Afrojack News

This Was: Dream Village 2023

Published

2 years ago

September 18, 2023

Dream Village took place on September 9th and 10th in Bavel in the Netherlands. The Saturday of the festival, Dark Visions, was dedicated to the harder styles of electronic music with major hard dance artists such as Sefa and Act of Rage. By contrast, Sunday, Sweet Dreams, showcased the more mainstream side of electronic music with big room house legends David Guetta and Afrojack. Both days of the festival also included local talent and some traditional Dutch music sprinkled in as well.

Getting There
As per usual getting to the venue for me included a long car drive in traffic without air conditioning but as always was worth every second of it. En route to the venue there were some road closures and detours but all important information was communicated through social media. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it in time to see our friend Lara open the Insomnia Stage but from what we heard she kicked off the festival with a bang!

Venue
The festival terrain was situated in the rural village of Bavel located in the greater region of North Brabant. To get to the festival you have to walk across grassy fields through the picturesque Dutch farmland. The festival consisted of four stages, a swing carnival ride, various food vendors, and chill areas equipped with games and hammocks. The weather was extremely warm over the weekend reaching record temperatures for September in the Netherlands. The festival was prepared for the warm weather with plenty of water refill stations and some shady spots for people to cool down.

Food & Drinks
Upon entering the festival guests received a recycle token to hand in when purchasing a drink. Each time you go for a drink you either present a recycle token or bring an empty cup, bottle, or can otherwise you pay half a token extra for your drink purchase. This system has been implemented across the Netherlands and was clearly explained throughout the festival with clear signage (including graphics in case you didn’t speak Dutch)!

You could purchase tokens in increments of five, with one token coming out to around 3.80 euro. For reference, one beer was a token, water was a token and a half. On top of your standard festival drinks there were also cocktail stands and a promotional area hosted by Kettle One. I actually won a reversible bucket hat at the Kettle One stand which I was very excited about!

With regards to food there were a myriad of options such as Dutch pancakes, Turkish pizza, Italian pizza, wraps, BBQ, ice cream, smoothies, burgers, and more. My friends enjoyed the lumpias (Vietnamese eggrolls), boneless ribs and fries!

Stages
As previously mentioned, Dream Village consisted of four stages. However, upon careful inspection of the festival grounds I actually discovered a fifth stage which was bus called Dansen met de Familie Jansen (Dance with the Jansen Family). The bus was equipped with a hot pink leopard interior and even a stripper pole! This was just one of many hidden gems at Dream Village.

Mainstage
The Mainstage at Dream Village (Area One) took place inside of a large hangar. This provided some shade from the sun but did of course get quite hot when the bigger artists were on. The stage was decorated with the Dream Village logo and immediately behind the DJ booth was an LED screen projecting the name of the artist performing.

Insomnia Stage
The Insomnia Stage (Area Two) was hosted inside of a large tent which was illuminated by lasers and bright visuals. This stage hosted the Uptempo artists (the hardest of the harder styles) on Saturday and Latin/Urban artists on Sunday.

Siesta Stage
The Siesta Stage (Area Three) was an open-air stage in the very middle of the festival serving Boiler Room vibes. Ravers were able to dance and watch from various vantage points as there were stairs and open decks surrounding the stage. There was even space on stage for partygoers to dance alongside the DJ. This stage was packed during Outsiders set on Saturday and Paul Elstak on Sunday with the crowd overflowing from the stage, around the stairs, and into the main area of the festival.

Breda Beats
The fourth area of the festival, the Breda Beats stage was home to local talent. This stage was created entirely by shipping containers. In the main shipping container was of course the DJ and then along the sides were smaller shipping containers with artistically represented mannequins inside. My favorite part about this stage was the large fans pointing out into the crowd, this was the perfect spot if you needed to cool down!

Visuals & Sound
Dream Village despite it being a small festival had impressive visuals including lasers, fire, fireworks, and LED visuals. The sound overall at each stage was decent, however the sound bleed between the stages was unavoidable. At certain points standing at the Siesta Stage the sound bleed from the Mainstage was so loud that you needed to move deeper into the crowd or find a different spot otherwise you were hearing two sets at the same time. This is something that’s not uncommon for smaller festivals but is something to be aware of when you’re deciding on where to stand during the set (and where to party!).

