Top darts stars trade the oche for the festival: Van Gerwen, Van Veen and Van Duijvenbode go wild at Intents

After an intense spell on the darts circuit, Sunday offered a chance to unwind for three well-known Dutch players. Michael van Gerwen, Dirk van Duijvenbode, and Gian van Veen were spotted at the popular Intents Festival in Oisterwijk, where thousands of hardstyle and electronic music fans gathered for a weekend of partying and music.

Van Duijvenbode’s appearance at the festival will have surprised few darts fans. The Katwijk thrower has long been known for his love of hardstyle. His walk-on is invariably backed by “Just Like You” by Radical Redemption, a track now inextricably linked to his stage entrance. During the festival, Van Duijvenbode seemed completely in his element.

In footage that surfaced on social media, it was clear that Van Duijvenbode and Van Veen were not only there for the music and atmosphere. A dartboard had been set up on the festival’s VIP deck especially for the occasion, where the two Dutchmen played a friendly game.

Whether big scores were actually hit, or even a 180 landed, is unknown. It did, however, make for a striking sight: top professionals who can’t quite leave their darts alone even away from the big stages.

Michael van Gerwen was also present at the Brabant festival site. For the three-time world champion, the outing came at a particularly welcome time. Just two days earlier he had tasted success on the international stage by winning the Nordic Darts Masters in Copenhagen.

Van Gerwen enjoyed an excellent tournament in Denmark and ultimately battled his way to the final. There he met reigning world champion Luke Humphries. In a tense finale, the Dutchman edged it 8-7, adding yet another title to his impressive résumé. Gian van Veen also featured at the World Series event but did not reach the final.

After the Nordic Darts Masters, however, the conversation was not only about the stage performances. Humphries voiced his frustration with the behavior of a section of the crowd. According to the Englishman, he was regularly whistled at or booed during crucial checkouts, something that visibly annoyed him.

Meanwhile, Van Gerwen himself remains a talking point away from the oche. In recent months, the Dutchman has often been seen at festivals and events. He previously appeared at, among others, Rebirth Festival and Tegendraads Indoor. That sometimes sparks debate within the darts community, with some wondering whether a busy social calendar could affect his performances.

For now, those concerns seem to have little impact on his results. With the Copenhagen title secured, Van Gerwen again showed he still belongs among the absolute elite. The visit to Intents Festival appears to have been primarily a moment of relaxation before turning full focus back to the upcoming tournaments.

For Van Duijvenbode, Van Veen, and Van Gerwen, the festival at least provided a welcome break from the hectic darts life. And even amid the hardstyle beats, there was still room to throw a few darts at the board.