Down the Rabbit Hole Festival: History and Evolution
Down the Rabbit Hole is a prominent music festival in the Netherlands, envisioned as a complementary experience to the larger Lowlands festival. Directed by Eric van Eerdenburg, who also leads Lowlands, the event was designed to create a unique atmosphere for music lovers, blending high-profile headliners with an intimate festival environment.
The Inaugural Event of 2014
The first edition of Down the Rabbit Hole took place from June 27 to 29, 2014. Initially marketed as the "little brother" to Lowlands, the debut event offered three-day tickets for €135. The festival kicked off on its first Friday with a performance by the band De Staat.
The 2014 lineup featured major headliners including Damon Albarn, The Black Keys, and Foals. Interestingly, the organizers attempted to book Jack White for the event; however, White declined the offer due to a feud with The Black Keys, as he did not wish to perform at the same festival as his former bandmates.
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Memorable Moments and Challenges
The first year was marked by several unexpected events. During his performance, Damon Albarn shared the news of the passing of Bobby Womack with the crowd. Additionally, the festival coincided with the 2014 FIFA World Cup match between the Netherlands and Mexico. This led to a unique scene where half of the attendees opted to watch a stream of the match on the hill rather than attending the set by The Naked and Famous.
Following the success of the launch, Eric van Eerdenburg expressed his ambition to scale the event, aiming for an attendance of 35,000 people.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
After years of growth, the festival faced significant disruptions due to the global pandemic. Although the initial lineup for 2020 was announced on December 17, 2019, the event was cancelled on April 21, 2020. This decision followed a Dutch government mandate prohibiting large gatherings until September 1.
Efforts to return in 2021 involved strategic changes. In April 2021, organizers announced that the event would be delayed until late August and relocated to the Lowlands site in Biddinghuizen. This move was intended to reduce the risk of cancellation and utilize a larger site to implement better safety measures. Despite these efforts, the festival was cancelled again on July 26, 2021, because the government prohibited multi-day events involving camping until September 1 to adhere to stricter corona measures.
Key Facts
- Director: Eric van Eerdenburg (also director of Lowlands).
- First Edition: June 27–29, 2014.
- Original Ticket Price: €135 for a three-day pass.
- Debut Headliners: Damon Albarn, The Black Keys, and Foals.
- Growth Target: 35,000 attendees.
- Pandemic Impact: Cancellations in both 2020 and 2021.
| Year | Event/Status | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Inaugural Edition | Headlined by Damon Albarn, The Black Keys, and Foals. |
| 2020 | Cancelled | Government ban on large gatherings due to COVID-19. |
| 2021 | Cancelled | Ban on multi-day camping events. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the director of Down the Rabbit Hole?
The festival is directed by Eric van Eerdenburg, who is also the director of the Lowlands festival.
When did the festival first start?
The first edition of Down the Rabbit Hole took place from June 27 to 29, 2014.
Why was Jack White not part of the first lineup?
Jack White turned down the offer to perform because he was feuding with The Black Keys and did not want to play at the same festival as them.
Why was the 2021 edition moved to Biddinghuizen?
The location was moved to the Lowlands site in Biddinghuizen to allow for better safety measures and to reduce the risk of cancellation associated with the traditional July date.
What caused the cancellations in 2020 and 2021?
Both editions were cancelled due to Dutch government restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically bans on large gatherings and multi-day camping events.