UPCLOSE FESTIVAL: A SECOND EDITION THAT BROUGHT THE BEAT & THE MAGIC BACK

First: wow.

The second edition of Upclose Festival landed back in Amsterdam with the same energy we fell in love with last year—intimate, raw, and beautifully curated. It felt like the perfect reunion. A space where you casually bump into old friends, creative collaborators, and fellow techno aficionados across the entire weekend.

This year’s lineup delivered some unforgettable moments. Among our standout sets were FRANÇOIS X & GRACE DAHL, MARRØN & RØDHÅD, CLTX and CYBERSEX on Saturday. And Sunday? We were swept away by BEN KLOCK & IGNEZ, followed by an electrifying handover from ANETHA & PATRICK MASON, with KI/KI taking us even further, and the ethereal energy of ESTE HIRA & YANAMASTE and CHARLIE SPARKS. 

image by BLAŽ KOŠIR

What truly elevated this year’s experience were the secret stage activations. De Reunie on Saturday and Eerste Communie on Sunday brought a new layer of intimacy to the festival; like stumbling into a dream rave you never want to leave. Each one had its own mood and magic, carefully hidden in plain sight, and packed with the type of energy that makes you forget time entirely.

We’re already counting down to experience again next year, thank you! 

images by BLAŽ KOŠIR