In a dramatic turn of events, Dutch singer Dries Roelvink finds himself at odds with the management of the iconic Koninklijk Theater Carré in Amsterdam. Roelvink, who is eager to celebrate his 40-year career with a jubilee concert at the venue, has been informed that he will not be programmed to perform there. This decision has left the singer frustrated and seeking support from the local government.
On May 9, 2025, reports from both HollywoodHuizen and Mediacourant.nl confirmed that Amsterdam's Mayor Femke Halsema is not willing to mediate in the dispute between Roelvink and Carré. Halsema has made it clear that the municipality will not intervene in the theater's programming decisions, stating, "We are not going to overrule as the municipality." This statement has left Roelvink feeling unsupported in his quest to perform at Carré.
Roelvink expressed his disappointment during a recent appearance on the talk show Bar Laat, where he explained his belief that he should have an advantage in securing a performance at Carré since the theater is owned by the municipality of Amsterdam. "I thought: Carré is owned by the municipality, and they asked me to be an ambassador for the big party on the Ring," he said. However, he was met with resistance, as the theater's management has not provided any reasons for their refusal to allow him to perform.
Despite his efforts to negotiate with Carré, Roelvink has received no clarity on why he is being excluded from the lineup. "If I had a reason, I could understand it, but you receive no reason," he lamented. Instead, he has watched as fellow artists like Peter Beense, Wolter Kroes, Tino Martin, and Django Wagner have all been welcomed to perform at Carré, further deepening his sense of injustice.
In a bid to regain momentum and media attention, Roelvink has been vocal about his desire to perform at Carré, which he considers "holy ground" for an Amsterdam singer. He envisions a spectacular show that would take audiences on a nostalgic journey through his career, starting with music from legendary artists such as Johnny Jordaan, Willy Alberti, and Tante Leen, and progressing through the decades to include his own hits.
"I had already imagined that the show would start 50 years ago with the music of Johnny Jordaan, Willy Alberti, Tante Leen. Then I would take the audience through Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, the old Hazes, and my own songs," Roelvink shared, illustrating his passion for the performance he hopes to deliver.
In light of the ongoing situation, Roelvink has received some encouragement from the Concertgebouw, which sent him an email suggesting he perform there instead of at Carré. "I got a nice email from the Concertgebouw. They said, 'Forget about Carré. Just come back to us, like last year.' That could very well become a reality. Right now, I'm focusing my hopes on Noordzee," he said, showing his determination to find an alternative venue.
While Roelvink considers his options, he remains steadfast in his desire to perform at Carré, insisting that it is the right place to celebrate his milestone anniversary. "No, I’m holding on for a bit longer. Carré is holy ground. As an Amsterdam singer with 40 years in the business, I would love to celebrate there with my band and some special guests. I want to give people a nice trip down memory lane," he reiterated.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Roelvink will be able to change the minds of Carré's management or if he will ultimately have to seek out alternative venues for his jubilee concert. The singer's determination to perform at Carré reflects not only his personal ambition but also the emotional connection he has to the venue, which has played a significant role in his career.
With the support of his fans and the media spotlight on his plight, Roelvink is hoping to turn this setback into an opportunity, whether at Carré or elsewhere. His story highlights the challenges artists sometimes face in securing performance opportunities and the complexities of venue management decisions.
As of now, Dries Roelvink's future at Carré remains uncertain, but his passion for his craft and his commitment to celebrating his legacy are undeniably strong. The singer's journey serves as a reminder of the importance of artistic expression and the venues that help bring that expression to life.
