There are only a few weeks left until the 2025 edition of Upclose, two days of boundary-pushing electronic beats from the team behind Awakenings.
Taking place on 17 and 18 May at Awakenings’ spiritual home, the Houtrak venue in Spaarnwoude, Amsterdam, the festival features both established names and emerging talent, and following its debut edition last year, is fast becoming a must-attend date on the party calendar.
As with the 2024 edition, the 2025 lineup also features a number of exclusive back-to-back sets. 909originals pores through the lineup to bring your our must sees over the course of the weekend.
Blasha & Allatt & Tasha
Area 97, Saturday, 15:45 – 17.30
Blasha & Allatt’s signature blend of funk-infused techno was one of the highlights of last year’s Upclose festival (in our book anyway), and this year the Manchester pair are being joined by Tasha – who has been running the Neighbourhood series of events for a remarkable 15 years now – for what promises to be a groove-filled Saturday afternoon. Essential.
Marrøn & Rødhåd
Area 01, Saturday, 19:00 – 21:00
As Berlin producer Rødhåd put it in a recent interview, “back-to-backs are always a nice opportunity to get out of your comfort zone”, and we’re expecting great things from his planned B2B alongside Eerste Communie founder Marrøn at Upclose. Bring it on.
Cristian Varela & Marco Bailey
Area 97, Saturday, 19:00 – 21:00
Techno titans Cristian Varela and Marco Bailey have been performing back-to-back sets off and on for around two decades now – including at past Awakenings events. Their recent CVMB EP on Materia, which came out in February, should give you a taster of what to expect; get ready for some serious stomping.
Chris Stussy & Sally C
Area 22, Sunday, 18:00 – 21:00
Who said Awakenings Upclose had to be all about techno? At every Awakenings event, the 909originals team makes sure to let off some steam to Chris Stussy’s upfront house grooves – and by partnering him with Belfast-born, Berlin-based legend Sally C, we reckon there could be sparks flying.
Saoirse & Quest
Area 22, Sunday, 21:00 – 23:00
Looking for the right way to close off your weekend? This pairing of Body Movements founder Saoirse and La Nota del Diablo label head Quest could be just the tonic. Quest’s recent B2B with Adiel at Time Warp was one for the ages, while Saoirse is one of the most adept selectors in the game at the moment. Finish your Sunday – and Upclose 2025 – the right way.
Of course, these aren’t the only back-to-back sets you can enjoy over the weekend – also make sure to check out [takes deep breath] Isaiah & Vromo, François X & Grace Dahl, Loek Frey & Shoal, JakoJako & Philippa Pacho, Ineffekt & Moody Mehran, Akua & Mac Declos, Carlos Valdes & Cassy, Brawther & Tristan da Cunha, Orbe & PSYK, Force Reaction (Kaiser & Kwartz), Adiel & Ogazón, Ben Klock & Ignez, Anetha & Patrick Mason, Beste Hira & Yanamaste, Rrose & Surgeon, Donato Dozzy & Jane Fitz, Benwal & Janis Zielinski, Client & Shoob, Marcal & Yant, ANNĒ & SHDW, and Stranger & Truncate over the course of the weekend. And that’s only scratching the surface of what is, let’s face it, a stellar lineup.
Get your tickets for Upclose 2025 here.
Article by Márcia Costa. Find out more about Upclose 2025 here.
Check out the top tracks that the 909originals team has recently discovered through Musosoup here. To feature your music on 909originals, click here. 🙂
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