By Demi Nankman
Lowlands isn’t just about world-class music, both international and homegrown. It’s also a playground for theatre, performance, science, and all kinds of art, shining a light on the conversations we should be having.
There is a strange tension: wanting to live, dance, and celebrate, while feeling the weight of a global crises. That’s what makes it so powerful to see Lowlands not just acknowledging this tension, but creating room for it. Talks on subjects like “optimism without hope”, Palestine, Ukraine, and America’s political climate.
You’ll hear from all kinds of people and their expertise; doctors, politicians, journalist and rappers. It shows that the festival is serious about engaging with the world beyond music.
One voice we’re especially excited to hear from is Lowlands director Eric van Eerdenburg, who’ll speak about what festivals—and companies—can do in times like these. It is so important, especially right now, when someone in his position uses their platform to push for reflection and change.
Optimism without hope: In just this one-hour-a-day talk, it’s clear there’s a diverse group of experts and thought leaders committed to finding new ways of doing things—or at the very least, starting the conversation. And that conversation is urgently needed.
Here’s what to expect:
Friday – Palestine
Four human right activist will join us, including Dr. Salih El Saddy and Esther van der Most, from the dutch foundation ‘Plant een Olijfboom’, who are committed to true equality for all citizens, including the right of return for Palestinian refugees. Next to them politician Sylvana Simons and rapper Stryder will be there to discuss the topic.
Saturday – Ukraine
Journalists Iris de Graaf and Olaf Koens will talk about the ongoing war in Ukraine. Afterwards author Tommy Wieringa will talk about the foundation Protect Ukraine, with whom he drove to Kyiv.
Sunday – USA
On Sunday we’ll dive into the question that still stuns many: How did Trump become a world leader? Journalists Simone Tukker and Pelle Koppen will talk about the American situations with expert Bianca Pander and journalist Michael Persson.
Also on Sunday, Former Member of the European Parliament Marietje Schaake points out how big tech has come to rule and how we can (hopefully) take the power back.
Real talk conversations
Apart from this, the programme is packed with all sorts of personal and relatable themes: climate stress, hanxiety (hangover anxiety), dopamine addiction and social discomfort. And those are just a few of some of the conversations that resonate with so many of us. Sometimes getting to know something through visualisation touches a certain emotion stories can’t reach on their own.
Which is why we think it is so important that the topics are combined and accompanied by any form of art.
One of our favorite dutch one-man band ‘Spinvis’ will join a science talk on weapons, disarmament, and how it can be a way to solve political conflicts.
Performances
If it’s not music that blends with the heavy conversation, then spoken words, theater or dance. Like the dance performance from both choreographer Connor Schumacher and dance/art collective ‘dansateliers’ who belief that society would thrive if everyone danced every day. We couldn’t agree more!
Sometimes you just have to laugh, especially when life’s conversations tread into heartbreak, terror or sheer soul-crushing territory. That’s where acts like Nira Tal, Wina Ricardo and Kevin Groen come in.
Nira went from a burnout from an office job to standup comedian. Wina does not only have a good amount of self-deprecating humour, she also talks about the dominant male-female dynamic. Kevin is a spoken word artist who introduces poems about sex and drugs, which feels perfectly at home at
Lowlands. He’ll be joined by poetry from poets Alma Mathijsen, Marte Hoogenboom, Marthe van Bronkhorstand Marije Bruinsema.
A Must-See Voice: Lotte van Eijk
Our personal favourite? Lotte van Eijk, speaking on Saturday. They’re a queer activist, entrepreneur, and podcast host who tackles serious issues with a sense of humour, from body positivity and diversity to self-acceptance. They’re the real deal, and we can’t wait.
Get ready
We’re genuinely relieved and excited to see a festival as massive as Lowlands using its platform for something this meaningful. Yes, we’ll dance. Yes, we’ll celebrate. But we’ll also engage, learn, and – maybe- leave with a little more perspective.
With such a wide range of topics, a blend of artistic expression and science, and voices that challenge and inspire, we might just run out of time trying to take it all in. But one thing’s for sure:
We’re curious. We’re ready. And we can’t wait.
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