W&W, the Dutch electronic dance music duo consisting of Willem van Hanegem and Wardt van der Harst, has dominated the EDM scene for nearly two decades with their electrifying productions and unforgettable festival anthems. From their trance roots to their evolution into big room house and beyond, this powerhouse pair has consistently delivered tracks that move millions across dance floors worldwide. Their journey from meeting at Trance Energy 2007 to becoming fixtures in the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs list showcases their enduring influence on electronic music. Whether you’re exploring the best songs across genres or diving deep into EDM classics, W&W’s catalog offers something for every electronic music enthusiast.
Bigfoot
Released in 2014 as their commercial breakthrough, Bigfoot represents W&W’s triumphant transition into the big room house scene and remains one of their most recognizable anthems. The track features a massive, earth-shaking drop with stomping basslines that earned it chart positions in Germany, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands, where it peaked at number two on the Dutch Top 40. With its primal energy and festival-ready production, Bigfoot became a staple at major events like Ultra Music Festival and Tomorrowland, cementing W&W’s status as big room house pioneers. The track’s success spawned multiple remixes from Dillon Francis, LNY TNZ, and GirlsLoveDJs that further extended its reach across the electronic music landscape.
Thank You (Not So Bad)
A massive 2024 collaboration featuring Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Tiësto, and vocals from Dido, Thank You transformed the emotional depth of Dido’s classic into a festival-ready anthem. This track marked a significant turning point in W&W’s career, dramatically increasing their monthly Spotify listeners and opening new opportunities for the duo. The song skillfully blends nostalgic vocal elements with contemporary big room production, creating an emotional yet energetic experience that resonates with both longtime fans and new listeners. Its success throughout 2024 demonstrated W&W’s ability to create crossover hits that appeal beyond the traditional EDM audience while maintaining the high-energy sound their fans expect.
Lift Off!
Released on December 3, 2012, Lift Off! officially announced W&W’s pivot from pure trance to the big room house genre, blending trance melodies with electro house elements. The track reached number 82 on the Dutch Top 100 Singles charts and caught the attention of Hardwell, who subsequently signed W&W to his Revealed Recordings label. With its uplifting synths and powerful drops, Lift Off! represented a bold new direction that would define the duo’s sound for years to come. This transitional anthem perfectly balanced their trance heritage with modern big room sensibilities, proving that W&W could successfully evolve their sound while maintaining their core identity.
The Code
A groundbreaking collaboration with Ummet Ozcan released in 2013, The Code became W&W’s first track to reach number one on Beatport, marking a major milestone in their career. Initially premiered during Hardwell’s BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix, the track dominated multiple Beatport charts with its infectious melody and thunderous drops. The song exemplifies the peak of big room house production with its anthemic build-ups and festival-ready energy that made it a main stage staple. Its massive success demonstrated W&W’s production prowess and ability to create tracks that resonated with both DJs and festival crowds worldwide.
Rave Culture
The 2018 track Rave Culture not only gave its name to W&W’s reimagined record label but also encapsulated their musical philosophy and connection to dance music’s roots. This high-energy anthem celebrates the spirit of rave culture with relentless beats, euphoric melodies, and an infectious energy that embodies everything W&W represents. The track features their signature big room sound infused with elements that pay homage to electronic music’s underground origins. Rave Culture serves as both a musical statement and a rallying cry for the global dance music community that W&W has helped cultivate through their label and radio show.
D# Fat
Released on February 25, 2013, D# Fat represented a fascinating collaboration with Armin van Buuren that bridged W&W’s trance past with their big room future. The track seamlessly blends van Buuren’s trance sensibilities with W&W’s evolving big room style, creating a unique hybrid sound. Its distinctive melody and powerful drops made it a favorite among fans of both artists and demonstrated W&W’s versatility in production. The collaboration showcased how W&W could maintain their trance roots while simultaneously pushing forward into new sonic territory, satisfying longtime supporters while attracting new listeners.
Rocket
A high-octane collaboration with Blasterjaxx released on April 21, 2014, Rocket blasted its way to the number two position on Beatport with its explosive energy. The track’s meteoric rise was amplified when Hardwell created a mashup with his own “Spaceman,” using it as a closing track throughout his festival sets. Featuring relentless synths and a devastating drop, Rocket became synonymous with peak festival moments and main stage madness. Its aggressive production and unforgettable hook made it one of the defining big room anthems of 2014, cementing both W&W and Blasterjaxx’s reputations as festival powerhouses.
Waves (Tomorrowland 2014 Anthem)
As the official anthem for Tomorrowland 2014, Waves represented a dream collaboration between W&W and Belgian duo Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. The track reached number seven on the Belgian singles chart and the second position on Beatport, capturing the magic and emotion of one of the world’s largest electronic music festivals. With its euphoric melodies and massive drops, Waves perfectly encapsulated the Tomorrowland experience and became forever linked with the festival’s legacy. The anthem’s success demonstrated W&W’s ability to create music that resonated on an emotional level while maintaining the energy required for massive festival stages.
