Thuishaven is known as the place where Amsterdam celebrates parties off the beaten path. When Fatboy Slim descends here, you know it's going to be a day that feels more like a festival than a regular gig. Starting at noon, the venue slowly fills up with a mix of locals and fans from all over the Netherlands, all ready for the big beat sound that Norman Cook has kept big for decades.
His hits are timeless: Praise You, Weapon of Choice, Right Here, Right Now. You can bet these songs will come along, and everyone will collectively take to the air. But Fatboy Slim doesn't stand still in his career: expect new mixes and surprising edits that keep the audience on their toes, too. It's exactly that balance between nostalgia and innovation that still makes him relevant.
Homeport itself lends itself perfectly to this kind of show. The industrial terrain, the open air, the dusk slowly turning to night - it gives the set an extra layer of intensity. Unlike a dark club, it feels big, raw and at the same time personal here because you are literally dancing together under the sky.
The vibe is always casual. People don't come in glitter costumes or fancy dress, but in outfits you can really go wild in. Expect an energetic, mature crowd that gives each other space to dance. You drink your beer or cocktail at the outdoor bar, get a snack at one of the food trucks, and five minutes later are back in the middle of the crowd jumping.
The lineup completes the day. Besides Fatboy Slim himself, names like Kyra Khaldi, Midas Field, Kasper and Estrella are also spinning. They provide build-up and variety, keeping the energy high from start to finish. Not a moment that it slumps, but a continuous wave of beats that you automatically go along with.
"Thuishaven and Fatboy Slim: this is Amsterdam at full speed."
What makes this performance special is the setting. Fatboy Slim has played the biggest festivals in the world, but Haven gives it a more intimate charge. You stand close to the stage, see the harbor cranes light up in the dark, and feel the bass thump into your chest. It's a memory that will stay with you for a long time as an Amsterdam native.