Qlimax


Qlimax was an annual hardstyle and hard dance event in the Netherlands. It was a major attraction held by Q-dance, and considered to be one of the leading hardstyle events, attracting nearly 30,000 people annually. It contained some of the most sophisticated production and setup, as well as sound system for any Q-dance event. On the 25th of July 2024, Q-Dance announced that Qlimax 2024 would be the very last edition.
WWW Official Site

History

During the first few years following Qlimax's debut, the event used to have several editions each year. From 2004, it was changed to the third or fourth week of November. At first it was held at the Beursgebouw and then moved to various other venues such as the SilverDome and Heineken Music Hall, but eventually settled at the GelreDome in 2003.

Artists and event

Many artists consider being chosen to play at Qlimax as a highlight, since the event was used to showcase the most successful artists in their respective genre. The beginning saw the lineup featuring genres ranging from Hardhouse to Techno. This was changed to traditionally begin with one Hardtrance act, numerous Hardstyle acts and then finish off with one Hardcore/Gabber act. This was changed in 2008 with the removal of the Jumpstyle act and in 2009 with the replacement of the Hardtrance act to one playing early Hardstyle.
In 2021, the event would have taken place during the day for the first time to adhere to the COVID-19 pandemic precautions and guidelines at that time in the Netherlands. A week before the event was due, the event was cancelled and adapted to an online event.
On the 25th of July 2024, Q-Dance announced that Qlimax 2024 would be the very last edition. With this announcement, Q-Dance had ended one of the oldest hardstyle events.
The sound, light, pyrotechnic and stage setup at Qlimax was substantial. Around 350 L'Acoustics speaker boxes were deployed in the arena, with a majority being suspended from the ceiling. The conventional part of the lighting setup was controlled from 3 light desks, and the laser show was done by a certified laser show operator. Booths for technicians were placed out in the crowd, giving them the overview they needed, as well as the sound coverage needed to ensure everyone was having the most ideal possible sound at all times.

Anthems

Like most of the Q-dance events, an anthem was made every year by the headlining DJ to represent that edition. Below is a list of the anthems for each edition:
Dutch Anthems

