Hardstyle had a stronger presence than ever during the latest edition of Tomorrowland. One of the absolute highlights was Sub Zero Project’s performance on the iconic Mainstage, where the duo proved during primetime that the harder styles now fully belong alongside the biggest names in international dance music.
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A hardstyle act performing on the Tomorrowland Mainstage is no longer a rare exception. Since Coone first represented the genre on one of the world’s biggest festival stages, artists including Da Tweekaz, MANDY, Mark With a K and now Sub Zero Project have followed in his footsteps. Last weekend, the Dutch duo received a prominent place in the programme, with Tomorrowland’s official newspaper even featuring the hardstyle act on its front page. Surrounded by massive EDM shows and world-famous DJs, their hard kicks and melodies effortlessly held their own.
Sub Zero Project steals the show at Tomorrowland
“Without a doubt, this was the most special show we have ever played,” Sub Zero Project proudly shared on social media. The set has received praise from fans around the world, with comments including: “Sub Zero Project absolutely owned the Tomorrowland Mainstage.”
Their 4444 Of A Kind act also made a major impression once again. The collaborative performance with D-Block & S-te-Fan took place on the impressive Freedom Stage, which rivals many indoor arenas in terms of both scale and production. Performing between Hardwell and Sub Zero Project during the first weekend also highlighted how closely hardstyle and the wider EDM scene have grown together. Hardwell has supported the genre for years, regularly plays hardstyle tracks in his sets and recently teamed up with the duo on their new collaboration, ‘RE4SON’.
Hardstyle was also strongly represented beyond the festival’s biggest stages. Da Tweekaz and Sub Zero Project both hosted their own stages, while the harder end of the spectrum was given plenty of room as well. Artists including Lekkerfaces, Yoshiko and several uptempo acts introduced visitors across the festival grounds to virtually every side of the harder styles scene.
Tomorrowland has once again shown that hardstyle is no longer confined to a separate corner of the festival. From dedicated hostings to a prominent place on the Mainstage, the harder styles have officially become part of dance music’s international showcase. What’s next?
Footage via Sub Zero Project / Tomorrowland
