An alternative to Amsterdam

When you’re in the capital of the country, it’s easy to forget that outside of big cities there’re new and exciting things going on. Today we present to you: INDIE PLAYGROUND ZAANDAM, a project initiated by ex-scenester Manupalooza (OCCII, Vondelbunker, SUB071 & beyond) and Joost Weemhoff, aka the frontman of the band Tupperwr3, initiator of the underground “Nieuwe Nederlandse Naivitieit” label/festival, and a notorious local rebel. 

Indieplayground was born out of Joost & Manupalooza’s desire to resuscitate the dead DIY scene in the Zaanstad region. During the 1980-2000s, Zaandam and nearby towns were full of squats, activism and art, and were the home of bands such as The Ex and De Kift. Zaanpunk & Wormerpunk are well documented in music history. But over the last decade or more, the scene has died out as the youngsters began moving en masse to the big A-city.

Now that Amsterdam is hysterically full of burned out inhabitants, Zaanstad is slowly getting busier again with individuals who are sick of working mainly for their rent, or fighting constantly to keep their squat from being evicted. Meanwhile, the generational schism in an already polarizing scene, now typical of larger (gentrified?) cities, is attracting people to Zaanstad who want to roll up their sleeves and “get shit done” rather than engage in endless meta-discussions on the particulars. In comes Indie Playground! Since their inception in March 2025, their monthly events have been attracting a growing community - and the events are fun, open for all-ages and with not one specific sub-scene in mind. A bit like Amsterdam used to be before social media.

The events are fun, open for all-ages and with not one specific sub-scene in mind

“Every month we organize exciting underground events in the Zaan region. The evenings are characterized by unknown, unusual music and an artistic and informal atmosphere. Indie Playground is a non-profit organization and offers a platform for alternative pop music, poetry, and spoken word. By organizing accessible and small-scale pop concerts in accessible spaces, we try to bring alternative, non-mainstream pop music closer to music lovers in Zaanstad,” claim their earlier interviews with local newspapers.

Indie Playground is indeed a platform for artists with a unique approach: outsiders, freethinkers, and dissidents, some with a certain distance from society, who express their music in very personal and creative ways. Joost & Manuela are very conscious of the neurodiverse persons, the FLINTA, and other artists that thrive in mutually supportive and safe(r) spaces. They’re subtly trying to introduce these into their program, as shown in their upcoming collaboration on 13 December with “Girls to the Front!,” a young community from Utrecht, or through their 80-100% queer programming at their new secret location (DM for the address ;)).

These very artists reject the conventional and therefore often find themselves at the back of the stage lineup. Indie Playground recognizes that these musicians contribute to creative innovation and believes it is crucial that their music has a place in PVV-rife Zaanstad.

Joost & Manuela operate solely according to DIY organising principles. This means self-reliance, a non-existent budget, and countless sustainable/creative solutions. They raised money themselves for a backline, and at none of the events does anyone get paid (apart from the performers, who get whatever is in the donation pot at the end of the event). As their events grow, volunteers are joining and it’s getting more of a “chosen family” vibe. The youngest volunteer is 18, the oldest is 55. Joost & Manuela firmly believe that every generation has something to teach the other one, and the successful collaborations between generations are vital. Much discussion takes place between Indie Playground members, a lot of trial and error, accountability, reflection, and constant learning whenever something “fails.”

This lack of funding is something that needs to be explained to (usually inexperienced) bands all the time. They literally have to turn down bands on a weekly basis who expect a guarantee, professional media exposure, and sadly, VIP treatment. This is especially striking when bands claim “noncommercial/alternative/DIY” in their bios. Joost & Manuela aim to educate and share their background and history –– to build a scene, you need to Do It Together, they remind the kids. 

Every single person counts.
Expect to be warmly greeted!
Next event on 14 September.


Website // Insta