HOLLAND FESTIVAL by PORTABLE VAUDEVILLE

First time vinyl edition from 1983 tape of this live performance by dutch electronic musicians Hessel Veldman and Kees van Ede as Portable Vaudeville. Incredible stuff!

Includes a print of the original festival poster designed by the late great Dutch cartoonist Peter Pontiac as an insert.

"Infinite Expanse is excited to announce the reissue of Holland Festival, the soundtrack for The Theatre for Moveable People, Objects and Music, originally performed live in 1983 during the Holland Festival at the City Theatre in Amsterdam. This first-time vinyl edition captures the essence of an audacious and provocative Fluxus art event which remains a landmark in the Dutch avant-garde scene.

The recordings, captured over four consecutive nights, were edited at the EXART studio in IJmuiden and initially released shortly after on cassette. This reissue breathes new life into the work, with the original audio restored and remastered by Mikey Young, allowing listeners to experience unique sonic landscapes of Portable Vaudeville, a short-lived duo comprised of Hessel Veldman (Y Create, Gorgonzola Legs, FNTC) and Kees van Ede.

The original performance formed part of Willem de Ridder’s art-works-performances, blending city walks, everyday movable objects, suspense, fear therapy, storytelling, and absurd performance art – all collaboratively crafted by the audience. The soundtrack itself is a captivating collage of daily sounds, simple kitschy rhythms, and chaotic machine harmonies, created using a range of layered synths, and resulting in an hour-long deep hallucinatory listening experience.

During the first night, Veldman and van Ede performed alongside a violinist from the Dutch Symphony Orchestra; however, his classical approach clashed with the unconventional and improvised nature of the performance. The following three nights showcased Veldman and van Ede’s synergy, creating a memorable auditory experience.

The original show, however, sparked controversy and debate, described by the press as a “disgusting display” that blurred the lines of art. Among the shocking elements were performances featuring unconventional props and intense imagery, which some critics deemed a misrepresentation of artistic expression. As a result, the show became a defining moment in the history of the Holland Festival. "

Recorded live at the “Holland Festival”, City Theatre, Amsterdam, June 1983.

All instruments played by Hessel Veldman and Kees van Ede.

Thanks to all staff of the City Theatre, Nico Bes and STEIM.
Special thanks to Willem de Ridder and Frans de Ruiter.

Originally made and distributed by EXART, 1983.

2025 issue on license via EXART.
Remastered for vinyl issue by Mikey Young, 2024.
Design and layout by Lily Stroud.