Amsterdam-based deep tech maestro Luuk van Dijk takes us on a tour of Amsterdam’s dance floors with 10 essential cuts.
Born and raised in a town called Hilversum, it was a life-changer moving to Amsterdam! Seven years ago, when I was 19, I left the nest to pursue my DJ career, and I thought (logically) to get booked here, I had to be here. It was crazy first experiencing what kind of nightlife this city has to offer, all within a 20-minute bike ride distance.
At that time, there were tons of really good clubs with all their own identities, and every weekend I went to four to five clubs, checking out DJs, networking, and showing my face. As every club had the best DJs and they all with their own sound, I got so inspired when I jumped into the studio.
I got so many opportunities in this beautiful city, and I’m very thankful for that! But hey, we’re here for the music, so let me show you some tracks that I’ve discovered on a dancefloor somewhere in Amsterdam throughout the years.
Klubbheads – Klubbhopping [Armada Music Albums]
Slapfunk is one of my favorite parties in Amsterdam. It’s all about real underground house music, and the DJs that play there always bring their a game. Expect the rarest oldskool records, bass face guaranteed. My fave DJ from Holland Samuel Deep threw this record at Brett, and it went off!
HearThuG – Planet Rhythm X [Banoffee Pies Records]
Talking about Brett, I heard my good friend Boris Werner playing this and sent us all to space. I love this weird little tune, and I think this is what music on the moon sounds like.
David Dega- Moonstruck [Night & Day Ibiza Music]
When I visited my first festival ever back in 2013 (Loveland Queensday), I heard Dubfire play this, and I remember this as the first tech house track that blew me away. It still gives me goosebumps when I think back to that moment when I heard this track on a big stage with thousands of people.
Nail – Slap My Ass [Classic Music Company]
I spent a lot of time at Claire, a lovely club at Rembrandtplein that sadly closed her doors a couple of years ago. After spending numerous nights at this place, they even gave me my own residency night where I had artists like Djebali, DJ Steaw, Phil Weeks, Richy Ahmed and even Chris Stussy before he blew up! I can’t remember who played this record, but I still play it after many years!
Blunted Dummies – House For All (John Acquaviva Original Edit) [Get Physical Music]
I heard Mandar (S.A.M., Malin Genie, Lazare Hoche) a while ago at Shelter, one of my favorite clubs that Amsterdam now has to offer (I also have a residency there now). They played this tune, and I absolutely loved it. This track gives me warm feelings every time I listen to it!
Nature Love – You Turn Me Around (Karu Mix) [Love International Recordings]
At 2021’s ADE, which is always the best time of the year, I was checking out my friend Seth Troxler at Circoloco x Loveland. He was playing after Kölsch, and he dropped this tune. Talk about warm feelings! Just a very nice track to vibe to. I absolutely love it.
Mood II Swing – Move Me (Alternative Version) [Music For Your Ears]
When I first moved to Amsterdam. I would spend a lot of time digging for new music during the day. Mary Go Wild, a record shop at Zeedijk, is the place where I always felt the most comfortable. While digging through all the second-hand crates, I suddenly found this one: 909 hats, repetitive catchy bassline, and a crazy funky drum loop.
Lauhaus – Collectify [Soweso Records]
Amsterdam and minimal music go way back, and guys like Lauhaus, Kabale Und Liebe, Onno, Boris Werner, and the club Studio 80 (which also closed its doors and became Claire) were a big part of this. I’m still a bit sad that I missed this big minimal era like 13+ years ago. So if you want to find some good underground tech house / minimal tracks, check out these artists (mentioned earlier), and you’re in for a treat.
Lazare Hoche, Malin Genie – Session 2 [Lazare Hoche]
The festival I’ve played the most would easily be STRAF_WERK Festival, I can’t remember who exactly played this track, but when I heard it, I lost it. A great track again by two of the three guys from Mandar. Slammer!!
Julien Fuentes – Wake De Man (JF Dress It Mix) [Dark Side Of The Sun]
If you ask me, Julien Fuentes is one of Amsterdam’s most promising acts. I had the honor to release a couple of his amazing work on my label Dark Side Of The Sun. You might’ve heard this one if you have seen me playing lately!
