An 18-hour continuous audio-visual and meditative experience. On November 23rd, 2024, the Thomaskerk in Amsterdam Zuid will transform into a sanctuary for ambient electronic music, performance art, and immersive light installations.
The concept behind ZERØ BPM is simple yet profound: to decelerate our heart rates, offering a much-needed counterpoint to the relentless speed of modern life. 15 leading techno artists, with names like Jeans, Woody92, Luna Ludmila, Mirella Kroes & Shoal, who usually fuel the dancefloor with high-energy beats, will shift gears and invite participants on a meditative journey through deep, introspective soundscapes and ambient music.
Bruno Sitton, performance artist and the central figure of the event, shares his vision: "In a world obsessed with acceleration, ZERØ BPM is an invitation to slow down. For 18 hours, I will be meditating in the heart of the space, guiding the audience into a deeper state of self-reflection and inner calm."
The event forms part of The Spirit of Amsterdam, a cultural festival that activates sacred spaces across the city. ZERØ BPM transforms the Thomaskerk into a haven for introspection, offering attendees soft cushions instead of a dancefloor and tea instead of alcohol.
Once inside the church, visitors are forbidden to talk.
Luna Ludmila, one of the featured artists, notes: "For me, ambient music is about turning inward. It's a departure from the intensity of club life, offering space to focus on yourself and your relationship with sound. I'm curious to see how an 18-hour ambient concert will unfold-it's an experience I've never been part of before."
At the heart of the visual component is Arbor, an eight-meter-high digital tree designed by light artist Vincent Rang. Inspired by the Dutch Elm tree, Arbor symbolizes the connection between past and future generations. "By following the life of this tree, I aim to challenge our perception of time and reconnect us with both our collective history and future," Rang explains. "The Thomas Church, with its immense acoustics and sacred architecture, is the perfect setting for such a reflective journey."
Attendees will find themselves immersed in a multi-sensory experience that fuses ambient soundscapes with performance rituals. Bruno Sitton will guide guests through the event with periodic meditative instructions, encouraging movement and breathing exercises to create a collective, synchronized experience. The result is a rare blend of electronic music, mindfulness, and community.
Stefan Beek, creator of the event, sums it up: "ZERØ BPM is a call to stillness and reconnection with ourselves and the world around us. When we take the time to turn inward, we discover what truly matters. As a result, we begin to care better for ourselves and our environment. ZERØ BPM is an experience you won't soon forget."
AMBIENT PROGRAM (a-z)
Elina Tapio
ESHU (hybrid set)
Jeans
Luna Ludmila (live)
Mirella Kroes
Nikos (live)
Rosillon
Shoal (live)
Thoms Traxx
Van Anh
Wanderwelle (live)
Woody92
GUIDED MEDITATION
18hrs non-stop meditation performance by Bruno Sitton
LIGHT ART
Vincent Rang
Coen den Haan
PARTNERS
The Spirit of Amsterdam
Orphic
Radio Radio
Terra
Ratherlost
The Thomas
