Le Guess Who? Festival – Utrecht, Netherlands 2025

Background & History

Le Guess Who?, founded in 2007 by Bob van Heur and Johan Gijsen, is a world-renowned music festival held annually in Utrecht, Netherlands. Celebrated for its adventurous curation, the festival showcases boundary-pushing artists across genres like avant-garde, jazz, electronic, experimental, noise rock, indie, and world music. Taking over Utrecht’s city center, it features over 150 performances in venues ranging from pop halls (TivoliVredenburg, EKKO) to theaters, churches (Dom Church, Jacobikerk), and warehouses. The 2025 edition, running November 6–9, marks its 18th year, with curators like Lonnie Holley, Valentina Magaletti, and Amirtha Kidambi shaping a program emphasizing “radical inclusivity.” Satellite events include art exhibitions, film screenings, and markets, with initiatives like COSMOS amplifying global music scenes. Le Guess Who? draws ~6,000 attendees annually, known for spotlighting artists rarely seen in the Netherlands.

Event Highlights

• Main Program: ~150 concerts (November 6–9, 2025) featuring artists like Nicolas Jaar, Sunn O))), Alabaster DePlume, and Unwound across venues like TivoliVredenburg, De Helling, EKKO, dB’s, and Dom Church. Genres include jazz, electronic, experimental, and world music.
• Curated Programs: Guest curators (e.g., Lonnie Holley, Valentina Magaletti, Amirtha Kidambi) present unique lineups, with focuses like “Outernationalism” and global music scenes via COSMOS (collaborations with Istanbul’s IDGK, Iceland’s Seyðisfjörður Community Radio).
• Satellite Events: U? (free city program with local artists), Le Mini Who? (Dutch underground acts), film screenings, art exhibitions, and markets in cafés, wharf cellars, and Neude square.
• Accessibility: Most venues (e.g., TivoliVredenburg) offer step-free access; contact accessibility@leguesswho.com for details. Limited venues (WAS., BASIS) are 18+/21+.
• Eco-Initiatives: Encourages public transport (NS trains, buses), digital tickets, and recycling, aligning with Utrecht’s sustainability goals.

Date & Duration

• Dates: November 6–9, 2025 (4 days).
• Hours (based on 2024):
  • Concerts: ~17:00–02:00 (TivoliVredenburg, EKKO, De Helling); churches ~14:00–20:00.
  • U? Program/Markets: ~10:00–18:00 (Neude square, cafés).
  • Box Office/Wristband Exchange: ~10:00–22:00 (TivoliVredenburg, November 6–9).
• Note: November weather (~40–50°F, rain possible); bring umbrellas, warm layers. Schedule at leguesswho.com (~September 2025). Some shows 18+/21+.

Main Event Address

• Venues (Utrecht city center, ~5–15 minutes by foot/bike):
  • TivoliVredenburg: Vredenburgkade 11, 3511 WC Utrecht (main hub, 5 halls, ~500–2,000 capacity).
  • De Helling: Helling 7, 3523 CB Utrecht (club, ~400 capacity).
  • EKKO: Bemuurde Weerd WZ 3, 3513 BH Utrecht (intimate, ~250 capacity).
  • dB’s: CAB-Rondom 100, 3534 BE Utrecht (alternative, ~300 capacity).
  • Dom Church: Achter de Dom 1, 3512 JN Utrecht (historic, ~500 capacity).
  • Jacobikerk: St.-Jacobsstraat 171, 3511 BP Utrecht (church, ~400 capacity).
• Administrative Contact: Le Guess Who?, Helling 150, 3523 CC Utrecht, Netherlands; info@leguesswho.com; (+31) 85-130-1492 (Mon–Fri, 10:00–17:00).
• Note: Public transport: NS trains to Utrecht Centraal (~€10–€20, ~$11–$22 USD from Amsterdam, 27 minutes). City buses (~€2–€4, ~$2.20–$4.40 USD). Walkable venues; bikes via OV-fiets (~€4/day, ~$4.40 USD). Limited parking (~€3–€5/hour, ~$3.30–$5.50 USD); HC spaces near TivoliVredenburg.

