Like most DJs from the Scandinavian nations, Robbert van de Corput aka Hardwell began his music pursuits early. Born in Breda, the Netherlands, Hardwell began attending piano courses on the age of 4 and by 12, created digital music and launched his first set of songs.
Influenced by the enduring DJ and producer Tiësto, additionally from Breda, younger Hardwell slipped into the position of a DJ…
There’s a reason why Sunburn Festival has become the biggest musical event in India. After all, it’s not everyday that we get to see the biggest EDM sensations in the world, live in concert.
As much as we love the music, there’s something else that makes Sunburn Festival great – the unexpected craziness. From epic selfies to performances that give us goosebumps, here are our favorite moments…
In the better part of the last decade, India has truly emerged as a new found hub of Electronic Dance Music or simply put, EDM. From what started with the first ever Sunburn festival in Goa way back in 2007, EDM has become one of India’s favorite musical genres. Very few people anticipated that EDM would grow in India and at such an alarming speed. And it has only helped in making India a real favorite for major artists.
My last point will have complete backing when you see the number of artists who have toured Indian cities in the past few years. Ranging all the way from the likes of Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Cosmic Gate, to the biggies like Armin van Buuren, Hardwell, Tiesto etc, India has seen it all. From massive open ground gigs to absolutely rocking club performances, EDM has become the new big thing.
From all the artists that have toured India, very few leave an impact. And a huge one at that. In 2013, the world famous trio, Swedish House Mafia, performed in across 3 cities in India, leaving the Indian EDM fanatics wanting more. That’s not it. India were the only country SHM came back for after their first planned gig got canceled and made sure Indians had a taste of their beats in their farewell #OneLastTour. The trio split later that year, leaving millions of fans in India and in the world heartbroken. But not for long.
Two-thirds of the Mafia did return and told the world that ‘this time we can’t go home’. Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso, with their new project named Departures, announced a world tour to the delight of their fans worldwide. Not surprised, Mumbai and Bangalore were in their list of cities they will tour.
On the 25th and 26th of September, the duo took India by storm as they played one of the best EDM sets this country had ever witnessed. With Indian artists Anish Sood and Shaan to start off the proceedings, Axwell Λ Ingrosso got thousands of Indians jumping to their super hit tunes. It is safe to say that they ‘killed it!’
“If we want money we’ll go to Las Vegas, if we want an after party we’ll go to Miami but if we want to play for love, we still come to India!”
– Axwell (September 26, Mumbai)
Many world class artists have set foot in this country and it’s clubs, but very few are as loved and as revered as these Swedes. Let’s have a look at the 5 most epic moments from the staggering set played by the duo in their recent performance!
1) This time we can’t go home!
The message was clear. They’re here to stay. The duo opened the show with their iconic production, with their silhouettes visible, making their famous logo with their arms in the beaming lights and visuals!
2) The lasers and pyrotechnics
Not particularly a moment, but the outstanding graphic visuals and the amazing pyrotechnics were the heroes of the show. A visual set up of such levels is seldom seen in India.
3) The percussion delight
Indians love beats. Especially percussions. It certainly didn’t take long for the duo to know that. Federico Scavo’s Balada (Nicola Fasano & Miami Rockets Rmx) was definitely one of the highlights of the show, as they got thousands of Indians jumping high up in the air with some outstanding beats, albeit in an EDM style.
4) The crowd becomes a part of the gig!
Wondering how that happened? Axwell and Ingrosso know. We got to witness something not many artists would attempt doing – a live production. The crowd cheered into Axwell’s mic as he recorded it and merged it with Axwell Λ Ingrosso’s Can’t Hold Us Down. The crowd and their cheers were a part of the track. Something unique, right?
5) We all (still) love Swedish House Mafia
We know that, they know that. And Axwell Λ Ingrosso made sure the crowd went home happy. The famous Greyhound made it’s way into their set list and did the crowd love that! To add to that, they played their famous Save The World and got the capacity crowd yelling out the vocals. Their magnificent show would not have been complete if they didn’t sign off the way they did last time around. They dropped SHM’s greatest ever single hit Don’t You Worry Child as they bid adieu to the wonderful crowd.