It’s almost that time of the year: the long-awaited NN North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam is just around the corner! On 7, 8 and 9 July, the beats, sounds and rhythms of jazz, soul, funk and hip-hop will fill the halls of Ahoy Rotterdam.
There are more than 150 performances, spread over no less than 16 stages. And of course this year we can expect a fantastic line-up again.
Big names take the stage, including Lizzo, Stormzy and Tom Jones, Jill Scott, Little Simz, The Teskey Brothers and legendary jazz greats such as Jan Garbarek. There is also emerging talent to discover. And you may be one of them…
Read on for useful information and cool acts during NN North Sea Jazz!
Discover more summer events in Rotterdam!
Special theme
This year’s programme focuses on a special theme, namely Sounds of Diversity – A Shared Musical Heritage. It is 150 years ago that slavery was abolished in the former Dutch colonies. NN North Sea Jazz invites visitors to feel and listen to the legacy of this history, which has also contributed to what we are as a society.
Line-up NN North Sea Jazz 2023
The legendary line-up has already been announced. With big names like Lizzo, Stormzy, Tom Jones, Buddy Guy, Gabriels, Jacob, Jill Scott, Little Simz, Loyle Carner, Van Morrison, Ben l’Oncle Soul, Brad Mehldau, Seal, Cymande and Typhoon you know you’ll have a great time.
Find out when your favourite artist is on stage! View the complete line-up of NN North Sea Jazz here.
Room for emerging talent
During the 46th edition of NN North Sea Jazz you can enjoy a line-up that is full of established international artists and true legends. But this festival also offers a stage to new, emerging talent that is ready to be discovered.
Latanya Alberto
On Sunday, for example, you get the chance to meet the promising Latanya Alberto. This young Amsterdam singer, songwriter and performer enchants the audience with her unique mix of neo-soul, R&B, jazz and electronic music. She herself describes her style as quirky and romantic.
Thanks to the support of Nationale-Nederlanden, proud partner of NN North Sea Jazz since 2018, Latanya Alberto gets the chance to make her dreams come true on stage. Don’t miss her performance!
Open Stage
Are you musically talented and ready to share it with the world? Then this is your chance, because since last year NN North Sea Jazz Festival has introduced a very special stage: a stage where you are the star!
On each festival day there are different time slots available for which you can register. All you have to do is register at the NN Mississipi Terrace. A professional backline set-up awaits you there, complete with drums, keyboards, bass, guitar, microphones and more.
Do you want to bring a small instrument such as a flute, guitar or violin? This is possible, but must first be communicated via info@northseajazz.com, then you will receive a confirmation that you must take with you to Ahoy. This is not an automatic guarantee for a place on the Open Stage, for that you have to register on the spot.
Register for the Open Stage on the Mississippi Terrace and show the world what you’ve got.
Latanya Alberto. Can be seen on Sunday 9 July during NN North Sea Jazz.
Food and drinks during NN North Sea Jazz
In addition to good music, you can also enjoy culinary delights during the festival. You will find a range of tasty options at various squares with food stands. From satays with longtong (diced rice) and flavourful Indian curries to mouth-watering falafel and delicate crêpes, Mississipi Square is the place to be if you’re feeling peckish.
Prefer Rotterdam fries, bitterballen or juicy burgers? Or are you in the mood for delicious pizza or tasty hot dogs? Then visit the Hudson Square or the Nile Square.
Don’t forget to taste the exotic dishes from the Caribbean, African and Surinamese cuisine at the Congo Square. And this is just a small selection of the many culinary options; there are many more squares with good food!
Thirsty? There are not only drink points on the festival site, but also special wine bars, cocktail bars, a cider bar, a bar full of specialty beers and coffee bars.
Pop-up restaurant Parkheuvel during NN North Sea Jazz
At NN North Sea Jazz you can enjoy an extraordinary culinary experience at Parkheuvel’s special pop-up restaurant.
Two-star chef Erik van Loo provides a special four-course dinner, specially composed for the festival. For this he uses seasonal products and ingredients. It is served with an aperitif, amuse-bouche and wine pairing.
Advance booking is required. Click here for more information.
Mississippi Square. Photo by Kenny Stroobandt.
Central Square. Photo by Kenny Stroobandt.
Practical information
Getting tickets
It is possible to buy single day tickets for Friday, Saturday or Sunday (for €125 each). If you don’t want to miss a moment, a 3-day ticket is the best option (for €300 each). You get a discount with, for example, a CJP pass and if you purchase tickets with a large group.
Don’t want to miss NN North Sea Jazz? Click here to score your tickets.
Unfortunately, at the time of writing, the tickets for Friday, Saturday and 3-day ticket are sold out.
Location
NN North Sea Jazz takes place in Rotterdam Ahoy. The best way to get here is public transport, you can take the bus, metro or train to Zuidplein. For up-to-date travel information, visit 9292.nl.
Will you be there this year during NN North Sea Jazz?
