Netherlands

Gashouder

Awakenings Announces Summer Festival Lineup

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The extensive list of festivals in the Netherlands proves the Dutch people love their parties. While Amsterdam hosts most of the country’s largest dance music festivals, neighboring cities such as Utrecht, Spaarnwoude, and Rotterdam have their own, electric Dutch celebrations. Coming July 29th – 31st, 2022, Hilvarenbeek will be added to that list as it hosts 

 for the first time. After missing two Awakenings Festivals, festival organizers decided they wanted to make a mighty come back and celebrate their 25th anniversary in style by throwing two Awakenings festivals in 2022. 

This edition of the festival will be their biggest and best yet! This year they are moving to a brand-new location, Hilvarenbeek, and turning the production up a notch. For the first time since its inception, this massive dance party extends over three days, making it the only three-day techno festival in the Netherlands.

When speaking about the addition of another day, Rocco Veenboer, Awakenings founder, said, “Awakenings Festival started as a single-day event, and expanded to two days in 2014. But, we felt like there was still room for more, especially because the community had so much to say about missing a multi-day techno event here in the Netherlands. With this renewed concept, we’re extremely happy to make that dream come to life.”

Awakenings is also adding camping at the illustrious event. The added campsite offers several possibilities in terms of accommodations and hangouts. There will be options to bring your own tent, buy one pre-built ready to move in on arrival, or luxury bungalows, catering to everyone’s wants and needs.

Awakenings has historically relied on Gashouder and other venues around Amsterdam for their all-night affairs, but now with camping, dancers can techno into the night. Opting to stay at the campsite also comes with some extra perks. Although messaging around this topic has been purposefully vague, those who stay on-site are definitely in for surprises.

In true Awakenings fashion, the lineup is teeming with international and up-and-coming DJ sensations to fit a 131-name bill. Veterans such as Richie Hawtin, Adam Beyer, Joseph Capriati, and Eats Everything will be making their grand return to the Awakenings’ stage. 

The ladies of techno are impressively represented by acid techno queen Charlotte de Witte, Palestinian punchy techno DJ Sama Abdulhadi, Lazy Tapes imprint owner Cera Khin, rising talent Grace Dahl, the stunning Amelie Lens who recently released her 

 EP, instant success Indira Paganotto, and many others.

The commitment to acid, industrial, and higher BPM techno will be showcased by one of techno’s most vital new artists Airod, no-nonsense techno producer Milo Spykers, Italian duo 999999999, and techno non-conformist I Hate Models. Other notable names on the lineup are local talent Philou Louzolo and Nicky Elisabeth, up-and-coming international acts Hector Oaks and Adiel, and global mainstays making their Awakenings debuts such as Skream and Denis Sulta.

Awakenings Summer will host nine custom-built stages, a combination of open-air and tented arenas, all in the visually striking Awakenings style. Veenboer and his team continuously look for ways to make their events more beautiful more impactful. The acknowledgment that there’s always room for improvement is the true catalyst that keeps Awakenings festivals getting better and better. Their new location is a product of this thinking. The change of scenery will undoubtedly impress as festival-goers get lost in the forest exploring art structures or taking in the view of the lake as the light shows reflect off its shimmery surface.

Come cut loose and kick off your Covid-blues at Awakenings Summer 2022. 

Hilvarenbeek

Awakenings Summer Festival

United States

acid techno

italian techno

999999999

Sweden

dark techno

minimal techno

raw techno

schranz

swedish electronic

swedish techno

techno

Adam Beyer

Switzerland

deep disco house

melodic house

melodic techno

swiss house

Adriatique

United Kingdom

deep minimal techno

house

Alan Fitzpatrick

afro house

Alex Wann

Germany

electronica

german house

german techno

microhouse

minimal tech house

Âme

Spain

spanish techno

Andres Campo

Italy

Anfisa Letyago

Bart Skils

Ben Böhmer

Ben Klock

Russia

electra

russian electronic

russian techno

Nina Kraviz

DJ Gigola

 is a legendary name in electronic music, especially for techno lovers. What began as a humble techno night in Amsterdam over two decades ago has exploded into the Netherlands’ leading techno event, now renowned worldwide.

It was founded in the late 1990s by Rocco Veenboer, who felt a void in the Dutch scene for pure techno amid the prevailing house and hardcore sounds. The very first Awakenings party in Amsterdam’s Gashouder venue sold out and proved he was onto something big. Since then, Awakenings has blossomed into a globally recognized festival brand, drawing over 300,000 visitors annually from all corners of the world. For many fans, Awakenings is a pilgrimage and a symbol of the Netherlands’ influential role in techno culture.

