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Crazy lasers. Attractive graphics. Countless beats. Those are the words that describe Hardwell's world-renowned artist collection when he visited the Brooklyn Mirage last Sunday, May 14.
"I've been putting out a lot of new music in the last few months. Basically a new song comes out every two weeks," said Hardwell, better known as Robert Van De Korput, before the show. I've never had music in the works or even before. I really want to play it for the first time tonight. Solo songs will be there, and they're a combination of new songs I've written and my album from last year, Rebels Never Die . Hardwell is going to be a powerhouse.
The Brooklyn Mirage is without a doubt one of the most iconic venues in New York, and for artists like Van de Corput, the event is a huge honor there. Gitak took the stage and performed various genres. Several of the songs showcased his new louder and more technical, more defined sound on his later albums, as well as his old big hall style. With techno sprinkled throughout the set with songs like 'PACMAN' and 'ACID', Banger was the real star of the show. Favorite tracks include "Every Time We Touch (Hardwell & Morris West Remix)" by Cascada, "Where You Are" by John Summit & Hyla, "Hey Britney" by Deborah De Luca, a cover of "Numb" by Linkin Park, Her. Z's Never Say Goodbye and Simplicity. Her appearance on the Brooklyn Mirage was a departure from 2023's Ultra show, which was mostly technology-centric, but she again revealed that she had been dating for years. Van de Corput took the Brooklyn Mirage by storm in the early 2010s on a line that took audiences to key dates.
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Van de Korput took a few years off to focus on his personal life, but the star returned to Ultra in 2022. "When I was working on the REBELS NEVER DIE album, I had a different approach and I wanted to make something." I don't even have a name or a specific genre: I basically make the music I want to hear at a festival. , and that's how I ended up with songs like this.
His philosophy when making music is to create a certain mood in melody and rhythm, "it has to evoke something", like something dark or haunting, he says. When producers appear on stage, this feeling has to be felt, this feeling of being invincible or vulnerable. One of the most memorable multi-singer songs was "Spaceman" which launched his career and helped him break into the American market. Van de Korp's life could be filled with concerts in clubs around the world, so he rarely listened to dance music when he was not working. Instead, it revolves around hip-hop, ambient and 80s music.
The sound designer, who began touring at the age of 14, was introduced to dance music through an MTV documentary about the Dutch dance scene, featuring DJs such as Ferry Corsten, Marco V and Tiesto. It's clear that he got his share of scenes with Tiesto, as he was a Van de Korp influencer and mentor. Tiesto in 2010 He contacted Van de Korput via Twitter in 2010, and the following year they released a single together called "Zero 76". This song was released in 2010. It is considered as one of the best dance music songs of 2010s.
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Although the Dutch artist says he was always destined to make music, his next venture is working as a graphic designer. Van de Korp's love of design is reflected in his image. He says that even though he didn't create it, he was involved in the process. The visual output includes everything from horror-themed entries to the sci-fi game PACMAN.
As the Dutch artist looks back on his incredible career to date, he says that nothing will change even the mistakes he has made. Van de Corput was a consultant for new producers, and his advice was to develop their sound.
Of course, Van de Korput offers a fascinating history and look into the next generation of dance music artists. Her acting skills are well honed and her performance in Brooklyn Mirage is a prime example.