MUMBAI: Today's top DJs are the new 'rock stars' of the music industry in big markets like the US, Dutch progressive and house DJ Hardwell has stated. Before readers jump to conclusions, the self effacing Hardwell (born Robbert van de Corput) explained that the sudden explosion of electronic dance music (EDM) across the globe in the last decade has resulted in a jump in demand for DJs from audiences and their peers.

The world no 6 DJ, who performed to a sellout crowd in the city as part of his ‘I am Hardwell’ tour on 22 September elaborates: “In countries like the US we are the new rock stars because all the top acts want to collaborate and work with us. I see that EDM has (also) been growing very fast in Asia and I’m happy that DJ culture is getting popular in Asia. To be back in India (he performed in December 2012) is ‘super exciting’”.

He believe the reason for EDM gaining so much ground globally is due to the ‘open-ended’ nature of the genre which has help spawn innumerable sub genres; from dubstep, ‘Deep House’, ‘Electronicore’, ‘Electro Industrial’ to name but a few.

“The most important thing is to connect people and dance music has something for everybody. There are multiple genres in EDM that meet the moods of different audience. The good thing about EDM is that there are no boundaries- having just one style of dance music would be boring,” he pointed out.

Hardwell will proceed to the US for dates starting Las Vegas on 27 September

followed by a show in the UK. He is also preparing himself for the premier of his documentary ‘I am Hardwell’ world tour concept. The docu, filmed by videographer Robin Piree,premiers on 17 October in Amsterdam. The 25 year old star however said he would only contemplate exploring other avenues to channelize his talents after cementing his place in EDM.

Right now I am focused on my music. But in the future I would like to get involved in films- as music director, not as an actor. Bollywood project? I don’t know much about it but why not?”