Makebo: A First Touch with Amsterdam

For the first time ever, the deeply expressive sound of Makebo is coming to Amsterdam. On May 17, he’ll take the booth Once Upon a Beat on THE OTHER SIDE, bringing a uniquely atmospheric energy to the city’s underground.

Makebo’s music isn’t built on trends, it’s built on feeling. His sound is a journey: deep, emotional, and rhythmically warm. Blending elements from different styles, he avoids rigid formulas in favor of groove, texture, and “zombifying” layers that tap into something subconscious. His tracks don’t just fill the room, they pull you into their own world.

We asked Makebo 5 questions ahead of his set to get a sense of his creative mindset, what drives his music, and what he hopes to share with the Amsterdam crowd on this special night.

This will be your first time playing in Amsterdam. What are you looking forward to the most?

I'm really looking forward to meeting the Amsterdam public. There is a strong culture of electronic music here and the listeners have a deep sense of sound. I'm interested in how they will perceive my music, what emotions it will evoke. I want to feel this energy of exchange, when music connects us on the same level beyond words. This is my first time in this city, and I want this experience to be memorable - both for me and for those who will be on the dance floor.

What’s one track in your current sets that really connects with the crowd and why do you think it hits so hard?

It's pretty hard to single out just one track, but I'd like to focus on the track “The Witcher” which I wrote 2 years ago! And yes, it hasn't been released yet, I'm waiting for a certain moment to do it, I think I'll do it this year.

It's a bit out of the standard sound, listening to it you can't really tell if it's new or old, it's a timeless track - and maybe that's what makes it catchy.

It has a dark, mysterious atmospheric energy and unexpected transitions that immediately grab your attention. People don't just dance to the rhythm - it's as if they are involved in a special musical space. Every time I see how the faces in the audience change, how the sound engages - it's a very powerful moment.

How would you describe your sound or vibe to someone who's never heard you play before?

My sound is the result of a long musical journey, experimenting and searching for something real. I've always been interested not in following a template, but in finding something of my own, mixing elements from different styles, experimenting. That's why I don't fixate on one sound. The distinctive feature of my tracks is the groove and unpredictable background stuffing. My vibe is a trip: deep, atmospheric, but also rhythmic and warm.

When you're digging for tracks or making music, what do you look for? What pulls you in?

I'm attracted to non-standard solutions, unusual textures and interesting rhythmic moves. I love it when a track doesn't just sound, but captivates, draws you in - I call it “zombifying”. There must be something in it that hooks you on a subconscious level, creates an inner tension and attraction. I'm always drawn to sounds that feel alive and complex at the same time. I try to find and create unusual timbres in my music - timbres that are impossible to immediately decipher, but that make you feel as if you've already felt it somewhere. That's the magic of sound.

Got a message for the Amsterdam crowd? What can we expect from your set at THE OTHER SIDE?

Amsterdam, I'm really looking forward to this meeting. You can expect a deep, atmospheric and emotional set at THE OTHER SIDE. I will try to deliver maximum energy and play music that will not only sound in the speakers, but also inside. See you on the dance floor - it's going to be a special moment.

Makebo’s Amsterdam debut promises to be something special, not just a set, but a story told through sound.

Join us on May 17 at THE OTHER SIDE for Once Upon a Beat and experience his deep, emotional journey in real time.

Event: Once Upon a Beat
Date: Friday, May 17, 2025
Venue: THE OTHER SIDE, Amsterdam
Time: 22:00–05:00

For more underground events in Amsterdam, stay tuned to Amsterdam Party Guide.