TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 – THE NETHERLANDS AT A GLANCE . 4 OVERVIEW . 4 TRAVELLING IN THE COUNTRY . 6 NATIONAL HOLIDAYS . .6 GEOGRAPHY OF THE NETHERLANDS . 6 CLIMATE . 7 POPULATION AND COUNTRY STATISTICS . 7 POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF THE COUNTRY . 7 ECONOMIC OVERVIEW . 8 ART AND HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS . 9 LANGUAGES . 9 AVERAGE COSTS FOR EVERYDAY ITEMS . 9 AIRPORTS AND AIRLINES . 10 TRAINS . .. 11 METRO, BUSES AND TRAMS . 11 TRAVELLING TO THE NETHERLANDS . 12 CONNECTIVITY . 12 2 - THE DUTCH RECORDED MUSIC MARKET . 13 HISTORY AND CURRENT STATE . 13 RECORDED MUSIC MARKET . 13 DIGITAL MUSIC SERVICES IN THE NETHERLANDS . 14 MUSIC DISTRIBUTION IN THE NETHERLAND . 14 INDIE LABELS: INTERVIEW WITH KEES VEN WEIJEN (STOMP) . 15 DUTCH MUSIC EXPORT: INTERVIEW WITH MARCEL ALBERS . 17 DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION: INTERVIEW WITH DAVE DRIESSEN (FUGA) . 19 TOP ARTISTS IN 2019 IN THE NETHERLANDS . 21 SALES CHART ANALYSIS – TOP SELLERS 2019 . 21 RADIO CHART ANALYSIS – MOST PLAYED TRACKS 2019 . 22 LIST: STOMP MEMBERS . 24 LIST: NVPI’S BOARD . 25 LIST: NVPI MEMBERS . 25 3 - THE LIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY IN THE NETHERLAND . 30 OVERVIEW OF THE LIVE MUSIC SCENE IN THE NETHERLANDS . 30 LIVE MUSIC: INTERVIEW WITH BEREND SCHANS (VNPF) . 31 INTERVIEW WITH LOCAL CONCERT PROMOTER / FESTIVAL ORGANIZER: PETER SMIDT (EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG) . 32 4 - MUSIC PUBLISHING IN THE NETHERLANDS . 35 OVERVIEW . 35 LIST: NMUV’S BOARD . 36 LIST: MUSIC PUBLISHERS IN THE NETHERLANDS . 36 5 – COPYRIGHT & MUSIC RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS . 37 COPYRIGHT IN THE NETHERLANDS . 37 OVERVIEW MUSIC RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS . 38 PERFORMING RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS: BUMA/STEMRA . 40 INTERVIEW WITH BUMA-STEMRA’S ROBERT BARUCH . 41 SUPPORTING THE MUSIC SECTOR: THE ROLE OF BUMA CULTUUR . 41 INTERVIEW WITH FRANK HELMINK – BUMA-STEMRA . 41 NEIGHBOURING RIGHTS: INTERVIEW WITH MARKUS BOS (SENA) . 42 REGISTERING WITH DUTCH SOCIETIES . .. 44 FIGHTING PIRACY: THE ROLE OF BREIN . 44 2 6 - MUSIC PROMOTION AND MEDIA . .46 IMPACT OF MEDIA . 46 MEDIA STRATEGY . 46 TOP RADIO STATIONS . 46 THE ROLE OF RADIO: INTERVIEW WITH SANDRA JONGSTRA (RADIOMONITOR) . 47 INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PROGRAMMER: MENNO VISSER (3VOOR12) . 48 INTERVIEW WITH TOP RADIO PLUGGER: INGMAR JAHN . 49 PRINT MEDIA . 50 TELEVISION . 51 7 - BUSINESS AND SHOWCASE EVENTS IN THE NETHERLANDS . .52 AMSTERDAM DANCE EVENT . 52 EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG . 52 8 - MUSIC INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS . 52 9 - ADDITIONAL TOOLS AND RESOURCES . 53 GOVERNMENT - CANADA EMBASSY AND CONSULATES IN THE NETHERLANDS . 53 GOVERNMENT - THE NETHERLANDS CONSULATES + EMBASSY (CANADA) . 53 10 – REFERENCES . .54 Funding for this guide was provided in part by Global Affairs CanExport Associations. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Affairs CanExport Associations, the Government of Canada and its agencies are in no way bound by the recommendations contained in this document. 3 1 – THE NETHERLANDS AT A GLANCE OVERVIEW Netherlands is located in the northwest part of Europe . It is part of the European Union and the euro zone . The country is one of the most densely populated in the world with a population of 17.3 million inhabitants living in a country slightly smaller than Nova Scotia (41,543 km2). The country is sometimes referred to as Holland, which in fact is a region on the western coast of the Netherlands . Famous for its windmills, tulips and wooden shoes, the Netherlands is one of the most culturally diverse country in Europe with a huge tradition in supporting the arts in general and music in particular. As one of the oldest countries in Europe, it features some outstanding buildings and cultural artifacts spanning several centuries. Netherlands Tourism describes the Dutch society as a whole as “very independent and modern” with many believing “in equality for all, yet focus on individuality more than community.” The country is renowned for its sense of hospitality, which the Encyclopedia Britannica claims is “perhaps to some extent rooted in the spirit of humanism that was typical of the Dutch Republic of the 16th to the 18th century,” with figures such as Desiderius Erasmus in the 16th century and Hugo Grotius in the 17th century epitomizing that spirit. Dutch people are very welcoming, especially in the main tourist areas. Working days tend to start early and end by 5pm. Netherlands Tourism describes Dutch citizens as “very straightforward and direct. They tell it like it is – honest and straight to the point. It’s not meant to be rude, it’s just their particular style.” The Tulip Festival According to OECD statistics, the Dutch are more satisfied with their lives than the OECD average, as Dutch people gave it a 7.4 grade on average when asked to rate on a scale of 0 to 10 their general