In the run-up to Red Bull’s presence at ADE Playground, Sasja Kooistra interviewed Peter van der Meulen and Royke Jhagroe from Meubel Stukken, an event organisation that will co-host Red Bull Playrooms. Being drawn into an era of immersive digital entertainment, they give their thoughts on what a physical club should offer, now and in the future.
It’s the year 2040. The party people and promoters who run the dance scene now will be middle-aged, or pensioners. Will the new generation, the toddlers of 2015, still go out? Or will they stay at home with their 3D-glasses, experience a total new way of holographic clubbing? How will we celebrate club- and musical culture in 2040 and how will this influence our culture heritage?
In order to find some kind of an answer to this intriguing question, we’ve picked the brains of two experienced promoters from Meubel Stukken. Meubel Stukken is the Amsterdam based organisation and host of successful event concepts such as O.W.A.P., extravagant festival Valtifest, cruise ship weekender Ship Happens! and one of the hosts of last year’s – and this year’s edition of Red Bull Playrooms.
Peter van der Meulen is the ‘head party contractor’ at Meubel Stukken. His roots in the history of dance and club culture stretch all the way back to the late eighties as one of the team members of the infamous club RoXY. Royke Jhagroe earned his stripes and craftsmanship as the programmer and promoter of MONDAY at Supperclub, former collective RiskSoundSystem and more recently for Meubel Stukken.
‘Sure, I can imagine people dancing through their living room with hologram-like 3D glasses experiencing a ‘Boiler Room’-like set. Wouldn’t be a good thing for the clubs though’, says Jhagroe from behind the kitchen table in the headquarters of Meubel Stukken where every square meter is filled with memories of their parties.
However, Jhagroe and Van der Meulen are convinced the future of clubbing and club culture is promising. ‘Primarily because of the fact that last 30 years the present club scene has laid down a very solid foundation for a bright future.’
They also both realise that with a new mobile savvy generation (glued to their mobile screens), a lot’s changing and a lot is happening. Van der Meulen: ‘It will be of course an interesting and challenging time. Nowadays clubs are losing popularity already; with online technologies such as Facebook and Tinder, people get to meet each other in totally different ways.’
Being distinctive is what is important. ‘Clubs nowadays often lack a strong identity’, says Jhagroe. They believe that in order to survive clubs need to become a place where you get a complete experience. With great music, but also with a clear theme, entertainment, acts, lights design and decoration. Creating an environment where people get to connect again.
‘Being aware that you’re going to experience a great event without exactly knowing what will happen, where the atmosphere absorbs you instantly and takes you to another level. That’s my hope for club culture in the future – now and in 25 years.’
The ultimate key is to keep renewing, and staying resourceful, thinks Van der Meulen. Meubel Stukken is one of the hosts of Red Bull Playrooms 2015 on the 15th and 16th of October. Want to find out more on this experience? Check out redbull.nl/playrooms
Photo credits: Tom Doms
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