What did taking a hiatus teach you about who you are beyond the stage?

I’ve said it many times because it's true, my sabbatical was one of the most important and best decisions I ever made my life. It taught me that I’m not just “Hardwell the DJ.” I’m Robbert, a son, a friend, a human being. When you’re touring nonstop, it’s easy to get lost and your identity can get tied to the stage. Stepping back helped me reconnect with why I started making music in the first place. It gave me perspective, balance, and a healthier relationship with my career and most importantly myself. And honestly, it brought back the fire. I feel healthier, happier and more creative than I can ever remember.

How does Ultra’s atmosphere influence how you curate your set compared to other festivals?

Ah, Ultra is intense…..but, in the best way possible! The crowd comes ready. They want big moments, world premieres, and emotional highs. For Ultra, I always prepare something special. New edits, unreleased tracks, exclusive intros. I understand the challenge. I understand it has to feel like an event. It’s not just about playing hits; it’s about creating a chapter in your story. Ultra sets live forever online, so you have to think bigger.

As a long-standing Ultra veteran, how do you continue to raise the bar and reinvent your set each year?

My thought process is reinvention starts in the studio. If the music evolves, the show evolves. I challenge myself creatively every year to push the boundaries. So, whether that’s exploring a new sound, redesigning the intro, or reimagining older tracks in a new way. The key is staying curious. The moment you think you’ve figured it out, you stop growing and as artists you should never stop growing, never stop learning, never stop being curious! Ultra deserves evolution. And as artists, we have to evolve too.

When fans think of Hardwell’s Ultra set, what do you hope they’ll remember?

For me, I’d be super happy if one or all of these are what comes to mind when fans think of my sets: Energy. Emotion. Unity. My goal has always been to make people remember how it felt. Leaving buzzing about that rush when the drop hits. Or that moment when the whole crowd was jumping together. The connection between a DJ and the fans where everything else disappears is such an incredible moment, it’s in many ways indescribable but when it happens, wow!!

What’s your favorite memory from Ultra?

This is always tricky to answer because there are so many but of course my surprise come back in 2022 sits incredibly high on the list for obvious reasons. I think being so far into my career, taking such a long-extended break from performing and then coming back with a surprise show to close the festival was something special! Those closing moments on the Ultra Main Stage when the lights, fireworks, and music all come together, it’s really difficult to describe in words how it felt. The fact that I was there, with a completely new musical identity, performing 100% new music, just added a level of emotion I’d never experienced in my life before. It was both terrifying and amazing all at the same time! Ultra has been part of some of the most defining chapters of my career. It’s not just a festival for me.

Protocol Radio w/ Nicky Romero