This column was written by Stefan (History of Hardstyle) for Scantraxx’s December 2025 newsletter, published on January 6.

It’s 2007. The Netherlands were overflowing with nightclubs back then, most of them located in small towns, far from the big cities. These were the places where young people gathered for just a few euros to dance until their legs gave out, drink a few beers, and finish the night with French fries. It was a time when there weren’t as many festivals as there are nowadays.

And then Scantraxx introduced something new: The Scantraxx S.W.A.T – Scantraxx World Artist Tour. A unique concept driven by the label itself, built on an insane lineup and a clear mission: take hardstyle to the clubs. At its core were A-Lusion, The Prophet, and MC Da Syndrome; they built the foundation. Together, they stormed clubs like Peppermill, Empire New York, and Starlight. They crossed borders too, taking over German venues such as Eventcenter Zak in Uelsen.

The lineups diversified with names like Headhunterz, Wildstylez, and Brennan Heart. The final edition took place in April 2008 at Outland Rotterdam, a legendary night featuring D-Block & S-te-Fan and Zatox. The iconic posters and flyers, designed by Ruud van Eijk, became just as memorable as the tour itself, defining the visual identity of an era in which he also shaped countless record designs. More Soon, more countries followed. Denmark. France & Italy. What started as a Dutch club tour quickly turned into a European takeover S.W.A.T tours followed in later years, bigger and broader, with even more artists involved, but that first run? That was really the start of something in the history of Scantraxx.