My Year In Hard Dance

Hard Dance Top Trumps

Gigs Played: 50

Countries Visited: 5

Biggest Crowd Played To: 60,000

Longest Set: 4 hours

Compilations Mixed: 2

Click below for my top ten!

Ed Real

What's been your biggest achievement of the year?

Be asked to judge the Brit Awards this year! Seriously!

What moments will you never forget?

Playing alongside Carl Cox at the 7 day Burning Man Festival in the Nevada Desert and playing in a swimming pool (full of water and ravers) at the Bang Face Weekender are but two of the sick things that went down this year.

Who's been your favourite newcomer of the year?

Klubfiller has certainly made his mark on the Trackitdown.net hard dance department. Might not be everyone's cup of tea but great energy and production - quite often you get one or the other but he's clearly on top of his game.

Who's been the artist of the year for you?

Too many killer artists this year across all styles. Lucky enough to have 500,000 tracks in my collection at Trackitdown.net and the talent in the global dance scene this year has been as good as it's ever been! Popof, Subfocus, Showtek, Klubfiller and Herve are but four acts making my ears melt right now...

What's been your favourite label of the year?

Riot! and Tidy have really kept the quality control up and hats off to these guys for the tunes!

What do you think has been the best track of the year?

I am lucky enough to play at all type of hard dance events whether it be hardstyle, hard house, European flavours and I have lots of favourite tunes in all. Sorry but it's too difficult to answer - too much good music! Alright then, Organ Donors 'Teardrop' from their amazing album has been THE tune for me all year. If you haven't heard the album get on it! Salute!

What's been your favourite event of the year?

Burning Man in Nevada Desert, USA. Seven days with two rules - no money and no guns. See you there next year.

What's the funniest thing that's happened to you?

Funniest and saddest has to be giving away my clothes while DJing at Bang Face. It is possible to have too much fun!

What do you have planned for the next year?

More mayhem from the Real deal. Giddy up!

Hard Dance Awards