Watch the live stream of our Dekmantel broadcast here.
When we doubled down to program our stage at Dekmantel this year, it was an instant no-brainer to include at least one man in our showcase – Young Marco.
You don’t have to dig deep into our archives to clock that Young Marco has been a family favourite at BR Towers for a minute now. Wheel back through our extensive back-catalogue from the past few years: his BR appearance-count is nearly at double digits. But apart from being everyone’s favourite dude, there’s a reason he’s been such a repeat-visitor. The Marco man is a rare-breed – a challenging selector with a gifted ear. We keep booking him because he never falls to lacklustre repetition or safe-bet sureties – he dares to do different. His wildly off-kilter sets are always (always) fun but also a mad-cap whirlwind of stuff you’re likely to have never touched upon before. Bargain-bin oddities, rare electro, Bollywood disco – Marco packs it all.
This power to surprise and delight in the dance has made his dudeness one of Amsterdam’s finest. And part of the charm, of course, is his connection to the rich electronic legacy of his Dutch homeland. As a major celebrant of Holland’s hidden gems and slept-on crates, we got Marco to shine a light on some of his favourite Dutch classics – and surprise, surprise: there’s some real heat in there. Dive in below.
Danny Boy – Discomix
I’m pretty sure Danny Boy is the first rapper to rap in Dutch – he did two releases, both produced by his Dad. The first one was kind of a novelty record, but this is one bad ass piece of electronic funk – just listen to that fat 808.
Enno Velthuys – Swamp
This guys is a bonafide genius — and I don’t use that word lightly — who deserves a lot more recognition for his insane body of work.
Plus Instruments – Bodies
Such a solid chugger. Makes me wanna dance expressively. I met Truus de Groot a while ago, she’s cool.
Family & Friends – Togetherness In A Distraction (Soul Elevation Work)
Eric Nouhan might have made some of the weirdest and goofiest house and techno of the 90’s. His productions were all over the place, but the emotion was always right on the money. It’s an acquired taste.
Integrity – The Way I Live
Huge reverb and lush chords, what else do you want?
Nexda – Untitled
Really dope synthy dub – will give Moritz von Oswald a boner for sure.
Risque – Starlight
Careless smooth summer jam for blasting in your convertible. I guess this is what people call Balearic?
Dance Reaction – Disco Train
An easy one, of Unclassics fame, but this must be one of the best Dutch disco records. The production is nuts, you can even hear the Dutch bikes ringing their bells (which is sort of random since it’s about trains…).
Florence – The Vineyard
All time Stefan Robbers fave. What a tearjerker – sounds like an empty rave, but you’re having the best time ever.
DJ Bert & Eagle – I Am Your Master
A powerful record. Combine this with an intense stare and you might totally hypnotise that hot girl in the club – or more likely, she will call the cops on you…
♦︎ ♦︎ ♦︎
– Young Marco plays the final leg of our three-day showcase at Dekmantel at the end of this month. To find out more on our broadcast at this year’s festival, head here. –
