Thirteen years after B-Freqz was formed for what would become a legendary closing set at Hard Bass, B-Front and Frequencerz are returning to the GelreDome together this Saturday. A performance that could be even more special considering it might be one of the last times the trio gets to stand together on a stage like this. “This could maybe be one of the last times the three of us stand together in a GelreDome.”
ALSO READ: Hard Bass deliberately opts for journey sets: “We don’t want to forget the legacy”
For B-Freqz, the story began at almost exactly the same place where the act will return this Saturday. In 2013, B2S came up with the idea of having B-Front and Frequencerz close Hard Bass together. For Niels and Pepijn, it was also their first performance at the GelreDome. Wanting to do something special for the occasion, B-Freqz was born.
The collaboration turned out to be much more than a one-off. “There was this kind of magic, because Bob’s sound, which goes pretty deep, combined with our energy worked really well in the studio. We were able to develop great ideas so quickly. And then it just exploded during that final set at Hard Bass. It was incredible.”
“It’s simply part of my life”
That first Hard Bass set became an important moment in B-Freqz’s history. According to Niels, thirteen years later he still regularly receives messages from visitors who have not forgotten their 2013 closing set. The act’s return to Hard Bass had actually already been decided before Frequencerz called it quits. The request from B2S came in early and initially raised some doubts, but their history with the event ultimately convinced them. “It’s Hard Bass, it hasn’t been around for so many years and we’ve always loved playing there.”
During the preparations, the three also realized just how special this return could be. “Last week we were in the studio together and we said: this could maybe be one of the last times the three of us stand together, or even stand in a GelreDome at all, with all these events disappearing.”
For Niels, that connection with Hard Bass goes beyond B-Freqz. He already attended the event during its days at the SilverDome and Jaarbeurs, before later performing there himself. “Hard Bass is something special that we’ve been part of. I think I would have been there myself even if I wasn’t performing. It’s simply part of my life.”
“One big hit machine”
Anyone hoping the return will bring new B-Freqz music will have to temper their expectations in that regard. Although the three have been back in the studio together, they have not produced any new tracks. Instead, they have used their own catalogues to put together a special Hard Bass set. “We have quite a few more tracks now, but we decided to fire up one big hit machine. So we’ve also thrown in some mash-ups and stuff from our Frequencerz and B-Front tracks.”
In that sense, B-Freqz is also going back to the way it all started in 2013. Back then, there were only a handful of B-Freqz tracks, meaning the set had to be filled out with other material as well. This time, they have thirteen years’ worth of music to choose from, but according to Niels, the goal remains the same: to recreate the energy of that first Hard Bass closing set.
His own expectations are certainly high. “I think that if everything goes the way we’ve planned it, this could be one of the sickest sets I’ve ever played. There’s just so much energy in it. We basically want to recreate the energy that emerged during that closing set back then.”
In the latest episode of PLAFONDDIENST, we take an extensive look ahead at the return of Hard Bass. Besides Niels from B-Freqz, we call Jort from B2S, Coone and Crypsis on behalf of Minus Militia to talk about their history with the event and what they have planned for this Saturday at the GelreDome. The full episode is available to watch and listen to now via your favorite podcast platforms.