From its early days as single-night raves, Awakenings quickly grew into multi-day extravaganzas. Before long, those one-off parties turned into weekenders and then full-blown festivals, as demand from the techno community kept rising.

Today, Awakenings spans multiple events a year, including an iconic spring gathering near Amsterdam and a summer weekender in the woods of Hilvarenbeek. At the current festival grounds in Hilvarenbeek, up to 80,000 attendees from more than 80 countries come together for a three-day techno marathon. The scale is immense - over a hundred artists perform across eight stages, ranging from intimate tents to gigantic open-air arenas. Every year the organizers up the ante with groundbreaking stage designs, jaw-dropping laser shows and even carnival touches (a luminous ferris wheel, for example) to immerse the fans in “techno madness”. The result is an almost surreal rave wonderland: crazy visuals, booming sound, and fireworks that light up the night sky.

Despite growing bigger and bolder, Awakenings has stayed true to its roots. It remains fiercely focused on techno music rather than chasing mainstream trends, a commitment that earns it huge respect in the scene.

One of Awakenings’ biggest draws is its consistently incredible line-ups. The festival is essentially a “who’s who” of techno DJs, featuring legendary pioneers alongside fresh talent. Dance music icons like 

 or Detroit’s Derrick May have all graced the Awakenings stage over the years, cementing its reputation for top-tier bookings. At the same time, newer generations of techno stars, from drum-machine wizards like 

The programming balances the genre’s underground purists and big-name crowd-pleasers in equal measure. Fans love that mix; many attend annually knowing they’ll see their favorite DJs who return year after year, as well as discover cutting-edge acts. This loyalty goes both ways: artists often speak fondly of the “Awakenings vibe” and how energetic and dedicated the crowds are. The festival’s commitment to true techno has nurtured a loyal community that keeps coming back for more.

Awakenings has left its mark on several locations, each adding to its character. Its spiritual home is undoubtedly the Gashouder in Amsterdam, an immense circular industrial gas tank turned party arena often nicknamed the “Temple of Techno”. Many of Awakenings’ legendary nights have happened under the Gashouder’s wrought-iron dome, with its spider-like web of lights beaming across the ceiling. For years, the brand’s flagship outdoor festival took place at the scenic Spaarnwoude recreational area just outside Amsterdam - a green park that was transformed into a techno playground every summer.

As the festival grew larger, it eventually moved to an even bigger outdoor site in Beekse Bergen (Hilvarenbeek) in the south of the Netherlands, providing more room for its expanding stages and audience. Beyond these mainstay venues, Awakenings has also ventured into other Dutch cities; at times it staged events in Rotterdam’s warehouses and Eindhoven’s Klokgebouw, showing it can bring the party anywhere.

The Awakenings experience has even gone international on occasion, with one-off shows popping up in places like New York and London to spread the techno gospel abroad. Still, the heart and soul of Awakenings remains firmly in the Netherlands, where its combination of iconic venues, enthusiastic crowds, and uncompromising techno sound continues to thrive as a cornerstone of electronic music culture.

Awakenings

Awakenings Summer Festival 2025

Nestled in the scenic Beekse Bergen safari park in Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands, 

 is one of the most electrifying electronic music festivals in the country. It draws tens of thousands of EDM enthusiasts from around the world each summer, serving as a paradise for lovers of hardstyle, hardcore, and other hard-edged subgenres of dance music.

Decibel’s outdoor edition began as a modest one-day gathering for hard dance fans, but its reputation quickly exploded. Over the years it grew into a multi-day festival spanning an entire weekend, with attendance soaring and stages multiplying as its popularity rose. The event changed locations a few times to accommodate its growth, ultimately finding a home in Hilvarenbeek’s expansive nature park. This unique site - complete with lakes, forests, and even a wildlife zoo in the vicinity - provides a scenic backdrop and virtually no noise limitations, earning Decibel the nickname “the Loudest City on Earth” among fans. Today, the festival boasts an enormous footprint: dozens of themed stages across various “districts” (from a lakeside beach to forest arenas), and around 200–300 artists delivering nonstop high-volume thrills. In fact, Decibel has established itself as one of the world’s most popular hardstyle festivals, a flagship event in the global hard dance music scene. Its growth from a niche gathering into a 50,000+ strong celebration underscores how far the festival has come.

