In a sudden and disappointing development for electronic music fans, Amsterdam authorities have shut down Marco Carola's renowned event brand, Music On, just hours before the festival was set to begin. The Amsterdam municipality officially revoked the necessary permits for the event, which was scheduled to take place on May 9th and 10th at Meerpark.
According to reports from the NL Times, the decision to pull the permits followed negative safety advice from the Environmental Agency regarding the integrity of the festival's tent structures. While the festival grounds will remain closed to the public, an official statement from Amsterdam authorities is expected to clarify the specific safety failures that led to this last-minute cancellation.
Impact on Programming and Afterparties
Despite the closure of the main festival site at Meerpark, organizers have confirmed that the scheduled afterparties will proceed as planned. The "Music On By Night" events are set to take place at the Hemkade 48 venue on both Saturday and Sunday nights. These sessions will feature highly anticipated sets, including a back-to-back performance by Marco Carola and Dennis Cruz, as well as appearances by East End Dubs, Mason Collective, and Franky Rizardo.
The main festival lineup was originally slated to feature a diverse array of talent, including Max and Luke Dean, Alisha, Josh Baker, Luciano, Wade, Ameme, and a b2b set from Dennis Cruz and Ilaria Alicante. Organizers have acknowledged the frustration of ticket holders and stated that they will require additional time to process refund requests and address logistical questions.
Looking Ahead: Ibiza Residency
While the Amsterdam cancellation is a significant setback, Music On is already looking toward its summer season. The brand is preparing for its residency at Destino Five Ibiza, hosted by Pacha Icons. Following a successful grand opening in January, the residency will span nine dates throughout the summer. The Ibiza lineups remain stacked with industry heavyweights such as Chris Stussy, Damien Lazarus, Pawsa, Loco Dice, Carlita, Ahmed Spins, Adriatique, and Paco Osuna.