After another busy year, our team looks back on some of the highlights that left them in awe. Whether it was a daring crowd-immersive set, mesmerising production or simply dancing with friends under the rain, here are the personal picks that made 2025 one for the books.
Vinnie, Artist Liaison & Production Manager
My highlight: Lander & Adriaan vs The Rain at Lentekabinet '25. This year proved to be incredibly challenging for the production team, heavy rain was expected before, during and after Lentekabinet. What made the performance of Lander & Adriaan specifically challenging then? They are known for performing right in the middle of the crowd and they were determined to do the same at Lentekabinet. While the stage itself was covered, rain was expected to hit during their set. It started pouring like crazy the moment their show ended. Like it was meant to be. And yes, within seconds all the gear was safely covered. What an experience!
"It started pouring like crazy the moment their show ended. Like it was meant to be. And yes, within seconds all the gear was safely covered. What an experience!"
Eva, Project Lead Lentekabinet & Dekmantel Festival
My highlight was Verraco at The Nest in Dekmantel Festival (and Selectors 2025). It felt like the raw energy and heat of Colombia landed in Amsterdam (and Croatia).
Eefje, Head of Festivals
My highlight of last year was seeing the new stage design of the Selectors stage at Dekmantel Festival come to life. We spent a long time working on a new design that would interact holistically with one of the most beautiful spots in the Amsterdam Forest, accentuating and moving with nature, while still giving that scenographic ‘bang’. I think we did just that and seeing it being enjoyed by so many visitors and artists made it my 2025 Dekmantel highlight.
"We spent a long time working on a new design that would interact holistically with one of the most beautiful spots in the Amsterdam Forest, accentuating and moving with nature, while still giving that scenographic ‘bang’."
Veerle, Artist Liaison
My highlight of Dekmantel Festival 2025 was being able to watch the full Sabres of Paradise set from the side of the Greenhouse. In my role during the festival, it’s usually hard to see anything from start to finish, so it was very special that I could experience this hour-long environment they create, which felt eternal to me. It also made me realise how meaningful it is to build our events from the ground up and then see the result take shape in a moment like this
"It was very special that I could experience this hour-long environment they create, which felt eternal to me."
Gwyneth, Design & Content Creative
My 2025 highlight was dancing in the rain when Palms Trax closed the Lotus stage at Lentekabinet. I had gone to this festival with a group of people all on their study abroad also, and it was my first time meeting most of them, but we all had the most fun time dancing together at the back of the crowd feeding off the energy of others & the music. It was super wholesome and even though we could’ve taken shelter, we chose to embrace the downpour.
Linda, Content & Community Manager
Although I’ve visited Dekmantel Festival and Lentekabinet many times, this year was my first time attending Selectors. From morning swims to late-night content creation shifts, the full production was a highlight; I brought home so many good memories. I especially enjoyed the closing of the festival, hopping between Voodoo to witness DJ Koolt work his all-vinyl magic and Champion causing a frenzy at The Nest.
