Pinkpop founder Jan Smeets retires

The European festival legend is stepping back as Pinkpop festival director but warns: You can't get rid of me that easily

Smeets chats with Mojo's Leon Ramakers in the festival's early days

Jan Smeets, founder and festival director of iconic Dutch festival Pinkpop, is stepping down after 50+ years at the helm.

Smeets, 75, who was last year honoured with a commemorative coin in celebration of Pinkpop’s 50th year, is stepping back from his role as festival director with immediate effect, he announced late on Friday (18 September).

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Then aged 25, Smeets – known in the Netherlands as ‘Mr Pinkpop’ – organised the first edition of Pinkpop in 1970, and the 60,000-capacity Limburg event…

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