The North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam is an extraordinary celebration of music that attracts a diverse range of artists and music lovers from around the world. I like to travel to festivals around Europe, and this is my review of the North Sea Jazz Festival with practical travel tips.

What to see at the North Sea Jazz Festival?

Welcoming more than 90,000 music fans each year, the North Sea Jazz Festival has built an incomparable reputation since its inaugural year in 1976, hosting a string of musical icons over the years from Miles Davis, Prince, and Count Basie to Amy Winehouse and Adele.

One of the standout features of the North Sea Jazz Festival is its remarkable lineup of artists. Not only does it gather jazz legends, but many other genres like rap, dance, soul, and funk music are represented. The festival offers an impressive array of performances across 15 stages! This festival tends to attract music connoisseurs, and therefore, the lineup has an incredible amount of talented musicians. They might not be super famous, but they can for sure play music. The choice and fear of missing out can be overwhelming!

This year’s lineup showcased renowned musicians such as Buddy Guy, Gregory Porter, Snarky Puppy, and Tom Jones.

While the festival primarily focuses on jazz, it also embraces other genres, reflecting the evolving nature of the music industry. This eclectic mix of styles creates a dynamic and diverse program that caters to a broad audience. Whether you’re a seasoned jazz aficionado or simply appreciate great music, the North Sea Jazz Festival offers a remarkable and enriching experience.

How to navigate between the stages at the North Sea Jazz Festival?

The festival takes place in the city of Rotterdam, providing a stunning backdrop for the performances. The festival venue is unique in Europe, as most of the stages are covered and seated.

The two arenas are Maas and Niles. They both have a huge capacity, and this is where the most famous bands play.

Tip: The acoustics in the Niles stage could be bad at the back and on the side of the room. For the best sound, try to stand near the sound check console. It will improve your listening experience. The Maas stage didn’t suffer from such a sound problem, so even on the side, the sound was okay.

Tip: The stairs to go up in the Maas concert hall get closed when it is too crowded. The only way to go up is to take the lift on the left side of the stage. Go up to the 4th floor and go all around as the stalls on the other side often are the last ones to fill up.

Behind the two massive stages, there are an incredible number of seated auditoriums with good acoustics. This is what makes the North Sea Jazz unique! It was incredible to walk from stage to stage and discover artists.

Tip: Many of the smaller seated stages fill up quickly. So if there is a band you really want to see, I recommend getting there 30 minutes in advance. You will also get a better seat.

Whether it’s the grand stage of Ahoy Rotterdam or the intimate settings of smaller venues, each performance space adds its own unique ambiance to the festival. Stages tended to have different personalities. For example, more Avant-Garde hip-hop or dance bands were on the Darling stage. Amazon tended to host jazz legends and quieter acts. Congo hosted many world music and more active performances.

How is the vibe at the North Sea Jazz Festival?

One of the highlights of the North Sea Jazz Festival is the vibrant atmosphere that permeates the entire event. The festival grounds are teeming with energy as music enthusiasts from all walks of life come together to celebrate their shared passion. The sense of camaraderie and unity among the attendees creates a truly special and unforgettable experience. Attendees tend to be on the older side compared to traditional festivals. There is a sense of politeness and respect, especially in the smaller stages, but that didn’t prevent the audience from dancing and cheering for some of the bands.

Besides the music, there is also an art fair where you can buy paintings, sculptures,…

In terms of organization, the North Sea Jazz Festival excels in providing a seamless and enjoyable experience for its visitors. The festival staff is attentive and helpful, ensuring that everything runs smoothly throughout the event. I have rarely attended a festival where the staff was so friendly and helpful. For example, when we would look for a stage and ask a staff member, we have been directed and accompanied to the stage!

Highlights of the 2023 edition of the North Sea Jazz Festival

We saw many good bands, but three really stood out over the three days that we attended the festival.

Buddy Guy

From the moment Buddy Guy takes the stage, his electrifying presence commands attention. With his signature guitar and charismatic stage persona, he effortlessly captures the essence of the blues and immerses the crowd in a world of raw emotion and musical mastery. What sets Buddy Guy apart is his ability to engage the audience, even in a venue as big as the Maas stage. He effortlessly connected with us. His anecdotes, humor, and genuine love for the music make every concert feel like a personal experience, forging a bond between the artist and the audience that is truly special. In addition to his instrumental prowess, Buddy Guy’s vocals are soulful and powerful. His gravelly voice carries the weight of the blues, evoking a range of emotions with each note. He is surrounded by top-notch musicians. He took us on a journey through the history of blues, paying tribute to the greats who came before him while infusing his own unique style into each song.

Somi

Attending Somi’s concert was an unforgettable experience that left me speechless and filled with pure awe. I had seen Somi twice before, but seeing her in the small Madeira venue was very special. We arrived 30 minutes before the concert start time and were able to get a front-row seat. The room filled up quickly, and many people were not able to enter the room as it was full. From the moment Somi stepped into the venue, the energy was electrifying, and I knew I was in for a treat.

Her stage presence was absolutely captivating. She exuded such charisma and charm that it was impossible not to be drawn in. From the moment she opened her mouth and began to sing, her powerful voice filled the entire venue, enveloping us in her soulful melodies. The gig was mostly a tribute to Miriam Makeba. The raw emotion in her voice gave me goosebumps, and I could see tears in the eyes of some fellow concert-goers. It was a truly special and intimate moment that I’ll cherish forever. Somi’s talent, passion, and genuine love for her craft shone through every moment of the show, leaving a lasting impression on everyone lucky enough to be there. If she comes to your town, make sure you go and see her!

