Niels de Vries

August 12, 2020

We might not have, for the moment, the instant, up-close fix of Roadburn spirit that are the many live shows where our wonderful community gathers as one, but we can keep sharing great music with each other in other ways. So let’s venture forth together through sun-drenched farmlands, breezy woods darkening under cloudy skies and even the odd decadent urban scenario with our new communal playlist on Spotify, Roadburn: No Harvest!

These days, perhaps more than ever before, we are constantly being amazed by artists, many of them far from widely known, that are simultaneously on the outskirts and also at the forefront of what it means to be “heavy.” From moody singer/songwriters to shadowy practitioners of dark folk, from purveyors of twisted and reimagined Americana to genuine country troubadours, they are redefining emotional and sonic heaviness every day.

So come on, pick up your metaphorical hoe, walk the endless fields with us and help us reap the (no) harvest, unearthing all the best contemporary artists and turning this into a true radio for the fringes, build by our community!

Please note: Roadburn: No Harvest is defined by dark folk, Americana, singer/songwriters and country balladiers only.

July 3, 2020

Today marks the release of the debut album from A.A Williams – an artist that captivated us from the very first listen. To celebrate the release of Forever Blue we asked if she would put together a playlist for us, and she duly obliged.

She told us: “This playlist is a compilation of tracks that I’ve been listening to over the lockdown period. Some new releases, some old tracks and everything in between – I’ve been using music to calm me, inspire me and motivate me during this period of uncertainty.”

So, without further ado, we’ll hand over to the music, and indeed we too hope it inspires and motivates.

Forever Blue is out now via Bella Union.

If you want to seek out the tracks elsewhere, here’s the info you’ll need:

Mono – After You Comes the Flood (Pelagic Records)

Holy Fawn – Candy (Tripple Crown Records)

Paradise Lost – Ghosts (Nuclear Blast)

Buzzov-en – Don’t Bring Me Down (DOC Music & Mayhem)

Melvins – A History of Bad Men (Ipecac Recordings)

Demonic Death Judge – Elevation (Suicide Records)

Elephant Tree – Sails (Holy Roar Records)

Green Lung – Let the Devil In (Self-Release)

Spell – Whipping Sigils (Bad Omen Records)

Type O Negative – My Girlfriend’s Girlfriend (Roadrunner Records)

Rage Against The Machine – Maggie’s Farm (Epic Records)

Saul Williams – List Of Demands (Reparations) (Fader)

Run The Jewels (feat. Mavis Staples & Josh Homme) – Pulling The Pin (BMG)

Perturbator – Future Club (Blood Music)

May 7, 2020

Thank you for your patience in the past couple of weeks. We promised to let you know when Ticketmaster had activated the different options for tickets for Roadburn. This is a huge update that affects hundreds of events in The Netherlands – not just Roadburn – but we’re pleased to say that this is now in place.

These past few months brought about all kinds of challenges for so many of us; personal, professional, financial and more. Our thoughts are with every person impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. We have kept ourselves sane these past few weeks by starting to plan for Roadburn 2021. We sincerely hope that you can join us in Tilburg next April – and to do that, you just need to hang on to your ticket, no other action is required.

But we know that sadly not everybody is in a position to make the trip next year, so below you will find the full options available to you:

1. Keep your ticket. As mentioned above, if you want to show your support to Roadburn this is by far the best option! Roadburn is rescheduled to 15-18 April 2021.

2. You can request a ticket credit worth the full cost of your ticket including service fees before June 4, 2020. The request can be made HERE. The ticket credit is valid up to 24 months after it’s been issued and can be exchanged for Roadburn 2021 and 2022 as well as any event organised at the 013 venue. If you have not used this ticket credit (in full or partially) after 24 months, you will automatically be refunded the remaining amount.

When you apply for a voucher, Ticketmaster will mail you when the credit is ready for use. At the time of writing, this is approx. around the end of July. By converting your ticket into a credit to visit another event, you are helping us mitigate the economic impact of the measures on 013 venue and our festival. Claiming a voucher also benefits us greatly and if you opt to do this, we thank you for your support.

