21 Feb 2017 
Posted by Cassi Catsaros
What’s in a wizard? – The history, legacy and community behind THUNDERDOME.
Ever found yourself stuck on YouTube watching footage of cooked ravers at Thunderdome for hours on end? Thin, topless guys with shaven heads who are wearing nothing but a pair of trackies and transparent, circular glasses are wildly dancing in front of the camera, giving absolutely no fucks as to who sees this golden footage in the future. The girls, typically dressed in a tight crop-top and tracksuit bottoms, with their hair tied up in a tight ponytail are synchronously chewing and moving their athletic bodies to the severe and speedy Hardcore beats.
This footage from the 1990’s is just the tip of the iceberg of the greatness that lies behind the notorious wizard… To put it plainly, this footage doesn’t even begin sum up what exactly went on at Thunderdome, nor does it shed light on the incredible community created around underground Gabber movement. Today, and as a part of our ‘Hardcore week,’ we’re going to delve deeper into Hardcore’s longest-standing and most legendary concept as we take a look at Thunderdome’s history, its time-transcendent legacy and the tight-knit community who have kept the spirit alive for twenty-five years!
History
Back in 1992, as an attempt to bring Hardcore/Gabber music to a wider audience, event heavyweights ID&T organised a big-ass rave which went by the name of ‘The Final Exam.’ Held on the 20th of June, the spin-off from this event was monstrous as the organisation decided to do it all again at the end of the year, this time dubbing the event with the simple, yet effective title of ‘The Thunder Dome.’
The following year, ID&T and Arcade records collaborated to begin the notorious Thunderdome ‘collection,’ which entailed the CD compilation series as well as merchandise items such as t-shirts, caps, bomber jackets and even an energy drink (yep, no joke – it was called Thundertaste).
In the year 1993, there was a whopping six (yes, six) editions of Thunderdome, which were held across The Netherlands. With Hardcore/Gabber at its absolute peak, Thunderdome was inevitably the most important factor for the movement’s growth and development during the 90’s and 2000’s.
In 1994, the first international edition of Thunderdome was held in Cologne, Germany and was followed up other abroad ventures in Spain, Australia, and of course, Belgium. The Belgian editions of Thunderdome were considered legendary, and rightly so, as they were held in the colossal Sportpaleis venue!
Thunderdome is Hardcore, Thunderdome is YOU!
The Gabber movement was an underground, cult-like phenomenon that swept across Europe like wild-fire. Everything from the music itself, to the lifestyle and fashion was something so niche, so unique and so special. Despite ‘outsiders’ having misconceptions about rave culture and Hardcore music, as we all know, the ‘hype’ generated from the 90’s wasn’t just a short-lived fad – Hardcore has risen to transcend right up to the current day, where it’s popular and prevalent as ever. Thunderdome inevitably served as a preliminary platform for Hardcore to grow and flourish…
Many eminent Hardcore artists hold an incredibly special bond with Thunderdome, namely DJ Promo, Dana, Buzz Fuzz, The Prophet, Evil Activities, Endymion, Neophyte, DJ Dano and even Headhunterz, who recently posted a photo of himself wearing the infamous Thunderdome bomber jacket.
Aside from artists devoted to the cause, it’s the fans who have turned Thunderdome into the huge success it is today. Boasting countless dedicated Hardcore-heads who wear the wizard with pride, even if you weren’t ‘around’ back in the days, you’d be able to spot a Thunderdome raver from a mile away!
Modern-day Thunderdome
And where it all started, it ended too, as in 2012 Thunderdome not only celebrated its 20 year anniversary, but unfortunately shut its doors with ‘The Final Exam.’ The send-off was incredible, as thousands of devoted Hardcore-heads gathered in Amsterdam RAI for one final hoorah.
“It all comes full circle now. It’s time to let Thunderdome become what it always has been: a legend…”
After three years of ‘silence,’ in 2015 Thunderdome majestically rose from the ashes and introduced a new event called ‘Thunderdome Die Hard Day.” Held in the Melkweg, Amsterdam, the warmth generated from this event was incredible as the most devoted ‘gabbers’ united for one hell of a family gathering.
In 2016, and at the colossal outdoor festival Dominator, a plane with a banner flew through the sky. Usually this isn’t too much of a big deal, however once visitors of the festival read “25 Years of Thunderdome – See you in 2017,” the Hardcore scene erupted with excitement as the possibility of a special 25th anniversary was on the cards!
Slowly, but surely worming its way back into the hearts of Hardcore fans, Thunderdome held another Die Hard Day in 2016, this time at the more spacious location of Warehouse Elementenstraat, Amsterdam. Said to have exceeded all expectations, it was truly heart-warming to hear that long-time Hardcore-lovers felt as though they were ‘home.’
“See you in 2017” – 25 Years Of Hardcore
Just last week, the internet was sent into a frenzy when Thunderdome released the official trailer for its 2017 edition! To be held on the 28th of October, in the Jaarbeurs, Utrecht, this revival is said to be one of the most monumental moments in Hardcore history! For further information about ticket sales, line-up releases and more, be sure to keep your eyes on the Thunderdome social media pages, as well as their official website.
