THE PHILOSOPHY OF SONIC BOOM: DARK, DEEP AND PURE

Nineteen years ago, the story of Sonic Boom began. Out of dissatisfaction with the existing club scene, a new sound emerged. Martijn van der Wiel – better known by his DJ alias Brutuzz – launched a concept with friends that curated electro, breakbeat and bass onto a tightly crafted menu. After four editions, Sonic Boom was put on ice, only to thaw later into its current form: digging deep into dubstep and grime with a minimalist approach to club culture.

In conversation with Brutuzz (Martijn van der Wiel)
 

The reboot came in 2009, with a series of nights at Sugar Factory and Pand14, the latter folding after a few successful editions. “After that, we went underground with illegal raves beneath the Schellingwoude Bridge,” he says. Before long, Sonic Boom was part of the ‘Cable’ club night, where collectives were invited to showcase their sound. This gave the project a new platform at Melkweg – and a clear direction. While others leaned towards the commercial, Brutuzz sought depth. “With Sonic Boom I started to fill that gap,” he says. The result, nineteen years on, is a night that has remained faithful to the foundations of the old dubstep scene: dark, deep, and purely focused on the music.

That commitment to ‘vibe over spectacle’ remains central to Sonic Boom. For Brutuzz, it’s all about the essence: a dark room, a quality sound system, and people who come for the music – not the show. “I love music that’s minimalist and dark,” he explains. “Whether it’s dubstep, techno or electro, it always comes back to the same foundation: the trance a well-selected track can pull you into.” At Sonic Boom, he wants to convey exactly that – the magic moments when everything else disappears.

No hype, no shallow kicks. A Sonic Boom night builds like a carefully composed symphony. One track can shift the whole momentum, one transition can pull the entire crowd inward. As curator and DJ, Brutuzz knows exactly what he wants to deliver – and who can deliver it. He selects artists he admires, those who bring character to their live sets. “You have to look beyond the usual suspects – innovation is a must.”

“You can keep booking the same names, but there’s no challenge in that,” he says. “I want to give new artists a chance and a platform.” Names like Neffa-T, who played in the Netherlands for the first time at Sonic Boom two years ago, prove to him that discovery pays off. This edition also features Low End Activist, Darwin and Annebel – artists with a recognisable sound and unpredictable twists. “What’s beautiful is that this scene, once dominated by men, is now fuelled with fresh energy by a new wave of female artists. Think of names like Darwin, Mia Koden and Beatrice M.”

For Brutuzz, Sonic Boom is more than a club night. It’s a space where people genuinely come together – regardless of social status, background or sexuality. “You come to let go, to release,” he says. “The night gives space to recharge, lose yourself in the music – and connect with others.” Night culture plays an important role in the social and emotional development of young people. Sonic Boom contributes to this: a night that offers room to explore, test boundaries and feel part of a community. In a world where so much happens digitally, the physical dancefloor remains a place for real connection. “I know so many people in my close circle through the club scene,” he shares. “People I’ve built a strong bond with over the years. That’s incredibly valuable.”

The aesthetic of Sonic Boom aligns seamlessly with that philosophy. The artwork – designed by Geert Schaap – is minimalist and black-and-white, just like the music. “You don’t need much to make an impact,” says Brutuzz. He looks for that same simplicity and clarity in both sound and form. Even on Instagram, Sonic Boom continues this approach: the black-and-white photography creates a timeless, mysterious character that sparks curiosity without revealing everything. The imagery feels like an echo of the night, where the eye focuses on the emotion of the captured moment.

Melkweg’s OZ room feels like home to Brutuzz. It’s a venue where he grew from visitor to artist – and that has served as the backdrop to his nights for years. The musical memories are rich – from techno legends to nights when the floor buzzed with fresh energy. Sonic Boom has become what it is thanks to perseverance and strong collaboration. According to Brutuzz, the support from Melkweg has been crucial. Equally essential: the Krackfree Soundsystem, used at Sonic Boom for the past five years. A self-built system from Eindhoven, widely regarded as one of the best in the world. “You hear every beat, every detail,” he says. The system adds to the full experience – a night where you feel the music the way it was meant to be felt.

Sonic Boom returns to Melkweg on Friday 18 April. Expect deep basslines, fresh energy, and a night that revolves around the music – and nothing else. Get your tickets at melkweg.nl/sonicboom.