Music
Devin Wild
We kicked off Saturday with Dutch Hardstyle superstar Devin Wild. With tracks such as Exhale and Feel so Good it was the perfect start to a perfect weekend. Devin Wild’s combination of hard-hitting kicks coupled with euphoric melodies make him almost synonymous with summer festivals. When you think of Devin Wild you think of its finally outdoor season in the Netherlands!
Rooler
Italian Rawstyle legend took over the Mainstage on Saturday afternoon. Despite his early time slot, the crowd went hard with MC Villian leading the charge. Rooler had us going wild to Go Stupid, Hiding, and singing along to Star Walkin’. Rooler has an uncanny ability to turn up a crowd and keep the energy up from start to finish and his set at Dream Village was no exception.
Vertile
One of the most talked about artists in the Hard Dance scene in the Netherlands is Vertile. Vertile is best known for combining influences and experiences from genres. This was represented on Saturday dropping bangers such as Psychedelics, Emotion Free, and No Sleep.
Partyraiser
Partyraiser brought the heat (literally and figuratively) to Area Two with MC Tha Watcher on Saturday. Pushing the limits past 200 beats per minute, Partyraiser’s high velocity Uptempo powered set was one to remember.
Afrojack
On Sunday night the crowd turned up for Afrojack. The electrifying beats of this legendary Dutch DJ and Producer blew through the speakers as fog shot up through the crowd. Afrojack as always delivered an energetic set that kept the crowd wanting more.
David Guetta
Sunday’s headliner French powerhouse David Guetta threw down with our favorite sing along tracks such as Titanium. Afrojack even joined him on stage dropping their collaborative track Hero. Together they set the stage on fire, literally despite the heat over the weekend there was SO much fire spouting out of Area One.

Atmosphere & Organization
If you’re looking for a small intimate multi-genre festival, then Dream Village is for you. The atmosphere throughout the weekend was very much like a small town family vibe. You could feel a sense of community and unity throughout the festival, especially at the Breda Beats stage. All in all Dream Village encapsulates the essence of the Dutch festival experience mixing together a variety of electronic music genres in an intimate setting. Would definitely recommend this festival and am looking forward to future editions!

Afrojack News

EDM Festivals You Can’t Miss, September 2025

Published

3 months ago

August 19, 2025

Dylan Smith

EDM Festivals September 2025 Unity Tomorrowland Insomniac Sphere

EDM Festivals in September 2025 are guaranteed to keep the momentum rolling as summer transitions into fall.

From legendary brands making global moves to underground takeovers and bass-heavy spectacles, here’s your guide to the top EDM festivals you won’t want to miss this September.

Tomorrowland x Insomniac

Dates: Aug 29 – Oct 18 (majority of shows in September)
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Two titans of dance music, Tomorrowland and Insomniac, join forces inside Las Vegas’ cutting-edge Sphere for a once-in-a-lifetime set of shows. Expect immersive visuals, boundary-pushing production, and a lineup featuring DJ Snake, Alan Walker, Subtronics, and more. This historic collaboration sets a new benchmark for festival experiences.

Ultra Japan

Dates: September 13–14
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Ultra returns to Tokyo Odaiba Ultra Park with its signature brand of high-energy stages, global superstars, and local talent. The 2025 edition brings Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Calvin Harris, DJ Snake, and more alongside Asia’s rising EDM acts. With Japan’s passionate crowds and futuristic setting, Ultra Japan is always a standout.

Experts Only

Dates: September 20–21
Location: New York City, USA
With the record label going from strength to strength, John Sumit‘s Experts Only brand is now expanding with it’s very first festival. Taking place in the heart of NYC, the debut will see a headline performance from John Summit himself along with Kaskade b2b Cassian, Pete Tong, Green Velvet b2b Layton Giordani, and more.

Lost Lands

Dates: September 19-21
Location: Legend Valley, Ohio, USA
Excision’s bass music mecca is back, bringing the dinosaurs, the pyro, and enough sub-bass to shake the earth. Lost Lands 2025 promises the heaviest dubstep, riddim, and drum & bass lineups of the year with sets from Acraze, SVDDEN DEATH, Rezz, and of course, Excision himself. Expect massive production, late-night sound camps, and a community vibe like no other.

