As a DJ/Producer but mainly a raver who’s been lucky enough to experience festivals around the world, I know there are still a few that never lose their magic, and Awakenings is definitely one of them. This edition brought me back to the Netherlands with Electronic Groove, and it truly delivered: powerful music, a vibrant crowd, and the kind of energy that reminds me why I fell in love with techno in the first place.
Photo Credit: Brada Media
Awakenings never disappoints. The production was top-notch: impressive stage setups, powerful sound systems, and stunning lights that brought every performance to life. But beyond all that, there’s something about the energy, a shared space where music connects everyone on a deeper level.
This year, one of the highlights for me was seeing so many incredible women taking over the main stages, openings, closings, and afterparties. Big shout out to Indira Paganotto, Sara Landry, Ellen Allien, Mha Iri, Blondex, and Charlotte de Witte; each of them delivered unforgettable sets that showed exactly why they’re leading the scene right now.
There were so many great moments across the weekend, but a few other standout sets for me came from Rødhåd, FJAAK, Richie Hawtin, Ben Klock, Diøn, Adam Beyer, Joris Voorn, Joyhauser, Enrico Sangiuliano, and Bart Skils. Each one brought a unique energy and sound, making it feel like there was no downtime, just wave after wave of amazing music.
What I’ve always loved about Awakenings is that there’s no “wrong” stage to be at. No matter where you go, you’ll find a top-tier artist playing an amazing set, which honestly makes it tough to decide where to spend your time (in the best possible way).
If there’s one thing that could’ve been better, it was the decision not to allow insulated water bottles inside the festival. Compared to last year, this led to a noticeable increase in single-use plastic. Even though there were free water stations available (which is great), I hope the policy changes back in the future to support a more sustainable approach.
The afterparties were silent disco again this year, which is always a cool experience. Everyone’s in their own world with headphones on, but somehow it still feels super connected. A unique and fun way to close out each night.
Awakenings 2025 was a reminder that no matter how much the scene grows, the core of it all, the people, the music, and that feeling of being completely present on the dancefloor never changes. Grateful to have been there, and already counting down the days until next year.
