- Celebrating 20 years with one of Europe's most successful techno brands.
- When it comes to techno events, Awakenings sits at the top of the food chain. Despite being part of the Netherlands' crowded and competitive festival circuit, it has become a favourite at home and abroad. Part of what makes it special is the Gashouder, the brand's spiritual home and one of Europe's iconic venues. It's an intimidating, cavernous space with a yawning roof that stretches towards the heavens. The stage is high and the booth lords over the floor but when it's packed to the rafters, the Gashouder becomes weirdly intimate and full of possibilities.
In 20 years Awakenings has become synonymous with artists like Adam Bayer, Sven Väth, Carl Cox, Len Faki, Joris Voorn and Joseph Capriati. DJs who have played once will often return for a second run, while others come back every year. The same goes for the crowd. Awakenings' club events and two-day summer festival at Spaarnwoude are fixtures for Dutch and foreign techno fans alike and regularly sell out far in advance. As its founder Rocco Veenboer mentions in conversation with Holly Dicker, it's become about much more than music. It's bigger than techno, encompassing fireworks and spectacle, long-term relationships and transcendental dance floor moments.
TracklistJeff Mills - The Bells
Dax J - Wir Leben Für Die Nacht