Qlimax

Qlimax
Genre	Hardstyle, Hardcore, Hardhouse, Hard trance (formerly), Subground (formerly)
Location(s)	Netherlands
Years active	2000–2024
Founders	Q-dance
Website	Q-dance Website

Qlimax is an annual hardstyle and hard dance event in the Netherlands. It is a major attraction held by Q-dance, and considered to be one of the leading hardstyle events, attracting nearly 30,000 people annually.^[1] It contains some of the most sophisticated production and setup, as well as sound system for any Q-dance event. On the 25th of July 2024, Q-Dance announced that Qlimax 2024 will be the very last edition.

During the first few years following Qlimax's debut, the event used to have several editions each year. Since 2004, it was changed to the third or fourth week of November. At first it was held at the Beursgebouw (Eindhoven) and then moved to various other venues such as the SilverDome (Zoetermeer) and Heineken Music Hall (Amsterdam), but has now settled at the GelreDome (Arnhem).

Many artists consider being chosen to play at Qlimax as a highlight since the event is used to showcase the most successful artists in their respective genre. The beginning saw the lineup featuring genres ranging from Hardhouse to Techno. This was changed to traditionally begin with one Hardtrance act, numerous Hardstyle acts and then finish off with one Hardcore/Gabber act. This was changed in 2008 with the removal of the Jumpstyle act and in 2009 with the replacement of the Hardtrance act to one playing early Hardstyle.

in 2021 the event would have taken place during the day for the first time, to adhere to the COVID-19 pandemic precautions and guidelines at that time in the Netherlands.^[2] A week before the event was due, the event was cancelled and adapted to an online event.^[3][4]

On the 25th of July 2024, Q-Dance announced that Qlimax 2024 will be the very last edition. With this announcement, Q-Dance has ended one of the oldest hardstyle events.

The sound, light, pyrotechnic and stage setup at Qlimax is substantial. Around 350 L'Acoustics speaker boxes are deployed in the arena, with a majority being suspended from the ceiling. The conventional part of the lighting setup is controlled from 3 light desks, and the laser show is done by a certified laser show operator. Booths for technicians is placed out in the crowd, giving them the overview they need, as well as the sound coverage needed to ensure everyone is having the most ideal possible sound at all times.

Like most of the Q-dance events, an anthem is made every year by the headlining DJ (with the exception of 2001 and 2002) to represent that edition. Below is a list of the anthems for each edition:

Dutch Anthems

• 2003: The Prophet – Follow the Leader
• 2003: Deepack – The Prophecy
• 2004: Future Tribes – Deadlock (Unofficial)
• 2005: DJ Zany – Science & Religion
• 2006: Alpha² – The Dark Side (Co-produced by JDX)
• 2007: Headhunterz – The Power of the Mind
• 2008: Technoboy – Next Dimensional World
• 2009: D-Block & S-te-Fan – The Nature Of Our Mind
• 2010: Brennan Heart – Alternate Reality
• 2011: Zatox – No Way Back
• 2012: Psyko Punkz – Fate or Fortune
• 2013: Gunz For Hire ft. Ruffian – Immortal Essence
• 2014: Noisecontrollers – The Source Code of Creation
• 2015: Atmozfears – Equilibrium
• 2016: Coone – Rise of the Celestials
• 2017: Wildstylez – Temple of Light
• 2018: Sub Zero Project – The Game Changer
• 2019: B-Front – Symphony of Shadows
• 2020: None (each artist made an anthem for the source movie)
• 2021: Ran-D ft. Charlotte Wessels – The Reawakening
• 2022: Ran-D ft. Charlotte Wessels – The Reawakening
• 2023: Hard Driver – Enter The Void
• 2024: TBA - The Final Prophecy

• List of electronic music festivals

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Qlimax.

• Q-dance Website
• Report about Qlimax 2009
• Qlimax 2010 Website
• Report about Qlimax 2010
• Qlimax 2011 Website
• Qlimax 2012 Website
• Qlimax 2013 Website
• Qlimax 2014 Website
• Qlimax 2015 Website