Groove – that’s the word most often used to describe Montreal-haling Chromeo. Equipped with a heady mix of intoxicating riffs, steamy vocals and stellar remixes (Green Light by Lorde, we’re looking at you), these boys will help you feel that summer’s here to stay, at least for a night.
Dark indie with a religious twist, Ethel Cain has carved out a singular world of her own. Returning to Amsterdam for her second show and high off the back of the meteoric success of her debut album – Preacher’s Daughter – Cain’s songs range from propulsive and anthemic (‘American Teenager’) to sparse and haunting (‘House in Nebraska’). Gather with the other Daughters of Cain (her nickname for her fans) and pay your own respects at Amsterdam’s own musical altar, Paradiso.
Punk rock meets electric energy in the form of American band Bikini Kill. Credited with helping bring the Riot Grrrl movement in the early 90s to the fore, their explosive, political and confrontational live shows have earned them a reputation as must-see performers. An all-women band, they use their live shows as a way to encourage other women to join a band and, in their words, change the world. If you fit the bill, then you know the drill.
Dance music legends Faithless pioneered a type of electronic music that has rightly earned them the title of one of music’s greatest dance bands. After a long hiatus, they’ve remerged with live shows that capture all of their former glory and a wave of new energy bound to earn them new fans while keeping the longtimers fed.
Soft, sultry and seductive, LA by way of Florida’s Destin Conrad comes wielding a repertoire of R'n'B songs that seem destined for long summer nights. Catch him in Melkweg alongside the legion of fans he’s built up since the days of video app Vine and you’ll see why he’s on the rise.
Arguably the blueprint for 80s synthpop, The Pet Shop Boys – made up of vocalist Neil Tennant and keyboardist Chris Lowe – return in glitter and gold to the Amsterdam stage. Backed by the release of their 2024 album Nonetheless, the duo come wielding more shimmering singles and joyous pop than ever in this Greatest Hits Tour.
Everyone knows Sheryl Crow. Crow is one of classic rock music’s biggest stars even now, a songwriter, activist, global star, and nine-time Grammy winner. Catch her strum into the night at Paradiso this month for a searing, scintillating singalong.
Homegrown electronic, hip-hop and disco come home to roost at Amsterdam Open Air. A reflection of Amsterdam’s diverse musical scene, this Gaasperpark festival is home to ten stages, spanning genres like house, techno, pop, Latin, Afro and urban among others. Whether the sun’s out or not, this is a great way to welcome in June, whatever your musical taste.
Amsterdam Open Air | 1-2 June | Gaasperpark
A relative newcomer to the Amsterdam festival scene, Tropikali is best characterised as a musical journey from Berlin to Rio, with a layover in Beirut. Taking place on NDSM Wharf, it’s home to multiple main stages playing Latin-infused techno, Middle Eastern and Balkan beats, and pop from around the world that draws an international and diverse crowd. For the first time ever, Tropikali is organising a special Weekender edition, making this two-day event the perfect salute to welcome in the warmer season. With a variety of stages that play host to some of Amsterdam's favourite parties, like ROSARIO – a blend of electronic, Latin house & Tropical rhythm – LATINICHTA – Reggaeton, Brazilian & Surinamese music – and KALINICHTA – Balkan Middle Eastern pop & Arab electronic. And the addition of the Secreto Stage, billed as a sanctuary for underground queer electronic artists by FLINTA* club night ‘The Planet’, means there's a little something for everyone here.
Tropikali | 22-23 June | NDSM Wharf
Few festivals are as long-standing and friendly as Amsterdam Roots, which has been going strong since 1983. In that time, it transitioned from showcasing the best African music to styles from all over the world, as well as other art forms like circus, dance and theatre. Staged for one day only in Oosterpark, this is a long afternoon of soul, sun and sensational music.
Amsterdam Roots Festival | 23 June | Oosterpark
*If the event has sold-out, don’t despair! TicketSwap is a great place to get resale tickets in an easy and safe forum, so check it out and you might get lucky.
