Due to extreme heat in the Netherlands this weekend, Defqon.1 is reducing the capacity for Friday and Saturday of this year’s edition.
The world’s most prestigious gathering dedicated to the harder styles, Defqon.1 Weekend Festival, is set to take place at at Biddinghuizen in the Netherlands, this weekend on June 25-28. This year’s edition is stacked to the brim with one of the biggest lineups to date, special events like JDX‘s takeover of The Defqon.1 Theater, and the iconic POWER HOUR, and The Spotlight performances.
While many Weekend Warriors are looking forward to reuniting on The Holy Grounds, Defqon.1 took to social media yesterday afternoon to announce some major changes to Friday and Saturday’s festivities. Due to extreme heat forecasted this coming weekend in the Netherlands, Defqon.1, “together with the authorities, have made the difficult decision to restrict access on those days to Weekend Visitors only,” the brand shared in an Instagram post.
You read that right. Only weekend visitors will be allowed to enter as expected on Friday and Saturday. Event organizer Q-dance, made this decision together with local municipality, emergency services, and other relevant authorities. While it was a difficult choice, the promoter determined that the heat and expected crowd created unacceptable risks for attendees.
This decision was not made lightly, and it comes with a very heavy heart. We know how much this weekend means to all of you. However, the health and safety of our visitors must always come first.
Q-dance
With the extreme weather expected, Q-dance has shared that they will have “more available shade, better access to facilities, and less crowding during peak moments.” By reducing the event capacity and implementing these additional precautionary measures, Q-dance hopes to provider a safer environment for all Weekend Warriors.
Along with these changes, Saturday’s Warrior Workout has also been canceled as a large-scale workout in the heat brings unnecessary risk. Finally, POWER HOUR will proceed as planned, but it has been moved to later in the evening at 7pm CEST.
Q-dance will be issuing refunds to Friday and Saturday ticket holders soon. “Compensation will follow, and we will share further details after the weekend,” they stated in an Instagram comment. “We kindly ask for your patience while we focus on ensuring a safe event for everyone on-site.”
Sunday visitors van expect the day to go as planned, but both the organizers and authorities will continue monitoring the weather situation throughout the weekend. “Should additional measures be necessary, we will keep you informed,” the statement ended.
EDM Identity wishes the best of luck to all attendees and staff on-site this weekend at Defqon.1. Please remember to stay hydrated, pace yourself, and take breaks as needed.
