While thousands of Defqon.1 visitors searched for ways to make the most of the weekend after the festival was cancelled, tensions escalated in several areas of the site. A small group of visitors began vandalizing parts of the festival grounds. Warrior Iris found herself in the middle of it all and decided not to stand by and watch. In the latest episode of the PLAFONDDIENST Podcast, she explains why she chose to step in, despite the risks.
ALSO READ: Forever One Tribe: The hardstyle scene showed its resilience after Defqon.1
The news that Defqon.1 had been completely cancelled came as a huge shock to many visitors. Iris was one of them, and at first she had no idea what was happening. “Friends started messaging me saying Defqon.1 had been cancelled. I thought: what are you talking about? I even sent videos back showing everything was still going on. I simply couldn’t believe it.”
When she walked towards the Stampkroeg, the reality finally hit. The DJ who was supposed to perform there told her the festival had indeed been cancelled. While most visitors were making their way back to the campsite, Iris decided to take one last walk across the festival grounds. “At first it was actually beautiful. People brought out their own speakers and tried to make the best of the situation together. But eventually there was also a group that started destroying things. That’s when I thought: this is not what we stand for.”
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“What on earth are you doing?”
While many people were filming the events unfolding around them, Iris decided to intervene. “I screamed my lungs out. ‘What on earth are you doing? Stop this.'” According to Iris, she even managed to calm down an initial group of visitors. “I always compare it to that matchstick meme. If you remove one burning matchstick, the rest stops burning too. That’s what it felt like.”
Later, an even larger crowd gathered and attempted to make its way towards the RED stage. One man even climbed onto a platform and encouraged others to follow. “I pushed him off that platform. Then I started shouting at everyone in English. This is not what Defqon.1 wants. This is not what this festival stands for.”
Spat on and nearly attacked
Although her words appeared to resonate with part of the crowd, stepping in came with consequences. Iris says she was confronted several times while trying to calm the situation. “I was spat on, people slapped my hands, and I was almost attacked twice.”
The adrenaline stayed with her long after the events had ended. “I didn’t sleep for two days. The next day I was still shaking. Whenever I watch my own videos back, I still get goosebumps.”
“I’m not a hero”
After the weekend, videos of Iris quickly spread across social media. Many praised her actions and several media outlets even described her as a ‘hero’. She doesn’t see herself that way. “I’m not a hero. I simply did what my heart told me to do. I’m just a Warrior who loves Defqon.1.” She eventually sent her footage to Q-dance as well, which thanked her for sharing the videos.
According to Iris, it is the organization that deserves the most respect. “The first thing I thought about wasn’t my ticket. I only thought about all the people who worked so incredibly hard to make this festival happen. Nobody deserves this.”
“That’s what I was fighting for”
Despite everything that happened, what stays with Iris most is not the disappointment, but the sense of unity that followed. Spontaneous DJ booths appeared at the campsite, while organizations and artists across the Netherlands quickly set up alternative events to bring stranded Warriors together. According to Iris, that is what Defqon.1 is truly about.
Her biggest hope is that the festival will continue for many years to come. “My son is ten years old and always says: ‘When I’m eighteen, I want to go to Defqon.1 with my mom.’ That’s what I was fighting for.”
Curious how the hardstyle scene responded to the cancellation of Defqon.1? In this episode of PLAFONDDIENST, Wouter and Marijn not only speak with Iris, but also with the people behind the many alternative initiatives that were organized in record time for stranded Weekend Warriors. From spontaneous parties and livestreams to inspiring stories from artists and organizers, you can listen to the full episode now on Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform.
