Lord of Parkpop

* klik hier voor de Nederlandse versie *

It's there, the 29th edition! We all know what we are talking about; Parkpop. One day before Parkpop I get the chance to interview Guus Dutrieux, one of the six from the original Parkpop-Board. It would be a busy presentation, but... it turned out to an informal and personal conversation.

Nearly thirty years of existing, and growing each year; Parkpop is a phenomenom amongst the hague youngsters. Besides that, it's one of the world's biggest FREE festivals. But how did it began? Dutrieux tells easily, comfortable, about the first edition of Parkpop. Looking back on the old days the handout agenda for the event didn't even have 10 pages! What a laugh! But, it had around 15000 visitors; quite nice! But how big is the book right now ? Well.. about this size, and he lifts his hands placing his vingers on a book of what looks like more than the neverending 'Lord of The Rings'.

But even as the festival is growing each year, Parkpop has had his losses. "Reckon that we pay all our income from drinks, marketplaces, sponsors and subsidy... and not any entry prices!"

"That's quite something..."

"Yes, and besides that we pay normal prices for the performances, and everything around it"

Also, Parkpop has a lot of more competitors than before: "There is so much more, that wasn't there before. It's a lot harder now to start a festival." But Dutrieux is convinced that tomorrow they will succeed again, especially with this weather forecast.

And it's not the only thing they do, and that's good aswell "Because..." he continues "...with the profit of other events we can fully cover this kind of Festival". And the production firm has a lot more for the future. In the North of Holland, a big event, in multiple cities...

A nice conversation ended with some backstage tickets the next day;

the 29th edition of Parkpop with a.o. Racoon, Monte Montgomery and Sheryl Crow