PROGDREAMS FESTIVAL
The Boerderij’s annual prog fest returns in September and it’s founder Arie Verstegen’s biggest yet.
“One of the most memorable ProgDreams was when John Wetton played with District 97,” remembers festival founder and Boerderij boss Arie Verstegen. “It was one of his last gigs in Holland and something I’ll never forget.”
Verstegen has been working in the music and entertainment industry for more than 35 years – he’s spent the last 19 of those at Zoetermeer’s Boerderij – and his passion for prog has never waned. It was in 2011 that he set up a festival primarily to showcase the genre’s emerging talent.
“ProgDreams is a way to show bands that don’t have such a big audience yet,” he explains. “It’s meant I’ve been able to book acts such as Mystery, Tiger Moth Tales, Haken, Airbag and Alan Reed, and over the years, you see these bands gradually getting bigger and bigger.”
The three-day festival, focuses more on classic prog in contrast to the prog metal events that have been so prolific in recent years. This year’s line-up includes Von Hertzen Brothers, Gazpacho, and The Watch who’ll be performing an unusual set.
“They normally play Genesis covers but this time, they’ll play mostly their own material. They’ve made seven albums which are so good but they rarely get a chance to play them so this is a great opportunity to see what good songwriters they are themselves,” says the festival founder. “I’m also really looking forward to seeing The Paradox Twin because I really love their current album, and Moonparticle – I saw their guitarist [Niko Tsonev] with Lifesigns a few years ago.”
Although the festival is usually held in March, the eighth edition will take place during the more temperate month of September, between 20-22. There’s also promise of merch stalls, discounted hotel accommodation, and the famous Podiumcafe. For Verstegen, it’s all about keeping the prog flame burning brightly.
“We had about 100 bands asking if they could play and it’s getting more every year,” he says. “I’m always discovering new bands so I’m convinced that we can keep prog alive.” NRS
“I’m always discovering new bands so I’m convinced we can keep prog alive.”