Ian Siegal

EM2 is a live music and events venue in Groningen, in the north of the Netherlands. It presents itself as a sustainable events location and a kind of city oasis, and it makes a point of calling itself a solar venue, which sets it apart from most clubs and halls in the region. The programme covers live music and clubbing nights alongside other events, so the same space can host a band on one evening and a dance party on another. The bookings lean toward rock and roll and its neighbouring genres. Reports from past shows describe a rock and roll dance party with The Courettes, a melodic hard rock night with Perfect Storm and Seb Zukini in May 2022, and a concert by the Dutch folk rock band Rapalje, whose show is characterised as a journey through time with a rough, carefree spirit. That spread, from garage and punk flavoured acts to hard rock and folk, gives a fair picture of a room that takes in touring bands from the Netherlands and abroad rather than sticking to one scene. Fans and visitors tend to mention it by name on social media and in concert reviews, which suggests a venue with a loyal following among regular gig goers in Groningen. For travelling bands and audiences, it works as one of the city's dependable stops for live music outside the big commercial halls, with a practical, event focused character. Its emphasis on sustainability and solar power is part of its public identity, and it is one of the first things the venue says about itself.