In the Rendstaad area of the Netherlands you are sometimes spoiled for choice when it comes to going to see live music. The main venues that feature in articles on this site are listed here.
The Paradiso is based in a converted church in the Leidesaplein. It is the one of biggest venue in Amsterdam center. The main hall has three levels of balconies has a capacity of about 1400. The main hall is visually stunning and behind the stage is the original stained glass church windows. This is not the most intimate venue in town but it is a breath of fresh air compared to the bigger venues that are situated outside the city center. The downside of this venue is that the acoustics in the main hall can be bad if a band is not sound leveled correctly. If I was to be picky I would also complain that this venue has the worst bar in Amsterdam that carries only one brand of pretty much undrinkable beer. There is a small room (the Kleine Zaal) upstairs with a capacity of about 300 that hosts bands that are still breaking in on the touring circuit.
Formerly the site of a sugar refinery and then a dairy the Melkweg is also in the Leidesaplein area of Amsterdam. This main hall of the venue is called the Max and has a capacity of 1500. The smaller hall (the Oude Zaal) has a capacity of 700 and is a more intimate setting to see a gig. There is a more laid back vibe in the Melkweg than in the Paradiso and a better bar!
The Bimhuis is Amsterdam’s premier jazz venue and boasts the best acoustics I have come across in the Netherlands. Located on the IJ river just behind central station this venue has beautiful views of the city. As well as the program of famous jazz acts from all corners of the globe it also hosts some cutting edge electronic performances.
The Sugar Factory in right across the road from the Melkweg in Amsterdam. Although the venue mostly puts on DJs, club, cabaret and performance nights it very occasionally features interesting bands and hip hop acts.
Ekko is a bijou little venue on the side of a canal in Utrecht with a capacity of 175 people. It has a friendly laid back vibe and is a great place to see a band in an intimate setting. It takes about 15/20 minute to walk to Ekko from the Utrecht train station.
The SMART Project Space relocated to a former pathology laboratory in the old west of Amsterdam in 2008 (about a twenty minute walk from the Leidesaplein). It has an art exhibition space, an auditorium and a cafe with a small stage.
Trouw is a temporary venue in Amsterdam that is being run by the people behind Club 11. There is a bar, restaurant, club and exhibition space. It is housed in a former printing plant of the newspaper of the same name in the south east of the city.
OT301 (Overtoom 301) is legalized former squat in the former film academy building. It has a varied music program and features a cinema and art gallery as well as a vegan restaurant.
This concert hall runs a contemporary classical music program. Its about a ten minute walk from Central Station and the Bimhuis is also located in the building.
Zaal 100 is legalized squat in the West of Amsterdam that hosts a lot of Jazz. Its near the Westerpark and about a twenty minutes walk from Central Station.
Paard van Troje
This Den Haag institution has two halls, one with a 1000 capacity and the other 300.
