The Artist Guide to Dekmantel Festival 2025

Explore this year’s must-sees according to Avalon Emerson, mad miran & Ogazón

A trusted friend with sharp taste and Dekmantel experience might be just what you need to navigate the five-day weekender.

To help you out, we sat down with three Dekmantel regulars to hear about their top picks for the next edition. Avalon Emerson, mad miran, and Ogazón are here to guide you through two evenings Aan Het IJ, and three days in our homebase of Amsterdamse Bos, where each of them is also playing. Keep our recently revealed timetable nearby, and their tips might be just what you need to plan your route through it.

Words by Jasmín Hoek

Celebrating ten years of DJing as her main job this year, Avalon Emerson says she feels extra nostalgic in 2025. Nine years after visiting Dekmantel Festival the first time, she’s completing yet another milestone this year: closing The Loop on the very last day of this year’s edition. She still remembers her first one: “The first time I visited Dekmantel I wasn’t playing, it was 2016. I remember it was the one and only time I saw Ricardo Villalobos, he had this massive crew of friends with him on stage. Moodymann was playing, he’s so cool. I remember I was so close to changing my flight to stay an extra day.”

Which artists on this year’s line up have you seen before and are excited to see again?

BASSHKA and Roi Perez. They’re among the best DJs that I know, and they carry that Panorama Bar energy with them wherever they go. BASSHKA is such a fun person, and I feel like her personality shines through in her DJ sets. For Roi, I played with him so much over the past decade, and I just know he’s going to be amazing.

Two Shell are sick, they’re friends of mine, it’s been really interesting to see their progression. Ogazón is incredible, she’s so good. She’s a star. Again, I’m speaking from experiences of seeing her play Panorama Bar, but I feel like it’s one of these places where I find myself going just for fun when I can. Everyone always brings their top game when they play there, it’s one of the great magics about that place. I think the combination of Floating Points and Palms Trax together all day will also be really special.

Is there someone performing this year who’s influenced your own music or career, or someone you’ve been a longtime fan of?

Joe Claussell, he’s honestly one of the reasons why I started DJing. I saw him play a bunch of times in San Francisco when I was living there. I moved there in 2008 or 2009, so this must have been around that time. Sometimes he’d play with Danny Krivitz and François K as Body & Soul. My friends and I always looked forward to those nights so much, and went as a big group. It was so inspiring to see them, they’re this very New York crew, they’ve been doing it for so long, they’re so knowledgeable, and they’d play so many kinds of music, both old and new, and were just weaving it together. Experiencing that has left a huge impact on me, and it’s been kind of a blueprint for what I know DJing can do. Joe Clausell is very magnetic to watch when he’s on the decks; very in control, and very emotionally resonant.

Are there any artists making their Dekmantel Festival debut you’d recommend to those who might not know them yet?

Next to Two Shell and Roi Perez, I’d say Ineffekt. He’s so passionate and ambitious, and thinks big. He’s truly a talented producer, and has such a bright future ahead of him.

What kind of vibe do you usually look for to start your day at the Amsterdamse Bos? Who’s opening this year that you’d recommend checking out?

I remember years ago when I went to Dekmantel Festival, I saw Or:la play pretty early in the day. It was such a lovely, sunny experience. Just stepping out into this large green pasture. That was a lovely opening set. I think the opening in The Loop is always nice. You get to ease into the day, walk around, get something from a food cart, and have it set the mood for the rest of the day. So, I’d pick Ineffekt’s opening there.

What’s your favourite stage to dance at during Dekmantel Festival? Any specific sets you’re planning to catch there this year?

I’d love to see Joe [Claussell] at the Greenhouse, it’s such a fun stage. It’s a nice and enclosed space. So I feel like there you’re very in the crowd, you’re all connected to one another. It’s not too big, so you don’t feel like just a person in such a big crowd. It’s still intimate enough to feel a connection with everybody dancing, clapping, and woo-ing at the same moments.

I also love the Selectors stage, in between the weeping Willows. I’d love to see Shanti Celeste there. She is one of my favourites. She released a new album where she’s singing, and it’s so beautiful. I’m just touched by it.

Is there an Aan Het IJ concert this year you absolutely wouldn’t want to miss?

The Orb, I’m a big fan. And I’d really want to go see Sega Bodega’s show. His light design is by Shaun Murphy, who is a genius, and I would love to see it live.

If you could play a track in your set from another artist on the lineup, what track would that be?

I’ve been making music with Priori, so I’ll definitely be playing that. Some Ineffekt records for sure, and probably something by Two Shell.

Any tips for first-time festival goers? And what’s your personal festival essential?