Hard Music, Immersive Experience, Unmatched Vibe

One thing has remained constant through Decibel’s evolution: its heart beats for the harder styles of electronic music. Unlike mainstream EDM festivals, Decibel is dedicated almost entirely to hard-hitting genres. Expect an ear-blasting mix of hardstyle anthems, hardcore techno, old-school rave classics, rawstyle, and hard trance. The festival’s slogan “Live Loud” captures its spirit. Massive sound systems push the decibels to the max, and each stage is uniquely themed and curated, so that fans wandering the festival’s “city” can find different subgenres in each area. This variety ensures every attendee gets to hear their favorite style at least once during the weekend. Beyond the music, Decibel offers an immersive experience: there are carnival rides, art installations, fireworks shows, and a camping village where thousands of weekend warriors stay on-site. The camaraderie among campers and the festival’s iconic end-shows create a community atmosphere that veteran attendees often rave about. All these elements combine to give Decibel a unique atmosphere that is both high-octane and welcoming. It’s a place where longtime hard dance lovers and curious newcomers alike feel at home and part of something big.

Over its history, Decibel Outdoor’s stages have been graced by a who’s who of hard dance music. Legendary pioneers of the genre like Lady Dana and Charly Lownoise & Mental Theo have delivered classic sets, while modern hardstyle heroes such as Coone, Headhunterz, Psyko Punkz and Wildstylez have ignited the crowds with their anthems. Even top international DJs outside the hardstyle realm have made special appearances, underscoring Decibel’s broad appeal as part of a global festival brand. Year after year, the lineup features world-renowned acts alongside fresh talent, staying true to the festival’s roots while pushing the scene forward.

In essence, Decibel Outdoor has evolved from a humble local rave into an iconic global event. It combines a unique outdoor setting, a passionate community, and the hardest beats on the planet into an experience that’s engaging, inclusive, and downright unforgettable. For anyone seeking the ultimate high-energy festival weekend, Decibel’s Hilvarenbeek edition has become a bucket-list destination – a testament to how loud, proud, and united the worldwide hard dance community can be.

Decibel Outdoor

Decibel Outdoor 2025

 has become an integral part of the techno community. With appearances from Adam Beyer, Sven Väth, Carl Cox, Len Faki, Joris Voorn, Amelie Lens, 

, and Joseph Capriati, Awakenings hosts the largest techno events globally. 

Each year 80,000 (40,000 per day) ravers flock to the two-day flagship event over Easter weekend to watch sets from over 100 of the most established DJs in the industry. And in late July the party moves to the south of Holland where 120,00 (40,000 per day) gather outdoors. Those who decide to camp on-site can immerse themselves in the warm embrace of techno until 5 AM each night.

Awakenings also holds several other events throughout the year including for Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), on New Year's Eve, and throughout the year for special one-off events.

The Gashouder, a goliath warehouse in northwest Amsterdam, is the site of Awakenings indoor events. A temple of techno for dedicated fans worldwide, it boasts a dizzying array of lasers, fireworks, and intelligent lighting. This is where 

At the heart of this masterpiece is Awakenings founder Rocco Veenboer. An undisputed legend in the history of techno. Veenboer grew Awakenings out of a desire to give the genre its own dedicated spaces and events.

Veenboer first came up with the idea for Awakenings soon after moving to Amsterdam in 1988. At the time, he was 20 years old and hooked on the local rave scene. It wasn’t long before Veenboer felt compelled to organize events himself.

“In 1991, I organized my first party in a smaller location (600 people), and in 1993 I’d already started in Gashouder.”

Veenboer was one of the first to rent the Gashouder, a colossal chamber in northwest Amsterdam that had once operated as a gas storage facility. In 1995, Veenboer booked The Prodigy to perform at the Gashouder, which filled the venue to capacity for the first time. The band’s lethal beats and extreme volume paired perfectly with the venue’s brutal iron roof and industrial aesthetic.

By the late ‘90s, techno was rising in popularity across Holland. “I was happy to see that techno was coming up as it had that rave sound in it from the old house parties,” Veenboer explains. But despite this, techno events in Amsterdam were few and far between. Local raves had become dominated by hardcore, and clubs were focussing on house. With Awakenings, Veenboer sought to fill the gap.

After over three organizing events, Veenboer launched the first Awakenings night at the Gashouder in 1997. The event sold out with an all-techno lineup featuring Derrick Mary and Billy Nasty. Nevertheless, success didn’t come easily for Veenboer.

