Name: Awakenings Easter Festival 2022
Start: 2022-04-16T13:00-07:00
End: 2022-04-17T23:00-07:00

Historically, Amsterdam is one of the most important cities in the world for techno, and Awakening is one of the most important techno parties in Amsterdam. 

As a brand, Awakenings takes on numerous forms. From the legendary festival in the National Park Spaarnwoude, that attracts over 80,000 people every year to their renowned marathon of parties during the annual dance music conference, Amsterdam Dance Event, Awakenings is the place to go for throbbing four-on-the-floor beats from the world’s best selectors. 

Event promoter Monumental Productions BV hosted the first Awakenings nearly 25 years ago in 1997 at Amsterdam’s most famous club, Gashouder. Consisting of a former storage tank with a 2500 square meter interior, this venue epitomizes the gritty and grimy techno aesthetic. It was only fitting that one of the DJs to play their first party was one of the inventors of the genre: Detroit’s Derrick May.

Gashouder has remained the foundation of the Awakenings experience, an experience replete with one-of-a-kind sets and the elated microphone work of the party’s founder, Rocco Veenboer, who serves as master of ceremonies at many Awakenings events around the world. 

Veenboer has every reason to be proud of what he’s built. Over 20 years later, his brand is one of the most sought-after identities in techno, bringing the authentic atmosphere of the genre to places like Rotterdam, Eindhoven, New York, Sao Paulo, and India. 

But the heart and soul of Awakenings remains in Amsterdam. Every year for ADE, Awakenings releases a calendar of events, many of which take place at Gashouder, but the parties frequently land in other venues around the city as well. 

In 2019, there were 11 Awakenings events at ADE. Five happened at Gashouder, featuring epic sets from the likes of live techno composer Stephan Bodzin and the rising superstar Charlotte De Witte.

The other six events happened at Elementenstraat, a warehouse space that was formerly illegal but is now another staple of Amsterdam’s techno community. This is where Awakenings hosted their 24-hour party, a collaboration with Amelie Lens’ party brand, EXHALE, that included an eight-hour set from Lens herself as well as a huge lineup with sets from fellow techno valkyries Nastia and Rebekah.

Even in the face of COVID-19, Awakenings pressed on for ADE 2021 as they are indispensable within the Amsterdam techno community. Restrictions from the Dutch government prevented parties from running past midnight but Awakenings still delivered five shows at Gashouder and three at Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam’s indoor arena with a capacity of 13,000.

In terms of programming for ADE 2021, Awakenings hosted everything from a ten-hour live set from Reinier Zonneveld at Ziggo Dome to a night of Drumcode at Gashouder with favorites of the label like Ida Engberg, Layton Giordani, and boss Adam Beyer.

Unfortunately, Awakenings Festival had to be canceled in both 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, which was a huge blow to the worldwide techno community as the festival is one most anticipated of the year, but the festival will return in 2022 to celebrate 25 years. Awakenings Festival was started in 2001 and now welcomes over 100 DJs across two days. 

Looking back across lineups and schedules for Awakenings Festival is comparable to perusing a text depicting the evolution in the careers of various artists. In 2017, Amelie Lens played the second slot of the day at 1:45 pm. In 2019, just two years later, she closed out the entire event Sunday night. Other artists playing the closing slot that year included MPC master Jeff Mills and Berghain Resident, Ben Klock.

 Unlike many dance music festivals where the opening slots are relegated to local acts and relatively unknown artists, headline-level artists are playing the minute Awakenings opens its doors.

Also in 2019, the impressive melodic duo Artbat opened a stage right at noon, while the heavy techno temptress, ANNA, played at 1:30 pm. Artbat headlines shows in populated markets like Los Angeles all the time, and ANNA closed out a stage at San Diego’s CRSSD Festival in September of 2021. 

With nine stages and top-caliber artists performing from the start, Awakenings is a festival where you show up as early as possible and stay all the way to the end, a clear allusion to how Awakenings has curated events since the beginning. 

Looking back through the archive of previous events (which Awakenings keeps readily available on their website) these parties have always been about the long haul. Back in 2005 none other than Ricardo Villalobos played a warm-up slot at Gashouder rather than closing the evening. 

This idea of coming just for the “headliner” isn’t relevant to Awakenings. These parties are about supporting the culture from the moment the first kick hits until the last song. They were there when it started and they will certainly persist until the house lights come up on the last techno party in Amsterdam.



Awakenings Is A Titan of Amsterdam's Techno Scene

Sweden

Adam Beyer 

Italy

MATHAME

 makes its grand return after two years of pandemic-related postponements, and they’re going bigger than ever before. This Easter weekend, April 16-17, 2022, Awakenings celebrates its 25th birthday with over 80,000 friends.


There’s no shortage of exciting destination festivals for house heads and techno tourists. And nothing beats the experience of exploring a new city as you take in the sensory bliss of a far-flung festival. From established powerhouses like Awakenings and Creamfields, to underrated gems like Street Parade, let us be your guide as we tour some of Europe's remarkable rave experiences.

Creamfields | Daresbury, United Kingdom | Aug 26-29, 2021

Creamfields is notorious for being the UK’s biggest music festival of the year. Located in the beautiful countryside in Daresbury, England, the four-day campout is a marathon. For those who prefer a race two-day tickets are available. Creamfields features sets from hundreds of world-renowned DJs and incredible live acts. The lineup for this year's sold-out event is absolutely stacked this year, with over 300 performances set to take place.



