Music venues
The Hague: the pop music capital of the Netherlands
Famous bands and icons from The Hague
The Hague is the pop city of the Netherlands. Music city number 1 for years! Think; Golden Earring, Anouk, Di-Rect or Son Mieux and you know enough right? Everyone in the Netherlands and far beyond knows these big names.
Golden Earring & classics from the 1960s/1970s
Golden Earring is perhaps the most famous rock band from The Hague and scored worldwide hits with songs such as “Radar Love” and “Twilight Zone”.
But they are not the only ones: Shocking Blue — famous for “Venus” — also made The Hague known worldwide.
Anouk, Kane and DI-RECT: pop rock heroes from The Hague in the 2000s
In the 1990s and 2000s, another wave of successful Dutch pop rock from The Hague swept across the country. Anouk broke through in 1997 with the song Nobody's Wife. She became one of the biggest female rock artists in the Netherlands.
Kane became famous around the turn of the millennium with songs such as Rain Down on Me and No Surrender. The band split up in 2014, but made a successful (temporary) comeback in 2024. And then, of course, there was DI-RECT. The then young rock band started in 1999 and grew to become an established name in the Dutch music world. The band continues to renew and reinvent itself.
Cesar Zuiderwijk, Rinus Gerritsen, Barry Hay en George Kooymans; the four bandmembers of Golden Earring.
A city full of talent
The Hague is still a vibrant cradle for new music talent. The many practice rooms and pop stages are busy with all kinds of bands, singers and vocalists. Time to give a few (emerging) artists and their music a digital stage. A random selection from a city full of talent. And also check out the places where you can spot these talents so that soon you can say you saw them before they were famous!
Goldband
Goldband makes electronic pop music. They themselves describe their music as a mix of Prince and André Rieux. Their live shows are not to be missed! Goldband won the prize for Best Group at the 3FM awards and was awarded the prize for Best Album with the record Affordable Romance. Even watching back from Lowlands performance will give you instant goosebumps.
Son Mieux
Son Mieux is a seven-piece power band with an irresistible sound that seamlessly combines danceable rhythms with poignant, story-driven lyrics. With their critically acclaimed albums and hits such as ‘Tonight’ and ‘Multicolor,’ they achieved platinum status in the Netherlands.
Prins S en De Geit
Where else but in royal The Hague can you find a band called Prins S and De Geit (Prince S and the goat)? This prince turned the whole festival upside down last Noorderslag with his electronic dance music. The band is hard to describe; distinctive, cult and absurdist. But hey, what matters is the music and it is more than ok! What a talent! For sure you will not be able to stand still to their cheerful, uplifting tunes.
Tommy Brown
Charismatic, creative, a musical multi-talent, he is Tommy Brown! This engaging singer enchants entire halls with his singing and charm. He is rock 'n roll and love, peace and happiness at the same time. A performance by Tommy and his great band is an evening of tasty melancholic music and musical theatre.
Yellofox
The creative Yellofox makes folk pop. Dreamy and melancholic through the enchanting cello then tough again through an electric guitar solo. Yellofox is going well. Very well! They are playing at almost every hipster festival in the country this summer and played The Life I Live flat. And if all that is not enough, their music video 'Seasons' won Best Pop Music Video at the International Music Video Awards!
The Indien
The lively pop songs of The Indien have influences from the past. ‘Essentially, it's pop music, although it probably leans more towards the alternative side,’ says singer Rianne. A duet has also been released with Marcel Veenendaal from DI-RECT.
Tess Merlot
D'accord; Tess Merlot is not entirely unknown but what a talent. And from The Hague, too. Tess sings French chansons by such artists as Piaf, Brell and Aznavour as well as her own songs. She has quite a few performances to her name in various venues and TV programmes. Whether she sings solo, with her band les Moutons or with a big band; it is always a petit party. But what do you want with such a tasty name!
Tip for hungry music fans
Where else but in Popstad The Hague can you find restaurants that not only serve the most delicious food but also give music a starring role? Such place is restaurant Onda Kissa. Onda is inspired by Japanese jazz kissa – cafés where listening to vinyl takes centre stage. Here you can enjoy not only refined comfort food and natural wine but also a unique musical atmosphere.
The restaurant has been specially designed for an optimal listening experience. With high-end equipment from McIntosh and speakers from Sonus Faber, every song sounds crystal clear. Every weekend, DJs and vinyl collectors play their records for the audience.
Music plays a key role at Onda restaurant.