Gabriels

Gabriel’s show was on the last day on the Maas stage. By this time, we had seen many great musicians, and it was getting harder for bands to distinguish themselves and impress us!

From the moment I stepped foot into the venue, I could sense an air of anticipation and excitement. Many fans filled up the Maas arena ahead of their performance.

As the lights dimmed, a hush fell over the crowd, and the haunting melodies of an orchestral intro enveloped the room. Suddenly, the stage burst to life, and there he was – Gabriel’s singer, an enigmatic figure standing amidst a sea of lights and shadows.

From the very first note that resonated from his lips, I was utterly captivated. Gabriel’s singer voice was a force of nature, and his songs are poppy and memorable.

The stage became his canvas, and he painted a masterpiece with his presence and movements. Gabriel’s performance was a masterclass in theatricality and artistry. The video background and choreography enhanced the performance. Elaborate lighting displays, stunning projections, and carefully curated visuals heightened the emotional impact of each song. I am sure we will hear more about Gabriels in the future!

Where to eat and drink at the North Sea Jazz Festival?

The North Sea Jazz Festival has an extraordinary amount of food and drinks on offer.

They even have the Park Heuvel in the house, providing a tasting menu. I think it might be the only festival in the world providing 2 Michelin stars food!

Tip: The Park Heuvel also has a bar. The wine offered was much better than in other bars at the festival, but the price was about the same, so it was a great place to refill your glass! Even if you don’t want to do the full tasting menu, The Par Heuvel provides a snack menu, and their churros were delicious. Unfortunately, we only discovered this on the last day…

When we first arrived, we went to the central square, the area with indoor bars and restaurants that is near the entrance and were horrified to see the huge queues to get food and drinks.

We later discovered Nile Square and Hudson Avenue, two outdoor streets that have a larger number of food stalls with more manageable queues. The food offered ranged from burgers to Indian food, Indonesian food, and even a caviar and oyster bar! The food extended from bad to good, so it is worth trying a few of the stalls. The queue in front of the food stall was not a good indicator of the food quality 😊

Tip: The whole festival is card-only. Cash is not accepted, so make sure you bring a credit card.

We really enjoyed the Mississippi Square and its champagne bar. They served better-than-average wine, and the open stage allowed any musicians to go and jam on stage. We would often go there to sit down and rest in between concerts. With the table, real wine glasses, and champagne, it felt a bit like one of the VIP areas, but it is accessible to the public.

Tip: If some of the bars and bathrooms near the central square or the bigger stages often had long lines, there are many other bars or toilets with no lines, especially on the first and second floor of the complex. In the three days that we were there, we never had to queue for drinks or toilets as we avoided the busy ones.

Should you get a VIP ticket at the North Sea Jazz Festival?

The North Sea Jazz Festival offers three types of tickets.

Birdland tickets are the most exclusive. They cost 450 Euros and give you access to a VIP area with food and drinks. The first two times attending the North Sea Jazz Festival, I had Birdland tickets, and it is very convenient to have a quiet place to go and recharge in between concerts. The food was also very good. The Birdland area is, however, a bit out of the way, so it is an effort to get back there in between gigs. Birdland tickets give you free access to the parking near the festival, so it is convenient if you drive.

The Ticket de Luxe gives you access to a VIP area above the central square. The advantage of that area is that it is centrally located near the two biggest stages where famous artists play. It is less cozy than the Birdland area and only offers free drinks, so you still need to buy your own food.

VIP tickets do not give you any privileged seats or viewing platforms, so if you come for the music, a regular ticket is enough.

This year, we only had a regular ticket. Once you find good bars and food outlets, it is easy to have a great experience at the North Sea Jazz Festival, even with a regular ticket.

Where to stay when attending the North Sea Jazz Festival?

The North Sea Jazz Festival is very popular, and finding accommodation during the festival is hard!

When attending the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, you have two options: either choose accommodation that is conveniently located near the festival grounds or stay in a nearby town like Delft or Den Haag where better accommodation is available.

Here are some recommendations for places to stay in Rotterdam that are in close proximity to the festival:

The closest hotel is the Art Hotel. This year, we saw that they are building an Ibis Suite right next to the festival entrance. It should be finished on time for the 2024 edition of the North Sea Jazz and will be the most convenient option even if you can’t expect luxury there.

Another option is to look at Airbnb. We found an apartment in the Charlois area that is 15 minutes walk from the festival, so we didn’t have to get stressed about finding a taxi at the end of the day. The apartment was basic, not very clean, and grossly overpriced, but it was convenient.

City Center: Rotterdam’s city center is a lively hub with a variety of attractions, restaurants, and entertainment options. While it may be a bit farther from the festival grounds, the city center provides a vibrant atmosphere and easy access to public transportation.

If you want to stay further away, I recommend Hotel des Indes in Den Haag. I stayed there for the first two times I attended the festival, and the historical building is stunning. Prices during the festival are not as inflated as the hotels in Rotterdam, making it a good value. But you will need to organize your transport to and from the festival.

Remember to book your accommodation well in advance, as the North Sea Jazz Festival attracts a significant number of visitors, and availability can be limited during the festival period.

In conclusion of my review of the North Sea Jazz Festival

In conclusion, the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam stands as a premier event for music lovers seeking an immersive and unforgettable musical experience. With its exceptional lineup, vibrant atmosphere, and impeccable organization, the festival continues to be a shining gem in the world of music festivals. Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast or simply someone looking for a remarkable musical journey, the North Sea Jazz Festival is a must-attend event that will leave you with lasting memories.

For more info on Jazz festivals, do read my review of the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and my review of the Ubud Jazz Festival in Bali.