Singapore's Inquisitive, England's Darren Styles And Australia's Dimatik Take Over Sentosa For GLOWHARD
The DJs tell BAZAAR their top five songs, fashion items and more
Sentosa went wild this past weekend as Legacy Festival brought Singapore's first hard dance festival, GLOWHARD, to The Coliseum at the Hard Rock Hotel. Uniting local talent and international acts from across the globe, the festival followed through on its promises of providing Singapore with a world-class, home-grown musical experience. BAZAAR caught up with three of the event's top-billed acts, Singapore's own Inquisitive, England's Darren Styles, and Australia's Dimatik to learn more about the music genre that's taking the city by storm, and why Singapore is the place to be to enjoy it.
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What are the top 5 songs you’d drop in a set?
It’s one of my tracks. There’s a really long story behind it. This track was made during Covid during the toughest of times. So I actually independently released the song [Divine Yasha], and just last month we hit one million plays on Spotify. I’m the first Singapore hard dance producer to hit one million streams on Spotify. Second one is probably my remix of BLACKPINK’s “Kill This Love.” Third one should be my remix of Justin Bieber’s “Ghost.” Fourth one should be “Sigma Rule.” And then the fifth one is “Rave Love” by W&W & AXMO.
What’re your top 5 places to party or perform?
Number one choice is for sure Zouk. Second is Marquee. Third is probably Luxe. Fourth is Yang, and fifth is Drip.
What’re the top 5 fashion items you can’t live without?
Obviously my earrings. My necklace, my shades. My Nike Prestos and last but not least, my Barbour jacket, but I didn’t bring it because it’s too hot to wear.
What excites you the most about playing this festival?
It’s the first-ever hard dance, hard style festival, and it’s in my home country. I’m really excited to show everyone all the new music I’ve been making the past two years.
Do you have a message for your fans? Any future projects they can look forward to?
Look out for more new music next year, there’s gonna be a lot of new music. I’m probably going to release an album next year too, and probably start my own record label. Just going to do more shows. To everyone, just keep doing your thing, chasing your dreams. Don’t let anyone tell you like, you know, you suck. Just keep going as long as you think it’s right. Just keep moving forward.
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What are the top 5 songs you’d drop in a set?
There’s a few songs I can’t not play. I have to play “Switch” because it always works and if I don’t play it, people get freaky about it. “Us Against the World.” I play a “Tremor” bootleg that always works. “DLMD,” which I did with TNT. And “Party Don’t Stop.” They’re probably the five tracks that are always in my set.
What’re your top 5 places to party or perform?
Creamfields UK, which is always a highlight. Knockout Circus or Midnight Mafia in Sydney. Tomorrowland is just awesome. Open Beatz Festival. Bootshaus, it’s a club in Cologne in Germany, which is just unbelievable. There’s just so many to mention. I played Gemu in Kaula Lumpur on Thursday. And that club was really, really cool.
What’re the top 5 fashion items you can’t live without?
I mean, black T-shirts all day long, although I probably will wear a white T-shirt tonight. I’m gonna switch it up. I like night trainers. I used to like a skinny jean, but now I’m going for more of a baggier trouser at the moment.
What excites you the most about playing this festival?
Just the crowd reaction really, because the last time I played in Singapore was IT’S THE SHIP, which departed from Singapore, which was amazing. I’ve had a sneak peek of the crowd and they looked great.
Do you have a message for your fans? Any future projects they can look forward to?
I’ve got loads of music coming. I’m always in the studio, so that’s definitely not slowing down. So many shows coming up next year. And hopefully I’ll be playing in a city or a festival near those guys soon. I appreciate the support of everybody.
What are the top 5 songs you’d drop in a set?
“Fight As One,” my collab with Sub Zero. “Demon Slayer Reborn,” my collab with Suae and Technikal. “Sun And Moon.” “The Chant” with Restricted. And my remix of “Untouched” with Dr. Phunk.
What’re your top 5 places to party or perform?
Actually last time I played Zouk Singapore was awesome. Anything with Neon Countdown, which is always in Malaysia or Bangkok. UK Creamfields. Insane. Hellfire in Manchester. If you’re in the UK, you know the crowd there is insane. Anything in Australia, maybe Sydney. WAO or Ivy nightclub. World-class club and the crowd gets into it. Places I haven’t played but want to play, and I think will sort of be my dream. Tomorrowland, obviously. I was scheduled but it all fell through because of Covid. And EDC main stage. But EDC Vegas is the top one.
What’re the top 5 items you need for a set?
Obviously my white outfit. And I use in-ear headphones. USBs. Vodka, and fireball. Friends before the show, have a shot. I don’t rock up 10 minutes before. My rule is one hour before. Drinks with the promoter, drinks with the DJs in that country. I think it’s very unappreciative if you just rock up five minutes before.
What excites you the most about playing this festival?
It’s been three years. I’ve got a song here called “Church of Hell” that’s done really well. I remember when it hit 1 million plays on YouTube. We looked at the stats and it was 98% Singapore and Malaysia. And I was like, wow. So what I’m excited for is the Singapore crowd that know what tracks they want. Sometimes you go into a show not really knowing what to expect or what the crowd wants, but I already know.
Do you have a message for your fans? Any future projects they can look forward to?
Too many projects. Way too many. But I’ve got a cool remix coming out in seven days with Steve Aoki. And I’m actually gonna play it tonight for the first time.
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*These interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.