If there’s one place where Hardstyle is life itself, it’s Defqon.1 Weekend Festival. Four days, 100,000+ Warriors, and an emotional rollercoaster that once again proved why this is the beating pulse of our orange hearts.
This year, Defqon.1 was a milestone—a celebration of 25 years of Q-dance, the visionary creators behind the movement, and 25 years since the word “Hardstyle” was trademarked by Q-dance, the term that changed dance music forever.
From Qlass to Qreation: The Journey
Let’s rewind: Q-dance started as a small underground party organizer throwing iconic events like Houseqlassics and the first Qlimax back in the early 2000s. Fast forward to 2025 and we’re standing in the shadow of the RED stage, “The Creator,” a towering 50-meter monument crowned with the legendary statue representing the very soul of Hardstyle.
The festival has since exploded into a global phenomenon with unforgettable events like Qapital, In Qontrol, and of course, the legendary Qlimax—all carved with theatrical stage designs, world record Power Hours, and legendary moments etched into Hardstyle history.
The Gathering: Homecoming at the BLUE & BLACK
The festival opened with The Gathering on the BLUE stage. A more technological, less crafty design than the other stages, BLUE is the calm before the storm. The anthem maker Vertile joined the crowd in this ritual by opening the weekend. “Weekend Warriors, Welcome Home” was a “hello” from an old friend.
The UV Tribute: Honoring The Paradox
This year’s tribute was deeply moving — it honored The Paradox, the legendary collaborative project of B-Front and Phuture Noize. Known for their emotional and philosophical approach to hardstyle, their music has resonated with thousands worldwide. The tribute spread across the UV strip, with the stage lighting and visuals paying homage in powerful ways.
On top of that, D-Block & S-te-Fan took The Spotlight with their classic euphoric sound, reminding everyone why they remain central pillars of hardstyle. Their set was a highlight, blending emotion and energy in a way that only they can.
RED Stage: The Creator — Where History Meets the Future
The RED stage was the undeniable heart of Defqon.1 2025. The theme, “Where Legends Rise” celebrated both the art and the artists who built this community from scratch. The stage design incorporated skull motifs from 2019 and paid homage to the famous 2014 Qlimax head stage, blending nostalgia with futuristic guardians watching over us.
Friday’s opening ceremony set the tone perfectly with BUD’s red carpet brand activation and a powerful start by Dr. Peacock in Concert. The crowd was ready.
Saturday morning’s Warrior Workout woke up the masses for a day full of madness. And then came POWER HOUR—that legendary one-hour set including synchronized left-right jumps that moved an estimated 65,000 people at the RED stage. The viral left-right moment of last year has 100 million views since 2024. A jet flew overhead from Lelystad airport, courtesy of Red Bull, adding an epic sky-high touch to the madness below.
The show was a jaw-dropping spectacle of lights, pyro, confetti, wrapping up the night with a bang.
Sunday Legends Show: Where Legends Rise
Sunday was sacred. The RED stage was an altar for Hardstyle royalty — a 5-hour Legends Show where the pioneers and heroes were honored. Names like Davide Sonar, Wildstylez, Deepack, Noisecontrollers, Headhunterz, and The Prophet walked the stage. This was a family reunion and a collective nod to the legacy we’re all part of.
The mantra “Where Legends Rise” extended beyond DJs. It was about every single person showing up, dancing, and living the music. We all are legends in this story.
The Path: XP and Totems
Defqon.1 Weekend Festival has always been an experience. This year, the new loyalty program called The Path turned attendance into a quest. Visitors collected XP by scanning totem poles scattered around the festival. These little moments of interaction gave you status, team mascots (Guardian, Shaman, etc.), and added a fun, game-like dimension to the weekend.
Stage Designs & Additional Areas
GOLD – with a new location, caught the golden hour sun perfectly through its glass, creating moments that felt almost sacred
BLACK – Dragon stage breathed fire: an iconic throwback to 2016’s Dragon Blood edition
Orange Light District, a pop-up party arcade hall concept born in 2024, returned, blending daytime board games with night-time dance chaos
Stam’p’kroeg (yes, with a “p”) hosted Outsiders during our tour — because even legends deserve a cozy pub
Scrap art studios from Enschede artists created incredible sculptures from recycled festival materials, proudly displayed next to merch
Driving sofas for a lazy cruise across the grounds
Tattoos & Tradition
Defqon.1 tattoos have become a tradition. In 2024, over 800 tattoos were inked during the weekend, and slots are always fully booked. An estimated 20,000 people have a Defqon.1 tattoo at this point. The commitment is real and permanent—just like our love for this festival.
Even I have a Defqon.1 Tattoo, which I got outside of the festival grounds though.
Pop-Up Raves & Afterparties
Expect the unexpected. From random pop-up raves (including Christmas-themed surprises), fast-food concerts, to B-Front’s private plane, Rooler and Adjuzt playing Italo Hits on the side of the road.. here everything is possible!
Defqon.1’s Place in Our Hearts
Defqon.1 is not only the Netherlands’ biggest dance festival (though it is that: the festival drew a whopping 100,000+ unique people across the weekend and 58,000 on campsites alone). This is the home of Hardstyle and will always be!
Q-dance and Defqon.1 have turned 25 years into a legacy that lives through every kick, every melody, every roar. This year’s Defqon.1 Weekend Fetsival showcased the unstoppable spirit of Hardstyle. Whether it was the Legends show on Sunday, the Power Hour, or simply wandering through scrap art installations—it was a weekend to remember.
As the dust settles and the bass fades, one thing remains crystal clear:
Defqon.1 Weekend Festival is the pacemaker of every Orange Heart!
See you next year! 💛