DGTL Barcelona | Barcelona, Spain | September 3-4, 2021 

DGTL: four letters associated with unmistakable prestige. The DGTL Music Festival is global, with editions in Tel Aviv, Santiago, São Paulo, Bengaluru and Madrid. This sustainable house and techno festival is known for its impressive, raw industrial stages, mesmerizing light effects and visual treats. DGTL Barcelona will take place the first week of September this year at the Parc del Fòrum. A park with a fabulous coastal view and close proximity to divine local eateries and delightful attractions. 

Ticket preregistration is now open.



Lobster Fest | North London, United Kingdom | Saturday, September 4, 2021

London-based label, Lobster Theremin, home of DJ Kush Boogie, Route 8, DJ Seinfeld, Hidden Spheres, and SONIKKU, will make their festival debut with a 50 artist lineup at The Cause in London this September. Lobster Fest is five years in the making, so the house and techno label is pulling out all the stops. The organizers vocalized their commitment to diversity and revealed that the artist lineup will consist of roughly 50% women and non-binary artists and 50% POC & Black artists. Though not released yet, the headliners will span five stages of live music all day from noon to 10 pm. 

Tickets are on sale now

Caprices Festival | Crans-Montana, Switzerland | September 17-19, 2021 & September 24-26, 2021

Outdoor adventurers, rejoice! This Swiss festival takes place in one of the best ski resorts  in the Swiss Alps, Crans-Montana. Not only are the snowy mountain top views incredible, so is the production, line up, and gorgeous glass tents. Don’t think twice about it, come make mountain memories at this stunning party above the clouds! 

Tickets are available now.

Elrow Town Amsterdam | Westpoortweg, Amsterdam | September 25, 2021

Elrow Town is a quirky, colorful whirlwind of a dance party that takes place during the best time of the year to visit Amsterdam. Expect to see plenty of glitter, inflatables, and whimsical characters as you make your way around the various stages in the venue. You’ll leave with confetti in your hair, a smile on your face, and a fortified love for tech house in your heart.

 Tickets are available now.

AVA Festival | Boucher Roads Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland | September 24-25, 2021 

Hailed as “one of Europe’s smartest young festivals,” by Resident Advisor, AVA is Ireland’s most innovative and inspiring festival yet. The outdoor multi-stage event  pushes boundaries with prodigious music productions and remarkable art exhibitions and installations. Dance under oscillating lights and reverberating beats at this unforgettable avant-garde showcase of music and art in Belfast. 

Buy tickets now


Time Warp | Maimarkt, Mannheim, Germany | April 2, 2022

Boasting six floors of techno and house, Time Warp is on every techno lover’s bucket list. Since 2000, there have been 53 editions, its played host to more than 300 artists, and made over 600,000 dancers sweat it out. It continues to stand out globally due to it’s phenomenal production and incredible headliners. Expect an immersive visual and sound experience from this 19 hour, techno fan-favorite festival.

Tickets will go on sale in late 2021



Awakenings | Spaarnwoude, Netherlands | June 2022 

This European festival is on its 25th anniversary year, and for good reason — Awakenings is the largest outdoor techno festival in the world. Boasting 80,000 visitors in a single weekend, it is undoubtedly the best of all techno gatherings. The festival delivers the ultimate techno experience, with a series of non-stop parties and the best headliners in techno music today. 



Street Parade | Lake Zurich, Switzerland | August 13, 2022

If you love the energy of block parties and the spontaneity of bar crawls, you need to experience Street Parade in Switzerland. Since 1992, this it continues to generate enthusiasm and excitement for techno and house music. Taking place around the culturally rich Lake Zurich, brightly decorated trucks packed with booming sound systems and DJs drive slowly through and around the Lake. In addition, nine stages are planted along the route, headlined by top DJs and other live acts. Watch the city of Zurich come alive, and vibrate to the sounds of house and techno on the lakefront.

Sonus Festival | Zrce Beach, Novalja, Croatia | August 21-25, 2022

From the legendary creators behind Time Warp comes Sonus Festival—a 5-day techno beach party at Zrce Beach in Croatia. The festival is spread out over Zrce’s three world-renowned open-air clubs: Aquarius, Kalypso and Papaya. Experience booming techno sets day and night while taking in the views of the sparkling Adriatic Sea. Have yourself a perfect rave vacation in Croatia next September.

Tickets are on sale now.





10 European Destination Festivals to Add to Your Dance Music Bucket List

Awakenings is one of the longest-running techno events globally, with a history of more than 22 years. 

. And their massive productions are recognized as some of the best in the world.

Awakenings Easter Festival 2022

WE'RE CELEBRATING OUR 25TH BIRTHDAY!

Awakenings | Easter Festival 2022

After announcing our new Awakenings Summer Festival last week, we are very happy to announce we will be back at our beloved festival grounds in Spaarnwoude! This year during Easter, on our birthday.
More info: https://awak.enin.gs/rAESF22

Awakenings | Easter Festival 2022
April 16 & 17, Spaarnwoude

The lineup will be released this week.

Tuesday, November 30
16:00 Start ticket sale for voucher owners (48 hours)

Thursday, December 2
16:00 Start ticket sale for people who pre-registered (24 hours)

Friday, December 3
16:00 Start general ticket sale
(There will only be a general sale if there are still tickets available).

Awakenings | Easter Festival 2022

Awakenings and their parent company Monumental Productions, BV now organize several techno events throughout the year, including Awakenings Spring and Summer, Drumcode Festival, and Connect in collaboration with 

 Since 1997 more than two million visitors have attended Awakenings events in the iconic Gashouder (Amsterdam’s most famous event space), Rotterdam, Eindhoven, New York, Sao Paolo, and India.

