Pinkpop Finds A Classic Niche

Jan Smeets said it’s taken him at least 10 years to create a festival with classic acts from the past but he’s finally been able to squeeze one into the Dutch market.

His Pinkpop Classic debuts on the Megaland site at Landgraaf August 11th, 13 years after he tried to launch a similar event to coincide with the world’s oldest festival’s 25th anniversary in 1994.

One of the problems with launching it has been the fact the region isn’t short of shows that have a similar theme, some of which are run by Smeets’ neighbours and colleagues.

Herman Schueremans of Live Nation has Rock Werchter Classic (July 7th) just across the border in Belgium. Rob Trommelen of Mojo Concerts, which is Smeets’ Pinkpop partner, has already established Arrow Rock (June 30th) and Bospop (July 7-8) in Holland.

Smeets has found his own classic niche by scheduling his festival much later in the calendar and only booking acts that have previously played Pinkpop.

"I want to bring back acts from the past but only those who are still in good shape," he explained, ruling out bands that have lost key members and most of their impact.

He’s already made one slight exception to that rule by booking Marillion, which still had Fish when it played Pinkpop in 1984. But Smeets said the band has continued to do well since the frontman’s departure and is worth a place in the lineup.

Status Quo, which played Pinkpop in 1974, will headline, supported by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel (also ‘74), Wishbone Ash (‘73), Willy DeVille (‘82) and Janse Bagge Band, which appeared at the festival in ‘83 and has just re-formed after a 10-year hiatus.

This year’s Pinkpop May 26-28, the 38th installment, has Marilyn Manson, Smashing Pumpkins, Muse, Iggy and The Stooges, Snow Patrol, Scissor Sisters, Paolo Nutini, Dave Matthews Band, Amy Winehouse, Noisettes, and Goose, among others.