Why an Old Factory Is a Great Venue for Your Concert

Concrete beneath your feet. Steel trusses overhead. Then the first chord rings out, and the sound echoes back from all sides. A factory isn’t a neutral venue. It plays a part. When you organize an event, the venue you choose also determines the backdrop, the sound, and the photos that will be shared afterward.

On Thursday, January 21, 2027, you can see how it all plays out at DeFabrique in Utrecht: that’s when Mr. Pink – A Tribute to Pink Floyd & Roger Waters will perform here in honor of the 50th anniversary of “Animals.” Pink Floyd themselves chose an industrial setting as the visual theme for this album, which fits perfectly with the distinctive walls of DeFabrique. And what works here for music also works for your product launch, anniversary, or company party.

A factory with a story

DeFabrique was founded in 1921. Ulbe Twijnstra built a factory here—between the railroad tracks and what is now the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal—to produce linseed oil and cattle feed. Later, it became a mixed-feed factory. Since 2001, the machines have stopped running here, and the space has been used to host events.

You can really see that. In Silo 61, old hoists still hang from the ceiling, and from the circular bar, you can look up into the open silos. De Perserij has a steel canopy that you can’t help but stare at for a while. Nothing has been polished away. Perfect for an event that’s a little different from the norm!

The set is already in place

LED lighting in every color cast over brick, shadows between steel beams, and smoke lingering beneath a high ceiling: every lighting design immediately takes on depth in a factory. You don’t need to build a set—just light it up. And the music? Amid the steel and brick, songs that last longer than 10 minutes sound just as raw and authentic as the building itself.

A place guests want to share

No one takes pictures of a suspended ceiling. But they do take pictures of a steel canopy with a light show underneath it. Guests share those images on their own, and that’s how your event reaches an audience beyond the venue. For social media posts by guests to work best, the venue needs to fit the program. At Mr. Pink, the venue and the stage tell the same story. That’s how the event comes together perfectly!

Space, Technology, and Accessibility

The DeFabrique complex spans over 10,000 m², spread across 21 warehouses, silos, and halls. You can use them individually or connect them together to accommodate anywhere from 50 to 3,500 guests. Ideal for a variety of stages. Not only do trusses, speakers, and heavy equipment fit anywhere, but there’s also plenty of space for different setups across multiple areas.

Since old factories are often located in industrial parks, there’s always plenty of room to park and turn the volume up nice and loud. And at DeFabrique? You can drive right onto the grounds from the A2 or walk to the venue in 15 minutes from the Maarssen train station.

Want to host your own event in a factory?

If it works for a concert, it’ll work for your event, too. Think of a product launch, an anniversary, a festival, or a company party in Utrecht. Come see the venues for yourself or tell us what you have in mind. We’d love to help you plan!