Page 29 - We Rave You Magazine | September 2022

INTERVIEW > INTO THE UNKNOWN WITH HARDWELL

“I needed that time away to just be me, release any pressures of
Hi Robbert, thank you for taking the time to talk with us
commitments with shows and deadlines, and just be creatively this month. We have seen you have been busy with your
return to touring, how have you found the past few months
free in the studio” travelling and getting back on your feet?

I am super happy to be back travelling and reconnecting
with everyone again. I needed that time away to just be
me, release any pressures of commitments with shows and
deadlines, and just be creatively free in the studio. Towards
the end of that period, I had so much new music, I felt really
good in myself, that it got me thinking the time had come to
do a tour again.

With huge performances at Ultra Miami, Sacher Park,
Ultra Europe and Tomorrowland now behind you, what
was your show at Ushuaïa like for you personally?
Every gig is its own occasion. When I decided to come back,
one of the key decisions I made was, I had to create an
exclusive show that has its own stage set up and produc-
tion, and new music so I can give fans a completely new
experience. Each performance must be different so if fans
come to more than one show, they’re experiencing some-
thing new every time.

Having played on the island many times before ahead of
your return, what does Ibiza mean to you?
For me, Ibiza is one of the vital organs of the dance music
scene. It plays a pivotal role in breaking new music, devel-
oping clubbing brands into global powerhouses and helping
to propel the careers of new artists – something the island
helped me achieve in 2010, when I first played Ibiza. It’s one
of the most beautiful locations on the planet and it’s crazy to
think this tiny island in the Mediterranean draws millions of
people every summer from all around the world, and at the
heartbeat of that energy is dance music.

Where does Ushuaïa rank compared to some of the other
iconic venues you have played at around the world?
What Yann and the team at Ushuaïa have created with the
club is truly impressive. It’s part of the new era of Ibiza. The
events there stand shoulder to shoulder with the best venues
in the world and it’s an impressive feat to deliver that stan-
dard of quality every day throughout the summer season.

Following this show at Ushuaïa, do you have plans for
any more shows in Ibiza in the future or even a residency,
perhaps next year?
Truthfully, I’ve not thought beyond this year. For now, I just
want to live in the moment of these upcoming REBELS NEVER
DIE tour dates and not think about life too far down the line.
Ibiza is a place I have a big connection to, both artistically
and personally, so when I look at future summers, Ibiza will
almost definitely be in my plans.

28 we rave you.com PC: RUDGR sep 2022 29