Up-and-coming talent that shows itself in cafes, a church and a theater, and audiences that enjoy it for free. The Asser city center was the setting for the traveling music festival the Popronde tonight.
Well-stocked bars, music from pop to rock and fun at six different locations in the Drenthe capital. The evening kicks off in café De Witte Bal. Organizer Levi Vandenberg looks on with satisfaction and can finally relax a bit. “I’ve hardly slept in the past few days,” he says.
It is the first time in three years that the music festival took place in the old-fashioned way in cafes and pubs in Assen. Last year the event had to move to only two locations: theater De Nieuwe Kolk and stage Zuidhaege. The year before, the festival was even smaller and only thirty people were welcome.
And that makes it extra exciting, according to the organizer. “The question is whether people will still be able to find the festival. It is a bit embarrassing if no one comes. But that’s okay.”
In addition to the White Ball, Podium Zuidhaege, cycling café Cours, Autentieq, Zusjes de Boer and 1809 Lodewijk Napoleon are also participating. Fourteen acts show what they have to offer. Vandenberg had to make a selection from more than 100 registered bands. “Then we look at which band best suits which location. And of course also what music Assenaren like.”
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