3. You can donate your ticket to Roadburn before June 4, 2020. We don’t have any expectation that this will be feasible for many of you. If you do opt for this then your generosity would be extremely welcome. The entirety of the donation will benefit Roadburn, and our artistic projects.  You can use this contact form. Select ‘Donate ticket’ as the topic.

4. It is also possible to request a refund via this contact form before June 4, 2020. Select ‘Apply refund’ as the topic. Your tickets will then be cancelled. If you choose to request a refund, the amount will be refunded within a month after the new Roadburn date at the latest. Since Roadburn will be on 15-18 April 2021, you will get a refund before May 15 2021. This is in accordance with the Ticket Value Scheme agreed upon by the cultural sector in collaboration with the Dutch government.

If you have any questions, please see our FAQ HERE. If you have problems on the Ticketmaster website, you can find lots of information and answers in their FAQ’s. If you cannot find your answer there, you can also contact Ticketmaster directly.

In addition, the website saveyourticket.nl contains information about the Ticket Value Scheme that has been drawn up by the cultural sector in collaboration with the Dutch government. These resources should be able to help with any enquiries specific to the Ticket Value Scheme and refunds but we are still here to answer your questions as best we can – we can be reached on info@013.nl if you need us.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We really hope to see you all again on Roadburn 2021!

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions related to the Ticket Value Scheme which is now in place.

What is the Ticket Value Scheme?
Guidelines have been agreed by the Dutch government that span the entirety of the events and entertainment industry in The Netherlands, detailing a way forward for all cultural and sporting events – of which Roadburn is of course a part. This scheme is known as the Ticket Value Scheme. These guidelines are set out to be fair to consumers and ticket buyers but also to protect the venues, events, and promoters and to ensure longevity for the entertainment sector in The Netherlands. Basically, we call on our visitors to keep their ticket for Roadburn 2021: Save your ticket, enjoy later.

How does the Ticket Value Scheme work?
We sincerely hope that you can join us in Tilburg next April – and to do that, you just need to hang on to your ticket, no other action is required.

If this isn’t an option for you, we ask you kindly to opt for a voucher. This is a ticket credit in your Ticketmaster account worth the full cost of your ticket including service fees. The request can be made here up until June 4, 2020. The ticket credit is valid up to 24 months after it’s been issued and can be exchanged for Roadburn 2021 and 2022 as well as any event organised at the 013 venue. If you have not used this ticket credit (in full or partly) after 24 months, you will automatically be refunded the remaining amount. By converting your ticket into a credit to visit another event, you are helping us mitigate the economic impact of the measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Claiming a voucher also benefits us greatly and if you opt to do this, we thank you for your support.

Can I make a donation instead?
We don’t have any expectation that this will be feasible for many of you. If you do opt for this then your generosity would be extremely welcome. The entirety of the donation will benefit Roadburn, and our artistic projects. You can use this contact form. Select ‘Donate ticket’ as the topic. Converting your ticket to a donation is possible until June 4, 2020.

Can I get a refund instead?
As a consumer you have the right to request a refund. According to the Ticket Value Scheme the amount (including service fees) will be refunded within a month after the new Roadburn date at the latest. Since Roadburn will be on 15-18 April 2021, you will get a refund before May 15 2021 at the latest. You can request your refund via this contact form until June 4, 2020. Select ‘Apply refund’ as the topic. Although we know that some people are suffering financially from the current global situation, we sincerely hope that you will still come to Roadburn in 2021 or 2022 and do not use this option.

What about my camping ticket?
Everything mentioned above is also applicable to your camping ticket. Please note: if camping tickets were purchased separately, you must request a separate voucher or refund.

What happens with day tickets?
Your day tickets remain valid for the same day in 2021. So if, for example, you’ve bought a ticket for Roadburn Saturday and you want to keep your ticket, your ticket will remain valid for Roadburn Saturday 2021. Of course, you can also opt for the voucher and buy new day tickets when they go on sale, but be aware that Roadburn day tickets can sell out quickly.

I bought hardcopy ticket(s) at the 013 box office, Sounds Record store or Primera, so I didn’t get an e-mail.
You can still hang on to your ticket for 2021. But if you prefer a voucher, donation or a refund, we ask you to come to the 013 box office with your hardcopy ticket(s) as soon as it is open again. Please keep an eye on the 013 website for the latest information.

