This upcoming weekend, 31 July to Aug 2, turns Amsterdam into a 3 Day musical fiesta and welcomes many of our ‘friends and family’ over the years to the canals and parks ! Traditionally the whole of Holland is renowned for it’s top Festivals and legendary clubs with everyone who’s everyone rolling through over the years. Yeah c’mon it’s not just for our obvious extra thoughtful smokey ‘hospitality’ but also cause it’s a music and culture lovin’ country ! To match that, the past few years have shown a thriving and exportable local scene and this condensed informal 3 dayer looks set to show just that.

Photo by Enrico Webers

So what makes this weekend super special and extra ‘gezellig’ is the diversity of the locations as well as the music – from Raw Rhythm, taking over the glorious refurbished Westerpark for 2 nights, to the return of Appelsap in Oosterpark, another one of our wonderful parks, to the new and already boomin’ club Trouw, to the dynamic Sugar Factory.

Theophilus London shows off his dance moves – a must see at Sunday’s Appelsap

Get yourself over to 1 if not all of these events with the stellar lineup (full list below) worthy of any world renowned Festival and celebration with Dizzee Rascal, the re-union of Lamb, Roni Size, Alice Russell, Benji B, Nickodemus, Theophilus London, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, DJ Spinna, Pharoahe Monch, Jazzanova, Lady Saw, Lefto, Appleblim, Jerome Sydenham, Stephanie McKay, Pilooski, Toddla T, Lil Jon, Chuckie, Ziggi, la Melodia, Wicked Jazz Sounds, Nneka, Tom Trago and on and on.

Here’s the breakdown and info on all these events :

RAW RHYTHM FESTIVAL - Friday 31 July / Saturday 1 August
Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam

Friday 31 July: 5pm-4am Dizzee Rascal, Lady Saw, Jazzanova, Lamb, Stephanie McKay, Ben Westbeech, Alice Russell, Pilooski, DJ Spinna, Nneka, Ryan Leslie, Fakkelbrigade, Zwart Licht, Jiggy Djé, DJ Cash Money,  Lucy Love, Mr. Wix, Gomes, 6Blocc, Herbalize It, Kidkanevil, Waxfiend, Black Prophet, Buddha Supreme, DJ Cash Money, Tom Trago en LD.

KSPACE.TV Friday Highlight: LAMB

Saturday 1 August: 4pm-4am Roni Size & MC Jakes, DJ Chuckie w/ Lil Jon, Ziggi & Maikal X, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Toddla T, GMB, Robert Luis ft. Kinny, Speech Debelle, General Levy, dÉbruit, Heatwave, Afrojack, Damaru, Lunice, Hovatron, Afficoman, DJ Chaos, Fulgeance, Hard House Banton en LaRouge.

KSPACE.TV Saturday Highlight: Speech Debelle

TROUW - Saturday 1 August
Wibautstraat 127 1091 GL Amsterdam
AUS MUSIC ‘ALL NIGHT LONG’
DJ’s Appleblim (Applepips, Bristol), Jerome Sydenham (Ibadan, New York), Will Saul (Aus Music, London)

APPLESAP - Sunday 2 August
Oosterpark, Amsterdam
Pharoahe Monch (US), Theophilus London (check some of his dance moves), Zwart Licht & Boyz in the Hood (Hef, Crooks, Adonis). Dj’s Benji-B, Lefto (just back from his Japan tour)  SP, Edzon, Lil’Vic, Danny de Funk & FS Green maken Hosts Mc Fit & Melodee.

WICKED JAZZ SOUNDS – Sunday 2 August (and every Sunday)
Sugar Factory, Amsterdam
dance with a Smile!
DJ Missing Links together with members of the Wicked Jazz Sounds Band + special guest DJ Nickodemus presenting his latest album ‘Sun People’ and his dynamic Turntables on the Hudson sound.
Check Nico’s site for a free download. and enjoy his latest video below for Sun Children