EXTRAS OVERVIEW – ENG

Thursday 22 October – 18.55h
at every show that starts at 19.00h

We know, we know, Left of the Dial 2026 officially starts on Wednesday, but some time ago we promised to do something on the Thursday, so that’s what we’re going to do! Only, it’s not going to be like the previous years. Want to know more? Please read this!

Theater Rotterdam (foyer)
Saturday 24 October
Start time 15.00h

Back by popular demand: the line dancing crash course!
No experience needed, legendary Laresidancers will teach you some original line dance moves that will impress all your friends. First 50 dancers on the floor will receive a complimentary cowboy hat!

Theater Rotterdam (down)
Saturday 24 October
Start time 14.00h

Show and Tell – workshop for all levels, no music production experience required.

Join Alberta Balsam (Pulsar Sound Lab) for a practical show-and-tell session on how to actually take your studio tracks and play them live. Using Ableton Live alongside a hybrid setup of controllers, hardware, and external FX, she’ll break down different techniques for getting your electronic music onto the stage.

Whether you just want to add a few electronic elements to your current liveshow, learn interesting processing techniques for isntruments or figure out how to translate complex studio productions into a full live performance, this session has you covered. Come pick up some essential workflows, or just get a behind-the-scenes look at how a hybrid hardware and software set is built from the ground up.

At the entrance of Rotown you’ll find the Left of the Dial photobooth. Fix your hair, smile and take your photo strip home with the Left of the Dial logo. Or go for the boomerang option which we’ll share online after the festival!

The Secret Shotjes Bar is a place where you drink cheap shots and to provide some contrast to all the new music you’ll hear everywhere, only overly well-known songs are played. ‘Shotje’ is Dutch for a shot of alcohol, and we assume that you more or less know what ‘secret’ entails. In this case it means that we can’t disclose the location of the bar. But since we’re the Taylor Swift of festivals, there will be some clues… Just keep your eyes peeled, is all we can say!

Opening hours:
Thu 19:00 – 23:00 / Classic 80s
Fri 18:00 – 22:00 / Classic disco
Sat 18:00 – 00:00 / Classic rock

A Left of the Dial wristband gives you access to all venues on Thursday (from 19.00h) and on Friday and Saturday (from 16.00h). For some of the Extra Extras an additional ticket is required, mainly due to capacity. Some additional tickets are free, some come with an extra charge. All add-ons are exclusively for Left of the Dial ticketholders, so yes, you will be also asked to show your official Left of the Dial wristband… 

Right in the centre of all festival activities, Rotown’s vegan restaurant opens two extra dining rooms where we serve the Left of the Dial artists their dinner. And you’re very welcome to join them!

When:
Thursday/Friday/Saturday between 17.00h and 21.00h

How it works:
First you go to the add-on page and purchase a Dine Like a Star ticket for one or more nights;
On the Dine Like a Star page you’ll find the exact location of the dining rooms and the daily menus;
– Go to your preferred dining room and show your ticket;
– You will receive the meal of your choice plus a drink;
– Grab a seat, enjoy your dinner and then it’s back to the music!

Bands on a Boat is an one-hour boat trip with two Left of the Dial bands playing on board. Super fun and drinks are included!

When:
Saturday 24 October – check tyour ticket for departure times

How it works:
First you go to the add-on page and purchase a Bands on a Boat ticket for your preferred trip;
– On the Bands on a Boat page you’ll find the exact location of the ship, the lineup and all other info you might need;
– Make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes before departure time, show your wristband and have your Bands on a Boat ticket scanned;
– Once we set sail, relax and enjoy the music and free drinks!

Bands on a Bus is exactly what it sounds like: it’s a band playing a short set on a driving bus. If you don’t mind a bit of chaos, you’ll love it.

When:
Friday 23 October – check your ticket for departure time

How it works:
– First you go to the add-on page and purchase a Bands on a Bus ticket for your preferred bus tour;
– On the Bands on a Bus page you’ll find the exact location of the bus stop and the lineup;
– Make sure you arrive at least 10 minutes before departure time, show your wristband and have your Bands on a Bus ticket scanned;
– Hold on tight and enjoy the experience!

