Hardstyle DJs from overseas head for Sydney over summer despite drug deaths at festivals
As police investigate Sydney’s latest dance music fatality and three young overdose victims remain in a serious condition in hospital, authorities fear they are now in a race against time to save more young lives with three more extreme rave events coming up between now and January 26.
- Third music festival death in 3 months
- Two dead after Defqon dance festival
- Tough new drug laws for festivals
As police investigate Sydney’s latest dance music fatality and three young overdose victims remain in a serious condition in hospital, authorities fear they are now in a race against time to save more young lives with three more extreme rave events coming up between now and January 26.
The NSW government has again rejected the possibility of pill testing being introduced at music festivals, following the death of Callum Brosnan, 19, at the Knockout Games of Destiny dance party at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday night.
Three others were taken to hospital after suspected drug overdoses at the event.
DJs with set lists including songs such as LSD Problem continue to grow in popularity and are set to tour Sydney this summer despite the drug deaths of young revellers.
Originating in the early 2000s, this hardstyle music is characterised by deafening bass and the “gabber dance”, where revellers kick their legs to the beat of the speakers while clutching water bottles to stay hydrated during the drug-fuelled debauchery.
Among the most popular acts is Netherlands-born 18-year-old DJ Sefa — whose songs include LSD Problem, Losing Control and They Just Won’t F…ing Die — who will play at CBD nightclub Space’s Masif Saturdays this week.
He also played at the The Knockout Games of Destiny festival, where Callum died at the weekend.
It had one stage and organisers divided DJs into “factions” with names such as Temple of Abyss and Scorpion’s Tomb to differentiate the types of hardstyle they play, including “happy hardcore” and “raw hardcore”.
MORE NEWS
Karl’s reaction to Jasmine’s wedding dress revealed
Best Marvel and DC films ranked from 25 to 1
Surf-loving father had called himself ‘shark bait’
Photos uploaded to Instagram show outrageously dressed young men and women clad in face masks clutching water bottles in the teeming crowds as the music relentlessly throbs.
Sources said the most popular drug at hardstyle festivals is MDMA, which was suspected in the overdose death of Joseph Pham at Sydney’s Defqon festival in September.
“At the event it’s mainly MDMA — pills and caps,” one source said.
Other drugs regularly are said to include speed, ice and GHB.
An 18-year-old woman from Lidcombe said hardstyle was popular at big festivals and nightclubs.
“It’s been around for a while — I’ve only been exposed to the culture recently,” she said. “It was definitely a new experience because I’d never been to events like it before.
“Everyone at the events are really friendly because we’re all there for the music.”
Hardstyle events in Sydney attract big international names, with some of the most popular acts including English DJ Darren Styles and Russian act DJ Gammer.
There are several shows to come over the summer including a DJ Sefa show at Masif on Saturday, One Masif NYE on December 31 and the massive HTID (Hardcore Till I Die) festival on Australia Day.
Vigils held one-year on from Hamas attack on Israel
An early morning vigil has been held at Bondi Beach on the anniversary of October 7 Hamas Terror attack in Israel. Members of the Jewish community, dignitaries, MPs and survivors were in attendance.
Fears October 7 anniversary could ignite unrest in Sydney
Fears of unrest in Sydney consume the first anniversary of Hamas’ terror attack, after pro-Palestinian protesters swarmed the CBD on Sunday, taking aim at state and federal politicians.