Two weeks ago Rockstone Sessions suggested some affordable shows for people that aren’t escaping the Netherlands this summer. We understand that when you’ll spend the upcoming months at the office, you’ll also need an escape to a festival every now and then. Being productive during the week deserves music, alcohol and sunshine in the weekend. We looked into the very many events that our country has to offer during this festival season and selected five that we consider more than worth attending. Unlike the big and familiar ones, these options are relatively unknown and either for free or inexpensive, but definitely promising. Have a look and get ready for some serious partying!

Welcome to the Village – Leeuwarden – 17, 18, 19 July

Music, art, poetry and a whole lot of fun. That’s basically where it is all about at Welcome to the Village, which will start this Friday. The dedicated organisation aims at doing things themselves, only with the help of friends and volunteers. For the third year now, they’ve built ‘the prettiest small village of The Netherlands’, located deep in the Frisian landscape. They really take the environmental responsibility of a festival to a next level. They build their own stages and bars, grow their own crops and even have their own coffee, blended from beans bought directly from farmers overseas. Besides this, the citizens of this green village are welcomed with a fantastic line-up. Nomadic Orchestra (Click here for their session we recently filmed at Madnes festival), Alamo Race Track, Typhoon and many, many more will make you feel at home. Moreover, a weekend ticket, including accommodation, will only costs you a hundred euro. Not bad for a three-day festival. Tempted to go? Then don’t forget to bring your bicycle, which is advised for all the transport around the camping. Check out the official trailer below and you’ll understand why it’s called ‘a place that you’ll be homesick for’.

Info and tickets: www.welcometothevillage.nl

22Fest – Amsterdam – 18 July

Don’t feel like spending next weekend entirely on a festival? No worries, because 22Fest is an amazing alternative that lasts for only one day. Even though it takes place in our capital, it has that pleasant isolated festival feeling, because it will all happen in the wild environment of the Diemerbos. As you’ve might already expected by its name, 22Fest is organised by the international music discovery service 22tracks. After successfully delivering this service for six years now, it is time to expand with the first edition of their own festival this Saturday. Just like 22tracks, it is devoted to the discovery of great music. This won’t be difficult, with three stages filled with both national and international artists. This line-up has a strong focus on electronic music, with for example Jon Phonics, Mr Mendel and Detroit Swindle. However, there’s also room for musicians from other genres, such as rapper Cho and the nine-man hip hop ensemble De Nachtdienst. Besides all these live shows, there’s also a so-called creative side-program and a delightful food line-up. A true festival for an appropriate 22 euro. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Check out the teaser below for further impressions.

Info and tickets: www.22fest.nl

Eendracht Festival – Rotterdam – 23 July

On the 23rd of July, the city centre of Rotterdam will be one big festival area. For already the sixth edition of the Eendracht Festival, fifteen different locations downtown are reserved for over 130 musicians, artists, organisations and entrepreneurs. All of them are creative locals dedicated to making their city a fun and vivid place. Looking back at earlier editions, it leaves no doubt they’ll succeed again. Interesting detail is that it’s actually a showcase festival and therefore every band will play a set of around twenty minutes only. This gives you as a visitor the possibility to see a great number of different shows, all in one day. Whether it’s a DJ set of Vinnie Mikra or a rock concert of The Mutations, they’ll show you that Rotterdam has a lot to offer. And to make it even better, the entrance is for free. Check out ‘Last Stand’ of the Mutations below and you’ll have an idea what to expect.

Info: www.facebook.com/Eendrachtfestival

Schollenpop – Scheveningen (The Hague) – 1 August

An important feature of a festival is its location. Since Schollenpop takes place at the beach, we at Rockstone already loved it before we knew the line-up. However, Schollenpop has a tradition of booking great artists too. This year’s edition is no exception and as always the organisation makes sure at least half of the artists are local talents. What’s new this year is that they added a fourth stage, which is reserved for metal bands only. Then there’s the Scholtainer stage for teenage musicians and of course a main stage, with The Elementary Penguins, The Indien and many more. All in all, the Zuiderstrand will transform into a melting pot of different genres and local, national and international artists. As it does every first Saturday in August since 1997. Attending it won’t cost you any money, so all you have to do is grab your flip-flops and celebrate summer. Check out the session of Friends of the Family below to get in the mood already. They’ll be playing at 21:30 on the Locals and Talent stage.

Info: www.schollenpop.nl

Huntenpop – Ulft – 14, 15 August

In the middle of August it is time for the 26th edition of Huntenpop. For the sixth year now it will take place in the village of Ulft, situated close to the German border. It’s a two-day festival that’s famous for the great variety of musical styles it has to offer. From reggae to rock and from dance to punk, they’ll keep everybody satisfied. Just like at Schollenpop, the festival’s organisation pays attention to upcoming talent and gives the floor to five artists that have been elected 3FM Serious Talent. For example Tommy Ebben and Daimy Lotus. Apart from this, international bands such as UB40 and Boom Band make the trip to Ulft as well. This musical program is furthermore supplemented with theatre shows and a wide range of workshops. It’s hard to believe a two-day ticket, including accommodation, costs only 59 euro. Below you find the after movie of last year’s edition.

Info and tickets: www.huntenpop.nl