Sonic Journey: From Chicago and Detroit to the Dutch Dancefloor

Sonic Journey is a listening experience where you are guided through a musical story across time, either lying down or sitting. Conscious listening - without distractions - is at the heart of this event.

This edition follows the story of house and techno: from its roots in Jamaica, through Grandmaster Flash, Donna Summer and Kraftwerk, to Chicago and Detroit, where Frankie Knuckles and Juan Atkins shaped new genres. These genres quickly spread to Europe and the Netherlands, where Dutch icons such as Orlando Voorn, Eddy De Clercq, Joost van Bellen, Shinedoe, Paul Elstak, Steve Rachmad, Dimitri, Miss Djax and many others continue a generational relay of dance music that continues to this day.

Through carefully selected tracks, sound fragments and stories, connections become audible between styles and pioneers - from the roots of a genre to its influence on other music and cultures. The evening also poses a broader question: in a hyper-digital age, can musical influences and pioneers still be verified for accuracy as old collections disappear?

Sonic Journey is an idea by Nathan Kofi and Derk Louwes. Nathan is a music professional, cultural analyst, concept developer and educator with fourteen years of experience in the music industry. He is founder of De Lichting and former artistic director of De School Amsterdam. Derk worked as a programmer and curator for Red Bull, WaTT Rotterdam and Thuishaven, is a part-time lecturer and explores how music can influence wellbeing, recovery and performance.

Bringing your own mat? Feel free to lie down.