The temptation to cash in on reputation and invite shit loads more people is ever-present for those planning small festivals. We’ve seen it time and time again, promoters and organisers sacrificing their integrity for a huge and undeniably alluring pay check. The news that the crew behind Dekmantel Festival would be keeping the 2014 crowd size for this year’s edition was therefore welcomed with open arms; and it definitely wasn’t informed by a lack of demand.
Now approaching its third birthday, Dekmantel Festival has completely mesmerized anyone who’s been fortunate enough to attend. Set in three locations around the Dutch capital and with its HQ in the wooded utopia of Amsterdamse Bos, Dekmantel brings together the world’s finest electronic music artists for a long weekend of straight-up partying. This year’s event will be taking place between the 30th of July and the 2nd of August and welcomes its biggest and most complete lineup to date
Looking at the full list of acts is like being presented with a massive plate of all your favourite food at once. It’s a fully international affair, Detroit heavyweights Carl Craig and Derrick May joining local Cinnaman and the UK’s Ben UFO, Lone and Blawan. There’s also a lot of leftfield stuff going on alongside the essential servings of house and techno, with live sets from Manuel Göttsching, Autechre and Roy Ayers Ubiquity to name a few.
One of the first things that spring to mind when you think of Dekmantel is the legendary Boiler Room sessions it’s played host to over the past couple years; Motor City Drum Ensemble, Laurent Garnier – the list goes on. Boiler room will be broadcasting again this year, inviting the likes of Shed, Tale Of Us, Midland and Fatima Yamaha to make some more history. Palms Trax, who recently released an incredible EP on the Dekmantel label, is also right at the top of our artists-to-see list.
Despite being relatively new to the festival game, the Dekmantel crew have been operating at the forefront of Amsterdam’s scene for years. The experience and know-how they’ve gained throwing parties and uniting people through music really shone through at Dekmantel 2014 – we’re expecting great things again this year.
You can buy the tickets here.
