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Last week, Amsterdam’s Paradiso made headlines not for a sold-out show or a breakout act, but because of threats. The reason is a scheduled performance by Bob Vylan, the British punk-rap duo known for their outspoken political lyrics on racism, class, police violence, and of course Gaza. After anonymous threats were made in response to the concert, the Amsterdam venue has now pressed charges. The show goes on. But the situation underscores a growing tension: what happens when political expression through music becomes a matter of public safety?

The 24-hour TikTok ban in the United States sparked panic, memes, and most of all, questions. What happens if the app actually does get banned? How does that affect electronic music and emerging DJs? While this temporary restriction happened on the other side of the Atlantic, it made promoters, agents, and artist managers elsewhere wonder: are we all a bit too dependent on content apps for discovering new music?

The 24-hour TikTok ban in the United States sparked panic, memes, and most of all, questions. What happens if the app actually does get banned? How does that affect electronic music and emerging DJs? While this temporary restriction happened on the other side of the Atlantic, it made promoters, agents, and artist managers elsewhere wonder: are we all a bit too dependent on content apps for discovering new music?

As a born and raised Utrechter, how has growing up in this city shaped your musical journey? This city has shaped me every step of the way. I’ve always had a tunnel vision for music, which my parents greatly encouraged from the very first moment I expressed interest in musical instruments.

A view on dancefloor etiquette. The year hadn’t even started properly, and one of the biggest DJs of our time had to step in to tame a ‘rowdy’ crowd. Marlon Hoffstadt, dearly beloved in clubs and a true festival superstar, went viral by calling out Australian ravers about a week ago, saying that he noticed ‘concerning behavior in crowds’ and ‘people were passing out’ at his shows. Closer to home, we see more and more door policies pop up, in the form of online safety briefings and chats with a door host before we get let into the club. Let’s dive into why door policies exist, and why they matter.

As a true inhabitant of Utrecht, how do you perceive the city’s impact on fostering musical creativity? I see Utrecht making significant headway in nurturing a creative environment. More and more venues are popping up lately, each offering its own unique style and scale like NAR or Kabul A GoGo.

Many of us find our way to nightclubs for a dose of dancing and letting go. But there are alternatives on the market that offer a similar release for a different crowd. Since its introduction in 2012, ‘ecstatic dance’ has gained a loyal following in the Netherlands, bringing together a community excited to move to the beats of popular DJs – without alcohol or drugs.

As the temperatures rise, the clubbing season has come to its annual break. Club WAS. is preparing itself for Summer, in which the club nights will be put on hold, and everything is set up for Orbit Festival set on 27 July. While most of us naturally go along with this shift from clubs to festivals, a distinctive subculture has emerged where the clubbing never stops.

As our final club nights of the season approach, the WAS. team is working hard behind the scenes to make it once again an unforgettable experience. This involves the right atmosphere, production, and visual experience, touching upon artful playfulness. The connection between art and electronic music is a strong one.