Time Warp USA allowed techno lovers to bask in all the enchantment that typically goes down at their flagship events in Germany amidst the beautiful New York City skyline. The renowned festival took place right in the heart of Brooklyn's thriving electronic dance music scene at the esteemed Brooklyn Navy Yard warehouse. Following previously successful renditions of the leading indoor techno festival in the city that never sleeps. The Time Warp USA production completely exceeded our expectations, and we're still buzzing from the beauty of it all. 

Photo Credit: Tyler Allix



After missing out on all of the festival's glory last year, there's no way this year's grand return of the highly-awaited festival on this side of the Atlantic wouldn't come back even more incredible than ever before. From the moment we walked into the venue and heard that first rolling techno bassline, there was just something wondrous in the air. We could feel it.

From the gate, the energy radiating throughout the venue was palpable, vibes were unmatched, and it was apparent that every single attendee in sight was ready for the immersive two-day adventure full of nothing but the pure, soulful techno that was about to go down. While there are a plethora of reasons why Time Warp USA 2021 ranks at the top of our list, read on to learn the top five reasons the indoor techno spectacle completely exceeded our expectations. 

A Stunning Wide Array of Talent

As per usual, Time Warp USA was a top contender for many North American techno lovers simply because of its phenomenal lineup of artists. As a leading international festival, Time Warp remains consistent with its exceptional selection of astounding talent. This year, attendees were blessed with techno icons Ricardo Villalobos, Jamie Jones, Seth Troxler, Pan-Pot, Ben Klock, Marcel Dettman, Nina Kraviz, Richie Hawtin, Reiner Zonneveld, Stephan Bodzin, Adriatique, and many more. It's unique to encounter a two-day indoor festival of this range in The States with a lineup as impressive as this.



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Photo Credit: Offbrand Projet



Even in Techno, There is Diversity


If you're a true techno snob, you know that an abundance of distinct sub-genres exists under the techno umbrella, and Time Warp USA displayed that impeccably all weekend long. Techno has no boundaries, and getting to witness such extensive, mesmerizing soundscapes for two days straight was invigorating. There's nothing quite like going from being utterly mind-blown at an electrifying, hardcore DJ set to then feeling chills going down your spine while soaking up the beauty of a live instrumental ensemble just a few minutes later. The flawless intertwining of DJ sets and live performances across both floors throughout the weekend really did it for us, and we have the festival's ideal programming to thank for that. 


Photo Credit: Off Brand Project



Two DJs are Better Than One


This was the case with all of the extraordinary b2b sets we witnessed at Time Warp last weekend. Most artists on the finalized lineup are legends in the game, each bringing their specialized musical expertise to the table in their unique light. But when two first-class artists join forces on the decks and become one during a quality event such as Time Warp, everyone in attendance is bound to be left speechless. Witnessing Jamie Jones b2b Seth Troxler, Ben Klock b2b Marcel Dettman, Ricardo Villalobos b2b Craig Richards, and Mink b2b O.Bee made our Time Warp USA experience more powerful. What a tremendous combination of dynamic duos!

Photo Credit: Off Brand Project




Stunning Production and Otherworldy Design


While many indoor festivals exist around the globe, Time Warp's futuristic production quality is astronomical compared to the rest. The time, effort, and dedication to create this mind-altering, otherworldly visual and audio experience for attendees were evident throughout the festival's duration. The production team did a remarkable job curating this innovative playground of light and video architecture for attendees to indulge in fully. No matter where in the festival we resided, all our senses became instantly enlightened as we completely transcended into another dimension. This hypnotizing sensory overload was only yet another fascinating element of the entire Time Warp USA experience.


Photo Credit: Off Brand Project



There's No Better Place For Techno Than A Brooklyn Warehouse


Vibes and location are essential, and nothing makes a festival stand out from the rest other than when these two components are completely in sync with one another. The festival's 2019 production took place in upper Manhattan. While that was a legendary experience of its own, there was something quite unusual about this recent 2021 edition that took place in the most industrialized part of Brooklyn. Something about a techno-driven festival of this magnitude taking place in a warehouse locale deep in an underground music-loving city such as Brooklyn made it just that much more intriguing. Techno lovers from all over the nation migrated to the city to share space, which is a beautiful concept. 

Photo Credit: Off Brand Project



A music festival surpasses the rest for various reasons. Still, when attendees' and artists' energies align with the festival curators' intentions, that's when all the magic happens. If you've ever had the chance to partake in any previous Time Warp production, you know exactly what we mean by this. Time Warp never fails to leave both its attendees and performers in absolute awe, and this most recent techno-filled celebration in the states was nothing short of legendary. Until next time Time Warp USA!



5 Reasons Why Time Warp USA Was Worth the Wait

Awakenings takes great measures to produce environmentally friendly events. Their initiative, “Keep the Planet Awake!” has long been taking conscious steps in limiting their environmental impact through many different management techniques.


When it comes to food and beverage consumption at the event, festival-goers will find a primarily vegetarian menu and a deposit system for drinks. At the entrance, visitors will receive one free recycle token that they can use throughout the two-day event to exchange their beverages. This system encourages guests to return all empty cups, cans, and bottles to the bar to ensure the materials get recycled appropriately and the grounds remain clean.

Each of these tokens will have a unique code. After the festival, fans can go to the Awakenings website and use the code to enter for a chance to win prizes. The used tokens get melted down to create new ones for festivals to come.


The anniversary lineup is classically a who’s who of massive techno names. You’ll be able to catch performances by some of Awakenings most dedicated stalwarts. Swedish techno producer and Drumcode founder Adam Beyer, FIGURE label head Len Faki, dentist turned global icon Nina Kraviz, founding father of techno 

, and Dutch DJ Joris Voorn. In addition, there are plenty of other notable acts that are sure to bring plenty of heat.

