Some festivals feel designed for social media. Upclose is designed for dancers.
The Awakenings-organized event returned for its third edition with a clear focus: small stages, underground programming, and a crowd that came for the music rather than the spectacle. Walking through the festival grounds, you were more likely to hear people discussing track IDs than filming themselves for Instagram.
Small stages, close crowds
What stood out immediately was the scale. Stages were tucked into wooded areas and connected by winding paths, creating the feeling of discovering one party after another rather than moving through a giant festival complex.
The compact setup changed the atmosphere. You could get close to the booth without fighting through endless crowds, and many performances felt more like club nights that happened to take place outdoors.
The lineup was packed with names that carry real weight in the underground scene. Some of the biggest moments came from artists who rarely share a stage.
Twiena opened the largest stage on Sunday with a set that mixed bubbling synths, experimental electronics, Vietnamese influences, and South American rhythms. It was one of the freshest bookings on the lineup.
Collabs 3000
Speedy J x Chris Liebing
Speedy J and Chris Liebing brought back their legendary collaborative project after years of inactivity. Longtime techno fans had been waiting for this reunion.
LSD reunion
Luke Slater, Steve Bicknell, and Function
Luke Slater, Steve Bicknell, and Function reunited behind the decks for the first time in years. For many attendees, this was a bucket-list booking.
Ben UFO x Four Tet
Special collaboration set
Ben UFO and Four Tet shared a rare collaborative set that drew one of the weekend’s largest crowds. Their selections moved comfortably between techno, house, and leftfield club music.
Established artists and newcomers
One of the smartest aspects of the programming was the way established artists were paired with newer names. Sets like Alarico b2b Ben Klock, ANNĒ alongside Ben Sims, and Freddy K with Marrøn felt like genuine conversations between generations of DJs.
Upclose also gave plenty of room to rising talent. Artists such as Varuna Agosti, Doudou, Aldonna, Fumi, Lobster, and Beste Hira showed why they’re appearing on more underground lineups across Europe.
A personal highlight
This year I also brought my mum with me. Watching her experience Upclose was a reminder that electronic music doesn’t have to be intimidating or exclusive. The festival’s smaller scale made it easy to explore together, take breaks, and experience the event with a fresh approach and new eyes.
One of her favorite moments was Len Faki x Quest at Area 1, mentioning that her and my father used to listen to this music a lot on car rides far before I existed. We sometimes get caught up in trends and what’s new, while the legacy of the music stands solid.
Watch our short recap here!
When the outdoor stages closed, the weekend continued at the official after-hours events in Amsterdam. Saturday offered simultaneous programs at Lofi and Bret, while Sunday’s Bret session deliberately avoided announcing a lineup or timetable. The idea was simple: let artists and attendees mix freely and see where the night goes.
With Upclose the focus stays on the dance floor, the sound system, and the people in front of it.
For anyone who misses the feeling of discovering a great set in a crowded club, Upclose comes surprisingly close to recreating it outdoors.
Next edition: May 15 + 16 2027