satisfaction with life (OECD’s average is 6 .5) . The Dutch transport system is one of the best in the world with a combination of road, rail, canals and air networks. But what will catch the eye of the visitor coming for the first time is the high density of people riding bicycles in the cities. Pedestrians coming from foreign countries can sometimes be overwhelmed with the constant flow of cycles coming around them and caution is required. The country supports one of the best equipped network of concert venues of various sizes and is home to a diverse radio landscape, which program a wide range of music genres, from homegrown pop, dance and hip hop to international music. Local broadcasters are quick to pick new trends and artists and are not afraid of playing new music that is not available in the market. Holland is widely recognized as a hub to reach out to Central and Northern Europe for music artists. Success in the country can be used to cross borders to neighboring countries . The music sector in the Netherlands is very vibrant, with the three major companies and a dynamic independent music sector. IFPI-affiliated (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) trade organization NVPI (Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld - en geluidsdragers or the Dutch Association 4 of Producers and Importers of image and sound carriers) represents most of the country’s record labels, music and video distributors as well as video game distributors. Over 80 indie labels are regrouped under the banner of STOMP (Stichting Onafhankelijke Muziek Producenten or the Dutch association of Independent Music Companies) which is also a member of NVPI. Leading local artists like Marco Borsato (pop) and Afrojack pack arenas in their native country. Borsato is the local artist with the longest spell at the top of the charts with his song ‘Dromen zijn bedrog’ (Dreams Will Deceive) which spent 12 weeks atop the Dutch Top 40 charts in 1994. Over the years, Dutch artists have experienced steady successes outside of their own country, going back to 1970 and Shocking Blue’s ‘Venus’, Golden Earring’s ‘Radar Love’ in 1973 and Urban Dance Squad’s ‘Deeper Shade of Soul’ in 1989 . One of the top acts in the 1970s and 1980s was Herman Brood & His Wild Romance, whose single ‘Saturday Night’ cracked Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, peaking at 35. Brood is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in the Dutch music community. He committed suicide in 2001 aged 54. The country is now mostly known for its superstar DJs and EDM acts such as Martin Garrix, Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten and Tiesto. Dutch EDM dominance was a boon for indie labels such as Armada which build a dominion in the genre with signings such as co-founder van Buuren (with Maykel Piron and David Lewis), Corsten, and dozens of other acts . Aside from EDM, the country’s artists cover multiple genres: Nederpop (Caro Emerald, Anouk, Jan Smit, Guus Meeuwis, Acda en De Munnik, Esmee Denters, Ilse de Lange), Nederhop or local hip hop (Dope DOD, Snelle, Frenna), classic rock (The Nits, Kane, Focus, Gruppo Sportivo), alternative (Urban Dance Squad, zZz), metal (Within Temptation, After Forever), contemporary rock (Thomas Azier, Lukas Simonis), folk (Fungus, Irolt, Törf), and jazz (Candy Dulfer, New Cool Collective). Classical music benefits in the Netherlands from a good music teaching system, both at school and in conservatories. The music genre is popular with a large part of the population, with several cities hosting symphonic and classical orchestras, such as the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and the Residentie Orchestra at The Hague . Caro Emerald Several generations of Canadian artists have been feted in the Netherlands over the years, from the 60s generation of Neil Young and Joni Mitchell to, more recently, Nickleback, Justin Bieber, Drake, Arcade Fire, The Weeknd, Shawn Mendes and Michael Bublé . Due to the country’s appetite for new music, Canadian artists should consider plan to build a following in the Netherlands . This document should help them better understand the functioning of the market and build a strategy. Tabea Hüberli 5 TRAVELLING IN THE COUNTRY GEOGRAPHY OF THE NETHERLANDS The currency of the Netherlands is the euro (EUR) . Most The country has borders with Belgium in the South and credit cards are accepted but not everywhere (using Germany on the west and a coastline of 451 km with American Express can be challenging). However, ATMs the North Sea . are widely available. It is recommended to withdraw significant amounts of cash rather than small amounts The country is mostly made of lowland and reclaimed since banks will charge a fee per transaction. land, known as polders. A significant portion of the country, around 25%, is under the level of the sea . It has Inter-city travels are usually made by road or train. an intricate network of canals linking various parts of the The country has a very dense, efficient and reliable country, still used to this day to move around goods.