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HAPPENING 8 November 2025 | The Popronde music tour returns to Rotterdam this November, bringing a wide range of emerging artists to unexpected venues throughout the city — all free to attend. The selection for this year has been announced, and several Rotterdam-based acts are among the chosen performers.
Image: Daimy Lotus. Photo credit: Jessica Santiago Lopez.
What is Popronde?
Popronde is the Netherlands’ largest travelling festival, showcasing up-and-coming artists on the verge of breaking through. Every autumn, around one hundred acts tour 41 Dutch cities, performing in unexpected venues such as bars, libraries, and galleries.
The idea is simple: discover tomorrow’s headliners today. Many now-famous Dutch artists — including Froukje, Rondé, Meau, Chef’Special, Kensington, De Staat and Racoon — once played Popronde before hitting the big stages.
A diverse programme throughout the city
This year’s Rotterdam edition sets a new record. From afternoon until late into the night, the city will pulse with live music in every corner. The day opens at 13:00 in the main hall of Rotterdam Central Station, where folk singer Coos from Utrecht will officially kick off the event. The closing act — electropunk band Stroomstoot — performs at Stalles BACK (formerly Club Centraal), wrapping up an intense day of music discovery.
Expect an eclectic mix of genres, from indie pop and jazz to hip-hop and punk. Whether you prefer intimate sets in hidden cafés or high-energy gigs in bustling bars, there’s something for every taste — and it’s all free.
Where to catch the shows
The 47 participating locations reflect Rotterdam’s diversity and creativity. Well-known music spots like BAR3, De Doelen, FERRY, Roodkapje, and MONO join forces with unexpected spaces such as Markthal, Bibliotheek Rotterdam, and Stadstuinwinkel STEK.
Here’s the full list of participating venues:
Station Rotterdam Centraal, Markthal, salsaschool El YoYo, Popunie, Delftse Poort, Burgertrut, Plato Rotterdam, Boekhandel van Gennep, Bibliotheek Rotterdam, Stadstuinwinkel STEK, Boekhandel Donner, Haagse Bluf, Proeflokaal Reijngoud, Baek Food & Drinks, Episode, Brasserie Barclay, Belgisch Biercafé Boudewijn, Hofbrouwerij Reijngoud, De Zondebok & ’t Zwarte Schaap, Café ’t Fust, Verward, MONO, De Doelen (Eduard Flipse Zaal), Roodkapje, Westkop, Café Pol, RiF010, Ani & Haakien, Club Uniek, Voorheen Voigt, Café Dox (Nieuwe Luxor Theater), Pocha, BAR3, Stalles (FRONT & BACK), Nieuw Rotterdams Café (NRC), Westerpaviljoen, Paddy Murphy’s Irish Pub, Brewdog Outpost, Hensepeter, Matrix Rotterdam, Café Steijn, Sijf, De Riddert, FERRY, LITTERBOX, Brewpub Reijngoud.
Who’s playing
Popronde Rotterdam’s 2025 line-up features a huge range of new talent across every style imaginable — from electro-pop and rock to soul, punk and experimental sounds.
Acts performing this year include:
ARCHANGELS, BAD LUCK BABY, Badminton, Bens, Bodine Monet, C’est Qui?, Clitteband, Coos, Crybabies, Culi., Daisy Bellis, damy, Death Sells, Doe Gewoon, Eigen Risico, Elieve, Emirhan X, Faela, FAMKE, FAST DE, Fellatio, Figi, Fit, Flora Sophi, Gallamesh, Grote Geelstaart, Heijmat, Helen Jewett, Hiltje, Hondenfokker, Honey Camp, IDA, ILÆNDER, Joram Feitsma, JUNO, KALIMA, Karnabahar, Kaya, Kelsey, Kemal, Laplander, Lauf, Lisa Ploeger, LNDE, LOE., Luca St, Luke Christoffel & The Golden Tears, M.J.H. Thompson + Volksorkest, M2K, Mara Mandeau, MAYA MARIA, MAZIS, MAZOO, Mila & Mira, Miss Starling, Moon Jacky Jane, My Girlfriend, plonki, Politie Warnsveld, Rockpool Dramas, Ruby Mus, SERVICE, shaza, SKINC, Spijbelaar, stay away from dante!, Steven Charlot, STROOMSTOOT, Subject Sue, Syot, The Pekkers, Thor Kissing, tjels, Trxnz, Vegan Music, Wabi Sabi, Warbuhl, XXJULÍA, Yael Daila, Yengi, Yung Volwassen, Zedyé.
The variety and scale of this edition underline Rotterdam’s position as one of the most vibrant music cities in the Netherlands.
A growing festival with a local impact
Popronde Rotterdam has long been one of the larger editions of the nationwide festival. The Rotterdam edition previously won the ‘Best Festival’ category at the 2021 Rotterdam Music Awards. Its reputation continues to grow, with this year’s line-up promising an extensive tour through both popular and hidden locations across the city.
Attendees can expect a mix of musical genres, including pop, rock, hip-hop, funk, jazz, and electronic music. All performances are free of charge, making this an accessible and exciting event for both locals and visitors.
For the full programme and more information, visit the official Popronde website.
Getting to the venues
All Popronde Rotterdam venues are in and around the city centre, within easy reach by metro, tram or on foot from Rotterdam Central Station. Cycling between locations is a popular and efficient way to explore.
