Draaimolen Festival 2024: Music, installations, and an unforgettable festival
Installation at the AURA stage curated by Blawan and Pariah. Photo by: Mambo Key.
The Draaimolen Festival 2024 took place on September 5th and 6th, marking its eleventh edition in a picturesque location: the MOB complex, which remains a highlight of the summer for music lovers. The 2024 edition proved to be another remarkable experience, showcasing a blend of top-tier talent and unforgettable moments.
One of the last weekends of summer, set in the forest of Tilburg, Netherlands, saw warm and humid weather, reaching almost 30 degrees Celsius. Although somewhat cloudy, the last rays of summer sun still managed to peek through for the approximately 13,000 attendees. The weather promised a weekend full of great music and fun, but little did anyone know just how incredible the event would be.
An interesting fact about the venue where the festival takes place (MOB complex) is that it is located in a wooded area on the outskirts of the city. It once served as the Dutch army’s mobilization complex during the Cold War in the city of Tilburg, Netherlands.
My Friday began by arriving at Schiphol Airport on the same day of the festival, at 10 a.m., worried about being late as I didn’t want to miss anything. I took a train from Schiphol to Tilburg, which took 2 hours and 40 minutes. By 1:20 p.m., I had arrived at the MOB complex, carrying my luggage directly from the airport, like a true novice. I waited for my friend Maria, who stored my luggage in her van, and we headed into the festival.
With the backdrop of a large forest and a couple of warehouses on one side (some of which now serve as recycling plants), the festival forest was transformed into the perfect space for the ritual of sound and visual plastic installations that awaited us.
Plastic installation with a chill area between the aura stage and THE TUNNEL. Photo by: Rafael Dimiioniatis.
The festival was impeccably organized, featuring six stages where the movement between performances flowed smoothly for all attendees. You wished you could be at two or three stages at once, constantly running from one to the other just to catch even a glimpse of all the incredible acts.
The festival’s decoration, though not overly elaborate, showcased fascinating light displays and installations. Despite their minimalistic and “simple” approach, these elements made Draaimolen a unique festival experience.
With the lights completely taking over the space, there was a moment at The Pit stage where a light resembling a flying square, almost like an abduction, moved up and down, from left to right. Suddenly, the trees behind the stage were mapped with lights, distorting the space as they flickered on and off. At that moment, Objekt was playing, making everyone feel just how extraordinary this festival was. It was pure madness—unforgettable moments!
Abducción at THE PIT stage. Photo by: Mambo Key
This year’s lineup was nothing short of spectacular, offering a wide range of genres to satisfy diverse musical tastes. From established artists like Job Jobse (a Dutch national hero), Donato Dozzy, DJ Gigola, Eris Drew, and Octo Octa, to thrilling, almost one-of-a-kind performances like A# Live—a local quartet from Tilburg, where Draaimolen is held, formed by artists and friends Alberta Balsam, Bastian Benjamin, French II, and Milio, all of whom are already household names in the Netherlands in their own right.
The surprise Secret B3B featuring KI/KI, SPFDJ, and Special Request was another exciting element, alongside Voices from the Lake and their live set created especially for Draaimolen. The organizers made a special request to Donato Dozzy and Neel to perform a live set with more “explosive” or danceable techno, as opposed to their usual ambient and experimental-focused sets. There wasn’t a single dull moment throughout the entire festival.
Lanarx Artefax. Photo by: Frankie Castillo.
We had six stages to choose from, so there was always something to see. One thing that really stuck with me—and that I loved—was that Draaimolen places full trust in certain artists who have performed at previous editions, inviting them to curate some of the stages with artists of their choosing.
The first stage, STR/OBE, was the main one—the largest and with the most visual production. It was curated by KI/KI, who proved to be an excellent curator, just as she already is a talented producer and DJ.
The other five stages held my attention throughout both Friday and Saturday.
STR/OBE stage curated by KI/KI. Photo by: Rafael Dimiioniatis.
THE PIT, curated by BLAWAN & PARIAH, was my favorite stage. The curation of acts like Donato Dozzy, Objekt, Zohar, and Mia Koden, combined with the impressive light production and mapping over the forest, made it truly stand out.
Although the intention was to keep things simple or minimalistic, the light show turned out to be an unforgettable experience—“mind-blowing,” to say the least. It’s going to be hard to top this in terms of sheer spectacle.
Objekt at THE PIT stage. Photo by: Mambo Key
AURA, curated by NOUS’KLAUER, was another standout stage. MAMA SNAKE kicked things off with a warmup set, which I found really cool since she’s usually
reserved for prime-time slots. This time, she did the warmup on Saturday in a B2B with Martinou.
But the best festival closing I could have asked for, and maybe my top highlight overall, was the B2B set between VLADA and LENA WILLIKENS. Their selection of tracks was absolutely stunning—danceable and perfectly fitting for the end of a festival that never disappointed or left anything to be desired. It was a closing set that left a great lasting impression
THE TUNNEL was another of my favorite stages, featuring some of my favorite artists like Kia, Voices from the Lake (Donato Dozzy & Neel), and the live set from DEPTH CHARGE (presented by Underground Resistance). The stage had a minimalistic but incredible installation that stretched across the center, from above the DJ booth almost to the end of the stage, spanning about 15 meters in length.
This installation was a huge hit with the crowd, and as night fell, it became even more impactful, transforming the space into something truly mesmerizing.
Light installation at THE TUNNEL stage. Photo by: Rafael Dimiioniatis.
FOREST RAVE, curated by ERIS DREW & OCTO OCTA, was one of the most beautiful and incredible nights for me, thanks to the light show surrounding the entire stage in the forest, with acts like CCL, Bored Lord B2B Bastengoat, Justin Long, and CIEL. Although it was an amazing stage, it was somewhat difficult to dance since it was sloped downward, but that doesn’t diminish the great experience I had, especially during the set by Eris Drew and Octo Octa. By then, it was nighttime, and the light mapping in the forest created something amazing with the space. Without a doubt, it was a fantastic stage—10/10.
FORREST RAVE STAGE. Photo by: Rafael Dimiioniatis.
THE TUNNEL and THE CHAPEL, the only two stages curated by Draaimolen.
THE CHAPEL. One of the two stages curated by the Draaimolen team, featuring performances by DJRUM, A# LIVE, and Woody 92.
This stage stole the show; the closing on Friday with DJRUM was simply brutal, a moment that will undoubtedly stay in my memory forever. He’s an incredible DJ with impeccable technique. Playing jungle breaks and drum and bass, even as someone who isn't a huge fan of the genre, I was simply amazed by DJRUM. It was one of the best closing sets I could have imagined at this festival and one of the best DJs I've ever heard in my life.
Woody 92 closing the THE CHAPEL stage. Photo by: Sofia Lambrou.
Beyond the exceptional music curation of the festival, Draaimolen offered a wealth of interactive experiences that meaningfully engaged festival attendees. The special B2B act (KI/KI, SPFDJ, and Special Request) at the secret stage and intriguing artistic installations added to the experience.
In summary, Draaimolen Festival 2024 was an emotional and incredible celebration that perfectly combined music, art, and community spirit among attendees. Whether you are a seasoned festival-goer or attending for the first time, the atmosphere, the amazing lineup, and the outstanding venue and its
context, along with the interactive elements, made it a memorable experience for everyone. Draaimolen continues to solidify its position as a must-visit festival for anyone looking to immerse themselves in a world of creativity and sound.
Photo by: Manbo Key
