The forward thinking Festival Downtown is back for their 10th Edition
The progressive and diverse Festival Downtown returns to Rotterdam, Netherlands for its tenth edition in September. Taking place on 20 and 21 September 2024, the forward-thinking festival will be hosted in the iconic inner city of Rotterdam across multiple indoor and outdoor locations, including WORM, Club Centraal, Cannibale Royale, Boomgaardsstraat, Eendrachtsplein and Westblaak Rotterdam/ Netherlands. During the day there’s no fee to enter the festival, however at night tickets are required – or, as the organisers like to say, “Free By Day / Cheap By Night”.
Festival Downtown is deeply rooted into the culture and DNA of Rotterdam, with its motto “Redefining Rotterdam / Reshaping The Narrative” bringing its vision and mission to life with each edition. Being the biggest harbour city in the western world, trends have always come ashore in Rotterdam. Making it a cultural melting pot and breeding ground for new music and scenes. Festival Downtown celebrates this diversity, and strongly believes in the pioneering position of Rotterdam. This year, the festival boasts one of its most exciting lineups to date, featuring headline acts from the UK, Belgium, The Netherlands and Syria.
Headliners include DJ Mag’s Best British DJ in 2021 Sherelle, Syrian global phenomenon Omar Souleyman, internationally-recognised Dutch collective Another Taste, hard-hitting DnB producer and DJ Flava D, UK artist Iglooghost, Studio Brussels resident Blck Mamba, UK-based Ghanaian act K.O.G Soundsystem, DJ Mag’s Best Breakthrough Producer in 2021 Samurai Breaks, South London producer, DJ and imprint founder RE:NI, as well as UK breaks and hardcore heavyweight Denham Audio.
The sensational supporting acts include Martha Da’Ro, Franky Sticks & Wantinga (their first ever hybrid set, initiated by the organisers of Festival Downtown), Beraadgeslagen, Katie Tupper, Collignon, Kessoncoda, Kessler, Imaginarium, Ajuma and many more.
WORM:
► SHERELLE – UK-based jungle, footwork and hardcore DJ and producer Sherelle boasts a Boiler Room set in 2019, BBC Essential Mix Of The Year in 2020, playing at a Frank Ocean party as well as establishing her own labels Hooversound Recordings and Beautiful Music.
► FLAVA D – With over a decade in the industry, UK-based Flava D has made her mark with technical skill and diverse sounds. She created a mix for FABRICLIVE, had a 13-week residency at XOYO, and a six-month residency on BBC Radio 1.
► IGLOOGHOST – A UK-based musician, artist and puzzlemaker, he crafts a fictional universe of strange entities and tiny gods through multimedia content. His projects include collaborations with Kai Whiston and BABii as Gloo, creating clothing, club nights, and unique online artefacts.
► SAMURAI BREAKS – An acclaimed DJ and producer in the 160bpm+ scene, he was named DJ Mag’s Best Breakthrough Producer in 2021 and founded the Super Sonic Booty Bangers label. He has hosted events with top electronic acts like The Glitch Mob, Sully and Mandidextrous.
► DENHAM AUDIO – Renowned for his fervent exploration of the 140 – 160bpm range, Denham Audio’s prowess as a producer and DJ is nothing short of groundbreaking. He’s had releases on Lobster Theremin, Nineteen Ninety Four and Sneaker Social Club to name a few. He’s also played in Berlin, Seoul, Tokyo, New York and across the UK. Denham Audio runs the Club Glow Collective imprint alongside the likes of Borai, LMajor and Mani Festo.
EENDRACHTSPLEIN:
► OMAR SOULEYMAN – Omar Souleyman is a wedding singer-turned-international electronic icon. He has performed at major festivals like Glastonbury and Bonnaroo, collaborated with Four Tet and Björk, and released over 500 live albums. In 2022, he was named GQ Middle East’s ‘Man of the Year.’
CLUB CENTRAAL:
► ANOTHER TASTE – The Dutch collective has performed in the UK, Finland, France as well as Belgium. Ever-changing, they reinvent themselves with every release and have had multiple releases on the Space Grapes imprint, founded by legendary German producer and crate-digger Danilo Plassow (the power behind the one-man project Motor City Drum Ensemble).
► K.O.G SOUNDSYSTEM – Originally from Ghana but based in the UK, K.O.G Soundsystem is known for his electrifying performances. K.O.G (Kweku of Ghana) combines storytelling with shamanistic elements in his live performances, while boasting his vast vocal range with infectious dance moves.
► BLCK MAMBA – A Brussels-based artist with Nigerian roots, she blends genres like hip hop, UK funky, amapiano, and afrobeats on the dancefloor. Her weekly radio show on Studio Brussels explores innovative club music.
CANNIBALE ROYALE:
► RE:NI – A South-London DJ, producer, and co-founder of re:lax, she recently signed to the monumental Timedance imprint. Her debut EP Revenge Body (2022) on Ilian Tape and latest EP BeautySick on Timedance highlight her bass-heavy, rhythmic sound and growing influence.
Over the last nine years Festival Downtown has crafted a powerful reputation as a discovery festival, and has been a key player in shaping trends and not just following them. Acclaimed artists such as Flowdan, Kojey Radical, James BKS, Baloji, Joe Armon-Jones, Dorian Concept, Gold Panda, Special Request and Loraine James have graced the festival’s stages. Rotterdam artists like De Likt, Pink Oculus and Brintex Collective have played some of their very first shows at the festival too.
On Friday, 20 September WORM upstairs is hosted by bass music enthusiasts Unlocked, RDBLCK host WORM downstairs, while Club Centraal is hosted by African music curators Jollove and Yardbird hosts Boomgaardstraat.
Saturday 21 September sees WORM upstairs hosted by Levels, Club Centraal will be hosted by Tornado and 360, UK-based imprint Elicit Records are the hosts of Cannibale Royale, while De Nieuwe Lichting and Habibi’s World host Eendrachtsplein, and Westblaak is hosted by BIRDfest and Sundown.
Festival Downtown prides itself on honing the experience for its audience and creating a space where they can let their curiosity lead as they discover exciting, contemporary artists within the alternative electronic music landscape.
20th of September Venues:
WORM upstairs by Unlocked
WORM downstairs by RDBLCK
Club Centraal by Jollove.
Boomgaardstraat by Yardbird
21st of September Venues:
WORM downstairs by PBJT
WORM upstairs by Levels
Club Centraal by Tornado x 360
Cannibale Royale by Elicit
Eendrachtsplein by De Nieuwe Lichting x Habibi’s World
Westblaak by BIRDfest x Sundown.
