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Every festival preview mentions at least three, or sometimes more than artists playing solo. ‘Tjarkey’ (Tjade b2b Kyle Starkey) just touched down on Soenda last weekend; Lente Kabinet just put Shanti Celeste b2b Chris Stussy on the bill for next spring, which, depending on who you ask, is either a fever dream or a cosmic accident. In any case, the format has cemented itself into Dutch festival DNA, whether the pairings make sense or not. But is that actually adding something to the music or experience, or just marketing (a dirty word for clubs)?

Over the past week, newspapers were filled with headlines about sexual harassment, rape, femicide, and maybe the most tragic: the murder of 17-year-old Lisa, who was on her way home after a night out in Amsterdam. These are headlines we see all too often, but this week everything seemed to collide and reach a boiling point. I saw a striking quote on Instagram that said: “Not all men, but always a man.” Although it’s very true that this is a men’s problem, of which women are the victims, I also saw the risk that men could distance themselves from this comment. Because yes, murdering and raping women is probably not part of your daily routine, and everyone knows that this is an absolute no-go. But that does not mean this issue does not concern you as an "ordinary" man. Men’s behavior that negatively affects women and how they move through society is much broader than rape, harassment, or murder. This behavior is more subtle, but still very harmful. As men, we often have a blind spot for our behavior that ‘maintains’ the oppression of women, and we are complicit to this matter far more often than we like to admit.

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.