Mula B, Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers and DJ Flight B2B Mantra to Festival Downtown

Mula B, Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers, DJ Flight B2B Mantra, Saliah and NoizBoiz are the first names for Festival Downtown, which will take over the centre of Rotterdam on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 September with free daytime programmes and affordable club nights.

Festival Downtown is programmed directly from the Rotterdam scenes such as local organisers and communities pushing nightlife forward. The line-up includes international headliners and emerging local talent about to break through. For two days, the festival takes over the city. With free block parties during the day at Skatepark Westblaak and Eendrachtsplein, among others. Then in the night, club nights at Club Uniek, Club Centraal and WORM. Tickets are available now via this link.

First names

Mula B is the Hague self-made street rapper with Moroccan-Congolese roots. He will give a concert during the free day programme on Eendrachtsplein. Born in Rotterdam, Arp Frique performed at the festival in 2023 with The Fam and is back with The Perpetual Singers. With a mix of P-funk and gospel disco.

In the middle of Skatepark Westblaak, there is a stage hosted by BIRD and Levels. Here, among others, Berlin-based band Jembaa Groove will play their futuristic version of West African Highlife soul. British duo Mina & Bryte will kick off the festival on Friday with a block party on Boomgaardsstraat, hosted by Yardbird.

In the evening, the affordable club programme brings a mix of local and international acts. At Club Central, the latest developments in Arabic (club) music are presented by Habibi's World. Featuring British-Lebanese DJ and producer Saliah, a global icon in her scene.

Rotterdam legends NoizBoiz bring their Rotterdam version of UK Grime together with dubstep DJ Sicaria on the stage hosted by RDBLCK to Club Uniek. Unlocked takes over WORM on Saturday with a strong and international UK Bass lineup. Alongside Unlocked founder DJ Blaize, breakbeat innovator Sully and DJ Flight & Mantra will be present.

Festival Downtown is known for booking artists on breakthrough early. This year you will see, among others, Douvelle19's Dutch debut show and Lady Shaka brings her explosive club sound to Rotterdam for the first time.

Cover photo: Shotsbyshali