Experience the best of popular music at Paradiso Amsterdam
The Paradiso Amsterdam has become a well known and sought after venue for popular live music events, as well as a place for Amsterdam city people to gather for a variety of cultural events. This unlikely hotspot for energetic nightlife is surprisingly located within the solid walls of a venerable former church. But these days, thanks to renovation and vision, the Paradiso is one of the trendiest places to listen to live music.
The exterior of the old church is somewhat eerie and has a dark, almost sinister appearance, especially to first-time visitors who have not experienced the energetic and upbeat music that fills the interior during live music performances. The interior of the Paradiso is magnificent to behold. Given its former life as a cathedral, it is graced with high vaulted ceilings and a magnificent balcony that overlooks the stage area, where the pulpit once stood.
One of the most striking parts of the Paradiso Amsterdam main stage are three large stained glass windows. They are incredible works of art that were part of the original craft of building the church itself. These marvelous works of glass craftsmanship are also masterfully illuminated, helping to make Paradiso one of the most unique settings in which many artists have found themselves.
The acoustics of the venue tend to be echoy, due to the dimensions of the vast interior, but over the years since the Paradiso opened in 1968, there have been continual improvements that have helped improve the overall experience for listeners. In addition to the main venue which is in the old chapel area, there is a smaller stage and cafe area located on the upper floor for more intimate performances.
Even aside from the fact that the sound isn’t absolutely perfect, Amsterdam venue Paradiso remains one of the city’s most beloved and visited live music scenes and has long been a favorite destination for lovers. of local music. , but even attracts people from all over Europe. Perhaps one of the reasons for its popularity is that it is located a “stone’s throw” from Leidseplein in the city center of Amsterdam, which is the bustling center of nightlife and a “trendy” tourist hub.
With its history as a church and a defining architecture that is unmistakably inspired by houses of worship, the beautiful and imposing building that houses the Paradiso has been nicknamed the “Pop Temple.” And, since some of the most famous acts in the world, such as the Rolling Stones, Lenny Kravitz, David Bowie, Justin Timberlake, Nirvana, Macy Gray, Prince and many others, have made the solid walls and windows vibrate. for his music, this seems an appropriate designation.
There is no doubt that Paradiso Amsterdam will be best known and recognized for bringing the best of the best in popular music to its stage, but recently the establishment has also made an effort to reach out and expand its offerings to make it a cultural hub. In a broader sense. This means that there are now also classical music performances and plays, as well as lectures on various topics, giving people even more reasons to travel to Amsterdam.