On August 24, 2024, the Van Nelle Fabriek was transformed into a breathtaking festival venue as Audio Obscura and this iconic Rotterdam landmark came together to create an unforgettable musical experience. International DJs and local talent curated a vibrant summer soundscape, guiding 12.500 festival-goers on a captivating day of music.
The very first edition of the Audio Obscura Festival was nothing short of a sensational success, thanks to a perfect mix of contemporary art and cultural heritage. The festival presented an impressive lineup featuring big names such as Adriatique, Partiboi69, Chris Stussy, The Martinez Brothers, and many more.
Moreover, the festival marked a notable first for both Audio Obscura and the historic Van Nelle Fabriek, which opened its doors for the very first time as an impressive event venue with both outdoor and indoor stages.
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The Audio Obscura Festival put the Van Nelle Fabriek on the map as a Rotterdam festival location, with a mix of international headliners and local talent. With names like Dixon, Carlita, and AMÉMÉ, the festival delivered a world-class lineup, while Rotterdam icons like Benny Rodrigues, Cincity, Moody Mehran, and Suze Ijó ensured strong local representation. The spectacular performances created an atmosphere that made the temperature rise early in the day, that even some rain throughout the day couldn’t extinguish.
The Van Nelle Fabriek, originally a production site for coffee, tea, and tobacco, has grown into an architectural icon and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This unique location, where past and future come together, offers bright and flexible spaces, which welcomed thousands of festival-goers last Saturday.
It’s no surprise that Audio Obscura, always on the lookout for special locations and new talent worldwide, has once again pushed the boundaries with their first foray into the world of festivals.
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“We are very proud that we have been able to convert our many years of experience of organizing events at unique locations into our first festival at UNESCO World Heritage site the Van Nelle Fabriek in Rotterdam.
From the energetic and fun audience to the artists who all delivered, from the production and logistics that turned out as we had planned and from no calamities to all the crowds positive feedback. Hopefully we have built a foundation for years to come in Rotterdam.” – Audio Obscura
The festival site offered a total of four stages with a mix of both indoor and outdoors: Under the Bridges, Tabaksfabriek, The Pit, and the Rotterdam stage. The Under the Bridges stage immediately caught the eye. Diagonal transport bridges, which normally connect the various buildings of the Van Nelle Fabriek, formed the symbolic heart of the Audio Obscura Festival.
The Rotterdam stage, hosted by Heineken Silver & Cloud 8, served as a stage for showcasing Dutch talent. Cloud 8, born in the legendary Rotterdam Suicide Club, created an open-minded atmosphere where creativity was central. Under the guidance of Cloud 8’s own Cincity, attendees embarked on a musical trip full of soulful afrobeats and Afro house.
At The Pit stage, fans could enjoy an energetic mix of dynamic techno and electro from artists like Dax J b2b Daria Kolosova, Lucky Done Gone b2b Moody Mehran, and Partiboi69. Additionally, Dixon and Adriatique brought their signature sound to the industrial setting of the Tabaksfabriek stage, where melodic tones and a unique visual experience came together.
Audio Obscura is known for bringing together unique talent at the most extraordinary locations, and with this first festival edition, they have once again outdone themselves. The Audio Obscura Festival has positioned itself as a new highlight on the Dutch festival calendar. Pre-registration for the 2025 edition is already open.
On October 17, 18, 19, and 20, Audio Obscura returns to the RAW Factory for three daytime events, two night events, and a 24-hour Innervisions with me and Dixon event. Visitors will be treated to the cutting-edge sounds of underground legends including The Martinez Brothers, Seth Troxler, Partiboi69, Maceo Plex, Honey Dijon, and more.
