Hardstyle DNA Outdoor has matured massively in just three years. The festival in Oslo took another big step forward for the Scandinavian scene this past weekend. This time, no three stages or too big plans—just a conscious step back: returning to one imposing mainstage to show its towering ambition to thousands of grateful visitors. The result? A stronger foundation for hardstyle and even a vibe you rarely experience in the Netherlands these days.
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While last year there was talk of expanding to three stages, the organization instead chose to focus on a brand-new location once again. This choice—set against the backdrop of idyllic Norwegian cottages—turned out to be a golden one. The mainstage featured massive LED screens, and the line-up was once again of international top-tier quality. Names like Brennan Heart, D-Block & S-te-Fan, of course Da Tweekaz, Sub Zero Project, and a stunning number of headliners received a warm welcome in Oslo. From TNT’s classics to Major Conspiracy’s uptempo closing: a line-up of Dutch-level quality, only this time in Norway for two days.
Norway has every reason to be proud of resilient Hardstyle DNA
In the Netherlands, we’re spoiled—there’s a hardstyle festival practically every weekend around the corner. “I’m grateful to get a shot as a talent on a stage with such big names,” says Radera from Sweden, who flew in specifically to perform this weekend. The 28-year-old talented DJ missed his wife and kids dearly, but this weekend is hugely important for Scandinavian artists like him. Hardstyle DNA doesn’t just offer a stage for the crowd—it also opens doors for new talent.
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Still, organizing a festival in Norway doesn’t come easy. The infrastructure simply isn’t yet on the same level as for instance the Netherlands. This year, for example, the festival opened a bit later than planned, as volunteers were still working up to the last minute installing the barrier line that had arrived late. In the Netherlands, we’re used to suppliers and production schedules syncing perfectly. Here, they have to work three times as hard to achieve the same result – which only earns them even more respect. Especially with the increasing wind on Friday: the conditions were too heavy and therefore many decorations could not be installed on the stage. The whole crew was running around just before the opening to get the party going as soon as possible. Many items could not be used despite the preparations.
“Better to have one amazing stage”
The gates open, and the Scandinavians are over the moon that a hard dance festival is taking place in Oslo at all. Their passion is finally being celebrated close to home. For the growth of new fans, this is incredibly important, says up-and-coming talent Markz, who attended the first edition of Hardstyle DNA Outdoor in 2023. “This was my first chance to experience it live, and I’ll never forget this day. It was amazing to finally see all these artists in my own country,” he dreamily said while gazing at legend Wildstylez as he had the entire crowd raising their hands. That same magic was back again: the crowd joined in throughout the entire weekend, and you could see smiles from ear to ear all around.
For Da Tweekaz, Hardstyle DNA feels like coming home — and you feel that energy instantly on the dancefloor. On the second day of the festival, the floor filled up fast as everyone came to see them. Even Marcus’ 92-year-old grandmother took the train all by herself to see her grandson perform: among the crowd, she’s affectionately known as “mormor.” Translated from Norwegian, it means “grandmother.” It’s one of many moments that reflect the meaning behind the name Hardstyle DNA. Under the flag of the passion of the genre, everyone here is family, and Hardstyle DNA is the yearly reunion where that family comes back together.
“Hardstyle is in our DNA”
You can imagine the energy was sky-high when the Norwegian duo played hit after hit in their home country, in front of their own crowd. Thousands of fans went wild to the very last drop of Jägermeister, swinging from left to right and screaming with joy to the music of Da Tweekaz. We ran into some Dutch visitors as well, who said they were impressed by the minimal stage design, because the production still went all-out — including 8-meter-high flamethrowers. “But an atmosphere like this? We rarely see that back home.”
Refuzion, a regular at the festival who’s been playing at Hardstyle DNA events for over ten years, summed it up perfectly: “Norway shows that it really knows how to party.” Those words were echoed by the crowd, who not only got to see their heroes live but were also treated to two endshows. The sky above the Norwegian capital lit up like the Northern Lights with a massive fireworks display, as the final beats echoed across the venue. On the way to the last afterparty, excited fans tapped us on the shoulder, beaming about the weekend. “We already can’t wait for next year.”
The foundation is set
Hardstyle DNA has matured, but it’s far from finished. With every edition, the festival grows, the community strengthens, and the belief that Scandinavia deserves a permanent place in the harder styles scene becomes more real. The decision not to go bigger, but to go stronger, turned out to be a wise one. Hardstyle DNA is more than just a festival — it’s a piece of identity that, for once, doesn’t require a plane ticket to experience. “Hardstyle is in our DNA,” they already said back in 2023. In 2025, it feels truer than ever — and it’s something Norway can be proud of.
Footage via Rossumedia / Joachim Aarnes
