Ever since it’s declaration of independence in 1579 the Netherlands have always been in close contact with the rest of the world. Sandwiched in between Belgium, Germany and the North Sea the Netherlands used to sail out to explore the outside world, while opening its doors for outsiders. In arts, Holland is famous for its paintings by Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Vermeer.
Bleeping radar
When it comes to music, the Netherlands have long been known for Golden Earring (hit: „Radar Love“), The George Baker Selection („Little Green Bag“, „Una Paloma Blanca“) or Shocking Blue („Venus“). In recent years this has changed, thanks to the massive worldwide success of Dutch Dance Music. Producers/DJ’s like Armin van Buuren, Afrojack, Fedde LeGrand, Ferry Corsten, Chuckie, Laidback Luke or Tiësto are massively popular all over the globe, including that country every musician dreams of conquering: the United States.
18 year old superstar
It’s not just these guys who are making waves abroad. The next generation of producers and DJs are ready to follow in their footsteps. They go by the names of Hardwell, Sander van Doorn, Nicky Romero, Dash Berlin and Martin Garrix, an 18 year old producer/DJ who graduated this year from one of Hollands acclaimed music schools.
School of Rock
Each year, music schools like the Rockacademie in Tilburg, Codarts in Rotterdam, the Amsterdam Conservatory, ARTez in Enschede and the Minerva Academy for Pop Culture in Leeuwarden bring forth new talent that fi nds a place in the Dutch music scene. Martin Garrix (dance, one of the headliners of Coachella festival 2014), Mister and Mississippi (folk-rock, toured and released their selftitled debut album in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in 2014), Taymir (Britrock, toured the UK in 2014) or Birth Of Joy (bluesy rock’n’roll, toured all over the world in 2013 and 2014) are some recent examples of graduates that managed to gain success outside of the Netherlands. And they ́re only just getting started.
A goldmine waiting to be found
These music schools are hotbeds for ambitious musicians and a breeding ground for new initiatives. Musicians meet, share experiences, knowledge and connections and opportunities arise. But bands and artists only make progress if they are able to play live and present themselves to the outside world. Combined with easily accessible yet popular platforms like daily tv-show „The Wereld Draait Door“ (1 million+ viewers daily), national radio 3FM, talent festival Popronde, yearly talent hunts „De Grote Prijs van Nederland“ and „De Beste Singer-Songwriter van Nederland“, the professionally run music website 3voor12, countless festivals (among them the internationally famous Lowlands, Pinkpop, Roadburn, Sensation and Mysteryland, but every year new festivals pop up), leading showcases and conferences like Eurosonic Noorderslag and Amsterdam Dance Event and world class venues like Paradiso, TivoliVredenburg, Melkweg, Vera and 013, to name a few. The musical infrastructure and an interested audience is there, waiting to be used and found by bands and musicians both from Holland and abroad. All these factors combined lead to a healthy foundation for a growing number of ambitious bands with a DIY-attitude and an eagerness to succeed with their music, whatever genre they operate in.
Across the Atlantic
Like Caro Emerald, the hugely successful pop diva who sold more than a million copies of her self released debut album „Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor“, an album that saw her in the charts and brought her on stages all over Europe. Or Thomas Azier, who inked a deal with French record label Mercury Records and toured both Europe and the USA multiple times, including tours with Woodkid and Stromae. The talent of 60’s baroque pop singer/multi-instrumentalist Jacco Gardner was quickly recognised across the Atlantic, followed by an extensive US-tour. Like Gardner, garage rock band Mozes and the First Born was adopted just as quickly by the Americans, resulting in a record deal with the hip Burgers Records and various tours through the States. They could’ve run into Nobody Beats The Drum, an exciting three-piece that combines electro music with visual wizardry, much to the delight of American dance music fans. Or next level dance group Skip & Die, who combine African rhythms and Dutch dance music into an explosive cocktail that was served during 250+ gigs world wide.
Dutch Waves
Anyone who watched the Eurovision Song Festival this year will remember The Common Linnets, the runner-up of the popular European Song Contest. Both Ilse DeLange and Waylon are stars in their own country, and are now ready to go abroad and meet international music lovers. And let’s not forget gothic metal. Bands and artists like Within Temptation, Epica, Delain, ReVamp (their singer Floor Jansen is also the lead singer of Finnish band Nightwish) and The Gathering continue to attract thousands of fans to their shows, from Norway to Chile. They are just a few examples of Dutch musicians eager to explore the world and win the hearts and minds of new fans. With this in mind we’re delighted about this year’s invitation of Waves Vienna and are looking forward to present you some of Hollands most talented bands.
First confirmed acts
- David Douglas (peforming at Waves Vienna)
- Kensington (peforming at Waves Vienna)
- Knalpot (peforming at Waves Bratislava)
- Alamo Race Track (peforming at Waves Bratislava)
Links
Waves Vienna & Bratislava website | www.wavesfestival.eu
Facebook event | www.facebook.com/events/784646694879396/
Ticket sales | www.ticketgarden.com/tickets/waves-vienna-2014
Press contact: Manuel Fronhofer, presse@wavesvienna.com
