Starting at 7 p.m., thousands surrounded a center stage where electrifying music filled the Lansing Center’s reception hall. The concert was a part of Hardwell’s Revealed North American Bus Tour.
Hardwell is considered one of the world’s top DJs, which made it possible to sell more than 5,000 tickets, according to event director Cameron Inniss.
“It was definitely a better performance than what comes around the local area,” Inniss said.
Before Hardwell took stage, the concert opened with DJs, Dyro and Dannic.
After they performed, the crowd was more than ready for headliner Hardwell to take the stage. Before he came out, a roaring “Hardwell” chant took over the venue.
Hardwell emerged around 10 p.m. and played for two hours. He rallied the audience with his top hits, “Spaceman,” “Dare You,” “Countdown” and “Ping Pong.” His performance was complimented by two erupting, colorful waterfalls, shooting confetti and fog machines.
Hardwell came into the music scene in 2006. Since then, the 26-year-old has built a fanbase of millions.
In 2013, Hardwell was named the world’s No. 1 DJ in the 2013 DJ Map Top 100 DJs Poll. The artist is widely known for his live sets at major music festivals, such as Tomorrowland and Ultra.
Hardwell rarely tours in North America, so when Inniss found out he was planning a tour in the United States, he immediately contacted Hardwell’s touring agency to bring the DJ to Lansing.
The show Saturday night not only brought in MSU students and locals, but many traveled hours to experience Hardwell’s beats firsthand.
“I want to crowd surf, meet a bunch of people and have a great time,” said Kalamazoo, Mich. resident Caleigh Schuur at the concert. “I’m having the best time of my life — East Lansing is the best.”
Economics junior Paul Eschenburg came with a group of friends for a night of dancing. He said he saw the concert as an opportunity to have fun together and go to one of the best shows of all time.
When Hardwell played his mix, “Ping Pong,” Eschenburg, along with thousands of others, started waving their hands from left to right to go along with the beat.
“The whole atmosphere was electric,” Eschenburg said. “I’ve never experienced anything quite like it before. He’s definitely a must-see artist.”
Political science senior Eric Preston came out Saturday to enjoy a night full of house music. Preston, who has attended multiple electric dance music concerts, said no one he’s seen compares to Hardwell.
“Hardwell was cray,” Preston said. “The number one party school got to show the number one DJ how we Sparty.”
