Classical & Jazz

Red Light Jazz

Experience Amsterdam’s most notorious neighbourhood come alive during the annual Red Light Jazz Festival, which takes place in June across the Red Light District. Expect a cool lineup of jazz musicians throughout the weekend, showcasing the district’s rich jazz tradition, which spans back to the 1930s. The concert programme is partly free and partly paid, with performances in all manner of venues, from sweaty dive bars to iconic theatres and churches with superb acoustics.

9-11 JUNE, REDLIGHTJAZZ.COM

Summer Concerts

The Royal Concertgebouw promises another wonderful, musical summer with their programme of almost 80 concerts as part of the VriendenLoterij Summer Concerts series. Watch as stars from home and abroad take to the stage, including big names such as pianist Yuja Wang, conducting violinist Renaud Capuçon, jazz diva Dee Dee Bridgewater and Brazilian legend Gilberto Gil – who will perform for the very last time in Amsterdam. Later on in the season, the Grote Zaal is transformed into a cinema with live music for the unmissable Star Wars: The Force Awakens concerts. In addition, there are two further film concerts with music from the James Bond movies and a tribute to John Williams. Lastly, the North Netherlands Orchestra closes the SummerConcerts on 31 August with a festive Summertime Finale.

CONCERTGEBOUWPLEIN 10, CONCERTGEBOUW.NL

Dekmantel aan ’t IJ

Spread out across locations up and down the River IJ, the two-day programme of Dekmantel Festival ventures into more experimental music than its techno counterpart. Participating venues include Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ for close listening sessions and Bimhuis, Amsterdam’s temple for jazz. On the agenda you’ll also find lectures and screenings at Eye Filmmuseum and intimate concerts at clubs Parallel and Shelter 2 & 3 AUGUST, DEKMANTELFESTIVAL.COM