Contact Information

• Email: info@leguesswho.com (general); accessibility@leguesswho.com (accessibility).
• Phone: (+31) 85-130-1492 (Mon–Fri, 10:00–17:00).
• Website: https://leguesswho.com
• Social Media: @LeGuessWho (Facebook, Instagram, X).
• Key Staff: Bob van Heur, Johan Gijsen (founders); contact info@leguesswho.com for press.
• Press/Volunteers: Email info@leguesswho.com (deadline ~September 2025).
• Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. Festival app and newsletter available.

Ticket Information

• Admission:
  • Single Day Pass: €67–€96 (~$78–$112 USD).
  • 4-Day Festival Pass: €162–€187 (~$188–$217 USD, CJP/U-pas discounts available).
  • VIP Packages: Up to €1,080 (~$1,256 USD, includes premium access, speculative).
  • Free Events: U?, Le Mini Who?, markets (no ticket required).
• Ticket Range:
  • EUR: €67–€1,080 (day pass to VIP).
  • USD: ~$78–$1,256 (1 EUR ≈ $1.16 USD, mid-2025).
• How to Buy:
  • Online: leguesswho.com via CM.com (opens May 27, 2025, 11:00 CEST). Resale via TicketSwap.
  • In-Person: TivoliVredenburg (Vredenburgkade 11, November 6–9, ~10:00–22:00, card preferred).
• Note: Wristbands required (exchanged at TivoliVredenburg). Non-refundable. CJP/U-pas discounts for under 30s, Utrecht residents. Avoid unofficial resellers except TicketSwap.

Cultural Experience

Le Guess Who? transforms Utrecht into a global music hub, blending avant-garde sounds with the city’s medieval charm—canals, Dom Tower, and cobblestone streets. Expect performances in unique settings, from churches to warehouses, featuring artists like Saul Williams and Los Wembler’s de Iquitos. Culinary offerings include Dutch street food (stroopwafels, bitterballen, ~€3–€10, ~$3.30–$11.60 USD) and drinks (beer, jenever, ~€4–€8, ~$4.40–$9.30 USD, 19+) at venues and Neude square markets. The festival’s inclusive ethos, with free U? events and curated programs, fosters cultural discovery and community connection.

Food & Drinks

• Venue Stalls: Stroopwafels, bitterballen, sandwiches (~€3–€10, ~$3.30–$11.60 USD). Drinks: coffee, beer, jenever (~€3–€8, ~$3.30–$9.30 USD, 19+).
• Nearby Dining (Utrecht):
  • De Rechtbank (Korte Nieuwstraat 14, 3512 NM, Dutch cuisine, ~$10–$20 USD, 5-minute walk from TivoliVredenburg).
  • Café de Zaak (Korte Minrebroederstraat 9, 3512 GG, snacks, ~$5–$15 USD, 7-minute walk from Dom Church).
  • Winkel van Sinkel (Oudegracht 150, 3511 AL, meals, ~$10–$25 USD, 5-minute walk from EKKO).
• Note: Card preferred; cash (EUR) for small vendors. No outside food/drinks. Water stations at TivoliVredenburg, EKKO.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: U?, Le Mini Who?, markets suitable for all ages; under 12s free with parents. Main concerts 18+/21+ at some venues (WAS., BASIS); under 16s need supervision. No dedicated children’s program.
• Accessibility: TivoliVredenburg, De Helling offer step-free access, HC toilets. Churches (e.g., Dom) may have limited access. Contact accessibility@leguesswho.com for details. Limited venues (WAS., KABUL à GoGo, BASIS) are 18+/21+.

Getting There

• By Air: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS, 48 km, ~30-minute train, ~€10, ~$11.60 USD) to Utrecht Centraal.
• Public Transport:
  • Train: NS to Utrecht Centraal (~€10–€20, ~$11–$22 USD from Amsterdam). App: ns.nl.
  • Bus: U-OV city buses (~€2–€4, ~$2.20–$4.40 USD, stops near TivoliVredenburg).
• By Car: Limited parking (~€3–€5/hour, ~$3.30–$5.50 USD). HC spaces near TivoliVredenburg. Carpool advised.
• By Foot/Bike: Walkable venues (TivoliVredenburg to EKKO, ~10 minutes). OV-fiets bikes (~€4/day, ~$4.40 USD).
• By Taxi/Rideshare: Utrecht Taxi (+31-30-230-0400, ~$5–$15 USD). Uber (~$5–$10 USD).

