hardwave
what it is
Hardwave is a unique take on more conventional wave music. Since 2016, the wave scene — originally an online phenomenon — has experienced an increase in physical events. Following this increase of physical shows played by wave DJs & producers, in 2017, Perth-based producers Skeler and Ytho began incorporating elements from trance and hardstyle into wave to appeal to the broader festival and club audience, thus popularising the genre.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make hardwave a playlist
turn these 20 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is hardwave?
Hardwave is a unique take on more conventional wave music. Since 2016, the wave scene — originally an online phenomenon — has experienced an increase in physical events. Following this increase of physical shows played by wave DJs & producers, in 2017, Perth-based producers Skeler and Ytho began incorporating elements from trance and hardstyle into wave to appeal to the broader festival and club audience, thus popularising the genre.
What are good hardwave albums to start with?
Try Hardwave: Chapter 3 by Various Artists, AFTER HOURS MIXTAPE by Thirst, Valediction by Teaching in Trips, and Compilation by WEVLTH.
Who are some women making hardwave?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/hardwave/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making hardwave, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-21