Financial pressure grows for Dutch venues
"The Netherlands has built something unique. We're now in danger of cutting that away," warns the country's live music trade association
News By James Hanley | 25 July 2025
The Association of Dutch Pop Venues and Festivals (VNPF) is calling for increased subsidies after financial losses grew across the Netherlands’ venue sector despite rising attendances.
The trade body’s newly published financial report showed that 6.9 million visitors flocked to the 30,831 performances in the country last year – an 8% upturn on 2023 – although the trend was not consistent across the board. In total, 64% of the 59 venues surveyed saw an increase in attendance and 36% witnessed a decrease.
Revenues rose by 12% to €253.1…