Program Details

• November 6–9, 2025: Full lineup at leguesswho.com (~September 2025). ~150 artists, including Nicolas Jaar, Sunn O), Alabaster DePlume, curated by Lonnie Holley, Valentina Magaletti, and Amirtha Kidambi.
• Concerts: ~17:00–02:00 (TivoliVredenburg, EKKO, De Helling), ~14:00–20:00 (churches). 2024 examples: Nooriyah (TivoliVredenburg), Wu-Lu (EKKO).
• Satellite Events: U? (free local acts, Neude square), Le Mini Who? (Dutch underground, cafés), COSMOS (global music residencies), markets, and film screenings.
• Note: Some shows 18+/21+. English/Dutch signage. Wristbands are required for concerts.

Past Notable Features

• 2024: November 7–10, ~150 artists (e.g., Nooriyah, Wu-Lu), curated by clipping.
• 2021: Curators included Phil Elverum, Matana Roberts; featured Black Country, New Road, Low.
• 2009: Shifted from Canadian focus to global acts.
• 2007: Founded, initially for two days, a Canadian avant-garde focus.

Educational Impact

• Cultural Learning: Promotes global music discovery and genre exploration through curated programs and the COSMOS initiative.
• Community Engagement: U? connects Utrecht locals with artists; Le Feast offers brunches with festival visitors. Education projects with schools create visual art inspired by artists.
• Historical Context: Reflects Utrecht’s vibrant music scene, evolving from a niche Canadian festival to a global tastemaker.

Cultural Activities

• Concerts: ~150 performances across avant-garde, jazz, electronic, and world music.
• Markets/Exhibitions: Art, photography, and markets at Neude square, cafés.
• Film Screenings: At art centers, focusing on music and culture.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Tickets on sale May 27, 2025 (leguesswho.com). Hotels fill in November; book 6–12 months (e.g., NH Utrecht). Use ns.nl for trains.
• Weather Prep: 40–50°F, rain possible; bring umbrellas, warm layers.
• Explore Locally: Dom Tower ($12 USD, 5-minute walk from TivoliVredenburg), Centraal Museum ($16 USD, 10-minute walk), Oudegracht canal (free, 5-minute walk).
• Transport: Trains/buses for efficiency. Walk or bike between venues. Avoid driving due to limited parking.
• Crowd Tips: Arrive 15–30 minutes early for TivoliVredenburg’s Ronda or EKKO shows. U? events are less crowded.

Local Attractions

• Dom Tower: Domplein 21, 3512 JC ($12 USD, 5-minute walk).
• Centraal Museum: Agnietenstraat 1, 3512 XA ($16 USD, 10-minute walk).
• Oudegracht Canal: Free (5-minute walk from EKKO).
• Museum Speelklok: Steenweg 6, 3511 JP ($15 USD, 7-minute walk).
• Neude Square: Free (5-minute walk from TivoliVredenburg).

Accommodation Options

• Hotels:
  • NH Utrecht (Jaarbeursplein 24, 3521 AR, $100–$200 USD/night, 5-minute walk from TivoliVredenburg).
  • Grand Hotel Karel V (Geertebolwerk 1, 3511 XA, $150–$250 USD/night, 10-minute walk).
• B&Bs: B&B Utrecht Centrum (Wittevrouwensingel 37, 3572 CA, $80–$150 USD/night, 15-minute walk).
• Apartments: Airbnb ($60–$150 USD/night, central Utrecht).
• Note: Book early for November. Discounts via leguesswho.com (speculative).

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at TivoliVredenburg, EKKO. UMC Utrecht (5-minute drive).
• Security: Bag checks; no large bags or professional cameras. Info points for lost items.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; masks optional. COVID-19 policies TBD (September 2025).
• Safety Tips: Secure valuables; stay hydrated; supervise under-16s at concerts.