After two years full of milestones, headline moments, and exhilarating shows, Adjuzt is returning to what made him great: his raw, idiosyncratic signature sound. In the latest episode of PLAFONDDIENST – The Hardstyle Podcast, Maikel candidly explains why his new live show A̶W̶A̶K̶E̶ / ASLEEP / A̲d̲J̲u̲z̲T̲ marks the start of a new era. “I lost my joy in producing.”
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After an explosive start, Adjuzt quickly performed on practically every major stage. From his Supremacy debut three years ago to his solo debut at Defqon.1’s RED, Maikel admits he hit a wall in the period after LVLDUP. “I wanted to experiment, innovate, reinvent myself. But LVLDUP wasn’t what I’d hoped for. It didn’t feel any better than NXTGEN. At some point, I simply lost the joy of producing.”
The pressure to constantly prove himself actually caused him to become more disconnected from his core. Until he decided to radically return to his roots.
New live show, old energy
The A̶W̶A̶K̶E̶ / ASLEEP / A̲d̲J̲u̲z̲T̲ live show was the turning point. Where LVLDUP leaned on experimentation and conceptual innovation, the new show is all about familiarity: the raw, melancholic, and lush Adjuzt sound that’s beloved by tracks like ‘LOVESICK’, ‘Echoes’, and ‘OUTRAGE’. “I just went back to basics. Hard work. What I enjoy most. Old Adjuzt is back.”
The creative process behind the live show (based on his own sleep problems combined with bizarre visuals) revived the motivation he’d briefly lost. “Because I’m making music again in a way that truly suits me, that spark is coming back. I enjoy going into the studio. I really needed that.”
What can fans expect from Adjuzt in 2026? “I’ll keep doing what I’m doing. Because I’m having fun again. I’m not going to try crazy things again. This is my style and it will always be.” Several new tracks are coming that tie in with the live show era of A̶W̶A̶K̶E̶ / ASLEEP / A̲d̲J̲u̲z̲T̲, including a new closing album and a series of heavy club tracks that are “perfectly in line with the old Adjuzt.” The next live show is scheduled for the Gearbox Grand Prix in the Ziggo Dome.
In episode 37 of PLAFONDDIENST – The Hardstyle Podcast, Adjuzt candidly discusses his turbulent past years, his special bond with Gearbox, and his journey back to the raw sound that made him famous. Listen to the full episode now on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform.
Beeldmateriaal via Defqon.1 / Supremacy
