Dutch superstar, Hardwell (aka – Robbert Van De Corput), recently voted as #1 DJ on DJ Magazine for the second consecutive year headlined at The Forum on Saturday night. His 180-minute set was no typical concert for the EDM-only fan. His set was definitely tailored for all music fans – rock, pop, rap, and hip-hop. If fans enjoy singing along, then Hardwell is a definitely crowd pleaser. And it’s not hard to miss his LED production behind his set that reminiscent of Daft Punk playing in Tron: Legacy.
With the three hour set, Hardwell is able to feature older and newer songs as well other songs that aren’t normally suitable in an hour set. In a recent interview with Billboard Magazine, Hardwell explained that his longer sets allows DJs “take people on a music journey.” And during his live show at The Forum, his music journey was on full display.
Originally from Coldplay, “A Sky Full of Stars,” was a great remix during the beginning of his set. The Coldplay remix is a regular of Hardwell’s sets during his current “I Am Hardwell” tour. Some of Linkin Park’s tunes including “Numb” were also remixed and played live.
Other remixes played during the show included Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike vs Sander Van Doorn ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ vs Project T’, Kid Cudi “Pursuit of Happiness” (Steve Aoki Remix), Calvin Harris “Blame”, and Nirvana “Smells Like Teen Spirit”.
The atmosphere inside The Forum on Saturday night was mind-boggling. It wasn’t hard to spot a group of fans in neon clothing on the very far end of the venue. And not to mention the amount of fans crowdsurfing on the main floor.
While it’s not easy to analyze his shows, Hardwell wants his fans to get that feeling. And that feeling is best described when coming to his show with a group of friends and singing/dancing along during his live sets. Listening to KIIS-FM or Power 106 during the late hours on the weekend may resemble EDM music but it doesn’t compare the live experience at a Hardwell show.