Awakenings pulled out all the stops for its 27th birthday, taking over the Gashouder with a three-part Easter weekend marathon. It all kicked off on Friday night, rolled into a rare and intimate Saturday daytime session, and wrapped up with a huge Saturday night finale. Each show had its own mood and energy, but the level of production was pure Awakenings — big, bold, and unforgettable.
The centrepiece was that now-iconic kinetic structure hanging above the crowd, moving in sync with the music as if it was part of the performance itself. At times it hovered low and close, pulling you deeper into the moment; other times it rose high, opening the room up to the full scale of the Gashouder. Paired with razor-sharp lighting, bursts of colour, and the disco ball scattering hundreds of tiny stars across the crowd, the whole space felt less like a venue and more like a cathedral of techno.
The disco ball — a true Awakenings trademark — sent shards of light spinning across the crowd, wrapping the Gashouder in a glittering haze. It’s one of those little touches you instantly associate with their nights, just like the bursts of fireworks that seem to land at exactly the right moment. Those perfectly timed flares aren’t just for show; they’re a reminder that Awakenings is always thinking one step ahead, making sure no two visits ever feel the same and every high hits just that bit harder.
Front and centre of the 27th-anniversary celebrations was a lineup stacked with some of techno’s finest. Across the three shows, the Gashouder welcomed names like Camelphat, Miss Monique, Kevin De Vries, Mind Against, Joseph Capriati, Pan-Pot, SPFDJ and Future.666 — each leaving their own mark on the crowd. Every set felt like a different chapter, proof once again that Awakenings knows exactly how to pull together a lineup that captures the heartbeat of the scene.
But what really makes Awakenings special goes far beyond the lineup or the jaw-dropping production – it’s the atmosphere. It’s the energy that fills the Gashouder the moment you step inside. Over the Easter weekend, the space became a meeting point for people from all over the world, each with their own story, yet all moving to the same beat. Whether it was someone’s very first Awakenings or their tenth, there was that same spark of connection, the knowing smiles, and the unspoken feeling that we were all part of something bigger than ourselves.
And the story doesn’t end there. On 18 and 19 May, Awakenings returns with ‘Upclose’ in Spaarnwoude-park – an outdoor gathering designed for a more intimate, up-front connection between DJs and the crowd. The weekend will see 999999999, Marlon Hoffstadt, FJAAK, Rebekah, Joris Voorn, Nina Kraviz and more taking over one of the most scenic spots just outside Amsterdam. Then in July, it’s time for the big one: Awakenings Summer Festival from the 5th to the 7th, complete with a campsite and a truly heavyweight lineup. Expect sets from Nico Moreno, Miss Monique, Amelie Lens, Chris Stussy, Hot Since 82, Patrick Mason, Adam Beyer b2b Joseph Capriati, Kölsch b2b Kevin De Vries, Vintage Culture and plenty more.
Easter weekend proved once again why Awakenings is such an essential part of the techno calendar. Every visit to the Gashouder feels like adding a new page to a story we’re all writing together – one filled with late-night euphoria, unforgettable drops, and shared moments on the dance floor. If this is anything to go by, the next chapters promise to be just as unforgettable.
Need a little help to plan your next Awakenings adventure? Check out these guides now!
Guide to Awakenings Summer Festival
Awakenings NYE 2023: A Techno Voyage at the Gashouder
Guide to Awakenings Spring Festival
Ultimate Guide to Getting Ready for a Music Festival
*Disclaimer: Please note that these dates are subject to change, so it’s important to check the festival’s website for the most up-to-date information.
