Recap UUnited Music Festival 2024 in TivoliVredenburg

UUnited Music Festival 2024, what a fantastic event! For the fourth time, eight student music ensembles from Utrecht performed together with their guest artists at TivoliVredenburg, and this year on all stages.

High notes and highlights

USConcert enchanted the evening with LAKSHMI in the main hall. Together, they captivated the audience, who remained in awe throughout the rest of the festival. In Pandora, Dekoor sang brilliantly with Sandra van Nieuwland, and Cloud Nine kept everyone moving with USBB and trumpeter Philip Lassiter. Angelic sounds resonated from the Hertz, where Medusa and harpist Lavinia Meijer celebrated the power of women with diverse songs. The audience in de Grote Zaal listened attentively to USKO and Freek de Jonge as they performed the Johannes Passion.

The magic continued in Pandora with het Kunstorkest and illusionist Steve Carlin. Even the audience had the chance to step onto the stage and experience Steve’s mindreading tricks. Upstairs in TivoliVredenburg, het Huisorkest, together with Izaline Calister, brought smiles to everyone’s faces in Cloud Nine. In the Hertz, USCantorij and musical duo Clean Pete captivated the audience with humor and beautiful singing.

As the final performance approached, the Ronda was packed, and the atmosphere was electrifying. UUnited Souls and Shirma Rouse’s collaboration is one we will never forget! Whether you lost your voice singing along to all the hits, from “Shackles” to “September,” or your heart melted during Shirma’s gospel numbers, the friendship and vibe between Dekoor and the Utrecht Student Big Band (USBB) lit up the stage. All eight ensembles showcased how making music together fosters connection during this edition of UUnited.

Videos speak louder than words

There is more

Last Thursday wasn’t just about enjoying beautiful music. Attendees also danced their hearts out at the silent disco, marveled at two showcases by the dance group Rays of Sunshine, bonded at the Students for Students EXPO of the Hogeschool Utrecht, jammed at the Jam Session, danced to the tunes of the UUnique DJs, and immersed themselves in the performances by the theater group STUK.

Importance of UUnited Music Festival

During the fourth edition of UUnited, it became evident once again how unique and talented Utrecht’s student music scene is. It’s something to celebrate and continue to put in the spotlight—the broad development and sense of community will continue at Parnassos, where the ensembles rehearse, study, and socialize.

This wouldn’t have been possible without…

Team UUnited extends its heartfelt thanks to all students, guest artists, and the audience who make it possible to organize this fantastic festival every time. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to all sponsors, Utrecht University, Hogeschool Utrecht, and particularly TivoliVredenburg.

Lustrum Edition

To soften the ‘post-festival blues,’ we look forward to UUnited 2026. Then, we will celebrate both the lustrum of Utrecht University and the UUnited Music Festival. See you then!