AFAS Live(formerly known as theHeineken Music Hall) is aconcert hallinAmsterdam,Netherlands, near theJohan Cruyff Arena.The big hall, named "Black Box" has a capacity of 6,000 and is 3000 m2;a smaller hall for after parties (Beat Box) has a capacity of 700.
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| Former names | Heineken Music Hall (2001–2016) |
|---|---|
| Address | Arena Boulevard 590 1101 DSAmsterdam Netherlands |
| Location | Amsterdam-Zuidoost |
| Coordinates | 52°18′43″N4°56′40″E/ 52.3120°N 4.9444°E |
| Owner | Government of Amsterdam |
| Operator | Live Nation |
| Capacity | 6,000 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1996–2001 |
| Opened | 1 February 2001 |
| Construction cost | €30 million |
| Architect | Frits van Dongen |
| Website | |
| www | |
The venue opened in 2001 and was sponsored byHeinekenuntil 2017. It attracts around 650,000 visitors per year.[1]
History
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The venue was specially designed for amplified music by architectFrits van Dongenof Architekten Cie. The building was constructed between 1996 and 2001, and cost €30 million.[2]
In March 2009, a concert byThe Killershad to be postponed until May because of a bomb threat at a nearbyIKEA.[3]
In 2013, whenKanye Westperformed at the venue, he requested an all-white dressing room, including a deep pile white carpet that cost around €10,000. However, he went on stage directly from his car and did not set foot inside the dressing room once before leaving.[1]
On 16 September 2016, it was announced that the name will be changed to AFAS Live on 1 January 2017.[4]It is named after the venue's partner and sponsorAFAS SoftwareBV (the acronym stands for Applications for Administrative Solutions) a business software developer inLeusden,the Netherlands with 450 employees. The name AFAS Live is spelt out on the aluminum facade with 70,000 blue caps.[1]
Events
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Alter Bridge'sLive from Amsterdamwas recorded at the venue.[5]The second concert featured in Within Temptation's live albumLet Us Burn – Elements & Hydra Live in Concertwas also recorded at the venue.[6]
On 1 December 2012, AFAS Live (as Heineken Music Hall) hosted theJunior Eurovision Song Contest 2012.[7]
On 3 March 2018, 93-year-oldCharles Aznavourbecame the oldest person to perform at AFAS Live, in what was one of his last concerts before his death in October.[8]
On 7 April 2019, AFAS Live hosted the first out of five promotional events for theEurovision Song Contest.Eurovision in Concertfeatured 28 acts, most of which competed amongst the 41 in theEurovision Song Contest 2019,in whichthe Netherlands went on to win.
On 30 October 2024, the virtual software programHatsune Mikugave a concert at AFAS Live.[9]
References
edit- ^abc"Het verhaal achter jouw favoriete concertzaal: AFAS Live".NPO 3FM(in Dutch).Retrieved4 February2025.
- ^Groenendijk, Paul; Vollaard, Piet (2006).Architectuurgids Nederland: 1900-2000.010 Publishers. p. 293.ISBN9789064505737.Retrieved1 September2012.
- ^Hein, Anton (12 March 2009)."Amsterdam escapes terrorist attack".Amsterdam Tourist Information.Retrieved4 February2025.
- ^"Heineken Music Hall wordt AFAS Live"[Heineken Music Hall is AFAS Live].Nederlandse Omroep Stichting(in Dutch).Publieke Omroep.16 September 2016.Retrieved13 January2017.
- ^"ALTER BRIDGE TO RELEASE FIRST-EVER LIVE DVD 'LIVE IN AMSTERDAM'".Road Crew Mag. Archived fromthe originalon 10 March 2012.Retrieved8 December2010.
- ^Blabbermouth (1 October 2014)."WITHIN TEMPTATION To Release 'Let Us Burn - Elements & Hydra Live In Concert' DVD, Blu-Ray, 2CD".BLABBERMOUTH.NET.Retrieved4 February2025.
- ^"Azeri participants of Junior Eurovision 2012 named".Azernews.Az.11 October 2012.Retrieved4 February2025.
- ^"Franse zanger Charles Aznavour op 93-jarige leeftijd naar AFAS Live | Nieuws op Podiuminfo".www.podiuminfo.nl.Retrieved4 February2025.
- ^"Ze bestaat niet echt, maar AFAS Live is toch uitverkocht: Hatsune Miku 'voelt als echt concert'".Hart van Nederland(in Dutch). 29 October 2024.Retrieved4 February2025.
External links
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Media related toAFAS Liveat Wikimedia Commons
- Official website(in Dutch)
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