For several years the underground music scene in Amsterdam appeared to be in a deep winter sleep.
Every now and then there was this cool band playing in the capital of Holland, but to say it was structural: no.
Most international bands played the Goudvishal in Arnhem or some obscure places in the south or very north of the country and somehow avoided Amsterdam.
Apparently because there was no such thing as a scene anymore. But in 2003 some kids started organizing shows on a more regular basis and more and more people were attracted to these cheap and positively loaded shows.
For example the Volta used to be a cool hardcore-venue, but the last remarkable show dated from the mid nineties or so. However, things have changed and places like Winston, Volta, and Zaal 100 have become ‘famous’ again.
Time to get things structured and better organized, that was what 7 independent showbookers from Amsterdam thought and they came up with the name Amsterdam Underground Collective, for their initiative to work together in order to achieve something bigger and better.
What they wanted to achieve? First of all a bigger scene, with more diverse shows and more possibilities to help out bands ‘in need’.
This resulted, with the help of some sponsors, in a monthly flyer and a nice basic website (www.amsterdam-underground.com).
Also, in being organized, the AUC gives new and talented local and national bands the chance to show and develop themselves.
The goal is to have about one show a week, from acoustic indie-pop to double bassed hardcore-metal and everything in between, with at least one local/national band.
Besides shows, the AUC has also booked a couple of European tours for bands.
current members:
Sam Frijhoff
Michel Bloem
Joep Slenter
