Few artists can look back on a history within Hardcore as extensive as DJ Panic. As one of the genre’s pioneers, he has witnessed its growth from an underground movement to a worldwide phenomenon. Find out in our interview what other plans he has up his sleeve and what you can expect from him in the near future.
Samy & Jasmin
Hardstyle Mag: “Would you have ever thought, back when you started in the 90s, that Hardstyle and Hardcore would have such a huge influence like they do today? I mean, massive festivals like Defqon.1 and Masters of Hardcore with houndreds of thousands of fans from all over the world are quite a difference compared to the small events back in the 90s.”
DJ Panic: “No, I definitely didn’t expect that. Back in the 90s, we mainly just did what we enjoyed, without any strategic goal or plan. We enjoyed the music, playing at parties, and the sense of unity with the crowd. It was amazing to experience, and I wouldn’t have wanted to miss it for anything.“
Hardstyle Mag: “How do you think the Gabber culture has evolved in recent years? And do you see this development as positive, or are there also some negative aspects that stand out to you?”
DJ Panic: “Very positive. A lot of kids whose parents used to be Gabbers or listened to the music are now going out themselves and getting wild to Gabber music. Apparently, that music has a certain power. The feeling with which the music was made is very strong. It gives off a certain energy and a way of life that is still alive to this day – now more than ever. Many young people would have loved to experience that time, and now they finally get the chance to do so. It’s great that many artists and organizations have kept this music alive by continuing to play it at parties and by programming stages at festivals and events.“
Hardstyle Mag: “If we’re also talking about artistic development, does it become easier to reinvent yourself after such a long time on stage, and do you always stay true to yourself?”
DJ Panic: “I’ve actually always stayed true to myself. From my perspective, I didn’t see the development of Hardcore as something positive. The productions weren’t getting better and were missing that sense of vibe and fun. That’s why I preferred to keep playing the ‘old’ sound instead of going along with the new. Now it’s great to see that it has completely come back. I also really enjoy making new music in the old style. That was my goal with Early Rave Addict – I wanted to create a track with an old-school feel. I also wanted to make new music that I can play in my Early/Gabber sets. I didn’t expect it to become a hit. The seed was planted.“
Hardstyle Mag: “You’ve just released a new track with Neophyte called “Anthem Power.” A track whose name definitely lives up to its promise. What inspired you to create such a powerful track?”
DJ Panic: “The track is based on a song by Hard Creation – “I Will Have That Power.” The guys behind Hard Creation are Neophyte& DJ Panic hahaha. Back then, it wasn’t entirely clear which artists were behind Hard Creation. We wanted to make a kind of new, fresh version of that track, so we gave it a new title and added our own names to it. The euphoria we often experience at parties is fully captured in it. The crowd in the venue often sings along to the melody. That’s the sense of unity we want to express.“
Hardstyle Mag: “At Easter, you kicked off with your own party, and the crowd reaction was wild. Are you planning to continue with the blast? Aside from an event that simply can’t be missed.”
DJ Panic: “Absolutely. This was already the 4th Easter edition of Start The Panic, so we’ll be back again next year. Start The Panic is the coziest club event in the Netherlands during Easter. The intimate atmosphere and the sense of unity between the crowd and the artists are amazing. Quality is very important to me, so the artists always deliver powerful sets. You’ll hear a mix of Millennium Hardcore, Early Rave, and the new Early Hardcore sound at Start The Panic. It’s also a party where young and old come together, with always room for new young talent behind the decks.“
Hardstyle Mag: “Last question. What else can we expect this year? Besides events like Rebirth and Supersized, summer is coming up. Are there any plans for new music? Or maybe new events as well?”
DJ Panic: “Yes, it’s going to be a great summer with mainstage sets at Dominator Festival, Decibel Outdoor, and Titanium Festival.
Music-wise, there’s a solo track coming up, as well as collaborations with The Viper, Adaro, and Neophyte. There are also studio plans with Exertion & Promo, so we’re definitely keeping the momentum going.
As for events: Saturday, May 9th, Panic Room; June 6th, Paniek in de Loods; and Saturday, December 5th, my birthday bash at Annabel Rotterdam.
And there’s also a brand-new clothing line coming for my Panic Shop: Flags, 2 football shirts, a hoodie, and a bomber jacket.
So I’m definitely not slowing down. Hopefully I’ll see you somewhere at a party or festival!“
Links
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/djpanicnl
💿 Releases: linktr.ee/djpanicnl
👕 Merch: shop.djpanic.nl
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