Any music lover worth their salt knows the reputation of the Netherlands as a reference and pioneer in the scene. Dekmantel 2024 is a shining example of this, a festival that has been reshaping the European electronic landscape since 2014 with its meticulously curated lineups, deep community roots, and visionary event production.
But Dekmantel’s journey extends far beyond the festival grounds. It has blossomed into a multifaceted entity—record label, editorial platform, and the driving force behind satellite events like Lentekabinet and Dekmantel Selectors. These ventures reinforce its irrefutable status as a must-attend event year after year.
To celebrate this decade of innovation, Dekmantel went bigger and more multidisciplinary than ever before. Spanning ten days in breathtaking locations like the ancient Oude Kerk or iconic venues such as Shelter and Parallel, Dekmantel 2024 offered an array of activities that culminated in a three-day festival at its home base, the Amsterdamse Bos. Still basking in the afterglow, we recount Xceed’s experience of this unforgettable 10th anniversary—one for the books!
Oklou and Daito Manabe: Thursday Luminaries at Dekmantel
Our first taste of Dekmantel was on Thursday, August 1st, with a preview designed for those who appreciate the more experimental and sensitive sides of electronic music.
To set the scene, the pre-Amsterdamse Bos events were strategically scattered across the city in conveniently close venues, ensuring seamless logistics. What lay ahead was a day packed with offerings like interviews, workshops, screenings, and exclusive live performances by artists who rarely grace the stage.
This last aspect was something we couldn’t miss, with Oklou quickly becoming one of our favorites—not just on Thursday, but throughout the entire festival. The prodigy of alternative electronic pop took the stage at Parallel after a hiatus, delivering a performance that touched the very souls of those present. Oklou’s voice is like a warm embrace for the spirit, a hypnotic journey through an enchanted forest. Her unique vocals guided us to the most sensitive corners of our being with tracks like ‘god’s chariots‘ and unreleased gems like ‘Family & Friends’, offering a glimpse into her recent studio creations.
A mere 20-minute walk away, more experimental magic awaited at Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, with its stunning waterfront views. There, we first experienced Caterina Barbieri & Space Afrika presenting Last Track—a performance that combined eerie musical patterns with elements like rain, voices, traffic, and poetry to create one of the evening’s most unusual and mesmerizing moments. We also couldn’t miss Nosaj Thing & Daito Manabe, who transported us into their universe, where the human and technological merge, through a captivating synergy of algorithmic visuals and reflective samples.
Thursday at Dekmantel offered a broader perspective on what the event is capable of delivering, proving that the festival experience extends far beyond the main event and showcasing boundless artistic possibilities.
Debut and Groove at Amsterdamse Bos on Firday
Stepping into Amsterdamse Bos, you’re greeted by lush greenery and a sea of bicycles—immediately setting the tone for Dekmantel’s three-day festival in this idyllic forest. A location like this, coupled with the mild Dutch climate, invites you to dance in broad daylight, hence the festival’s hours stretch from noon to midnight.
Dekmantel’s layout is intuitive; after a single exploratory lap, you’re able to identify each stage, water points, WCs, and food trucks. Sustainability is also a key focus, with an emphasis on reusing plastic cups throughout the event.
With eight stages—some indoor, others outdoor—the tenth anniversary of Dekmantel kicked off at Amsterdamse Bos with a Friday lineup that catered to all tastes. We started our day enjoying the first beats among the industrial structures of Radar’s two floors, courtesy of vinyl hunter Francesco Del Garda. Meanwhile, in the darkness of UFO I, Dasha Rush delivered her introspective take on techno for those craving high BPMs right from the start.
After a quick stop at The Loop, where Gabrielle Kwarteng was on the decks, we made our way to The Nest to witness one of our festival highlights, the b2b set between Toccororo and Safety Trance. The icons of the Spanish urban club scene guided us through an infectious selection of guaracha, raptor house, reggaeton, and latincore, which we briefly traded for Palms Trax’s vintage house gems.
To close out the day of dancing, we zeroed in on two sets we had marked from the start. The explosive and bold synergy of SPFDJ and Salome in the booth was undoubtedly one of the most euphoric memories at Radar and Dekmantel 2024 as a whole. The Herrensauna residents packed the dancefloor with a set infused with electro, acid, EBM, and techno, keeping the crowd in a state of trance.
As expected, we chose Talismann for the closing set at UFO I. The warmth, brutalism, and tribalism of his sets hit the mark, ending this Dekmantel experience with ‘De La Tourette’, one of his dreamiest productions, perfectly suited for the occasion. For those who wanted to keep the night going, the festival offered various after-parties featuring artists like DJ Stingray 313 and Detroit In Effect. The Amsterdamse Bos magic would continue for two more journeys for the lucky ones!
In all, Dekmantel 2024 reaffirmed its position as a revolutionary force in the global electronic scene—not only through its artist selection, locations, and introspective touch but also through its innate drive for continuous evolution. Its legacy has left an indelible mark on many of us, and we can only hope the next ten years are as transformative as the last!
You can already pre-register for Dekmantel 2025 here.
