Hometown Events
Music and rhythm always find their way into the secret places of the soul.”
Oosterhout (NB) offers a variety of events year-round, from theater at Theater de Bussel to local markets and cultural-historical activities. Well-known locations include the St. John's Basilica, Floralia Park, and the various castles. The city combines a village atmosphere with a diverse offering for all ages.
Oosterhout boasts a diverse music calendar, with highlights such as Oosterhout Live (for Dutch-language party music), the Parkfeest (featuring national and international artists), Zomercarnaval (Summer Carnival), jazz concerts at Proeflokaal Moolenaar, and performances (both national and international) at Theater de Bussel. There are also regular local events, music quizzes, and performances at the Pannehoef. During the summer, public performances by various artists are sometimes organized at the market center or cafes.
Since 2010, I've been going to the annual Oosterhout Live festival every year with friends and/or family.
Oosterhout Live in Lukwelpark is very popular, accessible music festival in North Brabant, focused on conviviality and Dutch sing-alongs.
The event is known for performances by well-known local artists showcasing their repertoire and hits, a summery atmosphere, and an active, sing-along crowd. It's always a huge party with lots of fun, dancing, food, and drinks. See above, short impression.
The annual Park Festival in Oosterhout.
The Parkfeest in Oosterhout (NB) is an annual three-day music festival in the Slotpark, usually in June. It features live music (pop/rock), tribute acts, and street theater.
Performers include both national and international artists. Over 17,000 people attend the festival over the weekend.
The event is known for its friendly atmosphere, supports local charities, and is largely organized by volunteers.
I saw UB40 perform with friends and family at one of these park festivals in 2016. It was a fantastic performance in the summer heat and with a great, close-knit atmosphere. Over the years, many international and national artists have performed in Oosterhout. I found some footage from that evening in my archives, see video.
Theatre The Bussel.
Theater de Bussel is a contemporary entertainment venue in Oosterhout’s city center. It’s a cozy and welcoming theater with professional and local theater and concert programming. The theater reopened in 2015 after a major renovation.
Together with the Theek5 library and the tourist information
office, they occupy a beautiful modern building where theatrical performances
truly shine. There’s a magnificent main hall, a cozy small hall, and a spacious
foyer where you can enjoy a drink during the intermission or afterward. Every
Thursday and during the holidays, a film is shown in the small hall.
Furthermore, relationship management surrounding theatrical performances is a
specialty of the organization, ensuring that every event is unforgettable.
Theater de Bussel aims to be an inspiring platform for reflection, imagination,
and entertainment, where everyone feels welcome and can enjoy themselves
carefree.
I visit De Bussel a few times a year. Above: Me & The Sons of Creedence Clearwater Revival (from Chicago, USA). De Bussel Oosterhout 2023. I and everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed their special performance, in which the authentic sound of Creedence Clearwater Revival really came through.
Who are they?
The Sons of CCR (sometimes referred to as The Fortunate Sons) is an American tribute band from Chicago that pays a very authentic tribute to the legendary rock group Creedence Clearwater Revival. They are known for their resemblance to the original band, including the singing style of a young John Fogerty, and perform frequently in Dutch theaters.
Key features of The Sons of CCR:
Origin: Chicago, USA.
Repertoire: They play CCR's biggest hits, such as "Bad Moon Rising," "Proud Mary," "Have You Ever Seen The Rain," and "Down On The Corner."
Authenticity: The band uses the original instruments and recreates the sound of the late 60s.
From Mobile Sound to Stereo Sound.
I partially filmed them with my phone during their performance at the Bussel in Oosterhout and recorded several performances.
Everyone knows that the sound quality on your phone isn't great when filming/recording video. In the video (see below), I made some adjustments to the sound.
To hear the difference, you'll need to wear headphones or earbuds. I first bought their CD with their songs and then edited it at home on my computer with the performance videos I recorded with my phone.
Occasionally in the video, I'll show (hear) you the difference between the sound from my phone and the edited audio during their live performance (so use stereo headphones or another audio device).
The Dutch Eagles (my favorite cover band, see photo).
The Dutch Eagles is a highly successful Dutch tribute band known for performing the music of the legendary American band The Eagles. They are often considered one of the best, if not the very best, Eagles tribute bands in the Netherlands.
Here are the key points about the band:
Anniversary: The band has been on the road for over 20 years and is celebrating this with their "20 Years on the Road" tour.
Musical Style: The Dutch Eagles focus on the signature harmony vocals, virtuoso guitar solos, and laid-back California sound of the '70s. They play not only the biggest hits but also lesser-known songs and works by "kindred spirits."
Reputation: The guestbook and reviews praise the band for their high musical quality, flawless harmonies, and energetic performances.
Many say their high-quality live music is indistinguishable from CD sound recordings.
A look behind the scene........
20 Years on The Road
Floralia Country Festival Oosterhout.
Oosterhout used to have a large-scale Floralia Country Festival, which attracted tens of thousands of visitors in its heyday. It closed after 32 editions. There are currently no immediate indications that this specific, large-scale country festival will return in 2025 or 2026, after the last edition in 2013.
Floralia Park: Floralia Park, the former location of the country festival, is still an active venue for events, such as the multicultural Bunta Beats festival on June 22, 2025.
History: The Floralia Country Festival was once one of the largest country festivals in the Benelux, featuring performances by international artists.
In 1980, the first Floralia Country Festival was held on a beautiful site on Beneluxweg in Oosterhout, a few villages away from Rijen. At one point, Floralia was by far the largest country festival in the Netherlands, and even in the Benelux. Every year, radio recordings of the festival were made and broadcast for several weeks. KRO Television also broadcast the Oosterhout music spectacle about eight times. Floralia Country was rock solid and was labelled as one of the largest and most beautiful country festivals in Europe.
Many well-known international artists have performed here,
including:
The Bellamy Brothers
Freddy Fender
Bobby Bare
Steve Wariner
George Hamilton IV
Billy Yates
South Mountain
Lucille Star and many others
