In a sudden and disappointing development for electronic music fans in the Netherlands, Amsterdam authorities have officially shut down the Music On Festival just hours before its scheduled kickoff. The event, curated by techno titan Marco Carola, was set to take place at Meerpark on May 9th and 10th. However, the Amsterdam municipality made the last-minute decision to revoke the necessary permits, citing critical safety concerns.
According to reports from the NL Times, the permit revocation followed negative safety advice from the Environmental Agency regarding the festival's tent structures. While the main festival grounds will remain closed, organizers have confirmed that the scheduled afterparties at the Hemkade 48 venue will proceed as planned.
The festival had recruited a high-caliber lineup featuring artists such as Max and Luke Dean, Alisha, Josh Baker, Luciano, Franky Rizardo, Wade, Ameme, and a highly anticipated b2b set from Dennis Cruz and Ilario Alicante. While the daytime festivities at Meerpark are cancelled, the "Music On By Night" events will still offer performances from Marco Carola, Dennis Cruz, East End Dubs, and Mason Collective. Organizers have stated they will need time to address logistics regarding questions and refunds.
Despite the setback in Amsterdam, Music On is moving forward with its upcoming Ibiza residency at Destino Pacha. Following a successful grand opening this past January, the brand is set to take over the resort for nine dates this summer. The stacked residency lineups include prominent names such as Chris Stussy, Damian Lazarus, Pawsa, Loco Dice, Carlita, Ahmed Spins, Adriatique, and Paco Osuna, ensuring the brand remains a dominant force in the global circuit.