ROTTERDAM, 16 September 2024 – More than 10,000 visitors attended Baroeg Open Air at Rotterdam’s Zuiderpark this year. Volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure a smooth event, which combined a mix of local, national, and international music acts.
Record number of visitors attend Baroeg Open Air
The 15th edition of Baroeg Open Air took place on Saturday, 14 September, at Zuiderpark in Rotterdam. The event, which showcases alternative and heavy music, saw a record attendance of over 10,000 people. The audience was treated to a wide variety of performances, ranging from guitar-based bands to electronic acts, creating a diverse and dynamic atmosphere.
Despite unpredictable weather conditions leading up to the event, the mood remained positive, supported by a large team of over 300 volunteers. These volunteers played a crucial role in both setting up and running the festival. Their efforts ensured that attendees were promptly served at the various stands, with most areas operating smoothly, although some delays were noted at the food stalls.
Volunteers essential to event success
With more than 300 volunteers involved this year, a record number for the festival, Baroeg Open Air relied heavily on their contribution. These volunteers spent the week leading up to the event setting up the necessary infrastructure, often working through unfavourable weather. On the day itself, they were responsible for handling logistics, ticketing, and customer service at all points of sale.
After the festival, volunteers began the process of dismantling the event, which will take several days to complete. Without their help, the event could not have been held on such a scale, especially given the low ticket and drink prices that the festival aims to maintain.
A diverse musical lineup
This year’s lineup offered a range of performances across multiple stages, including the ‘Jupiler Stage,’ ‘Puppi’s Playground,’ the ‘Electronic Stage,’ and ‘Stroomstoot.’ The inclusion of both guitar-focused bands and alternative electronic acts is a distinctive feature of the festival, and one that attracted a broad audience, each enjoying their preferred style of music.
Leon van Rijnsbergen, director and programmer of Baroeg Open Air, expressed his satisfaction with the turnout and atmosphere, saying, “We are pleased with the high attendance and the enthusiastic responses. Although we managed to avoid long queues at the entrance, token machines, and bars, the lines at the food stalls were longer than expected, and we will address this issue next year. The festival has evolved over the years, with improvements in facilities and an increased budget for programming.”
Looking ahead to 2025
Baroeg Open Air is already planning its next edition, which is scheduled for Saturday, 13 September 2025. The festival will once again be held in Zuiderpark, with tickets going on sale soon. The first 1,000 Early Bird tickets will be available via the official website.
Location and directions
Baroeg Open Air is held at Zuiderpark, a large green space in the southern part of Rotterdam. The park is easily accessible by public transport, with nearby metro stations and bus stops. Visitors can also cycle to the park, with several bike racks available at the entrances. Parking is limited in the area, so public transport is recommended.
