World Music in Amsterdam
Laid-back Amsterdam - with residents and visitors from all over the globe - sets the ideal stage for World Music gigs. With festivals and performances by local and international artists held in some inspiring venues, Amsterdam moves to a global beat. Here’s where to experience the rhythm of the world in Amsterdam.
Melting-pot
Amsterdam is a city where a wide variety of cultures intermingle and interact every day. This vibrant city is home to people from many ethnic backgrounds, many from the former colonies such as Suriname, the Dutch Antilles and the Caribbean. Amsterdam’s relaxed atmosphere attracts performers and musicians from around the globe to legendary venues. This makes it the ideal platform for world music events. See the listings on the What’s On Agenda for a full overview of upcoming gigs.
Worldly venues
Amsterdam has some superb music venues. The Melkweg, situated in a former dairy, hosts a range of musical styles and draws a diverse crowd, with World Music regularly featuring as part of its concert listings. Another Amsterdam legend is Paradiso. This former church has been an iconic location on the Amsterdam gig-scene since the 1960’s and also regularly features different cultural music styles. Podium Mozaiek is a theatre in Amsterdam West offering world music, theatre, exhibitions and readings of poetry and prose by international and local artists.
Cosy venues
The Tropentheater, part of the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) is a great location for world music enthusiasts. Acts from every corner of the globe perform here. The Tropenmuseum itself plays a role in promoting ethnic music, with regular workshops and interactive displays. De Badcuyp Centrum voor Muziek (Badcuyp Centre for Music) in Amsterdam’s De Pijp is another fantastic venue providing a nightly stage for world and roots music. The cosy café is the regular setting for salsa, African, jazz and open jam sessions that draw a hugely diverse crowd.
Festivals
In the summer months, Amsterdam plays host to numerous world music festivals. The biggest is the Roots festival, held every June at venues across the city. This four-day event culminates with a free open-air concert in the Oosterpark. Also held in the Oosterpark is the Keti Koti festival, which celebrates the end of slavery in the former Dutch colonies. An exciting, multi-cultural event for the whole family is the MELA festival, held every August. The Liteside festival, also in August, is a cross-over event between East and West.
Sway to a different beat in Amsterdam by exploring the World Music scene.
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