The Youth
Tips from our youngest team members
Every year, a group of 14 to 18-year-olds contributes to the program of Into The Great Wide Open and creates its own counter-movement within the festival. The Youth has its own hangout, hosts shows, and designs its own merch. Additionally, they also turn out to be worthy interviewers.
Hi, I am Espen, 17 years old and I come from Groningen. Since I was young, I have been dancing in the kitchen with my father. Artists like Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison were the foundation for the Espen I am now. I also make music myself, so who knows, you might see me someday on an ITGWO stage ;).
I recommend an album for vacation, recently released by Styn. Styn is a Dutch producer who has produced for major national and international names. Styn can create beats in all styles and forms, making him a great example for me. The album I recommend from him is Ordo Ab Chao. On this record, he has only sampled and flipped old soul into hip-hop beats. This album has given me a new perspective on what music is because it can be new yet also old at the same time. Just listen to the trumpet; this one might already be 50-65 years old and is featured in a recently released song. That is magical for me to hear.
It is a unique and calming album in a rap scene full of heavy bass and angry lyrics. It brings me positive energy, energy that I like to take with me on vacation or to friends.
Hi! I'm Merlijn Overdevest and I am 16 years old. I am into clothing, music, and like to hang out with friends. As a tip for you, I have chosen the debut album 'Bcos You Will Never B Free' by one of my favorite artists, Rex Orange County. I think this is a beautiful album because it feels very personal. Rex was around 16 to 17 years old when the album was written, and so his perspectives and topics on this album are relatable to me as a 16-year-old. I discovered this album in 2017 via Soundcloud and thought the cover was cool, so I started listening to it! Since then, I haven't stopped.
Hey, I am Floortje Brouwer and I am 16 years old. I like to do things with friends like going out, attending concerts, and talking on the balcony in the evenings. As a tip, I have for you the album ANTI by Rihanna. I chose this album because it is a personal album. One of my favorite songs is ‘Never Ending’. This song gives me the feeling that some moments may end but the memory remains forever. This album is also different from most albums you might know from Rihanna. You can listen to this album anywhere and you won't get tired of it. Due to the diversity of the songs and the artists that contributed to it, it is one of my favorite albums.
Hi, I am Marieke, 18 years old, from Eindhoven and I am often involved in acting, writing, and making music. My tip is Prince EA. This American spoken word artist regularly posts inspiring videos on YouTube. The way he tells stories and plays with the visual material makes him a beacon of calm among the vlogs, memes, and music videos on YouTube. After watching his videos, I always find a lot of inspiration and motivation to improve the world around me. And don’t we all want that?
PRINCE EA - Dear Future Generations: Sorry
Hey there, I am Cato Houben I am 16 years old, come from Amsterdam and have been part of Into The Great Wide Open for a long time. I love music, enjoy learning something new, and am always up for a fun day with friends.
As a tip for you, I have… (drumroll): Heartstopper. Perhaps you’ve heard of it and are wondering which part of Heartstopper I’m talking about? Well, I’m actually talking about all parts. First, the original book, or rather it’s more of a graphic novel/comic. With the sweet texts and cute pictures, you breeze through the story. Secondly, you have the series on Netflix, based on the book, which for some is a bit more accessible than a comic, but just as cute and sincere as the comic. If you really don’t feel like reading or watching, you can always listen to the playlist. Heartstopper is a (did I mention it?) sweet, cute, sincere, and safe story about a group of young people in high school, but especially about two boys. You follow their relationship while various (romantic) relationships are also developing in the rest of the friend group.
By the way, work is being done on a second season of Heartstopper and Alice Oseman (the brilliant writer of all this and more) is working on another book, so the fun doesn't stop! ;)
