Support. Organize. Sustain x Dekmantel 2025
Panels
Moderated by Shawn Reynaldo (Author, First Floor Newsletter)

Welcome & Opening The Doors
12:45 – 13:15

Preserving Rave Culture in the Age of Screens
with
Eris Drew & Octo Octa

Time: 13:15 – 14:15

Dance music has a long history of knowledge and traditions being passed down from one generation to the next, but against the backdrop of a scene that increasingly unfolds online, lasting cultural transmission has become a much more challenging proposition. Having spent years fostering real-world connection, Eris Drew and Octo Octa are deeply familiar with that challenge. This conversation—a follow-up to a talk with the two artists that took place during 2024’s Dekmantel conference—takes a hard look at the disparity between digital engagement and tangible, real-life action, and highlights what’s needed to keep rave culture alive, relevant, and inclusive in today’s interconnected yet fragmented world. Expect candid reflections on community building, intergenerational dialogue and mentorship, and an exploration of practical approaches that transcend what we see on our screens.

This Is What Community Looks Like
with
Julianna Cuervo (Bamba, Medellín)
Saša Vujasinović (Butik, Slovenia)
Sven Bijma (Club Raum, Amsterdam)
James Newmarch (FOLD, London)

Time: 14:45 – 15:45

Over the past few years, “community” has become one of dance music’s most overused buzzwords, even as a variety of cultural, economic and technological factors have made real-world communities significantly harder to maintain. In an effort to spotlight some of those who are beating the odds and making it work, S.O.S. has assembled this panel discussion, with participants representing a sampling of vibrant clubs, festivals, collectives and scenes from different pockets of the globe. Prioritizing connection over commercialization, they’ll describe what it takes to nurture and build a community, emphasizing the role of cultural stewardship and the importance of establishing a creative vision that goes beyond mere booking policies.

Quick Break
Visit the Cafe at the Tolhuistuin

Time: 14:45 – 15:45

One Year After Aslice: Is Fair Compensation Possible?
with
Zak Khutoretsky (DVS1)
Ethan Holben (former Aslice CEO)

Time: 16:15 – 17:15

The sudden closure of Aslice in 2024 sent a shockwave through dance music, prompting numerous impassioned discussions about the initiative and its attempt to combat the glaring compensation imbalance between producers and DJs. The Aslice team, however, has largely stayed out of those discussions—until now. Speaking publicly for the first time since the project shut its doors, founder DVS1 and CEO Ethan Holben will reflect back on their experience, detailing the challenges of launching and running a payment-sharing system and sharing many of the lessons they learned along the way. More than just a post-mortem, this conversation will also look at the current state of remuneration in dance music, taking stock of how artists are being affected and examining what opportunities still exist to build on what Aslice started.

Putting the Art in Artist 2.0
with
Ogazón, MARRØN, Barker

Time: 17:45 – 18:45

A sequel to one of the most enjoyable and insightful talks at the first S.O.S. conference in 2019, this panel discussion will focus on what it means to remain authentic as an artist in today’s hyper-visible, highly commercialized landscape. Featuring a diverse mix of both veteran and emerging voices, the conversation will include honest reflections on identity, expression, and the cost of “playing the game,” along with practical advice and different paths for those looking to maintain integrity while navigating the complexities of today’s fast-paced, ever-shifting music ecosystem. In a time when building and maintaining a career often feels inextricably tied to marketing and social media, the panelists will also offer insights on how to balance the pressure to self-promote with a desire to focus on creativity, and present strategies for forging a sustainable practice that transcends the algorithm.