What happens with my ticket after June 4, 2020?
Your ticket will be automatically converted to a ticket for Roadburn 2021. (You will not receive a new ticket.)

What should I do if I bought my ticket on Ticketswap?
You should contact TicketSwap directly. Buying via TicketSwap is always at your own risk: you have made a transaction with Ticketswap, not with Roadburn/013. So even though we would like to reach you, we simply can’t. We can only contact the original buyer.

April 20, 2020

Becky and I, our dedicated staff, and countless others involved with Roadburn are extremely overwhelmed by sense of community shown over the last few days – the Pretend Roadburn group has even been a huge lifesaver in the middle of some of the most uncertain times since WWII. Paralyzed by the global pandemic, and the loss of the actual festival, we didn’t even know what to do with ourselves – like all of you, we were heartbroken and stuck at home, worrying about the new normal, about our daily life, and the things and people we love all so much. On a personal level, I’m also worrying so much about all the creatives, and their struggles to keep going – it just hurts big time!

We weren’t even sure if it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to bring you a few little slivers of Roadburn spirit this weekend – again, so much grief and fear. As Roadburn’s our lifesblood, Becky started to reach out to a few artists, discussing ideas for a live session or two, a single Q&A, and a daily playlist to keep things humble. And then came along a group of wiley Roadburners staging something of a takeover to keep the festival going – we simply couldn’t believe the outpouring of love online, from Roadburn Radio coming to you from Tilburg, or this glorious Facebook group set up by Peter Huibers and Jeriël van der Land – you all pulled off such a miracle! It ignited us to start relentlessly working on the Weirdo Canyon Dispatch (thank you JJ, Lee and the others as well), and reaching out for more live sessions and such (thank you Becky). Suddenly it was like being at the festival, and engaging with everyone in ways that we have never felt or experienced before – the connection was palpable even online.

You gave Roadburn such a new lease on life over the last few days, letting us all celebrate the pretend festival from our homes, with so much passion, hope, and love coming from our screens, and oozing from our speakers. I’m still lost for the proper words to express my feelings and gratitude (the same goes for Becky and everyone involved), though, I’ll try. As you might know, we won the VNPF award for best festival earlier this year. Hereby, I’d like to hand over the award to our beloved community, as it’s you who kept Roadburn going in such an inspirational way during these trying times, and pushed it into a new realm beyond our wildest imagination. It’s something we won’t forget for the rest of our lives, as we’re all connected for life.

The award is yours forever!

Becky and Walter on behalf of the entire Roadburn crew and the 013 venue.

We were humbled and honored by the celebration that (Pretend) Roadburn became over this past weekend. Thank you all so much for your love and support.

We have added the three issues of the (Pretend) Weirdo Canyon Dispatch to our archive HERE.

Thanks as always to Shaman Lee for maintaining the archive and, especially this year, helping to further secure the memory of something unforgettable.

April 9, 2020

We promised we would bring you more information as soon as we had it – and now we do! Guidelines have been agreed by the Dutch government that span the entirety of the events and entertainment industry in The Netherlands, detailing a way forward for all cultural and sporting events – of which Roadburn is of course a part. This scheme is known as the Ticket Value Scheme. These guidelines are set out to be fair to consumers and ticket buyers but also to protect the venues, events, and promoters and to ensure longevity for the entertainment sector in The Netherlands.

So, everybody who currently has a ticket to Roadburn 2020, these will be your options:

1. SAVE YOUR TICKET! As mentioned before – Roadburn is rescheduled to 15-18 April 2021. If you want to show your support to Roadburn this is by far the best option!

2. Claim a voucher. This option will be made available via Ticketmaster – we’re told within the next two weeks. Claiming a voucher means that you have a credit in your Ticketmaster.nl account for use at the 013 venue only. These vouchers will be valid for up to 24 months – meaning that if you know you cannot attend in 2021 but you are a regular Roadburner otherwise, you can use this credit to purchase your ticket for 2022 once those tickets go on sale. If for some reason you do not use the voucher within the 24 month period, or if you decide you cannot use your voucher after all, your voucher automatically converts to a refund. Claiming a voucher also benefits us greatly and if you opt to do this, we thank you for your support. As soon as the option is available on the Ticketmaster website, or more information is available we’ll let you know.