The announcement of the Soundstorm Festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, sparked heated debate in recent weeks. The event billed as the largest festival in Saudi Arabia includes a lineup of house and techno's biggest names, including Adam Beyer, Amelie Lens, Carl Cox, Chris Lake, Eli & Fur, Black V Neck, Nora En Pure, Ricardo Villalobos, and Solardo. 

As reported by Selector News, "The 2019 debut of Riyadh festival MDL Beast drew significant backlash for having been funded by the government of Saudi Arabia, a regime associated with a long history of human rights grievances."

Berlin-based promoter Michail Stangl of CTM Festival first rang the alarm on Twitter, stating, "Sure there is no objective morality and all, but if you like money so much that you take it from a government that kills journalists and has the death penalty for being gay, you really should ask yourself some serious questions."

The house and techno community quickly pointed out dance music's early and continuing role in the social justice movement. Many expressed shock that the lineup also included techno pioneer and Underground Resistance founder Jeff Mills.

Mills responded to his fans and followers via Facebook post today. 

"By now and in the political events that have happened in the World over the past 6 years, most of you should know that it's senseless to judge citizens by their actions of their government. The same applies to judging an audience by the actions of a promoter or organizer. If that were the case, the World would have cut off diplomatic relations and isolated America during the whole Trump Presidency, banished all Chinese citizens or Russians for both their government's human rights crimes. And all Cuban people would be categorized as fascists," he says.

He addresses the issues surrounding the long list of human rights violations the Saudi government is known for, including arrests without due process, outlawing feminism, and the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. 

Recently public outrage has prompted the Saudi government to spend billions of dollars reinventing its image and cast the country as a prime tourist destination. The country has financed large-scale music events and booked top-line talents like Nicki Minaj and Justin Beiber, often paying them several times more than their regular booking fee. The government has also invested $500M into Live Nation in 2020, which has doubled in the last year, giving them a 5.7% share.

Mills urges his followers to put it all into perspective, arguing that despite the horrible track record of the Saudi government, the citizens should be allowed to dance and enjoy music.

"Yes, the Saudi Arabian government and the conditions they impose are primitive, violent and abusive and just out right evil, but it shouldn't cloud the idea and question why some there seem to think that by having such a large event and inviting DJs to play unrestricted might make some difference. Most of you can probably remember a time or an occasion in your past when you first realized the power of music and if you're reading this, it's likely that it happened while on a dance floor, listening to a DJ. What makes you think an event in SA would be any different? In fact, if there is any place where the people might need to mentally escape, it would be there. How could a Saudi Arabian dance floor be so different from yours?" 

Mills expands on how necessary music is to help heal a population that is so often in turmoil. He argues that boycotting events will only hurt the Saudi people and cut them off from an important cultural touchstone. Mills, an activist since the early days of techno, explains how engagement is a more powerful tool.

"There are people in SA right now that are in desperate need, suffering, afraid, isolated, victimized, traumatized, abused and have been killed for what they believe in. Some of you seemed to think that it's a good idea for international DJs to boycott and not go which would further isolate the young people there. That, we (all of us) in Electronic Dance Music don't care about them - it's their problem. I'm positive there isn't a single DJ booked for this event that agrees with the SA government and what they're doing, but yet, some try to connect DJs as if they're somehow complicit. That's outrageous, but hey, it's social media - anything goes! Until we fact-check, right? There can be isolation or dialogue. Both have proven to be effective. "



Jeff Mills Responds to Concerns over Saudi Arabia's Soundstorm Festival 

Adam Beyer closing set | Awakenings Festival 2018

🙌🏼 Awakenings Festival 2019 is almost sold out! This is how Adam Beyer closed Awakenings Festival last year. If you want to join us this summer get your tickets now https://awak.enin.gs/ytAWFS19ls

#techno #awakenings #adambeyer #amsterdam #hardtechno #technomusic

 began her career at 18 and has since blossomed into a brilliant multi-hyphenate. A dedicated mother of three daughters, wife to techno’s most elite Adam Beyer, fearless activist, and incredible visual artist, Engberg is a renaissance woman.


Loco Dice began his career deeply rooted in hip-hop, supporting the likes of Snoop Dogg, Usher, and Ice Cube. However, at the urging of fellow Awakenings act Sven Vath he transitioned into house and techno and is considered one of the culture’s most talented and accomplished DJs.


Cuban-American DJ and four-time DJ Award winner Maceo Plex will bless the Awakenings crowd with one of his winding multi-genre sets. Always an education in proper underground beats.

French artist, I Hate Models recently released his second record on his new imprint, Disco Inferno. A master of juxtaposition, his tracks fluidly shift from brutal pounding to techno to transcendent ambiance.


999999999—aka NineTimesNine— are one of the most sought-after hard techno acts in recent memory. The Italian duo’s spacey 303 laden beats pound even harder during their hardware-only live sets.


 career dates back to the ’80s in Germany when he opened his Ibiza-inspired club Omen in Frankfurt. Considered to be one of the birthplaces of the German techno scene, Vath’s contributions to the culture are tremendous.


Florida 135

Ibiza, Madrid, and Barcelona—these Spanish cities are known for their rich culture, music, and nightlife. But, those who are in the know look to the small Spanish town of Fraga for an exceptionally unique and unforgettable club experience. 

