electronic music and a growing demand for year-end events. Each appearance continued featuring global headliners, ensuring continuity with the artists who had performed throughout its earlier years. The move into Thailand also enabled the festival to scale production in line with a larger regional audience. Over time, repeated editions in Bangkok strengthened Neon’s recognition among returning fans and positioned the city as its primary home. Reaching its tenth anniversary under the name Neon X, the festival now reflects a timeline that spans its origins in Malaysia and its long-term establishment in Thailand.
From Wonder World to Rajamangala Stadium
Past Thailand editions of Neon Countdown were held at Wonder World Extreme Park, a location known for its open layout and festival-style setting. For the tenth anniversary, the event transitions to Rajamangala Stadium, placing Neon X in one of Bangkok’s most prominent central venues. The stadium offers a wider setting for staging and visual design, giving the festival room to expand its creative direction for the year-end celebration. Its circular structure naturally surrounds the main field, creating a unified viewing area that brings the crowd together around the stage. Fireworks and lighting effects can be presented on a larger scale within the stadium’s open top, adding impact to the New Year countdown. The move to Rajamangala Stadium aligns the anniversary edition with a venue known for hosting major events and sets a strong backdrop for Neon’s ten year milestone.
A Lineup Led by the First Hardwell B2B W&W
The lineup for Neon X is led by the world-debut Hardwell B2B W&W, an announcement that came as a complete surprise and immediately gained the most attention for the tenth anniversary edition. Both Hardwell and W&W have performed at Neon Countdown in different years, which makes their first time playing together a meaningful moment for the festival community. KSHMR returns to Thailand after not appearing in the country for two years, reconnecting with supporters who have followed him since Neon’s early editions in Malaysia. This year’s lineup also includes Timmy Trumpet, Alesso, Nicky Romero, and Third Party, names that consistently pull strong interest from Thailand’s electronic music audience. Their appearance strengthens the New Year celebration and matches the scale of the anniversary edition. Together, these artists shape the primary announcement for Neon X and reflect the significance of its tenth year.
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Amelie Lens brings the techno element to Neon X, widening the festival’s range. Dimension contributes the drum and bass direction, offering a different tempo and feel for attendees looking for variety across the weekend. Rising favourite Mesto is also on the lineup, with added anticipation around Caramelle, a track many people hope to hear live during the festival. Support from Mark Bale B2B Jost and Honey Gee completes the announcement with acts already familiar within Thailand’s club and festival circles. The combination of surprise pairings, long-awaited returns, and multiple genres gives Neon X a tenth anniversary lineup that speaks to different parts of the electronic scene. It sets up a New Year weekend designed for both long-time followers of Neon Countdown and those discovering the event in Thailand.
What My Past NEON Countdown Years Mean Going Into Neon X
I first started attending Neon Countdown in Thailand in 2019, and certain editions stand out clearly whenever I think back on them. In 2022, the Infinity Stage made a strong impression because the structure looked different from what most festivals were doing that year, and it became the visual everyone remembered once the weekend was over. In 2023, counting down to 2024 with DJ Snake felt like one of those rare New Year transitions where everything lined up naturally. The excitement in the crowd built up slowly, and when the clock hit midnight, it felt like the entire venue reacted at the same time. Last year, closing out 2024 and stepping into 2025 with Martin Garrix stayed with me for similar reasons. The lead-up before his countdown moment felt steady and intentional, and it reminded me why Neon always leaves an impression.
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Across the different editions I have attended, it has often been the smaller parts of Neon Countdown that make the festival feel familiar to me. The Neon Downtown area became a comfortable place to sit with friends, take photos, and recover before moving back toward the music. The swings turned into a spot where my group could meet without needing to message or search for each other. Over time, I started recognising the same faces at different editions, and that sense of familiarity made the festival feel more personal. Those moments between sets, walking through the food stalls, or catching up with people I had not seen in a year all add something I remember long after the lineup is announced. Going into Neon X, all of those memories give the tenth anniversary a different meaning for me because it feels like returning to a place that has become part of how I spend New Year’s Eve.
Looking Ahead to Neon X and the Countdown Into 2026
The tenth anniversary edition of Neon Countdown feels like the right place to close out the year, especially with the mix of returning artists, surprise moments, and the move to Rajamangala Stadium. After everything the festival has built across both Malaysia and Thailand, Neon X carries a sense of anticipation that goes beyond the lineup. It brings people together who have been attending for years, as well as those joining for the first time. With the world-debut Hardwell B2B W&W, the return of KSHMR, and a New Year setting inside one of Bangkok’s most recognisable venues, the final weekend of December already stands out. With KSHMR having released “Power” with Hardwell and “Bad” with W&W, it naturally raises the question of whether he could appear during the B2B. It also raises the question of whether Timmy Trumpet might make a surprise appearance during Kshmr’s set given that they’ve previously collaborated on “Toca”together. Neon X brings ten years into one weekend, and the countdown into 2026 already feels like something people do not want to miss.
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