VERKNIPT | ADE EDITION

Since its inception in 2012, Verknipt has been an undeniable reference in the electronic music scene in the Netherlands and beyond. What started as an event organization focused on house, tech-house, and techno has evolved into a techno empire, expanding both in musical styles and influence.

Behind this evolution are Reza Fathi Mer Hajbarati, the co-founders who have worked tirelessly to take Verknipt from its humble beginnings to becoming a global name in the electronic music scene.

Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with both of them about the challenges they faced in the early days, the musical evolution of Verknipt, their future plans, and the international expansion of their brand. Throughout the conversation, Mer and Reza shared personal anecdotes and reflections on what it means for them to be at the forefront of one of the most influential organizations in techno today. Their words offer deep insight not only into Verknipt’s successes but also into the hurdles and decisions that brought them to where they are now.

This article recaps our conversation, exploring everything from Verknipt’s beginnings to their future ambitions, including their desire to incorporate harder genres into their events and their expansion into international markets. Verknipt is not just a brand; it is a global community that continues to grow.

When they started Verknipt, Mer and Reza had a clear vision of what they wanted to achieve in the electronic music scene. From the very beginning, their goal was to create a space where they could share their passion for music and offer a unique experience to their audience.

AS REZA EXPLAINED:

“Verknipt began as an organization for house, tech-house, and techno events. Over time, we gravitated towards the harder techno scene. The first edition of Verknipt was initiated by me as an unofficial after-party for Awakenings, at the Sugarfactory.”

Since 2012, their vision has been simple but powerful: to create a space where electronic music could thrive.

“Our vision was to create a space where our passion for electronic music could flourish. One of the decisive moments came in 2018 when we introduced a harder techno stage at the Verknipt Festival. The overwhelmingly positive response from attendees encouraged us to incorporate more hard techno into our events.”

Beginnings are never easy, and Mer and Reza were no exception. One of the biggest challenges was establishing themselves in a saturated market and gaining the trust of their audience. Additiona - lly, they faced technical issues that threatened to derail entire events. However, as they both pointed out, their ability to adapt and stay calm was key.

“In the early days, we faced challenges like securing venues and building a loyal audience. We also had technical failures that almost ruined some ni - ghts or day parties. Instead of panicking, our team always came together, quickly finding solutions and communicating with the crowd. This taught us the importance of adaptability and teamwork.”

Their motto in those early years was simple: take risks and believe in what they were doing.

“There is a solution to every problem. Take risks and believe in what you’re doing; sometimes, it’s as simple as that.”

This attitude has been fundamental to their success, and today, Verknipt is known for its ability to overcome obstacles.

Verknipt’s musical evolution was not an accident but the result of listening to their audience and following their own passions. Initially, Verknipt offered a mix of house andtechno, but over time, the demand for harder sounds led to a shift towards hard techno.

“Verknipt started with a mix of house and techno,but it evolved as we recognized a growing appetite for harder sounds. The shift towards hard techno was driven both by audience feedback and by our passion for the genre."

The most significant turning point came at the 2018 festival when they introduced a harder techno stage.

“The 2018 festival, where we introduced a hard techno stage, marked a major turning point. The overwhelmingly positive response confirmed that our evolution was in line with the desires of our community, leading us to fully embrace this identity.”

“The adoption of hard techno was not just a com mercial strategy but a philosophical expression of Verknipt’s purpose”.

AS MER AND REZA EXPLAINED:

“The transition to hard techno was about staying true to our roots while embracing a more powerful expression of music. This shift re flects our philosophy of pushing the boundaries of production and evolving with our audience.”

For them, this style is not just a genre; it’s a way to connect more deeply with ravers who seek intensity and energy in their experiences.

“For us, it means creating a deeper connection with ravers who crave intensity and energy in their experiences. It’s about creating a movement that resonates on a personal level, making every event a celebration of our community and our passion.”

The transition whilst constant, took some time, As the COVID 19 pandemic had a say in the way things evolved.

“Before COVID, in 2018 and 2019, we were already one of the first to embrace the harder, more industrial side of techno... So, when festivals and events returned in 2021 and 2022, we quickly adapted to the emerging sound”.

“We had already seen hard techno gaining popularity before the pandemic, but during 2020, when people were stuck indoors or attending small gatherings, a new sub-genre started to take off. Artists were creating fresh music, and it really blew up, partly thanks to TikTok, where hard techno videos began to trend with a younger audience”.

