Unless you live under a rock, you are sure to have heard by now that Hardwell claimed the number 1 spot in DJ Mag‘s fan-generated Top 100 DJs. In accordance with the number 1 title, Hardwell was featured on the cover of the current issue of DJ Mag, which included an interview.
In the interview, Hardwell discusses his relationship with his hometown friend Tijs, better known as Tiesto, who acted as a mentor for Hardwell in his earlier years. The Dutch DJ also reflects on his numerous shows and gigs in his home country before ever making it internationally, and explains why his European roots makes him uncomfortable to use the term ‘EDM’.
One of the more controversial subjects that Hardwell confronts in his interview is the escalating price of booking DJs. When asked if this price increase is going too far, Hardwell answers adamantly ‘no’. 
“People always say ‘DJs are the new pop stars’ but when Rihanna, Jay-Z or Lady Gaga is selling out an arena and get a ridiculous amount of money, everyone is handling that okay. If a DJ like Tiësto or Calvin Harris does it, everybody is like, ‘Wow, can they take that amount of money?’ But they are doing the same thing.”
In 2013, Calvin Harris earned a different number 1 spot than Hardwell, his being the number one ‘Electronic Cash King’ according to Forbes, who bases its study on “earnings estimates [which] include income from live shows, endorsements, merchandise sales, recorded music sales, external business ventures and […] television”.
By the day, DJs are becoming more like superstars, and artists such as Hardwell support the rising costs of booking these megastars. Hopefully the smaller venues and fans are financially able to keep up if the future of EDM keeps heading in this direction.
Source: inthemix
I hope people don’t make him seem money hungry. He isn’t demanding higher prices, only agreeing with them.
the bubble will burst, but these guys will have so much money it won’t affect them. how much is too much?, these guys are playing a lot of original material so its not like Pauly D or something but the ticket prices are becoming so inflated that it actually hurts nightclubs in the area because not only are the costs out of their range to book the acts but the majority of EDM fans are students and they have a budget, so rather than hitting a club a cpl times in a week, they have to skip it so they can go to the show and still eat tomorrow. I think there has to be a cap, lets not forget we all got our start in this biz because a nightclub gave us a shot to hone our skills. its certainly not the promoter feeling the pinch
“If a DJ like Tiësto or Calvin Harris does it, everybody is like, ‘Wow, can they take that amount of money?’ But they are doing the same thing.” What is Hardwell going to say? Yes? Obviously not, he is a DJ. On the other hand he is wrong. They are not doing the same stuff. Call pop whatever you want ( I hate it myself), but at least most of them sing and dance.
hardwell is a bitch
What no one has mentioned here is that ticket sales is one of the last remaining ways for DJs (or any musicians) to monetize a living through music. So if you’ve ever pirated a song by your favorite DJ, and you can’t wait for them to come to your city to play for you, then it’s hard for you to complain about the higher ticket price. Lower ticket prices in the past were being offset by the income from album sales.
all dj’s have had to work for it, except maybe Pauly D who I absolutely hate, fucking loser, but I digress. Guarantee every Top DJ has played 300 dollar gigs, some may have rose to fame quickly, but they had to have something to take them there, whether that be production/remixes and/or turntables, market strategy, social media and youtube, or just being the best troll on earth (Mau5, also being one of the best producers, marketer, social media, live sets, he is one of the best and earned every penny and much more). They rose to the top, and deserve more than pop stars any day of the week in my opinion. Just amazing people and most of them don’t get paid shit. My only other point, so called “artists” like afrojack and Aoki suck so bad and are ruining our music.
Many DJs are providing a complete sensory experience. Shows and festivals are about much more than the music. There’s the music, light-shows, crowd hype, and more. It’s the same concert experience if not more for the crowd as it would be if they were seeing someone like JAY-Z or Rihanna, so I do believe they deserve the same pay as the superstars.