Backstage Dos and Don'ts, Dutch Festival Culture and Paradiso (Silla Van Reenen) — Backstage #36

In the 36th episode of the Backstage Podcast, we sat down with Silla van Reenen, junior booker at Paradiso, to dive into the dynamic world of event management, bookings, and the electronic music scene in the Netherlands.

Silla shares her journey from interning at festivals to coordinating artist logistics for major events like the Verknipt Festival. We explore the day-to-day life of a booker, the balancing act between club and festival programming, and the unique Dutch festival culture that welcomes ravers of all ages.

Silla gives insights into her work in artist management, including the challenges of stage management, the growing role of women in the music industry, and the importance of staying true to yourself in a fast-paced, competitive scene. We also discuss the rise of hard techno, shifting music trends, and the delicate art of crafting the perfect lineup.

Whether you’re an aspiring booker, a festival enthusiast, or curious about the behind-the-scenes of music events, this episode provides a genuine look at the vibrant festival landscape and what it takes to make events run smoothly. Tune in for stories, tips, and a peek into Silla’s world, where passion meets professionalism.

Silla Van Rennen
Instagram 📷   / sillavanreenen  

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00:00:00 – Intro and Greetings
00:01:42 – Silla’s Role at Paradiso
00:03:58 – Meeting at ADE and Panel Insights
00:06:27 – Starting Out in Event Management
00:08:52 – Early Event Experiences
00:12:08 – Dutch Festival Culture
00:15:17 – Managing Stage and Artist Needs
00:18:25 – Popular Genres in the Netherlands
00:21:19 – Rise of Hard Techno
00:25:10 – Comparing Music Scenes: Netherlands vs. Slovenia
00:29:33 – Festival Over-Saturation Challenges
00:34:12 – Budgeting and Sustainability
00:37:44 – Moving from Assistant to Booker
00:42:50 – Booking Trends and Popularity
00:46:11 – Highlights of Artist Management
00:50:44 – Festival Do’s and Don’ts for Artists
00:54:16 – Staying Authentic in Music
00:57:42 – Gender Representation in Music
01:01:23 – Event Coordination Challenges
01:04:18 – Career Lessons and Mentorship
01:07:42 – Event Management as a Career
01:12:55 – Favorite Festivals and Future Goals
01:16:40 – Final Thoughts and Staying Passionate
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Mentioned in the episode:

Club Paradiso
https://www.paradiso.nl/en/subbrand/c...

Verknipt Festival
https://www.verknipt.org/

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Production: Shtrayfix events
Hosts: David Lavrič, Jurij Jovan
Sound: Jurij Jovan / Etmoth
Post production: Maks Hribar
Intro track: ASTWØ - Cyber Theft

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Backstage podcast talks about the behind the scenes of the music industry. It's purpose is to share personal experiences and distribute knowledge of our guests among other industry professionals and entertain music enthusiasts whose interests go beyond just partying.