Arcade
Released in 2016, Arcade showcases W&W’s ability to craft infectious melodies that transport listeners to euphoric sonic landscapes. The track features nostalgic synth work reminiscent of classic arcade games combined with modern big room production techniques. Its playful yet powerful sound design demonstrates the duo’s versatility and willingness to experiment with different themes and sonic palettes. Arcade became a fan favorite for its unique concept and memorable melodic hooks that set it apart from typical big room productions.
Invasion
Selected by Armin van Buuren as the official anthem for the 550th episode of A State of Trance in 2012, Invasion marked a significant milestone in W&W’s trance career. The track’s hypnotic melodies and driving basslines captured the essence of peak-time trance while showcasing W&W’s production maturity. This recognition from one of trance music’s most respected figures validated W&W’s position in the genre before their transition to big room. Invasion remains a beloved track among trance purists and represents the duo’s mastery of the genre that launched their career.
Mustang
W&W’s 2008 debut single Mustang introduced the duo to the electronic music world with immediate impact, earning support from legends like Armin van Buuren and Tiësto. Peaking at number 63 on the Netherlands Single Top 100 Chart, the track established W&W as emerging talents worth watching. Its driving trance elements and energetic production demonstrated the duo’s potential despite being early in their career. Mustang laid the foundation for everything that would follow, showcasing the chemistry between Willem and Wardt that would define their partnership for years to come.
Don’t Stop the Madness
The third collaboration between W&W and Hardwell, featuring vocals from Fatman Scoop, Don’t Stop the Madness exemplifies the explosive energy of their partnership. Released on December 22, 2014, and later appearing on Hardwell’s United We Are album, the track combines aggressive big room production with Fatman Scoop’s commanding vocal presence. Its relentless energy and anthemic qualities made it a festival essential throughout 2015 and beyond. The collaboration demonstrated the creative synergy between W&W and Hardwell, with each bringing their unique production style to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
OIIA OIIA (Spinning Cat)
One of W&W’s most viral releases from 2025, OIIA OIIA (Spinning Cat) became a social media sensation after the duo performed it on New Year’s Eve with visuals of Ethel the munchkin cat spinning. The track’s lightning-fast tempo and playful nature captured internet culture while maintaining W&W’s high-energy production standards. Following its debut, videos of the track went viral on TikTok, demonstrating W&W’s ability to connect with younger audiences and remain relevant in the ever-changing landscape of dance music. This release proved that W&W could embrace internet culture while still delivering quality production that works both online and in festival settings.
Another Day In Paradise
Released in 2024 as a collaboration with Special D and Harris & Ford, Another Day In Paradise reimagined Phil Collins’ 1980s classic as a 160bpm hardcore anthem. The track showcases W&W’s willingness to push boundaries and experiment with faster tempos and harder sounds. By taking a beloved pop classic and transforming it into a relentless hardcore banger, the duo demonstrated their versatility and fearless approach to production. The track’s success in 2024 highlighted W&W’s continued evolution and ability to surprise audiences with unexpected creative directions while honoring the emotional core of the original composition.
Heaven Is A Place On Earth
W&W’s 2022 reimagining of the classic Belinda Carlisle hit Heaven Is A Place On Earth demonstrates their talent for transforming pop classics into euphoric dance anthems. The track maintains the uplifting spirit and memorable melody of the original while injecting it with contemporary big room energy and production techniques. Its nostalgic appeal combined with modern sound design creates a bridge between generations of music lovers. This production showcases how W&W can honor classic pop music while making it relevant for today’s festival crowds, proving their versatility extends beyond original productions.
Shocker
A groundbreaking collaboration with hardstyle legend Headhunterz, Shocker debuted at EDC Las Vegas 2014 and merged big room house with hardstyle elements in unprecedented ways. Released on September 8, 2014, the track represented a bold experiment that successfully combined the best elements of both genres. The fusion of W&W’s big room production with Headhunterz’s hardstyle expertise created something entirely unique that appealed to fans of both styles. Shocker’s positive reception paved the way for more genre-blending collaborations and demonstrated that electronic music subgenres could successfully merge when handled by talented producers.
Rave Love
Released in 2020 and featuring vocals from SONJA, Rave Love captures the emotional essence of dance music culture while maintaining W&W’s signature high-energy production. The track balances euphoric melodies with powerful drops, creating an anthem that works equally well in intimate club settings and massive festival stages. SONJA’s emotive vocals add depth and humanity to the production, creating moments of genuine connection amid the electronic intensity. Rave Love represents W&W’s mature approach to production, where technical prowess meets emotional resonance to create truly impactful dance music.
