Basscon Bullseye! defined the future of hard dance and hard techno mashup events with a successful first edition!
Just over a week ago, Insomniac Events presented its last festival of the year under the Basscon brand, Bullseye! This event celebrated both hard dance and hard techno as they faced off in a Wild West-themed standoff, the cherry on top of the brand’s tenth-anniversary celebration.
The Basscon Bullseye! lineup brought plenty of stunners with US and Southern California debuts from MANDY (stay tuned for a great interview with her) and Devin Wild, in addition to Showtek‘s grand return to hardstyle. All was right in the world, with harder styles receiving proper love while showcasing the American scene’s fresh talent.
The first day of Basscon Bullseye! delivered epic thrills, setting the tone for a great weekend ahead.
Upon entry to the festival, everything was fairly standard inside the NOS Event Center. The Wild West stage was hosted inside the main building, Outlaw Junction was hosted under a tent outside, and there were food, drinks, and some activities and shops in between. But with hard dance, the music is always the star of the show.
Dionysus, LINK, Spency Be, and MADGRRL got the dancefloor grooving as they brought a wide range of styles to the festival. Shortly after, MANDY took over a revamped mainstage resembling a Western saloon for her first-ever performance in the States. She stunned fans with her electrifying euphoric hardstyle and a mix of ravey techno, an indicator of the future of her project.
Over at Outlaw Junction, the rising stars took over the airwaves with Water Spirit, Diamond Dallas Tex, Clawz, and many others. Outlaw Junction became the home for American Hard Dance and hard techno throughout the weekend, with many great performances and extraordinary tunes.
As the first night ended, fans flocked to the Wild West to witness the return of Showtek!
Arguably, this was the most anticipated set of the weekend, and Showtek excelled. From brand-new records to certified classics, Showtek brought the heat in a performance that set the standard for what hardstyle should be – grand, marvelous, and larger-than-life.
I experienced a wave of emotions when they began with “Dear Hardstyle.” When the soulful voice of Earl St. Clair came through the speakers, I couldn’t hold back my tears of happiness.
In a world of XTRA Raw and zaagkicks, Showtek’s return comes at a time when fans are clamoring for high-quality hardstyle records that evoke strong emotions.
Showtek proved that they needed to leave so they could come back prepared and ready to take everything that was meant for them from the start, and nobody could have written a more perfect story. This set was one of the most special memories of the entire weekend and, arguably, the entire year.
This duo made their mark in hardstyle, left to conquer the entire scope of dance music, and they’ve returned with the knowledge to take the project to the next level. In their words, “The distance is always worth closing… and even though it feels like goodbye, this is hardstyle, baby. Our love for you will never die.” Hardstyle is their home. They belong here, and nobody ever forgot that during their time away.
American Hard Dance took charge on the second day.
The second night of madness brought plenty of unforgettable sets like Devin Wild’s Southern California debut, Hixxy‘s return to the States, Rewilder’s dominating experience, and the debut of HIVEMIND.
Out of all of the star power, however, one set stood out from the rest: KAMI vs. DEATH CODE. These two heavy hitters of the American scene brought every weapon in their vault and set the entire festival grounds on fire. Their set was packed with tons of originals, new collabs, and the heaviest IDs currently circulating the scene.
Each set delivered something unique, a testament to the diversity in hard dance. One set in particular promised lots of hype when KAYZO, MUST DIE!, and Space Laces joined forces to form a hard dance supergroup, HIVEMIND.
HIVEMIND will bring in more casual listeners and expand the sound, and Bullseye! was the start.
For all of the momentum they had going into the festival, I imagined they would capitalize on it by delivering something fans had never heard before and exposing listeners to what makes hard dance so electric.
The trio delivered plenty of energy and intense moments throughout the performance, but it felt like an opportunity that wasn’t up to its potential. The scene in the States loves pushing the boundaries of average music, but I didn’t feel that with HIVEMIND, perhaps because this was their first performance together. I’m sure it will become greater as they continue to find their footing, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for three of the best minds in dance music!
After having some time to reflect on Basscon Bullseye!, I’m left with a feeling of content but not complete satisfaction.
This year, Basscon brought not one but two hard dance festivals to Southern California, which drew in a significant number of people, proving that the demand is there. That’s incredible to see as a fan.
As the genre and its community continue to grow in the States, it’s important to remember that American Hard Dance is an alternative to the golden standard of the international scene as opposed to an extension of it. It exists to change the dance music industry, not simply join it. It’s about spotlighting deserving artists and highlighting music that isn’t typically given a chance.
That said, the progress has been incredible. More people are coming out to shows, lineups are getting better with every event, and the roster of quality American talent is growing every single day.
Basscon deserves its flowers for putting on an excellent show, and the artists deserve recognition for exceeding expectations. Of course, we can never forget about the most important headliner: you, the fans.
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