A musical oasis, located off a beaten path near the charming Cinca river, awaits techno lovers and those with a penchant for partying. Beloved by dance music enthusiasts for over 70 years, Florida 135 is Spain’s oldest active nightclub. Since 1942, the windowless, 3000-sq-meter, dance hall-esque space has been owned and operated by the Arnau family—the club is a generational familial affair. 

Originally founded as a cafe in the 1800s by José Satorres, the club was called Café Josepet and then Café Victoria as Antonio Durán, who married Maria Vilar, the founder's granddaughter, converted the entertainment space into an open-air theatre.

In 1924, newlyweds Juan Arnau Cabases and his wife Francisca Ibarz arrived in Fraga and founded a flour mill and several oil presses spanning the region. The hardworking pair was very sociable and loved entertaining.  

The small and agricultural Fraga established itself as a mecca of music, film, and entertainment thanks to the Satorres, Durán, and Arnau families and eventually became the pole of attraction it is today by the hand of Juan Arnau.

The patriarch booked fabulous, faraway acts from Barcelona and Madrid to perform at the Garden Terrace Florida, later called the Saloon Florida, to the delight of regional and local audiences. 

Extravagant shows at Florida put on by the Arnau clan featured a full orchestra band, worthy of a European capital city.

“I remember the first time Xavier Cugat came, the Spanish musician from Las Vegas...they worked so hard to bring him to Fraga. I was so small, I was eight years old. He arrived in Spain with 20 musicians and Evelyn, his wife... and when I remember that, the memory of that magnificent time, it’s a beautiful story to remember because I think this episode had more merit in our family history than what we are doing now with the DJs,” said Juan Arnau Sr.

Juan Arnau Cabasés sadly died just a day before the iconic Cuban bandleader, Xavier Cugat, played for the first time at Florida 135. 

But his innovative and ambitious spirit lived on in his son, who married Duran’s only daughter, Pilarín, and together they drove the legacy forward—one that pioneered new sounds and produced cutting edge experiences, unlike anything global audiences had seen before.

“Every family, every generation... we’ve tried to be provocative without copying anyone, to get ahead despite being in a very small town and next to the Monegros desert, to get ahead. And it has worked very well for us. We have not gotten very rich, but we have had a great time and we are very happy with what we’ve done,” Arnau said.

In the late 60s, as electronic dance music popularized, live orchestras were quickly replaced by DJs and nightclubs became discotheques almost overnight. 

After a fire burnt down Florida, the Arnaus enlisted renowned architect Javier Regás to design the club. 

“We traveled all the way to India to meet up with the free-spirited hippie architect, who agreed to design our club, but said he’d only do it under one condition: that he be allowed to liberally replicate a New York street, one from the Bronx. Of course, we said yes,” said Arnau Sr.

To date, Regás’ Bronx-street, Blade Runner-inspired aesthetic has lasted well over 40 years and it still dazzles Florida 135’s audiences today.

“40 years later, it still looks just as sensational as it did back when he designed it. I see young people dancing in the club and they marvel at the sight of the real buildings they can step onto and the New York street that they’re dancing on.”

Today the club has bars that serve alcohol, coffee, cocktails and has everything one could imagine seeing on a night stroll in the Big Apple.

“Javier told us that the advantage of having this type of design was that it would not need a modernization, that with the passage of time, it would be more current, and it has been,” said Arnau Sr.  “We’re seeing it right now...young people, the new generations, when they enter the club they see a club designed in the eighties, but that feeling of being in a uniquely-designed club has not gone out of style,” 

Upon the club’s reopening, it quickly established itself as the first nightclub in the region to host DJs who played electronic music thanks to the Arnau’s fresh taste and determination to always stay ahead of their peers. 

Though he passed away in 2012, the “grandfather of techno,” Juan Arnau Ibarz, and the rest of the Arnau clan successfully steered the nightclub through three decades of musical trends: disco, a stint in Madridian pop and rock music, house, and ultimately techno.

In an increasingly globalized world, where club-goers have endless options to travel internationally for music and parties, the “Cathedral of Techno '' remains to be just as relevant in the realm of live events and nightlife destinations as it was since its inception.







Arnau Sr. attributes the club’s iconic factor and timeless relevance to the musical selection of the artists who visit them and above all else, the familial aspect of the club.

“The public knows that in one way or another they play an important part of a story that began in the same place where they are dancing now, in 1870, during my great grandfather’s time,” he said. “...that kind of feeling of belonging to a family is what makes us different from other clubs, not just in Spain." 

For over six generations, the family has owned and operated the club, which is more of a dancehall than a traditional nightclub.

True to its stunning origins, Florida 135 has an open-air space where clubbers may enjoy commercial music, and four separate dancefloors: one that is an homage to the early days of French house and wax, one that’s exclusively for house and techno enthusiasts, a hip hop floor, and finally the iconic Bronx street that features electronic dance music played in front of a New York aesthetic.

The themes and DJs change often, said the patriarch. “We throw parties that we try to thematize depending on the artist and the musical project that will unfold itself in the space. We do this so that everyone has a place to dance according to their alternatives, if not what they prefer, all in the same night.”

Though every visit to Florida 135 is a unique experience, said Arnau Sr., clubgoers look forward to hearing from international DJs like Carl Cox and Laurent Garnier, which the family has called their friends for over 50 years. 

“Our friends, these legends of electronic music, of which are what really helped us in those times. We were Club Florida, out in a small town in the desert...they arrived to Florida and made it the embryo of what later established the electronic music industry in Spain.”

The club was the first in the region and in the country to host DJs who spun records of “Kraftwerk-esque” music, said Juan Arnau Jr. 

The change in sound was ultimately inspired by Arnau Sr. and his wife, Maria Cruz Lasierra’s three-year caravan through Europe’s clubs and raves in the 80s. 

