The first choice was techno and house, this year only hardstyle, hardcore and related subgenres will be played. For Raghosing, that felt like a logical choice: “Hardcore is a Dutch product, it’s a piece of cultural heritage after all.”
‘Do something to put Dutch DJs on the map’
After last year’s lockdown, Raghosing had hoped that it could be played to the public again this summer. But with another closure of the nightlife, that was not an option. “Last year we thought everything would be open this year, but we’re actually back to square one,” says Raghosing. “All clubs had to close again and I wanted to do something to put Dutch DJs on the map.”
Raghosing called on colleagues to sign up via social media. Koen Gilles responded: he played last Monday from 13.00 to 14.00. A good time; because the record attempt goes on day and night, some DJs have to get behind the turntable in the middle of the night.
Gilles first played hardstyle and hardcore, but has also focused on house and techno during the pandemic. “It’s good to broaden your horizons during this time, so that you can turn in more places later.” He appreciates the loyal fans of hardstyle and hardcore: “It’s one big family.”
Gilles lives in the Netherlands, but also DJs from Belgium, Germany and France participate. There are big names among them, but also starting artists, says Raghosing. “For example, a boy with Down syndrome is also taking part, he had only played in his attic before this and had never played on a stage stood.”
After midnight, the plug will be disconnected from the live stream after more than two hundred hours of running. But the new record is not yet a fact; Guinness World Records observers should check all the material first. “Because of the pandemic, no observers were able to come, so we set up ten cameras that film everything non-stop.”
Raghosing looks back on a successful campaign: “We had viewers from Australia and the United States. It really evokes a sense of community, which is special.”
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