We were sad to hear that De School, a staple of nightlife in Amsterdam and wider Holland, closed its doors in 2024. Opening in 2016, the 1500-capacity venue – converted from a technical school – was a nightclub, exhibition space, live music spot, restaurant and cafe, open all day, every day, with cultural programming throughout.
De School gave opportunities to young, local DJs finding their feet, enabling them to spin at the venue and become residents. The result over the last eight years has been a loyal following of fans and talent. De School also hosted international DJs, becoming one of the most legendary clubs in recent history. Its impact has now been captured with a new online archival space, ‘Het Archief.’
In close partnership with Mixcloud, you can listen to a vast collection of recorded mixes and sound recordings from the club’s history and revisit moments you may have missed or were a part of. Honouring it’s journey, ‘Het Archief’ preserves the essence of De School, giving the world an invaluable capsule of sound and nightlife. It also presents, front and centre, the vital significance of space as a means of preserving music and culture. From local scenes to global communities.
In this article, we hear from a few artists and DJs who spun at De School as they revisit their favourite memories of a club that gave so much to so many.
Jasmin, 2019
Local DJ Jasmin played at De School numerous times, including three times in 2023 alone. But one particular set from 2019, as part of the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) takeover, stays with her. “I remember this one as pure chaos, but in a good way,” she says. “Somebody bumped into the DJ set up towards the end, almost fell and somehow pulled out one of the cables. This cut off the sound on the left side of the dancefloor. I thought everybody was just making a fuss because I was playing OutKast. Back when playing pop music was not as accepted as it is now I guess! Maybe I took it too far, I thought, but it was because one of the speakers stopped working.”
DJ Python, 2023
New York producer DJ Python is a master curator, crafting albums and DJ sets that really challenge your perception of dance music. It’s no surprise that De School enlisted him to shut the club down in 2023 alongside mad miran for a night packed with experimental vibrations.
Nelly, 2022
Club regular Nelly built up a regular rotation of sets at De School, especially in 2022 and 2023. She played alongside the likes of Quelza, Anthony Linell and Mary Lake to name a few and was enlisted to spin on the night of De School’s re-opening night a couple of years ago. “Playing the opening night of the reopening of the club in 2022 with an all-star lineup was such a big honor,” she remembers. “I danced from beginning till the end. At around 8am in the morning I remember Gabriella playing the most groovy tracks and the sun hitting the Het Muzieklokaal building. It had a magical atmosphere. I get goosebumps all over every time I replay my closing track from that night, which is ‘Cosmic Flux’ by Kineta.”
Shanti Celeste, 2019
Peach Discs boss Shanti Celeste brings bounce and swing to her DJ sets. She’s a veteran at this point and racked up a lot of mileage in her career, playing throughout Eurpope, Asia and, of course, De School. She saw in New Year 2019 with a memorable performance alongside Palms Trax and Max Asymal. She played tracks that had the Amsterdam faithful in a trance all night.
Identified Patient, 2023
Repping Holland, left-field producer and DJ Identified Patient became a firm presence at De School. With his DJ sets, he established himself as a key part of the Dutch electronic scene, and some of his fondest memories were within the walls of the club. “The opening set for the De Zomernacht curated night last summer was so special,” he shares. “A blissful night with an amazing crowd. I could not hope for more. Thank you De School for everything!!!”
Upsammy, 2017
Hailing from Holland, upsammy is a musician and DJ who has quickly gathered momentum as a fixture through her absorbing musical releases and DJ sets. She performed at De School during its early days and remembers a particular set from 2017 when Mother Nature took over. “It was called the Super Weekender,” she says. “It started snowing during my set at the Het Muzieklokaal. Everyone was looking out of the window with a big smile!”
Tammo Hesselink, 2016-2024
Tammo Hesselink is Holland born and raised but his outlook is worldly. Blending everything from Techno to more bass-driven sounds, the producer and DJ earned resident status at De School and played every year of the club’s run. Such was his skills, De School could always count on him to provide memorable nights for everyone in attendance.
Leon Vynehall, 2016 & 2022
If you’ve been following electronic music in the UK over the last few years, Leon Vynehall’s name will ring bells. The producer and DJ has been responsible for some of the most forward-thinking releases of late, pushing sonic boundaries at will. Vynehall laid down a sweet twosome of sets at De School, proving he was a fan favorite. “I played the opening year of De School in 2016,” he says. “I also had the pleasure of playing in the newly opened room 2 in December 2022. Both great spaces that will be missed.”
Relive De School by heading to Het Archief.
Photos in lead image by Angelina Nikolayeva