“They met Laurent Garnier at a party in Paris at the Rex, Sven Vath playing in illegal tunnel raves in Germany, Francesco Farfa playing at a crazy rave in Rimini, Italy,” said Arnau Jr. of the travelers’ journey.

The feeling of yearning to search for new sounds, for the next best thing, is something that has always motivated the patriarch and his family since the club’s inception, Arnau Sr. shared. 

“It motivates us, this search... for what had to happen, not for what was happening or what had happened, but to imagine what would happen in just five to ten years.”

They traveled all over Europe, taking in the new sounds they encountered in Munich, Berlin, and England.  “We met so many incredible DJs we knew we had to invite them to play at our club,” he said. 

“Ultimately what we learned is that what is new is preceded by the mainstream, and so, we anticipate. And as such, we’ve always been in favor of visiting those clubs where they offer something different. This is the way we have always done it.” 

In addition to owning the acclaimed Florida 135 club, today the family owns the wildly popular global party and brand, Elrow, and throws an annual desert rave in the Monegros desert.



On December 11th, 2021 elrow returns to New York for elrow RowsAttacks! 



When asked whether his grandchildren will continue the Arnau legacy, Arnau Sr. shared he wasn’t certain. He said he hadn’t expected that Juan Arnau Jr. and his sister Cruz Arnau would join the family business but was elated when they showed excitement and eagerness to work in the industry. 

“I wasn’t too sure if they were going to continue in the entertainment industry for one, because I never intended to. That is, I have always given them total freedom,” he said. 

“I think that each person, each generation, has to travel their own path, not the path of their ancestors.”

Though Arnau Sr. grew up amidst a booming family business and surrounded by tastemakers, musical innovators, and entertainers, he said he never felt adequately prepared to work in the industry. 

In college, he studied business at UCLA then attended graduate school for his master’s degree to study nutrition. 

Then, due to a major family bankruptcy in the seventies, said Arnau Sr., he found himself at Florida 135 day in and day out, and the business became his life’s work. 

Lucky for him, his business was also his family, he said. “The truth is that in this industry, you practically do not have a family life but in our case we do because the whole family is there. In the case of my children, and their partners too—Domingo is a DJ, my daughter Cruz works in marketing, my son also, and then there’s my wife and I.” 

Arnau Sr. said he could not be prouder of his children’s business savvy and creativity.

“It brings me joy to see that my children, both my son and my daughter, genuinely enjoy it. And not only do they enjoy it, they also do it much better than me,” he said.

Florida 135 survived the pandemic and the Arnau family even gained two more additions to the clan in the last year, two new grandchildren.

The family remained positive though the future of the club was for a moment uncertain. For the first time in the family’s 150 year history, Florida 135 was forced to close their doors to the public, whom they call family.

“We were so sad..it is something very unusual, that dancing was prohibited, because dancing is so important,” said Arnau Sr. 

“Dancing is an act of collective euphoria that allows you to vent. It is not having a drink, it is something very special. For people it is something very ancient that has existed all their lives, and seeing that people could not dance has really been hard.”

Florida 135 opened their doors last month for its first event in about three years. Once announced, tickets to the club’s Halloween event sold out within 10 minutes.

The club’s longevity is a testament to their commitment to entertaining and the love they have for their clients. “It is electric ... the love we have for the public, and knowing that everything you do is for them, it’s not for you,” said Arnau Sr.

The key to the club’s longevity? Being present, in all aspects, he said.

We are always present—and this our children have learned from me, I do not know if it is good or bad—it is that we like to be in the club, at festivals.”

“We don't like to be outside the club, we like to be with our clients and that has good points and bad points as well. We have never mixed our private life with the life of the club — we don’t drink alcohol, we don’t take drugs, which some clients sometimes partake in.”

Arnau Sr. shared that having a sober perspective at events puts the family at an advantage to better serve their clients with a more serene perspective, in comparison to other promoters who try to replicate the family’s business model.

“When you’re solely focused on making sure the client is enjoying themselves, it gives you a different perspective from those other promoters who do the same things that the clients do,” he said. 

“You have to understand that you are working and that the clients are having fun. They are using part of their time to vent their saddest moments, their work, their studies, their love affairs...so we need to be always present, always be at the service of the public.”

After years of sleepless nights, parties, and plenty of music, Florida 135 continues to be as successful now as it was in the 70s.

“The truth is that both my wife and I have enjoyed it a lot. We have spent many nights, seeing and observing as our clients come and have a great time... and this is something that has differentiated us from the rest of the promoters and the rest of the clubs,” said the patriarch.

“It is a way of life our children have learned from us, and it is the humility of knowing that something better can always be done and letting ourselves be guided by what our clients do and by addressing any concerns they share with us, on the level of entertainment...After so long, we’re happy that at least we are alive.”







In addition to the drool-worthy bill of artists, a focus on otherworldly production remains at the forefront of Awakenings events. You can expect vast fields filled with creatively-constructed stages.

Accompanying the music will be an unparalleled visual experience. This perfect balance of audio magic and visual beauty will completely immerse and inspire. And if that isn’t enough to leave you completely awed, the spectacular pyrotechnic display of fireworks that has become a trademark of the brand should do it.


The event will occur in Spaarnwoude Houtrak, a nature reserve just outside Amsterdam. The celebration will have six impressive tented stages and a semi-open outdoor stage. The setup is ideal, as about half of April does come with some rainfall.


