The full BUDX Amsterdam program is here

The fifth installation of the Mixmag and BUDX event series is right around the corner. From September 25 to 26, we'll be heading to Amsterdam for two days and nights of panels, workshops and parties.

BUDX is Mixmag and Budweiser's immersive program that spotlights outstanding creative minds in music and culture from around the world.

Through these events, BUDX presents the absolute best that these cities have to offer across cultural hot points including music, art, technology, fashion and film. Innovative and carefully curated talks, masterclasses, installations, visual arts and performances give creative leaders their time to shine.

At BUDX Amsterdam, a spotlight on the finest in house and hip hop will be on display. Headlining the first day will be house music legend Kerri Chandler, who will be joined by Dutch mainstays Detroit Swindle, Tom Trago and Kamma. Then on day two, hip hop takes over with influential UK artist Benji B headlining along with a collection of homegrown talent in Jarreau Vandal, Ray Fuego (live), Full Crate and Rachel Green.

Below you can scope the full program at BUDX Amsterdam. RSVP to attend the events here

SUSTAINABLE FESTIVALS OF THE FUTURE

The Netherlands is home to a collection of forward thinking music festivals that are setting an example for the rest of the global scene to follow. In order to explore how Dutch event organizers are pioneers in creating sustainable music festivals, we'll link with Carina Kornfeind of Welcome To The Future, Lyke Poortvliet of Green Events and ADE Green, as well as Xander Kotvis of DGTL. The conversation will be moderated by music journalist, host and presenter Pay Kolmüs.

THE LGBTQ+ ROOTS OF CLUB CULTURE

The global expansion of electronic music can be traced back to the early nightclub scene within the LGBTQ+ community. Here we discuss the LGBTQ+ roots of this influential culture through the perspectives of Roxy founder Eddy de Clercq, Marieke Samallo of Milkshake, Perry Gits of House of Vineyard and the Amsterdam Night Mayor, Shamiro van der Geld.

HOW AMSTERDAM'S TASTE SHAPES THE WORLD

What is unique about Amsterdam's culture that makes it so successful on the world stage? In order to answer this question we'll have a conversation with revolutionary visual artists from Amsterdam to discuss the identity of culture in Amsterdam and the creative cross-pollination in a modern metropolis. Participants include photographer and artist Ahmet Polat of City Collective, filmmaker and storyteller Emma Westenberg of Halal, audiovisual artist Nick Verstand and sound designer Salvador Breed.

LIVE INTERVIEW: DETROIT SWINDLE

One of the most reliable, experienced and steadfast artists coming out of Amsterdam is undoubtedly Detroit Swindle. Whether with their own acclaimed music or the prolific output of their Heist Recordings label, their influence on dance music culture is as strong as anyone in the industry today. In order to explore what is fueling their passion and how they continue to be at the top of their game year after year, we'll sit down with Lars and Maarten of Detroit Swindle for an intimate live interview.

Kerri Chandler
Detroit Swindle
Tom Trago
Kamma

Kerri Chandler

If you're a fan of house music, or even dance music for that matter, then it's nearly impossible that you haven't heard of Kerri Chandler. The US icon has contributed to the scene for over two decades and his dedication to evolving and innovating the genre is unparalleled. As relevant today as he ever was, Chandler has been steeped in DJing since he was a boy back in New Jersey when his father - who was also a DJ - first inspired him to step up behind the decks. Tracks like 'Atmosphere', 'The Mood' and 'You're In My System' have set dancefloors alight since their conception and with Kerri at the helm of both Madhouse and Mad Tech Records, his finger is as on the pulse as it ever was. In 2015 he launched yet another label called Kaoz Theory and the compilation that backed it featured the likes of Seth Troxler, Chez Demier, Detroit Swindle and Matthias Tanzmann, an indication of the kind of company the king likes to keep. As an artist that's never compromised or faltered in his vision, Chandler is a name that will live on for the rest of time. Alongside Knuckles, Levan and Hardy, Kerri Chandler is a king of the dancefloor with a heart of gold.

Detroit Swindle

Detroit Swindle are Amsterdam duo Lars and Maarten. First pairing up in 2011, they have cemented their status as acclaimed selectors, top-tier producers, adventurous performers and the heads of their own acclaimed imprint, Heist Recordings. Their shared history of being passionate crate diggers certainly shows in Detroit Swindle's varied, disco-flecked and funk-fueled tunes. Following their optimistic and grooving 2018 album, 'High Life', Detroit Swindle added a new live show with collaborator Lorenz Rhode to their busy worldwide touring schedule that has created a whole new draw for the sensational group. In 2019, the duo released the EP' Rhythm Girl Swing' on AUS Music, the rubbery single 'Hey Mister' on Classic Music Company and released 'High Life, The Remixes' EP which features killer cuts from Gari Romalis, Matt Karmil, Cinthie and more. Detroit Swindle have always remained steadfast in their calling in life: to put a smile on your face and make you dance until you drop.

Tom Trago

Tom Trago is dance music royalty of Amsterdam's club scene. Never wavering from his lifelong dream to pursue a career in music, the Dutchman has trudged his way to top with sheer dedication - feeding his salacious vinyl addiction the whole way through. Ever since his debut Rush Hour Recordings release 'Live With The BB Q' back in 2006, Trago's been delivering luminous house cuts time and time again. He established his Voyage Direct label - a sub-label of Rush Hour Recordings - in 2010. He was a resident of the fabled Amsterdam club Trouw before its closing in 2016 and since then, the far-reaching appetite for Trago's skills on stage has not slackened. With four albums, countless EPs released on Dekmantel, Aus Music, !K7 Records, Sound Pellegrino and Rush Hour, as well as a rigorous touring schedule, Trago is regarded as a guiding force for underground dance music coming out of the Netherlands.