Together Festival

Dates: September 5–6
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
One of Southeast Asia’s biggest EDM gatherings, Together Festival takes over Bangkok with a mix of mainstage giants and regional talent. Past editions have hosted Martin Garrix, Zedd, and Marshmello, with 2025 inviting Afrojack, Paul Van Dyk, Sub Zero Project, Topic, and more.

PRIMER Music Festival

Dates: September 6–7
Location: Athens, Greece
Set against the backdrop of the historic Greek capital, PRIMER has quickly become a must-stop on the European circuit. Known for blending top-tier headliners with a Mediterranean vibe, this year’s edition welcomes Armin van Buuren, ARTBAT, Purple Disco Machine, and more.

Beonix

Dates: September 19–21
Location: Limassol, Cyprus
On the shores of the Mediterranean, Beonix brings a mix of house, techno, and progressive sounds to Cyprus. With stages designed around art and immersive visuals, the festival creates a sleek balance of music, design, and seaside relaxation. Artists like Armin van Buuren, Roger Sanchez, and Boris Brejcha are expected.

Caprices Festival

Dates: September 19-21
Location: Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Caprices is set high in the Swiss Alps with panoramic mountain views. This boutique festival draws house and techno purists for intimate sets from the scene’s best. Think Franky Rizardo, Loco Dice, and Cassy paired with breathtaking alpine backdrops.

Nocturnal Wonderland

Dates: September 13-14
Location: Southern California, USA
As North America’s longest-running rave, Nocturnal Wonderland continues to enchant with colorful art, glowing lights, and a diverse lineup across drum & bass, house, trance, and bass. Hosted by Insomniac, the festival mixes nostalgia with cutting-edge production for a true rave wonderland.

CRSSD Festival

Dates: September 27–28
Location: San Diego, USA
Held at San Diego’s Waterfront Park, CRSSD has become the West Coast’s premier house and techno festival. With its oceanfront skyline views, palm trees, and craft food and cocktails, the vibe is unmatched. The 2025 edition is set to feature Purple Disco Machine, John Summit, Jamie Jones b2b Adam Ten, and more.

From the futuristic Sphere in Vegas to the alpine peaks of Switzerland, September offers some of the most diverse EDM festivals of the year. Whether you’re chasing underground grooves, mainstage anthems, or bass-heavy madness, the month is stacked with choices around the globe.

Afrojack News

Sporty-O Drops Fiery EP ‘Symphonic Resistance’

Published

3 months ago

August 10, 2025

Mackenzie Morris

Sporty-O is once again breaking down the barriers between genres with the release of his thumping new EP ‘Symphonic Resistance.’

His music has been going viral with it being featured in over half a million videos on TikTok and amassing over a billion views through those videos. After releasing the amazing ‘Blue Lights’ to tease what was to come, he’s now unveiled the full force of ‘Symphonic Resistance.’

The EP kicks off strong with Sporty-O injecting his mix of hip hop and EDM into possibly the world’s most powerful chant, the haka. The track has a very tribal feel from the chant and the fantastic percussion, topped off with some super heavy synths. ‘Bumble Bee’ keeps the powerful synths coming and takes on a style reminiscent of some classic DJ Snake which is always a welcome sound to hear. Kicking on into track 3, ‘You A B***h’, Sporty-O really lets loose with a drop that hits like a train thanks to his excellent use of dynamics. Rounding off the EP is ‘Blue Lights’ which offers a shift in energy with a slightly calmer feel that still pumps out tonnes of dancefloor energy.

Sporty-O’s past productions have wracked up plenty of accolades for him with his tracks getting support from the likes of Afrojack, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Hardwell, Nicky Romero, and many more. Also, his discography has ventured across several major labels including Virgin Music, Jungle Cakes, and Zone Records. All this success has earned him spots on some of the biggest stages in the world from Tomorrowland to Ultra Music Festival. It’s a repertoire that is truly mind-blowing and is one that is sure to continue expanding with the release of ‘Symphonic Resistance.’

Sporty-O said of the EP: “Symphonic Resistance is a musical celebration of melodies, harmonies and concepts that effortlessly & colourfully dance outside of the norm while encouraging the listener to embrace creative & artistic freedom in every aspect of life — because you only live once. Why live that life like everybody else!”