3. Donate your ticket(s). This option will be made available via Ticketmaster at the same time you’re able to claim a voucher. This will automatically be an option available via Ticketmaster so we are informing you of it, but we don’t have any expectation that this will be feasible for many of you. If you do opt for this then your generosity would be extremely welcome.

4. Claim a refund. This option will be made available via Ticketmaster at the same time you’re able to claim a voucher. We know that some people are suffering financially from the current global situation and you’re looking for a refund. The rules of the scheme state your refund will be actioned within a month after the new Roadburn date. Since Roadburn will be on 15-18 April 2021, you will get a refund before May 15 2021.

Please note: When the options to request a voucher, a donation or a refund are available, we’ll let you know. Under the rules of the ticket value scheme announced today, you are entitled to make your request for a voucher, a donation or a refund within four weeks after receiving notice. If you don’t take action within those four weeks, you automatically save your ticket.

Please bear in mind that these measures have been put together under unprecedented conditions for the live music industry. This is a national initiative designed to preserve the future of live music – and more specifically for us, to help ensure that Roadburn can continue. As soon as we have more details of when the voucher and refund options are available to you, we will notify you via our socials and via email.

More information on the scheme can be found HERE.
For questions or more information please contact: info (AT) 013 (DOT) nl

Until then – take good care of yourselves.

– Walter, Becky, Peter van der Aalst (Interim CEO of 013 venue) & the whole Roadburn team

February 11, 2020

After two years with the Roadburn campsite elsewhere, Roadburn camping will return to its original location in 2020! On the spot where the camping was two years ago, Tilburg has created a beautiful park: the Spoorpark. By popular request, Stadscamping Tilburg have managed to organise a campsite on this fantastic location and it’s perfect for Roadburners.

Since the last time Stadscamping Tilburg hosted the camping in this spot, a lot of things have changed. No more threadbare grass fields – guests will now arrive in a beautifully laid out park which looks completely different to the last time camping was hosted there. Some things haven’t change, though. The guests will get the same reliable service as always. In cooperation with the T-Huis, the newly opened restaurant in the Spoorpark, we will attend to all your needs: a hearty breakfast, great coffee and a collection of craft beers – there will be hot showers, clean toilets, cold drinking water, and free phone charging for every camper, too! Next to the restaurant there’s a 35 meters high watchtower: the Kempentoren. On this tower you have a beautiful view on the camping as well as the city.

Kiss & Ride and parking
Unfortunately, there is only limited parking space in the immediate vicinity. To not disturb the local residents living around the park, we have arranged paid and guarded parking spaces somewhere else in the city (Het Laar), just a 5 minute car ride. On the Kiss & Ride near the campground you can unload your stuff and then you can bring your car to this location. From Het Laar there will be shuttle buses that will bring you back to the camping. Are you visiting on your own? You can leave your luggage with us while you take care of your car and we’ll make sure your stuff is safe with us. A parking space costs €12,50 including shuttle bus and 24/7 security.

City Center
The Spoorpark lies a 10 minute walk from Tilburg central station. Close to the campsite are several shops, including the AH XL, a massive supermarket. The Koepelhal and 013 are approx. a 15 minute walk. Would you rather cycle (this IS The Netherlands)? You can rent a bike at the campsite and you reach the festival site in just a few minutes.

In the Stadscamping Tilburg webshop you can get parking tickets, lockers, electricity (campers only!) and reserve a bicycle in advance.

Stadscamping Tilburg will do everything to make your stay in Tilburg as pleasant as possible. We’re looking forward to seeing you in April.

January 18, 2020

Tonight we were awarded the VNPF Best Festival award! An award voted on by our peers – to get this recognition from people that we respect and admire is such an incredible feeling.

A huge thanks to everybody who helps to make Roadburn what it is; we couldn’t do it without you.

Pics: Nathan Reinds