Dutch Courage

ADE is barely luke warm and already eyes are back on Amsterdam. Let's reach Valhalla

Ivica Hubzin

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 - 10:56

That's it. Over. Phew! ADE has been and gone for another year, bringing with it another shitstorm of parties, spandangled industry folk and a multitude of missed planes. Farewell, 'Dam, it's been emotional. Until next year, right?

Wrong! ADE's embers have barely turned to ash, but already we are talking about a return — and not just for some one-off club night. You don't hear us complaining.

Brainchild of AIR and ID&T, Valhalla is a new 10-hour festival with nine soundsystems. Name a Dutch promotion team doing big tings at ADE, it's here — Pleinvrees, Format, Dekmentel, GirlsloveDJs, Apenkooi, Colors, Bar27, Backstage X Nachtdivisie and Paardenkracht.

Taking place at RAI complex, Amsterdam's biggest convention space, on Saturday 22nd December with Cosmin TRG, Tom Trago, Deetron, John Talabot, Mosca, Maxxi Soundsystem and Matthias Tanzmann (among many others) on the line-up, it's a call to arms; a billboard the size of Buckingham Palace announcing that the Dutch club scene is in sterling health. This is a city bustling with dance activities, an industry brimming with talent — not just for four or five days in October.

“The Amsterdam club scene is the healthiest it's ever been and we want this event to reflect that,” explains Valhalla's Kunna Haan. “The setting is an indoor festival with an outdoor feel. Like a parade, not only a big rave. The programme will be an authentic cross section of the metropolitan nightlife. Because every organization is faithful to [its] own character, there is a multitude of genres, including techno, tech house, house, deep house, electro and disco.”

Presenting a programme crossing the most wanted internationals on the underground circuit with local talent — some better-known than others — Valhalla, as Kunna puts it, is envisioned as a “stroll through the current musical landscape”, a sort of dance music Mardi Gras where Amsterdam's “various blood groups unite” in front of Europe's most discerning dancers.

“The emphasis will not be on huge light plans and lasers etcetera, but we will create an intimate and unique atmosphere for each stage by using a lot of decorative materials,” says Kunna. “The overall look will be that of a circus freakshow.”

Time to get our freak on in Amsterdam, then... again!

VALHALLA

LOCATION: RAI Complex, Amsterdam

DATE: Saturday 22nd November

PRICE: 29.50 – 44.50 euros

WEB: valhallafestival.nl

FORMAT

DEKMANTEL

PLEINVREES

GIRLSLOVEDJS

APENKOOI

BAR 27