Editions

YearDateLocationThemeAnthemMCLineup
20003 JuneBeursgebouw, Eindhoven N/AN/ARuffianCaptain Tinrib, Dana, Nick Sentience, Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Ian M, Remy, Rank 1, Jon the Dentist, The Advent, CJ Bolland, and Pavo.
20012 JuneHeineken Music Hall, AmsterdamN/AN/ARuffianAcid Junkies, Alpha Twins, Bas & Ram, Dana, Gary D, Jon The Baptist, Kai Tracid, Lisa Loud, Marco V, Michel de Hey, and Mauro Picotto.
20026 AprilThialf Stadion, HeerenveenCosmosN/ARuffianCaptain Tinrib, Cosmic Spoils, Dana, Gary D, Kai Tracid, Pavo, Technoboy, and Warmduscher.
200221 SeptemberSilverDome, ZoetermeerInfectionN/ARuffianAlpha Twins, Bas & Ram, Charly Lownoise, Dana, The Darkman, Gizmo, Haze & Abyss, DJ Isaac, Luna, Melanie de Tria, Pavo, Pila, Sunny D, Technoboy, and Zenith DJ.
200312 AprilThialf Stadion, HeerenveenFollow The LeaderThe Prophet - Follow The LeaderRuffianDana, Gary D, Isaac, Luna, Pavo, Pila, Super Marco May, Technoboy, The Prophet, and Zenith DJ.
200322 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemThe ProphecyDeepack - The ProphecyRuffianBas & Ram, Daniele Mondello, Deepack, Kai Tracid, Luna, Max B Grant, Pavo, The Prophet, Technoboy, and Bass D & King Matthew
200427 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemDestiny's PathFuture Tribes - Deadlock Mouth Of MadnessCharly Lownoise, Dana, Luna, Igor S, Outblast, Pavo, Technoboy & The Prophet, and Zany.
200519 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemScience & ReligionDJ Zany - Science & ReligionRuffianBas & Ram, The Beholder & Ballistic, Pila, Zany, The Prophet, Luna, DJ Isaac, Alpha Twins, Technoboy, and Vince.
200625 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemThe DarksideAlpha Twins - The Darkside RuffianAlpha Twins, Dana, Luna, The Prophet feat. Headhunterz, Promo, DJ Ruthless, Showtek, Tatanka, Zany & Donkey Rollers, and Yves de Ruyter.
200717 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemThe Power of the MindHeadhunterz - The Power of the MindRuffianFausto, DJ Ghost, Brennan Heart, Showtek, Headhunterz, Technoboy, The Prophet & Zany, and DJ Neophyte.
200822 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemNext Dimensional WorldTechnoboy - Next Dimensional WorldRuffianMark Sherry, Showtek, Headhunterz, Project One, D-Block & S-te-Fan, Technoboy, Tatanka, and Zany & Vince.
200921 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemThe Nature of Our MindD-Block & S-te-Fan - The Nature of Our MindRuffianDJ Isaac, A-Lusion, Davide Sonar, Brennan Heart, Technoboy, D-Block & S-te-Fan, Headhunterz, Noisecontrollers, Deepack, and Noize Suppressor.
201027 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemAlternate RealityBrennan Heart - Alternate RealityRuffianPavelow, DJ Stephanie, Wildstylez, Wildstylez & Noisecontrollers, TNT aka Technoboy & Tuneboy, Brennan Heart, D-Block & S-te-Fan, Psyko Punkz, Zatox, and Endymion vs. Evil Activities.
201126 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemExperiment DomeZatox - No Way BackRuffianStana, Coone, Headhunterz, Zany & The Pitcher, Noisecontrollers, Zatox, Ran-D, Gunz For Hire, and The Prophet.
201224 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemFate Or FortunePsyko Punkz - Fate Or FortuneRuffian A*S*Y*S, Wildstylez, Frontliner, Isaac, Technoboy, Zatox, Psyko Punkz, Brennan Heart, B-Front, Adaro, and Evil Activities.
201323 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemImmortal EssenceGunz For Hire ft. Ruffian - ImmortalRuffianActi, Wildstylez & Max Enforcer, Code Black, Coone, Gunz For Hire, Noisecontrollers, Zatox, Alpha Twins, and Mad Dog & Art of Fighters.
201422 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemThe Source Code of CreationNoisecontrollers – The Source Code of CreationRuffianAudiofreq & Technoboy, Headhunterz, Atmozfears, Frontliner, Noisecontrollers, Ran-D, Crypsis, Endymion, The Viper, and Partyraiser.
201521 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemEquilibriumAtmozfears - EquilibriumVillainDJ Isaac, Bass Modulators, Atmozfears, Noisecontrollers & Wildstylez, Brennan Heart, Ran-D, Zatox & Adaro (DJ), Frequencerz, Deetox, and Tha Playah.
201619 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemRise of the CelestialsCoone - Rise of the CelestialsVillainTuneboy, Audiotricz, Brennan Heart, Coone, Project One, Bass Modulators, Frequencerz, B-Front, Angerfist, and Ran-D.
201718 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemTemple of LightWildstylez - Temple of LightVillainTNT aka Technoboy & Tuneboy, D-Block & S-Te-Fan, Wildstylez, Da Tweekaz, Noisecontrollers & Atmozfears, Frequencerz, Phuture Noize, Sub Zero Project, Gunz for Hire, and N-Vitral.
201824 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemThe Game ChangerSub Zero Project - The Game ChangerVillainLuna, Sound Rush, Coone, Bass Modulators, Wildstylez, Sub Zero Project, Tweekacore, Phuture Noize, B-Freqz, and Dr. Peacock.
201923 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemSymphony of ShadowsB-Front - Symphony of ShadowsVillainThe Qreator, KELTEK, Sound Rush, D-Block & S-Te-Fan, Headhunterz, B-Front, Ran-D, D-Sturb, Rejecta, Radical Redemption, and Miss K8.
202028 NovemberThe Source Qlimax The Source OSTVillainThe Qreator, Sub Zero Project, Phuture Noize, Headhunterz & JDX, B-Front, KELTEK, and Sefa.
202120 NovemberCentrale Markthallen, Amsterdam Distorted Reality Ran-D ft. Charlotte Wessels - The ReawakeningVillainZany, D-Block & S-Te-Fan, The Qreator, Sub Zero Project, Ran-D, Shadow Priests, Sound Rush, Rebelion, D-Sturb & Act of Rage, and Sefa & Dr. Peacock.
202226 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemThe ReawakeningRan-D ft. Charlotte Wessels - The ReawakeningVillainZany, The Qreator, Sound Rush, D-Block & S-Te-Fan, Ran-D, Sub Zero Project, The Prophet, Rebelion, D-Sturb & Act Of Rage, Rooler, and Sefa.
202318 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemEnter the VoidHard Driver – Enter The VoidVillainDeepack, Brennan Heart present Blademasterz, Showtek, TNT, Hard Driver, Devin Wild, The Qreator, B-Front x Phuture Noize: The Enlightenment, Shadow Priests, Vertile, Warface, Deadly Guns, MC Villain.
202416 NovemberGelreDome, ArnhemThe Final ProphecyN/AVillainDeepack vs Luna vs Zany, Wildstylez & Noisecontrollers, Coone, The Darkside of Hardstyle, Brennan Heart aka Blademasterz, D-Block & S-Te-Fan, Phases of Hardstyle, TNT, Sub Zero Project, The Power of the Mind, B-Front & Phuture Noize, Adaro, Rebelion, D-Sturb & Act of Rage, Mad Dog, Sefa & Dr.Peacock