Amsterdam's Damp Embrace: A Drummer's Perspective (and a Whole Lot of Rain)
okay, so amsterdam. everyone raves, right? canals, tulips, cheese… yeah, it’s all that. but let me tell you, as a touring drummer who’s seen a lot of cities, it’s got a vibe. a specific, slightly melancholic vibe. i just checked and it's drizzling sideways, a proper, persistent kind of dampness that seeps into your bones. hope you like that kind of thing.
I’m here with the band, doing a short run at a club called Paradiso - seriously cool venue, old church converted. The sound guy was a legend, knew his compression. Anyway, the whole thing felt… muted. Like someone turned the saturation down on the world. Which, honestly, isn't the worst thing. Sometimes you need that.
I spent a day wandering around, trying to shake off the jet lag and the pre-show nerves. The *Jordaan district is gorgeous, all narrow streets and quirky shops. Found a vintage record store - naturally - and snagged a first pressing of a Can album. Score! I’m always on the lookout for weird vinyl. It’s a ritual.
Someone told me that the Anne Frank House is a must-see, but the lines are insane. I didn’t have the patience, to be honest. I’m more of a ‘stumble upon something interesting’ kind of traveler. I did find a tiny cafe tucked away on a side street, though. Best stroopwafels ever. Seriously, melt-in-your-mouth good. I’m adding it to my list of things to recreate when i get back home.
I overheard some drunk tourists complaining about the price of beer. Classic. I heard that the Red Light District is… well, it’s what you expect, I guess. Didn’t really spend much time there. Not my scene. I’m more into finding hidden bars with live music. Found a decent one near the Begijnhof, pretty chill.
If you get bored, Haarlem and The Hague are just a short train ride away. Both worth checking out, especially if you need a break from the crowds. I’m thinking of heading to Haarlem tomorrow, see what it’s like.
Pro-Tip: Bring a good raincoat. Seriously. And comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking.
Gear List (Drummer Edition):
My trusty Ludwig kit (obviously)
Noise-canceling headphones - essential for travel
Portable metronome - gotta keep those chops sharp
A good book - something dense and distracting
Earplugs - for the inevitable late nights
I’m not gonna lie, Amsterdam isn’t the most exciting city I’ve been to. But it’s got a certain charm. A quiet, understated beauty. It’s a place to wander, to get lost, to soak up the atmosphere. And to eat a lot of stroopwafels. Check out some reviews on TripAdvisor https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g188590-Amsterdam_North_Holland-Vacations.html. Or maybe browse some local forums on Iamsterdam https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/. Yelp has some good restaurant recommendations too https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=restaurants&find_loc=Amsterdam,+Netherlands.
I'm off to find another cafe. This rain isn't going to stop itself.
Oh, and one more thing: someone warned me about pickpockets around *Dam Square*. Keep an eye on your stuff.