Alternate Takes: Celebrating 15 years of BIRD

Some of the best BIRD nights start with not knowing exactly what's about to happen.

A name you've never heard before. A packed room because somebody told somebody. An artist trying something new. A jam that goes on way longer than planned as the energy is high. You leave thinking: remember this name.

That's the spirit of Alternate Takes, and that's exactly what we're celebrating on Thursday 24 September.

As part of BIRD's 15 Years: One Love, we're taking over the entire building for a special anniversary edition. From the Garden to the Café, Boog3 and the Podiumzaal, expect live shows, DJs, acoustic sessions, good company, cold drinks and the next generation of Rotterdam artists, all under one roof.

This isn't just another showcase. It's a celebration of fifteen years of believing in artists before everybody else did.

For fifteen years BIRD has been a place where musicians could test ideas, find collaborators, build confidence and play that first show that eventually led to something bigger. Through BIRDsessions, Homegrown and Alternate Takes, we've tried to create the kind of stage we believe every artist needs: one where curiosity matters more than hype, where taking risks is encouraged and where community comes first.

We've seen artists grow from opening a free night at BIRD to selling out headline shows. We've watched first gigs become festival bookings, jam sessions become bands, and collaborations born backstage travel far beyond Rotterdam. Along the way we've shared thousands of unforgettable moments, late-night conversations, surprise guest appearances, packed dancefloors, standing ovations, hugs and hangs after shows and the feeling that everyone in the room knew they'd just witnessed something special. Those are the moments that built BIRD.

Alternate Takes is where that story continues. It's our platform for artists exploring the music of black origin, of jazz and hip hop and everything connected to it. Soul, funk, R&B, blacktronica, broken beat, improvisation and all the beautiful spaces in between. Music that honors where it came from while fearlessly pushing forward.

For this anniversary edition we're teaming up with some of our favorite and long standing partners: Cult North, House of Knowledge, De Nieuwe Lichting and OSHI. Organizations that, just like us, spend their time finding, supporting and championing the artists who shape the future of the city. Each partner has invited an artist they believe deserves your attention right now.

It's Pay What You Can, because we want as many people as possible to experience the artists who'll be headlining tomorrow.

Line-up

BIRD 
19:30 opening doors paying visitors
20:00 - 00:00 Alternate Takes programme

CAFÉ
20:00 – 20:45 — Djitt (hosted by Cult North)
20:45 – 23:00 —Lolo (DJ)

PODIUMZAAL

20:45 – 21:30 — The Nest Vol. 5 (hosted by BIRD)

22:15 – 23:00 — NEWĀRK (hosted by De Nieuwe Lichting)

BOOG 3
21:30 – 22:15 — Neema Nekesa (hosted by House of Knowledge & OSHI)

23:00 – 00:00 — Anda Electronix (hosted by De Nieuwe Lichting)

Come celebrate 15 years of backing artists, building community and creating the moments people still talk about years later.

One Love.