For those accustomed to BBC Radio 1 evening sessions or Radio Xfm, arriving in the Netherlands will be a shock to the system. I mean, here is a country that in 2007 still gives frequent and preferential radio play to commercial hits from the 70's and 80's, with the likes of Queen, Rolling Stones, Spandau Ballet, Genesis and Boney M dominating the play lists.

Reasons for the time-warp

There are various views on why the music scene in The Netherlands hasn't developed like the majority of other European countries. One theory is that the people who decide what gets played or shown, such as DJ's, promoters and agents, would probably be considered out of touch in a lot of other countries.

The majority of established radio DJ's currently operating in Holland are all in their late 30's/early 40's. They grew up during the 70's and 80's at a time when life in Holland was prosperous and relatively safe. For instance, few Dutch kids got to hear about or experience the punk scene in the 70's.

Creating tension 

Album by Tom Hingley and The Lovers

The availability of subsidies also has a major impact on creativity in the music business. If you hand out too much funding then the human response is to relax, to cease pushing all boundaries. Generosity in this area could also help to explain why Dutch artists hardly ever make any impact outside their own borders or that their biggest musical export is still The Smurfs.

For instance the likes of John Peel, English DJ, radio presenter and journalist, could never have established himself or been in a position to support and assist all the bands he did in an environment that didn't encourage people to push boundaries.

Music monopoloy

Another factor, which many people in Holland are unaware of, is that the two main music TV channels (MTV and TMF) which are broadcast in the Netherlands are only for the Dutch market and have one programmer. This means that one person ends up deciding what gets played, which diminishes the variety of music played and denies competition.

Continuing in the monopoly vein, the Dutch language music publications, which provide reviews, do interviews and announce forthcoming concerts, only cover acts from either the major record companies–big budgets–or ones that they are helping to plug–various budgets depending on the act. What you end up with is a magazine full of positive reviews, as if the reviewers are afraid of handing out critique even if appropriate at the risk of upsetting their "sponsors". These magazines are more advertising vehicles than music magazines.

Now let's fast forward to 2007. Having played it safe over the past few decades, it isn't a surprise that the current population of 'older' DJ's don't want to relinquish their positions and also explains why it becomes perfectly acceptable for them to keep playing Phil Collins!

Finding an alternative

Reacting to this lack of momentum on the Dutch music scene, a few years ago a group of – mainly expat – alternative music lovers got together and decided to set up a website for the Benelux region which focused on new and established artists. Although initially an English and Dutch language website, the site reverted to English-only to cater to its primarily international readership.

Contributions to the AAPA (Alternative Arts Productions) website are welcome. Along with music, the site is branching out into cinema photography, theatre and comedy, literature and poetry and is even opening a section for English language reviews on restaurants in the Benelux region.

AAPA contributors and organisers don't get paid to review the music or take bribes or gifts. If the reviewer thinks something is good they say so and if they believe otherwise they say why. Whenever possible, AAPA points you towards the artists via their own websites.

Visit AAPA at www.aapa.nl

14 March 2007 

TerryA is half Dutch, half Scottish and has several years of experience working in the music industry between the UK and the Netherlands.

[Copyright TerryA]

Subject: What's on in the Netherlands