In the special Christmas episode of PLAFONDDIENST – The Hardstyle Podcast, Element joins the table to look back on a year that definitively opened a new chapter in his career. From his debut on the Intents mainstage to a first-ever Fabrik Madrid show, and an unexpected full-circle moment with Deepack: 2025 was a year that stuck.
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Intents mainstage
For Element, one moment clearly stands out. His debut on the Intents mainstage feels like a true milestone. “It was a super sick year,” he says. “You notice the scene is changing a bit in 2025, but we also had so many highlights, including of course the Intents mainstage. Those are things that stay with you, that’s a lot of people. I don’t even know that many people. If that happens only once in your life, I totally get that. But then you still think: they can’t take this away from me anymore.”
That weekend immediately showed two sides of performing. Besides the mainstage, he also played Ode To The Past, where he dropped raw classics. “At the Fanaticz you really notice you have a bit more of a connection with the crowd, because it’s smaller – still 11,000 people, you know. You’re closer to the audience, there’s more interaction.”
Fabrik Madrid
Internationally, Element also took an important step this year with his first time at Fabrik Madrid. “The way you’re welcomed there… I’m thinking: just some random guy with a weird haircut coming to do his thing, and then they’re looking at you like you’re God’s answer on earth.” It leaves an impression. “They’re so grateful, and they know all your music.”
At the same time, he keeps both feet on the ground. “On the one hand you get used to it, on the other you never take it for granted. It’s only when it’s gone that you think: holy shit.” One thing is certain: “Fabrik is seriously insane.”
Full-circle moment
The Christmas episode itself feels like more than just another podcast for Element. During the conversation with Deepack, a memory suddenly comes back to him. “I think it was 2015 or 2016, HardClassics on the Beach in Bloemendaal.” Back then, he was just a visitor. “From the moment I started listening to hardstyle, Deepack were immediately on my radar. I always checked their sets.”
That one moment has stuck with him ever since. “Marcel was walking through the crowd and I tapped him on the shoulder and said: ‘you’re really one of the realest motherfuckers in the entire scene.’” What happened next, he never forgot. “He grabbed my head and kissed me on the forehead.” Almost ten years later, Element is sitting at the table with Deepack himself. “That’s when I thought: holy shit, how fucking full circle do you want it?” He adds with a wink: “So I haven’t washed my forehead for ten years.”
Element and Deepack in the Christmas special of PLAFONDDIENST – The Hardstyle Podcast
In the special Christmas episode of PLAFONDDIENST – The Hardstyle Podcast, Element looks back on a year full of milestones, including his debut on the Intents mainstage, performances on smaller stages, his first time at Fabrik Madrid, and a personal full-circle moment with Deepack. Listen to the full episode now on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform.
