5 Days Off, Amsterdam

July each year.

Each year at the beginning of July, groups of young musicians from all over Europe and the US arrive to Amsterdam to participate in the electronic music festival. Originally, just one of many indoor dance events taking place in Amsterdam, “5 Days Off” became an important cultural meeting with the reputation beyond the Netherlands, giving its young public five days of nightclubbing, live shows and performances.

There is a tendency in the Netherlands of neglecting the division between so called high and low culture. Under the motto “senses under attack”, the “5 Days Off” Festival is aiming at other media disciplines presenting experimental films, electronic music videos and art installation. A smallest (just one tent!) camping of Amsterdam has its place behind Paradiso. Dutch Institute for the Media Arts is one of the co-organizers, along with the two big music clubs and the Heineken Music Hall. Among partners of the festival, you will find the Dutch public broadcasters NPO and the prestigious protestant television VPRO, which each day brings on its website news from the festival: 3voor12.vpro.nl/5daysoff

Timing:
From Wednesday until Sunday, first week of July.

Venues: Melkweg, Paradiso, Heineken Music Hall, Nederlands Instituut voor de Mediakunst (videos). Usually there is also one free public concert on the Leidseplein.

Tickets:
Tickets are available on-line or via Melkweg. An all events pass (passe-partout) is € 50,-. Tickets for a specific event can be bought directly at the door at the event venue. Tickets in presales are usually € 2,- cheaper.

Homepage: www.5daysoff.nl