1. It’s not a sprint, but a marathon– drink enough water [laughs].

2. Be prepared for what The Netherlands can offer weather-wise, whether it’s sunshine or rain.

3. My own essentials would be; sunscreen, coconut water, and fashionable sunglasses.

Three years after mad miran’s bold Boiler Room set, she returns this year for another brand new transmission live and direct from our Radar stage. Her Dekmantel Festival debut was originally planned for 2020, but delayed by two years due to Covid-19. Having grown up partly in Amsterdam, she visited the festival for the first time in 2014. “I couldn’t get tickets, didn’t have the money to spend on it, and my parents never paid for things like that,” she recalls. “So, we had a group chat where the idea was to somehow sneak into the festival. Either swimming to the site with all our clothes in a bag, climbing the fence, or staying in a toilet until other visitors were there. Nothing truly seemed like a good idea though. In the end I discovered that I could sign up as a volunteer to earn a ticket. I remember helping up with the build-up in the pouring rain. When I saw Plaid play, it was so worth it.”

Which artists on this year’s line up have you seen before and are excited to see again?

So many! I’m excited to see Simo Cell and Abdullah Miniawy again. Simo Cell is one of the sickest contemporary producers, and this project is one of his best works. Abdullah's voice is incredible, and really touches me. I'm so happy to see that they're continuing this collaboration.

I’m very curious about Polygonia’s new ‘Dream Horizons’ live set. Anything she does, both in releases as live sets, always surprises me. She’s such an innovative artist.

You’ll definitely find me dancing in the front when Djrum & Objekt play. They’re both artists I admire and they always blow my mind.

I saw Steffi and Virginia live at Lighthouse Festival and they were amazing, they brought such a good vibe. Especially now that The Loop is more intimate than it used to be, you get drawn in. I know that’s going to be great.

Efdemin’s set is a must-see. I think about two years ago, we were dancing with a big part of the Dekmantel team to his closing set in Berghain. He blew us all away completely. This makes me think that this slot for him at Dekmantel Festival might be a result of that night.

I’m very curious about CCL’s closing set at The Nest as well, and excited to see what they’ve prepared. Most of the times I’ve seen them do a closing set, it made me emotional.

Is there someone performing this year who’s influenced your own music or career, or someone you’ve been a longtime fan of?

I feel like there’s a lot of electronic music pioneers and originators playing this year who I’m excited to see.

Like Mark Ernestus and The Sabres of Paradise, to be able to see them live is crazy. To me they represent going back to the roots of the music that I love. Watching the masters at work!

Same goes for Ragga Twins live, they’re also among the first artists I fell in love with representing that breakbeats and that UK sound.

Same goes for Plaid and B12. I used to listen to their music all the time, especially B12’s Electro-Soma album. I never expected that I would get to experience that live. Then seeing upsammy play after them makes so much sense, and her set is going to be sick. I actually connected with her over Plaid for the first time really long ago at an after [laughs].

Lastly, on the more techno-side of my music taste, I think Moritz von Oswald has been quite formative in the sense of discovering all the different layers of techno, but someone as Blawan as well. I feel like when I first started going out and DJing, he’d be playing quite often and was always someone I wanted to go see. The way he’s been continuously reinventing himself, and the live sets he has been doing recently, are so sick. He’s truly created his own sound, it’s always recognisable. That has been super inspiring to witness.

Are there any artists making their Dekmantel Festival debut you’d recommend to those who might not know them yet?

Although it’s not his first time, I’m happy to see Teqmun play on a big stage. Two years ago, when I got to curate the Connects stage, I invited him to play because I think he's very talented, especially as a producer. He killed it, and all his friends came along to see him. The Nest stage is a perfect fit for him.

I’m very happy to see k means play. There’s quite some music heads at Dekmantel, and I know they will undeniably appreciate what she does. Same goes for Loek Frey.

What kind of vibe do you usually look for to start your day at the Amsterdamse Bos? Who’s opening this year that you’d recommend checking out, and why?

Opening with Loidis will be very nice; grooving into the day outside, on the wooden floors of the Selectors stage. His solid techy sound is perfect for it. Or Ulla and Perilla in the UFO II, they will get you sucked in right away.

What’s your favourite stage to dance at during Dekmantel Festival? Any specific sets you’re planning to catch there this year?

Especially for dancing, I love the Greenhouse. Dancing in the front, forgetting to even get drinks for a whole set. I’m excited to see Mad Professor there, he’s a true pioneer and icon.

I also like the UFO II, because it’s like a club. With the deep, trippy programming on the Saturday for example. Starting with Loek Frey and Timnah, and then IDMT live, Steevio and Suzybee, Spekki Weby and Woody92 closing. That’s going to be one of those where you step inside, get sucked in, and not leave that stage the whole day.

