Hardwell transported fans to the golden era of EDM with his throwback set at Tomorrowland 2024. Performing on the Tomorrowland Freedom Stage, the Dutch DJ brought back beloved festival anthems and a — FOR YEARS — unreleased collaboration with Martin Garrix. His performance blended nostalgia with electrifying energy, creating a special treat for fans.
Choosing The Throwback Theme
Surprisingly, Hardwell revived the “Big Room” era at Tomorrowland. He performed on Friday, July 19, during the first week of the festival. Though limited to the Freedom Stage for this set, Hardwell will return to the Mainstage in the festival’s second week. In late June, he asked fans on social media, “Playing the Freedom Stage at Tomorrowland on 19 July means the Freedom to do something different. What kinda set would you like me to play?!”, and fans overwhelmingly requested a Throwback EDM set, although a vinyl set also received some votes.
Memorable Moments From The Set
From the opening notes, Hardwell set the stage for a nostalgic journey, starting with a 2015 intro. His setlist featured timeless Revealed Recordings tracks like ‘Countdown‘, a collaboration with MAKJ, and ‘Apollo‘ featuring Amba Shepherd from 2012. A highlight was ‘Musicbox‘, a previously unreleased track with Martin Garrix, presented in a fresh mashup with ‘Who’s Ready To Jump’, ‘Magnomite’, and ‘Chuckie’. Hardwell also included ‘Fifteen‘, a Blasterjaxx release from over ten years ago, adding his unique twist. The set paid tribute to Avicii, featuring three key moments honoring the late Tim Bergling, who passed away in 2018.
Conclusion
Hardwell’s Throwback EDM set at Tomorrowland 2024 was a heartfelt homage to the classic sounds that defined a generation of festival-goers. His performance on the Freedom Stage showcased the timeless appeal of big room anthems and honored the legends of the genre. As fans look forward to his return to the Mainstage, they anticipate yet another memorable show from the Dutch superstar. Relive his set with this custom “Drops Only” video, below.