DJ Tiësto from Breda is no longer the Dutch artist with the most performances abroad. Tiësto was behind the decks abroad 92 times last year, a lot less than the 121 with which he topped the list in 2023. Yet he remains an important export product, because the Breda DJ is still at number four on the list.
Dutch artists have raked in a record amount abroad last year, according to figures published by Buma Cultuur on Monday. The amount was more than 220 million euros in 2024. That is an increase of 11 percent compared to the previous year.
The 55-year-old Tiësto, aka Tijs Verwest, was the most popular Dutch artist abroad in 2023. Now that place has been given over to DJ and producer Franky Rizardo. Last year, with 112 performances abroad, he was the Dutch artist who performed across the border most often.
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In 2023, Tiësto was still at the top abroad
Behind Franky Rizardo, Mau P is in second place with 110 shows abroad, followed by Chris Stussy with 96 performances outside the Netherlands in third place. Tiësto is at number four. Afrojack (fifth) and Martin Garrix (sixth) are also slightly lower this time than last year.
Dance music most loved
Our dance music remains the most popular abroad. The value of performances and dance labels amounted to more than 136 million euros last year, 62 percent of the total export value.
The previous record year was 2018, when 216.5 million euros were earned with music by Dutch people. According to Buma Cultuur director Frank Helmink, the fact that we are now having another record year is due to the corona crisis. “You saw in 2018 that we reached a record high, but then of course everything collapsed because of corona. From 2022 onwards we will see a very steady upward trend again,” he told NOS.