Selectors stage as well, I feel like DJs always go a bit deeper there, longer sets and people opening. I’m looking forward to seeing the amazing DJ Dustin play b2b with Fred P there, he’s such a sick producer! I’m also excited for Sugar Free; I saw her play at Fabric and loved her set.

Is there an Aan Het IJ concert this year you absolutely wouldn’t want to miss?

Alongside the artists I already mentioned, like Simo Cell, Abdullah Miniawy, Polygonia, and Moritz von Oswald, I also wouldn’t miss The Orb, Jeff Mills, or James Holden.

If you could play a track in your set from another artist on the lineup, what track would that be?

Plaid – Booc

Ragga Twins – Hooligan 69

Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force – Yermande (Prophet 5 mix)

The Orb - Perpetual Dawn Ultrabass 1 Mix

Polygonia – Twisted Colours

Any tips for first-time festival goers? And what’s your personal festival essential?

I always bring a lot of random stuff, but it does end up saving me and my friends every time. My number one item is a power bank, to make sure you can connect with your friends to find each other after the festival. Come up with a meeting spot to go to when it finishes. Wet wipes have also saved me and my friends countless times.

A good bag that fits everything is essential, just don’t overpack, or it gets annoying when you’re dancing.

If you can, I’d recommend having some tea during the festival. Either with a bit of caffeine or a calming one like chamomile.

Former Amsterdam-local but now Berlin-based Ogazón returns to Dekmantel Festival for the third time. Playing one of her favourite stages in Amsterdamse Bos: our willow tree-surrounded Selectors stage. Ten years ago, Ogazón first visited the festival by bike: “I remember the bike ride through the woods of Amsterdamse Bos, and then you see the racks with what feels like trillions of bikes in the front. That already left an impression on me. It was so cool to see all these big headliners all at once. It’s really nice to see how the festival grew, and developed over the years, new stages, and the sound of the stages changing over time. The Selectors stage, for example, used to have this big record shelf as part of the stage. I saw Danilow Plessow going through the records and putting them on. His whole set I kept wondering if those were his records or part of the stage setup.” In 2017, Ogazón volunteered behind the bar in exchange for a ticket. “I got this t-shirt to wear behind the bar, and I lost it somewhere. I was so upset about losing my special Dekmantel bartender t-shirt, it was such a special memory.” After that, she visited almost every edition, even after moving away from the city in 2020, often sticking around for one or more extra days after her own sets.

Which artists on this year’s line up have you seen before and are excited to see again?

I’m excited to see Dekmantel classics, like Spekki Webu and Woody92. I think Dekmantel is where I discovered them properly, and later on at De School. It’s such a niche sound they have. I even told Woody once that I wouldn’t even know where I would be able to find his records. I appreciate their music so much, because it’s something I don’t hear very often, but find really interesting, and it just gets me going. I remember being mind blown when I saw them play together a few years ago at Dekmantel Selectors. I don’t know how they do it, but they’re just so good at what they do. It’s impressive.

I’m really looking forward to seeing ROD and Sterac together. I like them individually, but together, wow! I love them under their house aliases as Benny Rodrigues and Steve Rachmad as well. I was on before them once, when they were also playing b2b, and –quite cheesy, but my two last tracks were one by Steve Rachmad and the other one was by Benny Rodrigues. It was a bit of a tribute. They’re just heroes for me, so I’m happy I get to see them together again.

Is there someone performing this year who’s influenced your own music or career, or someone you’ve been a longtime fan of?

The artist that sticks out for me always and forever is Zip. His skills and technique with mixing vinyl are so impressive, you just don’t hear a transition and leaves you wondering if you’re still listening to the same track. It feels like it’s a progression within a track, but it’s a new one, and then goes back to the previous one. I’m always just wondering how he does it. I've followed him for years; his sound remains steady and timeless. It still feels as fresh as when I saw him ten years ago as now. How he manages to do this for so long and still have this golden thread throughout his music, not following any hypes and just being consistent, is something I really look up to. I know he’s going to play tracks that I never heard before and will probably never hear again, but it’s okay because in the first place I just feel lucky to have witnessed them. I’ve seen him so many times, and he always blows me away. His whole relaxed aura when DJing, he does what he does, and is just really good at it. He’s one of the few artists that I’ve travelled to see. His set seven or eight years ago at Sunwaves is one I will never forget, that set had such a big impact on me musically. He’s close to my heart.

The Selectors stage is going to be the perfect setting, especially since the sets are a bit longer there, I know he can really build a sonic journey there.

