A description of hardstyle
Every hardstyle fan will recognise this. Whether you are sitting at your computer or partying at a big festival, as soon as you hear that track you close your eyes and feel the shivers run down your spine. A feeling of pure euphoria rises from within as the track builds up and explodes into a massive climax, full of hypnotic melodies and hard kicks.
The music can take you back to that special moment and let you relive it. The love for the music can be hard for some people to understand.
Hardstyle is part of the electronic dance music family. The average tempo is around 150 beats per minute, right between house (128) and hardcore (170). Together with the uplifting melodies, the pounding kick and the rough beats, this makes it an accessible genre for dance fans who like it hard or who are looking for something new.
The genre tries to avoid strict categories, but we can clearly tell different styles apart. Artists often choose to focus on one style, but they also experiment. That often leads to refreshing productions and shows, which in turn can lead to new developments in the genre. The most popular styles are Euphoric, Raw, Early and Nu-Style Hardstyle.
Where does hardstyle come from?
Hardstyle originated in the Netherlands. In the 1990s, producers and DJs started mixing elements from techno and hardcore, and the genre took shape in the early 2000s. Its hallmarks are the hard, rhythmic bass and kick together with clear melodies, vocals and synths.
How has hardstyle developed?
The genre has changed over the years but kept its sound and energy. It has been influenced by other electronic styles such as trance and house, and has influenced other genres in turn. One example is jumpstyle, a dance-oriented style that grew out of hardstyle.
Euphoric hardstyle
This style uses lots of melodies, happy samples and, most of the time, lyrics that are easy to remember. That way the whole crowd can sing along when the tracks are played at festivals.
The artists focus on the overall vibe of the track, with euphoria at its core. That does not mean euphoric is easy to make, though. This style is the most accessible form. Popular artists in this style include Wildstylez, Noise Controllers, Frontliner and Brennan Heart.
Hardstyle festivals and community
Hardstyle has its own culture and a strong sense of community among the fans. Festivals and events dedicated entirely to hardstyle draw crowds from all over the world, for example Decibel outdoor and Defqon.1 in the Netherlands.
Want to hear hardstyle live at a festival? See the list of hardstyle festivals in 2027 or read about Defqon.1 2027.