Kamma

Amsterdam native Kamma has DJing in her blood. With two parents who made a 25-year career for themselves behind the decks, her comprehensive understanding of music and how it applies to a dancefloor setting is impeccable. Armed with beautiful technique and a finely tuned arsenal of music, her bi-monthly Brighter Days party has made a serious splash in the Venice of the North. A selector motivated by affection and complex rhythms, her performances at top tier events such as Dimensions Festival, Dekmantel and DGTL, it's clear that Kamma's meteoric rise in the scene is only just beginning.

Fashion, Hip Hop & Amsterdam - The Ultimate Mix

In today's fashion world, various cultures are having a strong impact on the interpretation and evolution of style. In order to showcase this innovative approach, three generations of self-made fashion entrepreneurs from Amsterdam will come together to reveal how their hip hop-mindset fuels their creativity. Participants include Karim Afifi of Daily Paper, Maru Asmellash of The New Originals and Virgil Chocolaad of Patta. Charisa Chotoe of AT5 will moderate the chat.

Art Talk: On Underground and Counter Culture

What type of cultural infrastructure does a city need to have in order to stimulate new cultural initiatives and underground movements? What can other global cities learn from Amsterdam? Here we address these questions with a collection of cultural leaders and innovators, including Angelo Bromet of No Limit and Milkmade, Aukje Dekker of Sexyland and Peter Coolen of Street Art Today. Red Light Radio resident, DJ and My Little Underground founder Femke Dekker will host the discussion.

Amsterdam beats Worldwide: The Next Generation

More and more Amsterdam beat-makers are working together with the largest global artists from their studio at home. Here we meet the new generation of international hit makers, including Niaggi, Roselilah and Styn, to uncover their creative process and how they plan to shape the future. Charisa Chotoe of AT5 will moderate the chat.

Benji B
Jarreau Vandal
Ray Fuego (live)
Full Crate
Rachel Green

Benji B

Benji B is a name synonymous with music all over the world and as a radio stalwart, esteemed selector and production advisor, he's had a rich career that's lasted over a decade. Benji is a figure who's has steered movements and always kept his sights firmly on the future and numerous acts have him to thank in launching their names. His work with Kanye West, notably on the track 'Fade' from 'Life of Pablo' saw him gain new levels of recognition and his regular BBC Radio One show welcomes guests of the highest caliber every week. His highly-regarded London party, Deviation, has been around for over a decade and welcomed numerous guests like Flying Lotus, Zomby, Actress and Skepta. Being regarded as one of the best tastemakers in the world takes some work, but it's safe to say the Benji B has put his time in. The accolade is (and shall remain) uncontested.

Jarreau Vandal

Since bursting onto the scene in 2014, Jarreau Vandal's magnetic sound has acted a bridge between the many genres he pulls from in his remixes, original productions and DJ sets. A member of the innovative LA collective Soulection, the Amsterdam native brings unique concoctions of house, soul, hip hop, funk, r'n'b, jazz and rock to the dancefloor. Well versed behind the decks and just as sonically potent with a live band surrounding him, the dynamism of his art and performance knows no bounds.

Ray Fuego

Rugged, reckless and daring, Dutch hip hop artist Ray Fuego is a sinister music sensation with an all-out punk attitude. Growing up in Bijmer, a tough neighborhood South of Amsterdam, Fuego's lyricism and sound is a embolden outcry against injustice and for self-expression. Only 22 years old, he first started releasing music in 2015 with the EP' Syrup N" Lottasackas'. He started to gain major recognition after the formation of his 'Bummy Boys' project with MC GRGY and producer KC. The trio has powered forward with great success, releasing their last album' Bummy Boys 3' this past July. In addition to his rapping, he brings unruly, moshing energy to the stage when performing as the frontman for the punk band Team Service. Ray Fuego's aesthetic and sound is a fresh serum for Amsterdam's creative scene and his mission is as unmovable as the walls of death he forms during his gigs.

Full Crate

A graduate of Red Bull Music Academy's Madrid program in 2011, Full Crate is DJ-producer who excels at combining hot-shot riddims with his knack for crafting salacious deep house tunes. The Amsterdam-based artist's slick sound is imbued by soulful and tropical island musings that contain unmistakable feelings of affection and positivity. In 2017 he released his EP 'Vouge' featuring Def Jam all star Trinidad James, Bryn Christopher, Bluey Robinson, followed by celebrated singles such as 'LowKey' and 'A Storm on a Summers Day' with Dutch-Sudanese singer Gaidaa. A much-welcomed selector at clubs and festivals over the globe, Full Crate's inviting dancefloor vibe tends to turn up the temperature in a big way.

Rachel Green

The highly admired local Amsterdam selector Rachel Green has filled the airwaves of her city with high-octane dance music for over a decade. Between her bi-monthly show on Operator Radio and showing up for guest mixes on NTS, Footwork Jungle, Redlight Radio and more, Green's razor-sharp bass and club mixtapes continue to make a notable impact. Bringing wicked concoctions of hard-hitting bass house, grime, jungle, hip hop and UK garage to the dancefloor, bringing the infallible energy of her sets to the forefront is a guaranteed method in keeping the crowd excited and moving.

RSVP to attend the events here