Sporty-O takes inspiration from all the right places on this EP with a sound similar to that of the legendary Jauz. However, the EP is no mere replica of others work as Sporty-O’s unique style shines through, and he continues to impress with his production skills.

You can follow Sporty-O on his socials below:

Facebook

Instagram

Spotify

Afrojack News

Here’s Why You Need To Go To Airbeat One

Published

4 months ago

July 18, 2025

Mackenzie Morris

Airbeat One has grown vastly since its debut in 2002 and this year for its 22^nd edition they pulled no punches.

250 DJs, over 225 hours of music, 200,000 visitors from over 50 countries, and countless unforgettable moments. The numbers only tell part of the story so here’s some of the many reasons you should be adding Airbeat One to your festival season for 2026.

The Stages

The amount of time and effort that goes into building stages is monumental and Airbeat One puts everything into creating jaw-dropping, vibrant, massive stages. The mainstage is a whopping 180 meters wide and 45 meters high. Changing its design every year according to the theme, the mainstage evolves from edition to edition. Words cannot describe the spectacle that is their mainstage, and it doesn’t stop there. Every stage boasts a unique style that catches your eye and boggles the mind from this years entrancing butterfly stage to the harder stage taking on the shape of a bulls head.

The Lineup

Afrojack, Maddix, Oliver Heldens, Steve Aoki, Vini Vici, Alok, Amelie Lens, Armin Van Buuren, Hardwell, Lucas & Steve, Timmy Trumpet, Dimitri Vegas, and Sebastian Ingrosso. All of these world-renowned artists took to the stage this year as part of the 250 DJ lineup. The pull that Airbeat One has for some of the best artists in the world is astonishing and makes for 3 days and 4 nights packed to the brim with talent. While it’s certainly a more techno and hardstyle centric festival, there’s still a diverse platter of genres to be heard to keep everyone entertained. In one visit you can tick off a whole lot of artists from your bucket list.

Pyro/lighting

Seeing pyro and fireworks at the end of the day at a festival is a lovely site. But what if there was more. A lot more. Airbeat One is full throttle all day with their visuals as even opening artists get pyro. Instead of fireworks only happening at the end of the day, they put on a show for hours with fireworks and pyro going off throughout DJ sets. This makes every set an astonishing spectacle that keeps on giving and giving. The flames go even further than just the stages though as on the arches over the walkways you’ll find more fire lighting your way to the next stage. For miles around you can see the sky being lit up by the array of lasers and other FX lights which are truly dazzling. Rounding off this years edition of Airbeat One there was an intense 15-minute firework show followed by Armin Van Buuren which is one hell of a way to end a festival.

The Themes

While a lot of festivals look fairly similar year on year, Airbeat One changes its look drastically each year to suit the theme. Every year they take on the theme of a different country with past editions celebrating the cultures of India, England, America, and this year Spain. The mainstages design is based around famous buildings from the country that’s acting as the theme as well as the other stages following the theme. The whole site is decorated to fully immerse you in the culture offering a fresh look every year. 2026 will see Airbeat One transform Neustadt-Glewe into a Dutch landscape with The Netherlands taking over the theme.

Site Design/Care For Festival Goers

The site, its design, and all the stalls make sure to cover you for everything you need in any kind of weather. They offer plenty of spaces with shade from the sun, shelter from the rain, and places where you can rest your legs. Comfy seating and hammocks can be found around the site which gives you the opportunity to take that much needed 10 minutes to recover before heading straight back into the crowd. In the event of rain there’s lots of solid paths around the site allowing you to get around without sinking into the mud. You’re also covered on the hearing protection front with plenty of stalls around the site where you can acquire ear plugs. Along with this you can enjoy a diverse selection of food with there being plenty of different food stalls to take your pallet on a journey around the world. All these things add up to make the festival experience a delight even when you’re away from the stages.

It has been another barnstormer of a year for Airbeat One as they have further solidified themselves as one of the best festivals in the world. It’s a sensory delight everywhere you go and it’s continuing to evolve with constant improvements being made every year. The festival will be taking place from July 8^th – July 12^th 2026 with The Netherlands as its theme. Make sure your calendar is clear.

You can learn more about Airbeat One through their socials below:

Check out some of our articles on Airbeat One below:

Airbeat One Articles