From the first fast hardcore tracks to zaagkicks, slowtempo and bounce: uptempo has undergone an enormous transformation over the past decade. Snakepit has evolved alongside the genre and will celebrate its tenth anniversary on Saturday, 7 November, with three areas: Past, Present and Future. In a special episode of PLAFONDDIENST, Partyraiser and T.M.O. reflect on the event’s history, the growth of uptempo and the new generation of artists ready to carry the scene forward.
ALSO READ: Snakepit celebrates 10-year anniversary with Past, Present & Future
“There needed to be an event dedicated entirely to uptempo”
When Snakepit first took place at the Klokgebouw in Eindhoven ten years ago, events dedicated entirely to uptempo were still a rarity. Partyraiser was approached to create the anthem for the first edition alongside F. Noize as Scarphase. “They asked me if I wanted to make the anthem for an event that was all about uptempo. I thought: that’s obviously awesome.”
That first edition at the Klokgebouw left a lasting impression on the hardcore veteran. “It was absolutely packed. When I think back to it, I can’t believe that was ten years ago!” Since then, Partyraiser has become one of Snakepit’s familiar faces.
For the anniversary, he will perform two sets: Past 10 Years, featuring music from the past decade, and Next 10 Years, focusing on his current sound. “I’m going to mix a few great tracks from each year. It’s amazing to be able to take the crowd back to what it was like ten years ago and then gradually build towards where we are today.”
Three areas bringing together different generations and sounds
That evolution will come together across three areas at Snakepit 10 Years. From early uptempo to zaag, piep, bounce and slowtempo, the genre now encompasses a wide variety of sounds. “Now you’ve got three different rooms and three different styles within the uptempo scene. That’s really cool. There’s something for everyone on each stage,” Partyraiser explains.
With nostalgic sets from Partyraiser and Spitnoise, established names such as Complex and Revealer, and newer artists like T.M.O. and Kemal, Snakepit demonstrates just how diverse the scene has become.
The new generation is also looking forward to revisiting the music that helped establish Snakepit. T.M.O. explains that he and several other artists are particularly excited to catch the early uptempo sets. “We’ve actually been talking about how we really want to check out the early uptempo sets. That’s what we started out listening to, so we know all those tracks. It’s kind of like the older RAW generation going to raw classics. For us, it feels like going back to where it all began, and seeing how that eventually led to us being able to do this ourselves.”
“The uptempo stages were already too small”
The fact that Snakepit can now fill three areas with different generations of uptempo artists would have been difficult to imagine ten years ago. Partyraiser remembers regularly being asked to close hardcore events with a faster set. “Back then, the uptempo areas were still kept really small,” he recalls.
According to T.M.O., even the additional space at festivals is not always enough these days. “You really noticed it at festivals last year: the uptempo stages were actually too small for the crowds. Organisers try to respond to that this year, but then they’re still too small. That’s how quickly it keeps growing.”
That popularity is also creating opportunities for emerging artists. “You can really see how much drive the new generation has and how determined they are,” Partyraiser says. “We need those people to keep the scene alive. And they keep coming up with new things.”
For T.M.O., making his Snakepit debut is a special milestone. Having previously attended the event as a visitor, he will now perform alongside Samynator on the Future stage. “For me, Snakepit was THE indoor uptempo event of the year. So getting to perform there for the first time is really special.”
Want to learn more about Snakepit’s history, the evolution of uptempo and what Partyraiser and T.M.O. have planned for the anniversary? The full episode is available now to watch or listen to via your favourite podcast platforms.
Snakepit 10 Years At Full Speed takes place on Saturday, 7 November 2026, from 13:00 to 23:00 at the Klokgebouw in Eindhoven. Want to experience this anniversary edition for yourself next week? Tickets are available through Snakepits official ticket shop.
Images via: Snakepit
