10 Species of fans you’ll find at the Hardcore stage!   

Many followers of the harder styles can vouch that the Hardcore stage offers a completely different vibe to other festival stages. Maybe it has a little something to do with the extreme tempos, but people watching at the token Hardcore area can offer festival punters an abundance of entertainment.

And with this growing movement come the classic stereotypes, and although we don’t particularly condone ‘labelling people,’ in light of our Hardcore week we just couldn’t resist taking a closer peek at the anatomy and physiology of ten different stereotypical fans you’ll come across at festivals.

#1 – The Angerfist ‘lookalike’

This species is characterised by wearing an Angerfist mask and at times, combining this fashion statement with a pair of phat pants. In their natural habitat, this species tends to hail from Deutschland, however due to recent societal changes, the Angerfist lookalike is slowly becoming endangered.

This species is the definition of IDGAF – they do whatever the fuck they want and will not hesitate to fly-kick punters who break through their personal space barrier (2×2 metre radius, btw). Festival-goers who have consumed an abundance of drugs may mistaken this species for the real Angerfist and ask for a photo – however, this is a rare occurrence.

#2 – The classic Thunderdome ‘gabber’

Ah, the good ole’ gabber! This species is identified both by their appearance and behaviour. Typically dressed in a funky tracksuit, teed up with a pair of round sunglasses and rocking a shaven head (the real Hardcore girls shave the sides or bottom), a true gabber is literally hooked up to an IV of Hardcore music. With some raving since the late 90’s and some jumping onto the bandwagon later on, the gabber is the epitome of a devoted fan.

In 2016 and 2017, the ‘gabber’ look has become quite trendy and with the re-emergence of the infamous Thunderdome concept, there’s no doubt that gabbers will be popping up left, right and centre.

#3 – The proud Frenchie

“Vive la Frenchcoreeeee!” he shouts, whilst proudly waving his French flag in the air. The species I used to despise so much (mainly because they listen to Speedcore on the campsite all fucking night whilst yelling in French), has actually started to grow on me.

The Frenchies, when not speaking French, are actually quite friendly humans and are amongst the most dedicated Hardcore fans in the world. With a scene that’s still developing in France, these high BPM-loving menaces make their way to The Netherlands on a weekly basis to rock out to Hardcore and take buttloads of drugs. Fun fact: it seems as though the Frenchies always know where the good drugs are at – it’s in their DNA.

#4 – The ‘hot’ girl/groupie

To put it plainly, the token hottie can either be harmless or a total fucking nuisance. Typically dressed in a pair of short shorts, a crop-top with her big-ass titties hanging out of her push-up bra, the ‘hot’ girl is concerned about one thing and one thing only – her image. The hot groupies also have the extra concern of whether the DJ will miraculously notice her from the stage and invite her backstage.

Constantly snapchatting her friends and taking selfies whilst on somebody’s shoulders, the ‘hot’ girl is also no stranger from the camera guys, who gravitate straight to her titties for some quality film-time.

#5 – The ‘veteran’

There’s nothing better than spotting one of your friends’ parents throwing down an aggressive hakk in the middle of the Dominator mainstage crowd, right? The ‘veterans,’ usually aged 35 and above, are amongst the most devoted Hardcore fans; being involved in the scene since the very beginning, they don’t let age or social norms stop them from enjoying this music.

To be honest, the ‘veterans’ should really get a seniors discount at the bar – this species should most certainly be rewarded for decades of raving!

#6 – Slightly scary looking, but nice person

Covered head-to-toe in tattoos and typically dressed in chains and other bondage, or wearing a simple, yet effective mask, this person may appear to be a little frightening at first, however once you strike up a conversation with them you’d find that they’re usually amongst the most chilled out visitors. With this species comprising of both long-term fans of Hardcore music and also casuals, these individuals live to express their love for the music through their choice of outfit.

#7 – Raw Hardstyle fan on walkabout

This next species is one of the most interesting species you’ll find in a Hardcore area. Typically on momentary, drug-fuelled drift from the Raw Hardstyle stage, this fan claims to love intense, rough music, but doesn’t particularly resonate with being a Hardcore-head. Maybe he’s on his way to the bathroom or bar, but accidentally wanders off to the Hardcore stage and ends up rocking out to half of Evil Activities’ set, or perhaps he’s read the map wrong and has ended up watching Scarphase instead of Minus Militia.

#8 – The Olympic ‘hakker’

If hakking was an Olympic sport, then this species would take out the gold every time! Training for months in advance, the ‘Olympic hakker’ can literally dance for fifteen hours straight without any food or water breaks, just momentary stand-stills where they shove a key-full of speed up their nose.

Out-dancing everybody on the dance-floor, due to their lifestyle, this Olympian is typically on the thinner side and recent studies have shown that their diets severely lack in essential proteins and carbohydrates.

#9 – The Terrorhead

“TEEERRRROOOORRRRRRRR” the fan yells, whilst walking away from the mainstage and over to the Terror area. The Terrorhead doesn’t particularly associate with popular Hardcore, but instead tends to be engrossed by the underground sounds, including extreme sub-genres Terror and Speedcore.

The anatomy and physiology of a Terrorhead is actually quite complex. Being solely devoted to anything over 200BPM, if their ears meet a track that’s pitched at 180, they’ll immediately go into a state of shock and paramedics will have to use a defibrillator to re-start their heart.

#10 – The “I was dragged along by my friends” punter

Come to Masters of Hardcore, they said. It will be fun, they said… Characterised by a slightly clueless look on their face, this virgin raver does enjoy the festival, but is more or less confused as to how their body should move at such a tempo.

Typically doing just fine during the mainstream sets, this species tends to feel slightly nervous when the Uptempo Hardcore sets begin, resorting to a cocktail of booze and MDMA to help them loosen up. Spoiler alert: most visitors dragged along by their friends end up absolutely loving the festival and are amongst the first to purchase tickets for the following event.

Did we miss out on any other necessary species of Hardcore fans? Be sure to leave us a comment below! With the festival season on the horizon, visitors should keep their eyes peeled to check out these ten lovely stereotypes in real life!