However, rain or shine, festival-goers are in for a jampacked weekend stacked with talent. Unlike other dance music festivals where opening time slots feature smaller acts, Awakenings creates a schedule that showcases headline-level artists from the start of the event till the end. People will gather from all around the world to celebrate music, wrap themselves in community, and escape everyday life.  



 

Awakenings Easter Festival makes its grand return after two years of pandemic-related postponements, and they’re going bigger than ever before. This Easter weekend, April 16-17, 2022, Awakenings celebrates its 25th birthday with over 80,000 friends.


Awakenings is one of the longest-running techno events globally, with a history of more than 22 years. They are titans in the space. And their massive productions are recognized as some of the best in the world.

Awakenings and their parent company Monumental Productions, BV now organize several techno events throughout the year, including Awakenings Spring and Summer, Drumcode Festival, and Connect in collaboration with Time Warp. Since 1997 more than two million visitors have attended Awakenings events in the iconic Gashouder (Amsterdam’s most famous event space), Rotterdam, Eindhoven, New York, Sao Paolo, and India.



READ THIS NEXT: 10 European Destination Festivals to Add to Your Dance Music Bucket List



Awakenings takes great measures to produce environmentally friendly events. Their initiative, “Keep the Planet Awake!” has long been taking conscious steps in limiting their environmental impact through many different management techniques.


When it comes to food and beverage consumption at the event, festival-goers will find a primarily vegetarian menu and a deposit system for drinks. At the entrance, visitors will receive one free recycle token that they can use throughout the two-day event to exchange their beverages. This system encourages guests to return all empty cups, cans, and bottles to the bar to ensure the materials get recycled appropriately and the grounds remain clean.

Each of these tokens will have a unique code. After the festival, fans can go to the Awakenings website and use the code to enter for a chance to win prizes. The used tokens get melted down to create new ones for festivals to come.


The anniversary lineup is classically a who’s who of massive techno names. You’ll be able to catch performances by some of Awakenings most dedicated stalwarts. Swedish techno producer and Drumcode founder Adam Beyer, FIGURE label head Len Faki, dentist turned global icon Nina Kraviz, founding father of techno Jeff Mills, and Dutch DJ Joris Voorn. In addition, there are plenty of other notable acts that are sure to bring plenty of heat.



Swedish DJ Ida Engberg began her career at 18 and has since blossomed into a brilliant multi-hyphenate. A dedicated mother of three daughters, wife to techno’s most elite Adam Beyer, fearless activist, and incredible visual artist, Engberg is a renaissance woman.


Loco Dice began his career deeply rooted in hip-hop, supporting the likes of Snoop Dogg, Usher, and Ice Cube. However, at the urging of fellow Awakenings act Sven Vath he transitioned into house and techno and is considered one of the culture’s most talented and accomplished DJs.


Cuban-American DJ and four-time DJ Award winner Maceo Plex will bless the Awakenings crowd with one of his winding multi-genre sets. Always an education in proper underground beats.

French artist, I Hate Models recently released his second record on his new imprint, Disco Inferno. A master of juxtaposition, his tracks fluidly shift from brutal pounding to techno to transcendent ambiance.


999999999—aka NineTimesNine— are one of the most sought-after hard techno acts in recent memory. The Italian duo’s spacey 303 laden beats pound even harder during their hardware-only live sets.


Pioneering producer and DJ Sven Vath’s career dates back to the ’80s in Germany when he opened his Ibiza-inspired club Omen in Frankfurt. Considered to be one of the birthplaces of the German techno scene, Vath’s contributions to the culture are tremendous.


In addition to the drool-worthy bill of artists, a focus on otherworldly production remains at the forefront of Awakenings events. You can expect vast fields filled with creatively-constructed stages.



READ THIS NEXT: Awakenings Is A Titan of Amsterdam's Techno Scene



Accompanying the music will be an unparalleled visual experience. This perfect balance of audio magic and visual beauty will completely immerse and inspire. And if that isn’t enough to leave you completely awed, the spectacular pyrotechnic display of fireworks that has become a trademark of the brand should do it.


The event will occur in Spaarnwoude Houtrak, a nature reserve just outside Amsterdam. The celebration will have six impressive tented stages and a semi-open outdoor stage. The setup is ideal, as about half of April does come with some rainfall.


However, rain or shine, festival-goers are in for a jampacked weekend stacked with talent. Unlike other dance music festivals where opening time slots feature smaller acts, Awakenings creates a schedule that showcases headline-level artists from the start of the event till the end. People will gather from all around the world to celebrate music, wrap themselves in community, and escape everyday life.  



 

Encaptivating stages, captivating music, loving community – these are only some of the joys that festival-goers attending 

 in 2022 will have the chance to experience. So if you’re fortunate enough to attend one of the biggest techno events in the world, don’t leave the exploring to the boundaries of the festival.

Spaarnwoude Houtrak

Outside of those gates are hundreds of new adventures. With the event located just outside of Amsterdam, people will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the 

 With that being said, we compiled a list of attractions in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is a city full of cafes and restaurants serving mouthwatering food paired with a well-crafted ambiance. But it’s hard to beat a pancake party on a boat. 

 is pretty self-explanatory. It’s a boat that serves fresh pancakes. They offer visitors all-you-can-eat Dutch pancakes with various toppings, including fresh fruit, syrup, powdered sugar, and much more. So not only can you indulge in a sweet breakfast, but you’ll also see beautiful views of the Amsterdam skyline. You can find it in Amsterdam Noord next to the NDSM Wharf ferry stop.

This small theater in Amsterdam is one of the most influential American comedy factories, and you’ve probably never heard of it.

 had a rocky start back in 1992 before opening. The Amsterdam Board of Tourism warned the founders that it should “think twice” about their plans to open up an English comedy club. They claimed, “Dutch people don’t want to see a show in English” and that tourists wouldn’t want to see a show at all. 

