Meet Bingo Players’ Biggest Fan

My love of Bingo Players started when I began attending EDM events back in 2009. Once I heard their music, I was hooked. I had a very rough childhood, surrounded by drugs, alcoholism and my parents’ divorce. I struggled with depression for many years and didn’t see a reason to live anymore. Bingo Players’ music kind of saved me. It brought me happiness and made me forget about my problems at home, and they are a big contributor as to why I’m so involved in the EDM scene now. If it wasn’t for Paul and Maarten’s music, I more than likely would have gone down the destructive path I was set up with. They are one of the biggest reasons I am the person that I am today.

I had loved Bingo Players for years when I finally got the chance to see them live at EDC Las Vegas 2012. I got to neonGARDEN two sets early just so I could be front and center. Seeing them live, listening to all their songs, and just reminiscing why I got into this scene—and how much I have grown as a person from the day I first heard them to my present-day life—was one of the most life-changing experiences for me. I had never been so thrilled to see a DJ. For EDC Las Vegas 2013, I made a custom shirt, a pair of glasses and a flag that I waved throughout their entire set. Afterward, Bingo Players told me they had seen my flag and absolutely loved it. When Paul passed away at the end of the year, it felt like one of my own family members was gone. I was literally crying at work when I heard the news.

“It’s about time I finally meet you. I’ve seen all your support throughout the years, and I see you on Twitter and Instagram all the time.” –Maarten Hoogstraten

The next year—at Das Energi 2014—was when my life really changed. Not only did I sell 300 tickets for the show, but it was also the first time I met Maarten. One of my friends had told him about me, and he said he loved my energy and wanted to meet me after the show. As I waited for Bingo Players’ set to end, tears of happiness came down my face. I couldn’t believe that I was finally getting to meet one of my biggest inspirations. As soon as I saw Maarten, he said, “It’s about time I finally meet you. I’ve seen all your support throughout the years, and I see you on Twitter and Instagram all the time.” I couldn’t grasp the fact that Maarten already knew who I was. Getting to talk to him for those 10 minutes—and him telling me I was one of his biggest fans—really made me appreciate everything. It goes without saying, it was the best day of my entire life.

When I came home later that night, I found out Maarten had followed me on Twitter! I have been talking to him ever since Das Energi and found out that his record label, Hysteria, was named after Paul and Maarten’s favorite band, Def Leppard, which is my favorite band as well.

In a couple of weeks, I’ll be traveling alone to see Bingo Players again, and it’s not the first time I’ve traveled solo to see my favorite group. In total, I’ve seen Bingo Players live five times, and I’ve been front-row every time. From hearing their music for the first time, to making custom Bingo Players totems, flags and fluffies and meeting them, it has been quite the journey for me. At the end of the day, I can say I will always be thankful for Bingo Players’ music and what a joy it had brought to my life.

To see pictures, click on to the next page.

Bingo Players will be playing Countdown New Year’s Eve at the NOS Events Center along with Audien, DJ Snake, Laidback Luke, Porter Robinson and Showtek. Tickets are on sale now.

“This is me in the front row for Das Energi festival carrying the flag that I made for EDC Las Vegas 2013. I designed it to resemble one of the LED screens at Bingo Players’ set at EDC 2012.”

“This is when Maarten’s manager pulled me backstage so I could meet Maarten for the first time at Das Energi festival!”

“This is the outfit I wore to Das Energi. I had on a Bingo Players shirt, custom-made Bingo Players fluffies and my Bingo Players flag!”

“These are the fluffies I custom-made for Das Energi festival. My friend Leslie helped me create them!”

“This is all the Bingo Players stuff I have collected, made and won over the years.”

“This is my roommate Jodi’s truck that we took to EDC Las Vegas 2014. Of course, I painted on ‘Bingo Players.’”

“I spent two months custom-making this huge sign for EDC Las Vegas 2014, and I carried it from start to finish of the festival.”

“This is the other side of the sign I made for EDC Las Vegas 2014.”

“This is the leaderboard for Bingo Players’ Knock You Out team contest. I’ve held the #1 spot since I entered on September 8, by sharing the most Bingo Players content.”

“This is a collage of my pictures that Maarten randomly shared on Bingo Players’ Instagram account.”

“This is Dimitry, another huge Bingo Players fan. He randomly found me at EDC and wasn’t friends with me on Facebook or any other social media sites, but had heard so much about my sign from other people who knew me that he had to come take a picture. We’re still good friends to this day!”

“I went to Las Vegas by myself and met up with Dimitry to see Bingo Players at Hakkasan. We got invited up by Maarten himself and hung out in VIP for a little while!”

“That is a signed vinyl that I received for winning the Bingo Players favorite memory contest. They asked fans to share their favorite Bingo Players story, and I was chosen as one of five winners.”