“Everything was challenging in the beginning. Building up an empty warehouse is hard.” Despite the challenges, he pressed on and a few months later, a second edition arrived with a marathon set from Sven Väth.

For Veenboer, Awakenings would never have happened without the support of his friends and family. “They were involved from the start and supported in every way they could.” In the early days, he handpicked lineups for Awakenings based on his trips to Amsterdam record stores. After researching the best-selling techno artists, he discovered greats like Jeff Mills, Dave Clarke, Adam Beyer, and Richie Hawtin. Before the turn of the century, all of these artists had not only performed at Awakenings, but had become Awakenings residents. Veenboer would structure lineups to ensure that intensity, and BPM, increased over time.

The Awakenings Festival arrived in 2001. It was the first outdoor festival in Holland to have an exclusively techno lineup.

“Holland already had some big festivals by the end of the 90’s so when we did the first only techno outdoor festival in 2001 that was not a strange move.” However, Veenboer’s shift initially provoked some criticism. For some, techno was dark, underground, and nocturnal. Not something to enjoy in green, sunny fields.

Despite the naysayers, the event was a huge success. The weather was perfect, and 10,000 people attended across four stages. The first Awakenings Festival stands out as being one of Veenboer’s favorite memories. Summer temperatures got so high that the local fire department sprayed people down with water as they danced under the sun.

Awakenings expanded dramatically in subsequent years. In 2004, 20,000 people visited the festival, which had swelled to include a fifth stage. In 2006, the number grew to 25,000 attendants across six stages, and in 2009, 35,000 tickets were sold. Although he never looks on other festivals as competition, Veenboer has always aimed for visitors to leave Awakenings feeling that it was the best festival of the season.

For Veenboer, Jasper Schimmel—the Awakenings “production wizard”—has helped him the most in getting the festival to where it is today.

“He is in charge of the visuals but also logistically he put it all in place with his team.” The festival production, especially its moving stages, is absolutely mind-blowing, and comes thanks to an array of brilliant minds.

“Shows become bigger when the crowd gets bigger but we managed to work closely with a lot of creative people since day one.”

Today, Veenboer tells us that the event’s excellent lineups are largely crafted by two talented booking agents. “Our bookers Michiel and Mino make the right choices always!” Of all the Awakenings regulars, Veenboer has developed an especially strong friendship with Adam Beyer. In total, Beyer has played over 100 shows at Awakenings events, making him an Awakenings record holder.

This summer, Awakenings Summer Festival will feature nine stages to allow even more sub-genres to be represented.

“Good music keeps coming and I’m happy about that. I’m not a techno-purist, but a party-kid from the early raves at the end of the 80’s, so I’m pretty much open to every sub-genre.”

The festival will also have on-site camping for the first time, which Veenboer believes will enhance the festival experience for attendees.

“Going on a short festival holiday is the best, so the new festival site for the end of July is chosen because it has a camping license, and we can also dance a few more hours in the dark at night. It has been a dream for me to do this and it wasn’t possible at the old site.”

What Veenboer finds most rewarding about organizing Awakenings is seeing an ocean of smiling faces at the events each year.

“Seeing the people loving it so much and having a great time is rewarding! The Awakenings team wants to be the best in what they do and they succeed in that. We can be proud."

With over 250,000 visitors a year, Awakenings has become an integral part of the techno community. With appearances from Adam Beyer, Sven Väth, Carl Cox, Len Faki, Joris Voorn, Amelie Lens, Tale of Us, and Joseph Capriati, Awakenings hosts the largest techno events globally. 



Each year 80,000 (40,000 per day) ravers flock to the two-day flagship event over Easter weekend to watch sets from over 100 of the most established DJs in the industry. And in late July the party moves to the south of Holland where 120,00 (40,000 per day) gather outdoors. Those who decide to camp on-site can immerse themselves in the warm embrace of techno until 5 AM each night.



Awakenings also holds several other events throughout the year including for Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), on New Year's Eve, and throughout the year for special one-off events.



The Gashouder, a goliath warehouse in northwest Amsterdam, is the site of Awakenings indoor events. A temple of techno for dedicated fans worldwide, it boasts a dizzying array of lasers, fireworks, and intelligent lighting. This is where 





At the heart of this masterpiece is Awakenings founder Rocco Veenboer. An undisputed legend in the history of techno. Veenboer grew Awakenings out of a desire to give the genre its own dedicated spaces and events.



