Our Story
Our Story
What began in Amsterdam in 2013 as an exploration of music, art, and connection has grown into something much bigger. DGTL is now a global festival concept, rooted in discovery, inspiration and innovation, with editions in cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Santiago, and São Paulo.
At DGTL, the industrial backdrop of our stages becomes a canvas for creativity. Collaborating with some of the world’s most talented VJs, we bring spaces to life with captivating visuals and lightscapes, creating an atmosphere that pulls you in.
But DGTL is more than a celebration—it’s a space for ideas to take shape. Sustainability isn’t just a goal for us; it’s part of who we are. From eliminating single-use plastics to serving plant-based menus, we became fully sustainable and circular in 2022. Each step forward reflects our commitment to leaving a positive mark on the planet and our industry.
At its core, DGTL is about creating a place where everyone feels welcome. Whether it’s your first time or your tenth, whether you're there for the music, the art, or something you can’t quite put into words, DGTL is built for you.
From its Amsterdam roots to stages worldwide, DGTL isn’t just a festival. It’s a meeting point where music, art, sustainability, and responsibility come together—and the journey continues to evolve.
music
Electronic music runs through our veins, spanning the full spectrum—from disco to house, from IDM to techno, and everything in between. At DGTL, we take pride in always curating a balanced program, giving emerging talent a platform to grow. By supporting artists early on, we cultivate long-term relationships and help shape the headliners of tomorrow.
DGTL connects music styles, genres, and people, bridging audiences and cultures. Our line-ups reflect the strength of our global DGTL identity while celebrating the richness of local communities. Inclusivity is at the heart of what we do—welcoming every gender, sexual orientation, background, and identity. DGTL is, and always will be, a place for everyone.
We build on our music strategy with our in-house label, DGTL Records—an extension of our global festival’s identity. Showcasing cutting-edge artists and fresh talent, the label creates a tight-knit roster that reflects the diverse and forward-thinking sound of our events.
Art
At DGTL, we see ourselves as connectors of cultures and creators of bold, revolutionary art. Our art installations are not just an addition to the festival—they’re a core part of the experience, holding equal importance to the music.
The art at DGTL is innovative and immersive, blending technology with tactile design. Each piece celebrates collaboration, evokes curiosity, and feels like an experience in itself—always striking a balance between aesthetic beauty and deeper meaning.
DGTL’s identity is both monumental and fluid. It is strong and sophisticated yet unafraid to embrace transparency, organic growth, and vulnerability. By embodying this openness, we aim to create a space where our visitors feel free to explore—not just the festival but also themselves. Through this shared mindset, we hope to inspire comfort, curiosity, and a sense of discovery.
Previous art installations
Sustainability
At DGTL, we recognize the environmental impact of what we do—and we’re committed to changing it. Our mission is clear: to evolve from being the world’s first circular festival to becoming the first truly regenerative event organization on a global scale. This means constantly seeking out cutting-edge innovations to close material loops and create lasting positive change.
By sharing our knowledge and vision, we aim to inspire sustainable action among our visitors and partners. Years of development and on-site experimentation have led to the creation of the DGTL Framework—a blueprint that maps the entire metabolism of a festival. Our approach is built on five core pillars of sustainability: resources, energy, mobility, sanitation, and food.
As a pioneer in the field of innovation and sustainability, we have created a circular blueprint that can be applied to both a festival and a city. It’s entirely feasible to view a festival as a temporary miniature version of a community. People work and consume, move, eat and sleep. Much like in a community, there are all kinds of different flows such as money, energy, food, exchange of knowledge, water and creativity. At DGTL, we see our festivals as a living lab for circular innovation in neighbourhoods and cities.
Sustainability pillars
What SAF can do for you
If the aviation industry was a country, it would rank sixth in global carbon emissions. The largest portion of these emissions is related to the combustion of jet fuel. Flight alternatives like electric or hydrogen powered planes are still in early-stage development. However, SAF can be easily used in the aviation industry and drastically cut emissions today.
Enter the information for your flight and see how much you can reduce your carbon footprint with SAF.
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At DGTL, I translate the concept of sustainability into tangible and measurable actions. I see it as our responsibility to include regenerative design principles in our projects, educate our visitors, artists, and suppliers about the benefits of these principles, and inspire everyone to reduce impact without compromising on experience.
– Esmee Bouwmeister, Sustainability Manager DGTL
Responsibility
Our mission is to provide a safe and enjoyable festival experience, and to positively impact the music industry. All of this, however, is not possible unless we create a festival environment that is safe and welcoming to all.
At DGTL, we believe in:
A dancefloor for all
A place to feel comfortable and free
Exploring a curiosity for electronic music, art and culture
A sustainable future
A safer dancefloor is a collective effort. Help us create an environment free from harassment, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and sexism.
Responsibility pillars
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Visitor at DGTL Amsterdam 2022 Social & collective responsibility
By entering DGTL, you become part of our shared mission to create safe(r) dancefloors for everyone. We strive for a space where visitors and the organization hold each other accountable for words and actions. Harassment—whether verbal or physical—has no place here. It includes any behavior that feels intimidating, confrontational, or abusive to another person. Remember, what someone else perceives as harassment might not align with your own perspective.
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DGTL Amsterdam 2022 Consent culture
Consent culture is a cornerstone of our festival ethos. Consent means respecting another person’s decisions and autonomy over their own body. It’s not just about hearing “no”—it’s about seeking an enthusiastic and conscious “yes.” Consent is a continuous, mutual dialogue and can be withdrawn at any time. Honoring this ensures that everyone feels empowered and respected.
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Visitors at DGTL Amsterdam 2022 Responsible and safe celebration
As adults, we have the freedom to make our own choices, and with that comes responsibility. Enjoying the festival starts with thoughtful decisions. When in doubt, less is more—peer pressure should never dictate what you put into your body. Stay mindful: check in with your friends and those around you, hydrate sensibly (about one glass of water per hour), and don’t hesitate to seek help if needed. Our awareness team and first aid are always here for you.
Awareness Crew
People attending and working at our festival are encouraged to be aware of their actions and how they may be harming others. Our Awareness Crew will be identifiable by their body warmers with an “Awareness Crew” badge on their backs at DGTL Amsterdam. Visitors to the festival are encouraged to contact them if they witness any behaviour that harm others. DGTL and its security team will take any and all reports very seriously. We reserve the right to assess and control circumstances in the best interest of our collective goal of creating safer spaces and a socially conscious dance floor.