Nevertheless, the club opened and has since brought many recognizable names to the stage. Boom Chicago doesn’t just have improv comedy and sketches. It’s also a restaurant that serves up great food along with the laughs.

It can be challenging to find a truly unique experience wherever you go. But, in Amsterdam, you can visit a one-of-a-kind museum, 

. This is the first and only museum dedicated to exhibiting fluorescent art. 

The museum has colorful displays of minerals, artwork, sculptures, and other glowing artifacts. You can even get it on the creativity by becoming the art yourself. Unlike other museums that prohibit visitors from touching (or sometimes even breathing near) anything, 

Electric Ladyland is “participatory art.” This is where guests can participate in creating and be an art piece themselves for the duration of their visit.

If you are a cat lover, then you might want to bump this one to the top of your itinerary. While 

, or ‘The Catboat,’ isn’t necessarily meant to be an attraction, the idea is undoubtedly attractive. It is the world’s only floating cat shelter, and it’s located right in the heart of Amsterdam. 

Walking through the street, you’ll be able to see a houseboat that sits along the Amsterdam canals, and inside are the cats that have made it their home. 

The history of ‘The Catboat’ dates back to 1966 when Henriette van Weelde was known as “the cat lady” and needed another space to host the cats that people brought her when they could no longer care for them. 

She had the brilliant solution to acquire an old sailing barge, rebuild it and create the famous cat shelter. The original boat did serve its purpose for a while but eventually had to be replaced in 1979. Best of all, you can visit De Poezenboot for free!

 sits next to the historic windmill, De Gooyer, in Amsterdam Oost. This charming Dutch brewery was founded in 1985 when craft beer was hard to come by in Amsterdam. 

The menu is full of Belgian-style beers such as dubbels, tripels, pilsners, and IPAs. However, if you’re not a beer fan, you can still check out the nationally recognized monument, De Gooyer, the tallest wooden windmill in the Netherlands.

Encaptivating stages, captivating music, loving community – these are only some of the joys that festival-goers attending Awakenings Easter Festival in 2022 will have the chance to experience. So if you’re fortunate enough to attend one of the biggest techno events in the world, don’t leave the exploring to the boundaries of the festival.

Outside of those gates are hundreds of new adventures. With the event located just outside of Amsterdam, people will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the “Venice of the North.” With that being said, we compiled a list of attractions in Amsterdam.



READ THIS NEXT: Awakenings Easter Festival 2022



The Pancake Boat




Amsterdam is a city full of cafes and restaurants serving mouthwatering food paired with a well-crafted ambiance. But it’s hard to beat a pancake party on a boat. 

The Pancake Boat is pretty self-explanatory. It’s a boat that serves fresh pancakes. They offer visitors all-you-can-eat Dutch pancakes with various toppings, including fresh fruit, syrup, powdered sugar, and much more. So not only can you indulge in a sweet breakfast, but you’ll also see beautiful views of the Amsterdam skyline. You can find it in Amsterdam Noord next to the NDSM Wharf ferry stop.

Boom Chicago

This small theater in Amsterdam is one of the most influential American comedy factories, and you’ve probably never heard of it.

 Boom Chicago had a rocky start back in 1992 before opening. The Amsterdam Board of Tourism warned the founders that it should “think twice” about their plans to open up an English comedy club. They claimed, “Dutch people don’t want to see a show in English” and that tourists wouldn’t want to see a show at all. 

Nevertheless, the club opened and has since brought many recognizable names to the stage. Boom Chicago doesn’t just have improv comedy and sketches. It’s also a restaurant that serves up great food along with the laughs.





Electric Ladyland

It can be challenging to find a truly unique experience wherever you go. But, in Amsterdam, you can visit a one-of-a-kind museum, Electric Ladyland. This is the first and only museum dedicated to exhibiting fluorescent art. 

The museum has colorful displays of minerals, artwork, sculptures, and other glowing artifacts. You can even get it on the creativity by becoming the art yourself. Unlike other museums that prohibit visitors from touching (or sometimes even breathing near) anything, 

Electric Ladyland is “participatory art.” This is where guests can participate in creating and be an art piece themselves for the duration of their visit.







De Poezenboot

If you are a cat lover, then you might want to bump this one to the top of your itinerary. While De Poezenboot, or ‘The Catboat,’ isn’t necessarily meant to be an attraction, the idea is undoubtedly attractive. It is the world’s only floating cat shelter, and it’s located right in the heart of Amsterdam. 

Walking through the street, you’ll be able to see a houseboat that sits along the Amsterdam canals, and inside are the cats that have made it their home. 

The history of ‘The Catboat’ dates back to 1966 when Henriette van Weelde was known as “the cat lady” and needed another space to host the cats that people brought her when they could no longer care for them. 

She had the brilliant solution to acquire an old sailing barge, rebuild it and create the famous cat shelter. The original boat did serve its purpose for a while but eventually had to be replaced in 1979. Best of all, you can visit De Poezenboot for free!





Brouwerij’t IJ Brewery

Brouwerij’t IJ Brewery sits next to the historic windmill, De Gooyer, in Amsterdam Oost. This charming Dutch brewery was founded in 1985 when craft beer was hard to come by in Amsterdam. 

The menu is full of Belgian-style beers such as dubbels, tripels, pilsners, and IPAs. However, if you’re not a beer fan, you can still check out the nationally recognized monument, De Gooyer, the tallest wooden windmill in the Netherlands.



Awakenings Easter Festival 2022

Lineup