Hardwell

From:The Netherlands

DJ style: “Big room techno.”

Best known for:“Smashing stages around the globe.”

Fave tune of 2022:“Hardwell ‘I Feel Like Dancing’.”

Rising star DJ/producer of 2022: “VINNE / Tim Hox.”

Unless your face has been in the sand this year, Hardwell’s resurgence won’t have gone unnoticed. Returning to the live stage after no less than four years off, his decision to release a ‘best of’ album package in early 2021 can now be read as something of a bookend — closing off one chapter in preparation for the next.

Firmly fixed on moving past the EDM sound that saw him ascend to the very top of the Top 100 DJs poll on two occasions, at the risk of cliche the Dutchman is now flying on all cylinders again, with a big room, kick-heavy techno sound that still has audible shades of his former musical identity, ensuring loyal fans are being brought along rather than left behind. The emphasis now is on more heads-down elements, albeit never forgetting the power of a big breakdown. The long awaited album, ‘Rebels Never Die’, and powerhouse tunes therein like ‘I Feel Like Dancing’, alongside headline sets at events like Tomorrowland and Ultra Miami exemplify the rebirth.

What’s the longest DJ set you’ve ever played?

“10 hours.”

What’s one pi

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Cuebrick

From:Germany

DJ style:“Progressive house.”

Best known for:“‘Squid Game’ with Blasterjaxx.”

Fave tune of 2022:“James Hype ‘Ferrari’.”

Rising star DJ/producer of 2022:“Marten Horger.”

What’s the best DJ set you’ve seen this year?“Tale Of Us, Afterlife show at the Brooklyn Mirage.”

After finishing just outside of the Top 100 in 2021, this year German DJ and producer Cuebrick breaks in for the first time this year. He now sits at the top table of global dance music after standout shows everywhere from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Singapore to Bangkok.

While releasing big tunes on labels like Spinnin Records, Armada and Ultra Music, he also works as a radio-host on bigFM’s nitroX show, which is the biggest radio platform for electronic music in Germany.

This year he has worked on a new sound which he says “can best be described as a fusion of different elements from genres such as techno, hard techno, and trance. Hard techno kicks are the foundation, with classic trance synthesizers.” It’s a sound that has seemingly connected with fans, who will be pleased to learn Cuebrick has signed a deal meaning “Smash the House will be the main home for my music for at least the next two years.”

Name one great festival you played for the first time this year…

“Hypercat Festival at Noa Beach Club.”

What’s the longest DJ set you’ve