Here’s Why Hardwell is Playing a Big Charity Gig in Mumbai
On one of his previous visits to India, the Dutch DJ was moved by the sight of around 15 street kids sleeping under his own billboard; this weekend he will perform at a fundraising show at DY Patil Stadium
The past decade has seen the emergence of electronic music concerts as the biggest cash cows in the live entertainment industry. In this numbers names, there isn’t room for charity. Or so it seems. But if you’re Hardwell [world #2 according to DJ Mag ranking], you probably don’t mind doing a one-off benefit show.
The event, titled Hardwell @ World’s Biggest Guestlist, and to be held on December 13th at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, is intriguing for two reasons. First, Hardwell is waiving off his performance fee and the earnings from the show will be contributed to United We Are Foundation [co-founded by Hardwell and his manager Anna Knaup] and the United Welfare Trust [founded by Shailendra Singh of Percept Ltd, the organizers of the show]. The money will go into funding education of underprivileged children. Second, the event is attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the “World’s Biggest Guest List”. When the show was announced in July, it invited Hardwell fans to register themselves to feature in the DJ’s personal guest list so that they could attend the show for free. By the time the registration closed on September 30th, it was reported that over 125,000 people had applied. Out of these, 500 names were confirmed and announced recently.
Talking about the concept of the show, Singh says, “In the nine years that I have been organizing such shows, I have noticed that there is an imbalance of economy and emotion. There is 95 percent economy and 5 percent emotion ”“ it’s all about the checkbook. That’s why we wanted to dedicate this show to Hardwell’s fans as well as support a cause.”
Singh adds that it took Hardwell just 20 seconds to say yes to the charity concert. “He agreed in no time! Plus, he has his own story to why he wants to be part of this — on one of his previous visits to India, he was moved by the sight of around 15 street kids sleeping under his own billboard,” says Singh, who had initially approached Axwell for the charity show but his management took nine months to get back to him. “He’d said yes in principle but I was awaiting confirmation. So I asked Hardwell and he jumped at the idea,” says Singh.
Also onboard the charitable initiative is technology platform and cab service Uber, which is giving away two VIP passes on the day of the concert, and donating 15 percent of all ride fares ending at the D.Y. Patil Stadium. Uber has also undertaken the #UberCHOPPER ride, which promises a chopper ride for two with Hardwell himself.
Hardwell @ World’s Biggest Guestlist, will be held on December 13th at DY Patil Stadium, 12 pm onwards. Book tickets here.
