Appelsap Festival announce first names for 2018

Defining culture in Amsterdam for almost two decades, Appelsap Fresh Music Festival started out as free block jam for local kids and has grown to be the most important hip-hop event in the cities music calendar.   This summers outing once again pulls together artists repping for the Dutch movement with worldwide names, with FAMOUS DEX, WILEY, MADLIB, KOJO FUNDS, SMOOKY MARGIELAA, AMY BECKER, KOJEY RADICAL, NINES, SMIB, THE YOUTH OF NOWADAYS, JACIN TRILL and more as part of the first names for 2018. Taking place on Saturday 11th August, Amsterdam’s luscious Flevopark spot will be the backdrop for Appelsap ’18 – expect a packed out day with music, style, love and the unparalleled Appelsap vibe. Tickets are available now from just 45 Euros, cop one at http://appelsap.net/. For those taking the trip to Amsterdam, cheap flights are in place from most major cities. Appelsap Fresh Music Festival is a sell out year on year, so cop a ticket now to secure a place.

Appelsap’s bookings ethos brings together the premiere sounds of hip-hop, bass, soul, R&B grime, rap, future-thinking electronica and everything between, shining a light on game-changing Dutch artists as well as welcoming international heavyweights. 2018 sees Bronx based teenage rapper SMOOKY MARGIELAA head to Holland, plus US rap don FAMOUS DEX, genre-hopping, identity-switching, multi-instrumentalist MADLIB, an artist known for jumping between jazz, hip-hop and jazz as easily as anything. Also on board is grime originator WILEY, afrobeats king KOJO FUNDS, London rapper NINES, plus boss selectors in the form of Appelsap family member and Radar Radio OG AMY BECKER, and TIFFANY CALVER. On a live tip there’s king KOJEY RADICAL and BIIG PIIG.

Holland’s hip-hop movement has never been as strong, with rappers, MCs, collectives, labels, designers and more taking the scene to a global level. Flying the flag for Amsterdam are RnB / hiphop crossover crew DE JEUGD VAN, THE YOUTH OF NOWADAYS, SMIB, Soulection’s JARREAU VANDAL, JACIN TRILL and more, including Appelsap regular ABSTRACT, SNOH AALEGRA, IDALY, LEAFS and VIC CREZÉE. There are plenty more Dutch acts to check across the day too – the ideal way to check the fire coming out of the city now.

More than the music, Appelsap is as much about the experience. Despite it’s growth the atmosphere has managed to stay just as special as the early days. Building a network of homies and friends, Appelsap’s heart and soul can be felt in every element. There’s a range of munchies, activities for kids (free under 12). Appelsap Fresh Music Festival is famous for introducing the latest in international Hiphop and Bass artists to a Dutch crowd. In previous years the festival welcomed headliners like Kendrick Lamar, Travi$ Scott, Skepta, Stormzy, D.R.A.M., Lunice, Disclosure, Rich Homie Quan, Flatbush Zombies, Rashad & Spinn, Jazz Cartier, French Montana, Danny Brown and more.

Amsterdam is well and truly on the map as a cultural centre for music, culture and nightlife with an increasing number of clubs, labels and artists based in the city. Something is buzzing in the city now, so it’s the perfect excuse to take a trip across the waters. Flights to Amsterdam are available for a good price from most major European airports, with return flights from London airports available at around £55 if you book now. There’s a range of hotels, apartments and air bnbs available, plus details of packages to be announced (sign up for info when buying tickets).