Veenboer first came up with the idea for Awakenings soon after moving to Amsterdam in 1988. At the time, he was 20 years old and hooked on the local rave scene. It wasn’t long before Veenboer felt compelled to organize events himself.





“In 1991, I organized my first party in a smaller location (600 people), and in 1993 I’d already started in Gashouder.”



Veenboer was one of the first to rent the Gashouder, a colossal chamber in northwest Amsterdam that had once operated as a gas storage facility. In 1995, Veenboer booked The Prodigy to perform at the Gashouder, which filled the venue to capacity for the first time. The band’s lethal beats and extreme volume paired perfectly with the venue’s brutal iron roof and industrial aesthetic.



By the late ‘90s, techno was rising in popularity across Holland. “I was happy to see that techno was coming up as it had that rave sound in it from the old house parties,” Veenboer explains. But despite this, techno events in Amsterdam were few and far between. Local raves had become dominated by hardcore, and clubs were focussing on house. With Awakenings, Veenboer sought to fill the gap.





After over three organizing events, Veenboer launched the first Awakenings night at the Gashouder in 1997. The event sold out with an all-techno lineup featuring Derrick Mary and Billy Nasty. Nevertheless, success didn’t come easily for Veenboer.



“Everything was challenging in the beginning. Building up an empty warehouse is hard.” Despite the challenges, he pressed on and a few months later, a second edition arrived with a marathon set from Sven Väth.





For Veenboer, Awakenings would never have happened without the support of his friends and family. “They were involved from the start and supported in every way they could.” In the early days, he handpicked lineups for Awakenings based on his trips to Amsterdam record stores. After researching the best-selling techno artists, he discovered greats like Jeff Mills, Dave Clarke, Adam Beyer, and Richie Hawtin. Before the turn of the century, all of these artists had not only performed at Awakenings, but had become Awakenings residents. Veenboer would structure lineups to ensure that intensity, and BPM, increased over time.



The Awakenings Festival arrived in 2001. It was the first outdoor festival in Holland to have an exclusively techno lineup.



“Holland already had some big festivals by the end of the 90’s so when we did the first only techno outdoor festival in 2001 that was not a strange move.” However, Veenboer’s shift initially provoked some criticism. For some, techno was dark, underground, and nocturnal. Not something to enjoy in green, sunny fields.



Despite the naysayers, the event was a huge success. The weather was perfect, and 10,000 people attended across four stages. The first Awakenings Festival stands out as being one of Veenboer’s favorite memories. Summer temperatures got so high that the local fire department sprayed people down with water as they danced under the sun.



Awakenings expanded dramatically in subsequent years. In 2004, 20,000 people visited the festival, which had swelled to include a fifth stage. In 2006, the number grew to 25,000 attendants across six stages, and in 2009, 35,000 tickets were sold. Although he never looks on other festivals as competition, Veenboer has always aimed for visitors to leave Awakenings feeling that it was the best festival of the season.



For Veenboer, Jasper Schimmel—the Awakenings “production wizard”—has helped him the most in getting the festival to where it is today.



“He is in charge of the visuals but also logistically he put it all in place with his team.” The festival production, especially its moving stages, is absolutely mind-blowing, and comes thanks to an array of brilliant minds.



“Shows become bigger when the crowd gets bigger but we managed to work closely with a lot of creative people since day one.”



Today, Veenboer tells us that the event’s excellent lineups are largely crafted by two talented booking agents. “Our bookers Michiel and Mino make the right choices always!” Of all the Awakenings regulars, Veenboer has developed an especially strong friendship with Adam Beyer. In total, Beyer has played over 100 shows at Awakenings events, making him an Awakenings record holder.

This summer, Awakenings Summer Festival will feature nine stages to allow even more sub-genres to be represented.



“Good music keeps coming and I’m happy about that. I’m not a techno-purist, but a party-kid from the early raves at the end of the 80’s, so I’m pretty much open to every sub-genre.”



The festival will also have on-site camping for the first time, which Veenboer believes will enhance the festival experience for attendees.



“Going on a short festival holiday is the best, so the new festival site for the end of July is chosen because it has a camping license, and we can also dance a few more hours in the dark at night. It has been a dream for me to do this and it wasn’t possible at the old site.”



What Veenboer finds most rewarding about organizing Awakenings is seeing an ocean of smiling faces at the events each year.



“Seeing the people loving it so much and having a great time is rewarding! The Awakenings team wants to be the best in what they do and they succeed in that. We can be proud."


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Awakenings Summer Festival

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