Melkweg and High Tea spotlight emerging artists at the Sena Talent Stage

High Tea Indoor Festeaval 2026 marks the tenth anniversary of High Tea, the Dutch drum & bass collective. What began in 2016 as a small-scale initiative by T & Sugah and Zazu has grown into a leading platform within both the national and international drum & bass scene. Alongside hosting club nights and releasing music with established names from the scene, High Tea also serves as a springboard for emerging artists, supporting them in their development into professional musicians.

For many years, Melkweg has been its home base. Together with High Tea Music, the venue annually presents an indoor ‘festeaval’ spanning six spaces, featuring DJ sets, live acts, a film programme and an exhibition. In collaboration with Sena, this anniversary edition introduces a new Talent Stage. The UP will be transformed into a dedicated space highlighting emerging Dutch drum & bass talent, with an emphasis on diversity in both sound and makers.

The Sena Talent Stage is designed as a meeting point where artists can connect directly with the Dutch music industry: bookers, managers, labels and programmers from venues and festivals. Among them are influential players from the national and international drum & bass scene. This mix creates a unique opportunity for emerging artists to expand their network, receive valuable feedback and spark new collaborations.

High Tea and Melkweg actively strengthen these connections by facilitating introductions behind the scenes. Think backstage meet-ups during the festival, a panel talk in the Cinema and a networking event in the UP bar. Together, they create a dynamic setting in which up-and-coming artists can take meaningful steps towards a stronger professional network. This approach is essential in enabling progression: from first performances to structural bookings.

Many artists take their first steps by releasing their own music, developing an identity and playing smaller shows. But is being seen still enough? The path towards consistent bookings and a stable position in the market is often more challenging for emerging acts. It requires visibility, guidance and meaningful connections with the right professionals. For the Sena Talent Stage, Melkweg and High Tea choose to spotlight Dutch artists. They represent the diversity and creativity of the national drum & bass scene and each hold strong breakthrough potential.

One of them is Minnie from Rotterdam: a singer-songwriter, producer and DJ. Her distinctive sound blends liquid and deep minimal drum & bass with influences from jungle and UK garage. This unique approach has already secured her bookings at events such as Curated by. The Sena Talent Stage offers Minnie a springboard to build further on this momentum.

High Tea’s tenth anniversary is not only about looking back — it’s about looking ahead. With three rooms dedicated to drum & bass, an in-depth side programme and the new Sena Talent Stage, the festival demonstrates how talent development, community and club culture come together under one roof.

Want to discover the next generation of artists live — and blow out ten candles on the dancefloor alongside established names? Secure your tickets now for the daytime festival on 28 March.