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Superstruct cancels several Dutch festivals
Several festivals within Superstruct Entertainment’s Dutch portfolio are being discontinued as part of a restructuring process, according to Dutch media reports.
The most immediate change concerns Apenkooi Events, the organisation behind festivals such as DGTL, Pleinvrees and straf_werk.
As of May 1, Apenkooi’s organisation and programming will be transferred to Monumental, the company behind Awakenings. Under the new structure, DGTL will continue, while Pleinvrees and straf_werk will not.
Superstruct has also confirmed that it will discontinue Vunzige Deuntjes (Dirty Tunes). The urban-focused brand has expanded in recent years into a broader platform, including a standalone festival.
According to Superstruct, the brand no longer aligns with the group’s strategic direction, although a potential relaunch outside the company has not been ruled out.
The team behind Vunzige Deuntjes however is not prepared to give up, they have has released a statement saying that they are "currently working on a solution to ensure Vunzige Deuntjes Festival goes ahead in 2026."
In Amsterdam, Superstruct will not stage a new edition or replacement event in Gaasperpark, meaning Amsterdam Open Air has been permanently removed from the calendar.
Separately, it has previously been announced that Mysteryland will not take place in 2026 due to what organisers described as a “reorientation”. Managing director Anna Gevers Deynoot-Wijntjes has stated that this decision is unrelated to Superstruct.
The changes in the Netherlands form part of a wider international restructuring within Superstruct following its acquisition by KKR. In recent months, a number of artists and festivals have publicly distanced themselves from the group.
However, sources close to the company have stressed that Superstruct Entertainment Netherlands operates independently, with ID&T remaining a shareholder. According to those involved, the current decisions were made locally by ID&T and were not driven by pressure from Superstruct’s investor.