Make your own Left of the Dial cocktail while enjoying a band on stage!

Get a ticket for the DIY Cocktail Party, create the best-looking drink and you might win a T-shirt. There are alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, so you can create a cocktail to your own taste, just make sure it looks pretty…

Where/when:
Arminius / Friday 23 October – 14.00 – 15.00h

How it works:
– First you go to the add-on page and purchase a Cocktail ticket;
– Check out the Cocktail Party page for all the info you’ll need;
– Show up to our Cocktail Party on time and in the best of moods;
– Make your own cocktail and have fun!

Update: you can now vote here for your favourite cocktail!

The Left of the Dial Wednesday is an extra festival night to celebrate Rotterdam artists.

Only a few venues will be open and therefore capacity will be limited. You can only access these venues with a Wednesday ticket in combination with a valid Left of the Dial 2026 wristband.

• Read more about the reasoning behind the Left of the Dial Wednesday here
• Check the add-on page to see if tickets are still available.

The Pro Mixer is specifically intended for music professionals who want to catch up with colleagues before the start of the shows. The Pro Mixer takes place on the Left of the Dial Thursday from 16:00-17:30 and a ticket includes drinks at the mixer as well as a dinner voucher for Dine Like a Star.

All after parties are free for Left of the Dial wristband holders, subject to each venue’s capacity. If the venue is not at capacity, people without a wristband may purchase a ticket at the door. All after parties have an age limit of 18.  

When: Thursday 22 October – after the last show until late
Where: Rotown
DJs:

00:30 The Sille Boys
01:00 Ouwe Shit
01:30 H.A.R.
02:00 dj LeedsiZZer
02:30 y.e.a.r.n.
03:00 Red Panda

At Rotown, there will be a DIY DJ Party on Thursday, where selected punters spin their favourite dance tracks. Everyone who signed up in advance has been assigned a specific time slot to step behind the decks and show their fellow festivalgoers what real music is!

When: Friday 23 October – after the last show until late
Where: Rotown
DJs: Kiss All Hipsters DJ Team

Earn a free shot in 3 easy steps:
1) Next to the DJ booth you’ll find a collection of stickers. Or rather: name tags. Mostly of famous artists. Pick one (only one!) name tag.
2) Get on the floor ands show your best moves while hoping the DJ will play a song of the artist on your name tag.
3) One of ‘your songs’ comes on? Report to the DJ booth immediately and point to your name tag…. A free shot is yours!!

Very important:
– Really, don’t go to the bar asking for a free shot, it will annoy the hell out of our otherwise very friendly bar staff.
– A name tag is not a request!! In fact, to keep things fair the DJ won’t accept any requests at all, so don’t even try…
– Don’t go to the bar to show your name tag, the free shots are really REALLY only available at the DJ booth.

When: Saturday 24 October – after the last show until late
Where: Rotown
DJs: The Ocean Men

After the final bands, the night at Rotown is far from over. On Saturday, the programme continues with an afterparty in true Rotown Nights style, with a dancefloor filled with indie, alternative, pop, electro and everything that fits somewhere in between. One last chance to stretch the Left of the Dial the weekend a little further!

When: Saturday 24 October – after the last show until late
Where: Uniek
DJs: GISZA / LIVVI / TBA
Drag: BUSHFIRE / D-MAN / SIR VALENTIJN / ADEN

(ALTERNATIVE) DRAG FOCUSED DANCE PARTY, CAMP, SEXY, QUEER, CARTOONY, MAIN CHARACTER OUTFITS ENCOURAGED

You are hereby invited to UNDERGROUND DRAG! A party for/by/with the Rotterdam queer community, with live performances by local Drag kings and Burlesque babes and hot campy DJ sets to shake ass to. We encourage each and everyone to come in the outfit that makes them feel their best hottest self. Whether that be a miniskirt, an eloborate fashion moment or a fursuit. We’re dressing for fun at Underground drag!

It doesn’t matter whether you have a wristband or not, during Left of the Dial you can see dozens of free shows on Friday and Saturday between noon and 16.00h. Officially this free daytime festival is not part of Left of the Dial, however we fully support our unofficial friends and we highly recommend checking out their events! For further information: www.theofficialunofficial.nl