He is finished, the stage in Hoogeveen. After a year of maintenance, Chef’Special will perform in the renewed pop temple tonight.
“The building has changed completely, it has really become a fully -fledged pop venue,” says programmer Erik Hoezen proudly during a tour. According to him, the renovation of the stage was really necessary. “I don’t want to say that the level was cramped, because of course the building also had its charm. But there is really a big step now.”
The stage closed about a year ago for the renovation. The room was made more sustainable, renovated and especially expanded. The capacity has doubled to four hundred visitors and that also means something for the performances that will take place. “Larger capacity means booking larger bands. Simple Zat,” says Hoezen.
That the capacity is sometimes insufficient, it appears at the opening act. The band Chef’Special may be the first to welcome the audience and according to Hoezen, that show was sold out in eight seconds.
“That’s a hit. Chef’Special is one of the biggest bands in the Netherlands we have at the moment. We could have done them ten times. But this is good enough.”
In future programming, covers would also like to offer Drents talent a stage. “I am planning to book a local talent in the supporting program for every band. And we would really like to participate in Drenthe talent programs.”
The renovation was partly created by the municipality of Hoogeveen and the province of Drenthe. “This is a pearl for the whole of Drenthe and I think it is important that we all benefit and enjoy it together,” says Hoezen.