Pop music stages

The oldest and best-known temple of pop music in the northern part of the Netherlands is Vera in Groningen city centre. Vera rightfully is Groningen’s pride: great names such as U2, Pearl Jam, The Cure and Nirvana performed here before they became world-famous. The building at the Oosterstraat often schedules underground music and the programme always includes special bands.

Another well-known pop music stage in Groningen is Simplon, which has been established at the Boterdiep 69 for over 30 years and is located just five minutes on foot from the city centre. After all these years, Simplon is still a club that has something for everyone. In 2010, it was nominated for the title of 'Best pop music stage in the Netherlands'. Pop music, rock, metal, hip-hop, urban, punk or house, music fans will surely find something to their taste here.

Theatres

Groningen has four large theatres with daily performances. The Stadsschouwburg city theatre is considered one of the most beautiful theatres in the Netherlands and the large hall guarantees a stylish evening out.
De Oosterpoort has an extensive musical programme in addition to theatre and cabaret performances. Martiniplaza, the largest theatre in Groningen with 1650 seats, regularly schedules large musicals, and the Grand Theatre, the special theatre in the city centre at the Grote Markt, features provocative theatre productions and performances.

In addition, there are numerous smaller theatres such as the Kruithuis, the Prinsen theatre and the Der Aa theatre.

De Machinefabriek theatre is the base of the Noord Nederlands Toneel, the Groningen theatre company. It is used for performances by the NNT only and has a maximum of 160 seats.

There are four other large theatres in the province of Groningen: De Molenberg in Delfzijl, ’t Kielzog in Hoogezand, het Theater Geert Teis in Stadskanaal and Cultuurcentrum Van Beresteyn in Veendam.

Interesting smaller-scale theatres in the province include Tramwerkplaats in Winschoten, de Oude ULO in Leek and the Bernlef theatre in the hamlet of Helwerd.