Looking to the future, Verknipt has big aspirations. Mer and Reza aim to take Verknipt to the next level as the world’s leading hard dance promoter.

“As we look to the future, we envision Verknipt becoming the Nr 1 Hard dance promoter in the global electronic music scene. So to not only doing hard techno but incorporating other harder styles at some of our events like hard groove, hard house and hard trance. We plan to achieve this through innovative event experiences, high production value, and continued engagement with our audience across our diffe - rent platforms. It’s essential to remain connected and listen to the community that has supported us from the beginning”.

To achieve this goal, they plan to continue offering innovative experiences at their events, with high production value and a continued commitment to their audience.

“It’s essential to stay connected and listen to the community that has supported us from the beginning.”

They even have a WhatsApp group with their most loyal fans, where they ask questions and seek feedback on new ideas.

“We try to be as receptive as possible with our core fans and try to incorporate them in as many directions we would like to explore. Our WhatsApp group is a awesome tool for that! We drop questions about stuff we’re thinking for at our events or possible names they would like to see on the line up, its an open conversation with the people the make Verknipt great”.

Mer and Reza are also excited about the new projects coming up. Although they didn’t reveal all the details, they made it clear that they’re working on fresh ideas for 2025 and beyond.

“Incorporating other styles of hard dance will be our new focus for 2025 and beyond. Creatively, this ‘rebranding’ will implement new and exciting things, but we can’t reveal much at the moment. Stay tuned to our platforms.”

In addition, they are looking for ways to make their events more immersive by integrating interactive and non-musical elements.

“We are considering innovations and changes, like enhanced audiovisual experiences and interactive elements within our events. For example, we’ll have tattoo artists at our 6EJOU event throughout the day.”

“Preserving our authenticity amid growth is crucial. We aim to maintain close communication with our community and involve them in our journey. The challenge will be balancing expansion with the core values that define us. To address this, we’ll continue to prioritize quality over quantity, ensuring that every event reflects the passion and energy that Verknipt is known for. High-quality production, inclusivity and booking the artists that our audience truly wants to hear are key to our success. But of course In rave culture, the community and atmosphere are essential for any organization to thrive. It’s not just about being fans of the music—it’s about a shared love for Verknipt and the artists who perform here”.

Verknipt’s international expansion has been impressive, adapting its concept to different cultures and markets. For Mer and Reza, this process has been revealing.

“Adapting Verknipt to different cultures has been a fascinating journey. We’ve approached each market with an open mind, learning from the local scenes and understanding what resonates with them.”

What they’ve learned throughout this process is that music is a universal language.

“This experience has reinforced the idea that music is a universal language; regardless of cultural differences, the passion for hard techno connects our audience worldwide.”

Looking ahead, they are excited to explore emerging markets like South America, Asia, and the United States, where they see huge potential for hard techno.

“We’re excited about exploring emerging hard techno markets like South America, Asia and the US. These regions are bursting with talent and enthusiasm for the harder genres”.

“We see Verknipt’s role as a catalyst for nurturing local artists and communities, Bringing the absolute best produced hard techno events abroad, collaborating with partners who share the same vision while celebrating the local scene, that’s in a nutshell the starting point. We hope to create a space where local artists can share the stage with international names, fostering a diverse and inclusive music scene”.

After speaking with Mer and Reza, I was deeply moved by their passion, commitment, and vision.

They’ve built Verknipt from the ground up, not just as a successful brand but as a true community.

Their dedication to creating spaces where people can connect with music on a deeper level is inspiring. What struck me most is how they’ve managed to maintain this genuine connection with their audience while continuously evolving and pushing boundaries. It’s clear that Verknipt isn’t just a business to them – it’s a reflection of their love for the scene, and that’s what makes it so special.

What really touched me was their focus on listening to their fans and involving them in every step of the journey. They genuinely care about the experience they’re creating and about staying true to their roots.

In a world where commercial success often comes at the cost of authenticity, Mer and Reza have stayed grounded, choosing to build something that resonates on a personal level with both their audience and themselves. Their approach to expanding into new markets, while preserving the core of what makes Verknipt unique, shows a rare kind of integrity.

Verknipt’s legacy is sure to leave a lasting impact on the global electronic music scene, but it’s the personal connections they’ve nurtured along the way that will stand the test of time.

The passion, love, and community spirit that Mer and Reza have cultivated through Verknipt are a reminder of the power of music to bring people together. As the brand continues to grow, their influence will be felt far beyond the dance floors – in the hearts of those who have been part of this incredible journey.