Are there any artists making their Dekmantel Festival debut you’d recommend to those who might not know them yet?

DJ Dustin and Fred P going b2b for the first time is going to be incredible, it’s deep, funky, and perfect for the Selectors stage. Fred P’s productions are so soulful and deep, and really touching. Then DJ Dustin who has been playing forever, and has such a big repertoire of music as a DJ.

Richie Hawtin DEX EFX X0X, that’s going to be super sick. His 1999 Decks, Efx & 909 mix still remains one of the top three sets online for me. It’s so upbeat and driving, but sexy and not too hard at the same time. That’s going to be really interesting!

I’m also excited to see Philippa Pacho, Marrøn, and Blasha & Allatt. If there’s two people that know how to throw a party it’s Blasha & Allatt. I’m excited for them, but also for the audience to experience them on the soundwall of the UFO I stage. That’s going to be banging for sure!

What kind of vibe do you usually look for to start your day at the Amsterdamse Bos? Who’s opening this year that you’d recommend checking out, and why?

It always depends a bit on what day it is and what you’ve done the day before. When the sun is shining the Selectors stage is always such a vibe, in the green, and out in the open. Usually the DJs here get that, and play these funky, little bit more soulful tunes to start off the day. I remember this one year when it was pouring, and then it was really nice to start the day in the UFO-stages and same goes for the Greenhouse. Because you instantly get sucked into it.

For this year WSNWG’s live set, which is a trio of Rødhåd, JakoJako and Fadi Mohem. The three of them alone as artists are already crazy, but all of them together, live, and to some extent improvising, is going to be mad. If you have the chance to see it at Dekmantel, do it! It’s going to be amazing.

If the weather is nice, I would really like to see Mafalda. I know her from her NTS radio shows, very vibey music from all around the world.

If you’re ready to dive straight into techno, I’d go see Eerste Communie-resident Amoral at the UFO I. She’ll know how to get you hyped up for the rest of the day.

What’s your favourite stage to dance at during Dekmantel Festival? Any specific sets you’re planning to catch there this year?

My biggest challenge is how not to constantly feel like I’m missing out on something else, because there’s so much going on at the same time. I don’t want to watch just 20 minutes of each set, then run somewhere else, and run back. If I go, I commit to a set. So it’s hard to pick. Plus, sometimes you end up just chatting to someone you haven’t seen in a long time at Dekmantel Festival. All in all, I like the Selectors the best from a dancers perspective because it’s daylight, it’s partly in nature, you really feel like you’re isolated in the woods. Once the sun goes down I like the UFO stages and the Greenhouse, or the Nest, it just really depends on my mood.

The b2b of Palms Trax and Floating Points in the Greenhouse sounds really interesting– I wonder how they’re going to manage to play b2b for a whole day. Besides that, I always like to go see my friends perform, like Philippa Pacho, Marrøn, or Kia. Plus there are so many legends to see this year like Ben Sims, Oscar Mulero, Richie Hawtin, Eris Drew, all these superstars. It’s a nice mix, I’m going to be going all around, I think [laughs].

Is there an Aan Het IJ concert this year you absolutely wouldn’t want to miss?

I’d go to Polygonia’s Dream Horizons, because I really respect what she does and she has such a specific style and sound. It’s someone who I really appreciate both as a DJ and a producer, so I can only imagine that her live set is going to be really, really nice.
Well, this is not a concert, but you can’t go wrong with Skee Mask. It’s always a pleasure listening to him play.

Jeff Mills’ Cinemix of Metropolis sounds great. I’ve seen him many times, but this is going to be a different setting, so it would be interesting to see that. He has such a mythical presence, and he never disappoints.

If you could play a track in your set from another artist on the lineup, what track would that be?

There’s quite a few records from people that are performing at Dekmantel Festival that I spin regularly. If there’s a record that you’ll most likely hear in my set at Dekmantel this year, it’s probably going to be one from Shed. He’s such an amazing producer. I love his productions under his Wax alias, I think I’d go for one of those, specifically the 30003B. That’s my favourite one, it never gets old. Sometimes I take it out of my record bag, because I don’t want to overplay it, but when I pull it out again, I always think “I should play this one more often”. It’s just so good! I know it’s going to sound incredible on the sound system of the Selectors stage.

Any tips for first-time festival goers? And what’s your personal festival essential?

I always get painful feet no matter what shoes I wear, so I’d say plasters for blisters. That's essential for me. I always spot people getting very red at Dekmantel, so sunscreen. Protect yourself. Electrolytes to stay hydrated. And just be in a good mood, be open to everything, open to explore, and walk around. There’s also many live acts and bands you might not know, so just be open minded!