Dutch musicians absolutely crushed it on the international music scene last year. In 2024, the Dutch music industry earned more than 220 million euros through performances and activities outside of the Netherlands, according to research conducted by Perfect & More for Buma Culture. ‘The amount of more than 220 million euros refers to net proceeds from Dutch music activities abroad, including salaries, profit and taxes,’ according to AD newspaper, and takes into consideration ‘performances, copyright sales and the exploitation of recordings’. The numbers posted in 2024 broke the old record of 216.5 million euro set in 2018. Last year’s figures were 11 percent higher than those from 2023. While a variety of artists and musical styles contributed to the strength of last year’s numbers, dance music led the pack.
Dutch DJs also topped the 2024 list of performances abroad. DJ Franky Rizardo had the most performances outside of the Netherlands last year, appearing 112 times abroad. The second and third place on the 2024 list were also occupied by dance music geniuses – Mau P came in second, followed by Chris Stussy. Mau P took to the stage 110 times outside of the Netherlands in 2024. Chris Stussy, with 96 performances, had four more shows abroad in 2024 than in 2023. In fact, the complete top six on the 2024 list is formed by Dutch DJs.
Up-and-coming DJs such as Rizardo, Mau P and Chris Stussy had more foreign performances than superstars Tiësto and Martin Garrix in 2024. Tiësto reached fourth place on the list and appeared 92 times in foreign venues in 2024. The year before, he made 121 appearances outside of the Netherlands, the most of any Dutch musical act. Afrojack came in fifth on the 2024 list, and Martin Garrix reached sixth place – both performers earned lower spots on the list in 2024 than in 2023. Garrix was a solid part of the top three in 2023, with 99 appearances outside of the Netherlands compared to 88 in 2024.
While Dutch dance music led the way in worldwide popularity, there were also artists working in other genres who did quite well internationally. Classical piano duo Lucas and Arthur Jussen performed 71 times outside of the Netherlands in 2024, placing the pair fifteenth on the list of most appearances abroad. André Rieu, the popular violinist, reached sixteenth place on the list – the “Modern King of Waltz” performed 68 times in foreign countries in 2024. Downtempo deathcore band Distant claimed thirteenth place on the list with 74 gigs outside of the Netherlands last year. Indie rock band Personal Trainer came in 21st on last year’s list with 62 appearances abroad. While the vast majority of performers on the list are male, six women made the cut, including DJ Ki/Ki, who had 74 performances outside of the Netherlands in 2024 and came in fourteenth on the list.
The Dutch music sector has quite a history as a major economic and cultural force, and its strength and influence have grown significantly over time. Back in 2004, the industry brought in 31.6 million euros, a sum that has grown dramatically over the past two decades. The numbers also reveal that the Dutch music industry has quite successfully recovered from the slowdown experienced during the Covid pandemic. On the cultural front, Dutch dance music has long been a powerhouse with solid international recognition. Martin Garrix was named the top DJ in the world by DJ Mag in 2024, his fifth time taking home the title. To provide some context, and to demonstrate the strength of the Dutch dance music tradition, Garrix, who is only 28 years old, pulled even with legendary Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren in last year’s title, according to AD newspaper.
Written by Lorre Luther