As the Easter weekend approaches, festival-goers are gearing up for the highly anticipated Paaspop 2025, set to take place from April 18 to April 20 in Schijndel, Netherlands. This year, the festival promises a vibrant atmosphere, featuring more than 250 acts across twenty stages, including a mix of local and international talent.
Among the notable performances is the Dutch band Astronaut, scheduled to take the stage on Friday, April 18, from 17:00 to 17:45 at the Heineken Studio. Known for their dreamlike lyrics and straightforward musical style, Astronaut aims to captivate audiences right at the start of the festival season. Following them, TAXITAXI will perform from 21:00 to 21:45, also at the Heineken Studio, bringing a punk sound paired with boy band charm that promises to energize the crowd.
On Saturday, April 19, the festival continues with Maria Iskariot, a Belgian band known for their unique sound, performing from 16:15 to 17:00 at The Shelter. They have already made a name for themselves in their home country and are eager to expand their reach in the Netherlands. Later that evening, Peach Pit, a Canadian indie rock band, will take to the Phoenix stage from 17:30 to 18:30, introducing their new album Magpie to Dutch audiences after a previous appearance at Best Kept Secret 2023.
Jack Shore is set to perform on Saturday from 18:15 to 19:00 at Roxy, showcasing his house set infused with disco and techno influences, perfect for early evening dancing. As the night deepens, Icelandic band Sólstafir will bring their heavy metal sound to The Shelter from 23:15 to 00:15, offering a unique blend of doom metal and prog rock.
As the festival progresses into the early hours of Sunday, April 20, John Tana will entertain at The Social Club from 00:30 to 01:00. Known for his unique takes on chansons in the Maastricht dialect, Tana is a local favorite. Sunday will also feature performances by Antony Szmierek at Roxy from 14:45 to 15:30 and LES YEUX D’LA TÊTE at The Social Club from 19:30 to 20:30, both promising to deliver engaging and diverse experiences.
Adding to the excitement of Paaspop 2025 is the introduction of The Giant, the largest festival tent in the world, which will host performances for an audience of about 21,000 people. Standing at 25 meters high, The Giant is designed without traditional tent poles, allowing for unobstructed views of the stage. This innovative structure not only enhances the audience experience but also accommodates nearly eight tons of technical equipment, enabling impressive light shows and sound quality.
Paaspop director Peter Sanders expressed his enthusiasm for the new tent, stating, "I’m curious to see how a band like Faithless will perform in front of a larger audience than in the Ziggo Dome." The Giant's unique design allows for a safer environment, eliminating hazards associated with traditional tent setups.
The weather for the festival weekend looks promising, with Friday set to be cloudy with a chance of light rain, but improving as the day progresses. Temperatures will hover around 12 degrees Celsius, dropping to about 7 degrees in the evening. Saturday promises to be dry and sunny with temperatures reaching 14 degrees, while Sunday will start sunny but may see showers later in the day, with highs around 17 degrees. Festival-goers are advised to protect themselves from the sun, as the UV index is expected to be between 4 and 5.
In addition to Paaspop, other festivals such as DGTL in Amsterdam will enjoy similar weather conditions, making this Easter weekend a prime opportunity for festival enthusiasts to indulge in music and celebration across the Netherlands.
With a lineup that includes acts like Kensington, UB40, and Son Mieux, Paaspop 2025 is poised to kick off the festival season with an unforgettable experience for attendees, blending exciting performances with innovative structures and a vibrant atmosphere.