StarShine (I Don’t Want This Night To End)
From their 2022 release, StarShine captures the magic of those perfect festival moments when time seems to stand still and the music takes complete control. The track features shimmering synths and uplifting melodies that evoke the wonder of gazing at stars during an outdoor festival. Its euphoric production and emotional depth demonstrate W&W’s ability to create music that transcends simple dancefloor functionality to become something more meaningful. The track’s title perfectly encapsulates the feeling every festival-goer knows—that desire to freeze time during perfect musical moments—and the production delivers on that promise with every listen.
Million Places
A 2023 collaboration with R3HAB, Million Places showcases W&W’s ability to work seamlessly with other top-tier producers while maintaining their distinctive sound. The track features fast-paced, relentless energy that became a staple in their festival performances throughout 2023 and beyond. Its driving beats and infectious melodies create an urgency that perfectly captures the frenetic energy of peak festival moments. The collaboration between W&W and R3HAB resulted in a track that highlights the strengths of both artists while creating something fresh that stands on its own merits in the crowded EDM landscape.
YEAH
One of W&W’s newest releases from 2025, YEAH represents their continued evolution and commitment to pushing electronic music forward. The track demonstrates that even after nearly two decades in the industry, W&W remains at the forefront of dance music production and innovation. With contemporary production techniques and forward-thinking sound design, YEAH proves the duo’s relevance in an ever-changing musical landscape. This recent release shows that W&W continues to evolve their sound while maintaining the core energy and excitement that has defined their career, ensuring their place in electronic music’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre of music does W&W produce?
W&W started their career producing trance music before transitioning to big room house around 2012-2013, which became their signature sound during the mid-2010s. Today, they produce a diverse range of electronic music including big room house, trance (under their NWYR alias), techno, hard dance, and hardcore, showcasing remarkable versatility across multiple EDM subgenres. Their record label Rave Culture reflects this diversity by releasing various styles of dance music from artists worldwide.
When did W&W start making music together?
W&W officially formed in 2007 when Willem van Hanegem and Wardt van der Harst met at the Trance Energy Festival in the Netherlands after connecting through Windows Live Messenger. Prior to meeting in person, they had been sharing their individual productions with each other online and building a friendship through their mutual passion for trance music. Their debut single Mustang was released in 2008, launching their nearly two-decade career in electronic dance music.
What is W&W’s most successful song?
Bigfoot, released in 2014, is widely considered W&W’s commercial breakthrough and most successful track, charting in multiple countries and becoming a defining big room house anthem. However, their 2024 collaboration Thank You (Not So Bad) featuring Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Tiësto, and Dido significantly increased their monthly listeners and brought them mainstream attention. Both tracks represent different peaks in their career, with Bigfoot cementing their festival status and Thank You expanding their audience beyond traditional EDM fans.
Have W&W won any major awards or rankings?
W&W has been a fixture on DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs list since 2011, reaching their highest position of 14th place in 2020 and ranking 18th in 2025. In 2013, they became the first dance music act to perform at a Major League Baseball stadium when they played a two-hour set at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park. They have also received the honor of creating official anthems for major festivals, including Tomorrowland 2014 and A State of Trance’s 550th episode, demonstrating their respected position within the electronic music community.
What is the NWYR project?
NWYR (pronounced “new year”) is W&W’s trance-focused alias launched in 2017, allowing them to return to their trance roots while maintaining their big room persona as W&W. Under the NWYR name, Willem and Wardt produce and perform pure trance music that hearkens back to their early career style and the sound that first brought them recognition. This dual-project approach enables them to satisfy both their passion for trance and their big room fanbase, demonstrating their versatility and deep connection to multiple facets of electronic music.
Do W&W still perform live shows?
Yes, W&W continues to perform over 60 shows annually at major festivals and clubs worldwide, including headline slots at Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, EDC Las Vegas, and numerous other prestigious events. They maintain an active touring schedule across Europe, Asia, North America, and other continents, consistently bringing their high-energy performances to fans globally. Their live shows feature a combination of their biggest hits, new productions, and cutting-edge music that keeps their sets fresh and exciting for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
What equipment do W&W use for their productions?
While specific details about W&W’s studio setup are not always publicly disclosed, they are known to use industry-standard digital audio workstations and synthesizers common in professional EDM production. Their sound has evolved alongside music production technology, incorporating the latest software and hardware to create their signature big room sound. For fans interested in achieving similar production quality, investing in proper headphones and monitoring equipment is essential for accurate mixing and mastering, whether you’re producing trance, big room house, or any other electronic genre.
What is Rave Culture Records?
Rave Culture is W&W’s record label that evolved from their previous imprint Mainstage Music in 2018, expanding its focus to encompass a wider variety of electronic music genres. The label serves as a platform for both established and emerging artists to release innovative dance music across big room, trance, techno, and other EDM subgenres. Beyond releasing music, Rave Culture has grown into a community-driven brand that includes a bi-weekly radio show with over 300,000 listeners and showcases the diverse sounds that W&W curate and support within the global dance music scene.
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