The nicest and oldest underground festival in the Netherlands! Trampled blades of grass, broken plastic cups, the smell of stale beer like gunpowder fumes above the field. Every year, the day after Stonehenge offers a still life that stands in stark contrast to the day before. The last Saturday in July is bursting at the seams with noise and even more noise, clumsy and trivial. But with atmosphere. Because metal is rock hard, but also rock cozy. And that has been the case since 1995. A group of loyal visitors to the Buze youth center in Steenwijk put their heads together that year. They forged a plan that proved to be rock-solid and indestructible over the years. Stonehenge. An underground metal festival, just in the garden of the Buze. With eight Dutch bands on stage. Why the name Stonehenge? Too logical for words, but let's move on: Stone = stone. And that in Steenwijk. There was no fear of confusion with the Stonehenge Festival of the past in England; After all, that was for a bunch of half-hearted hippies...

The idea behind the festival. No commercialism, no hassle with people who are full of money and fill and spoil your party. The goal is simple. Dutch pride from the wide region and distant surroundings, offering a stage to present themselves to a large audience. The weather gods have given their blessing to Stonehenge from the start. The first edition turned out to be a bull's eye. With a number of visitors of almost five hundred, three times as many metalheads came to Steenwijk as estimated. The organization's conclusion: next year again! And so a new fierce offspring emerged among the annual festivals in the Netherlands.

The festival is growing, at its own pace and without being pushed around. The metal market (Steel trade) appears to be a welcome addition. In 1999 the organization even ventured outside the Netherlands and Belgium. The English Anathema is the first band from outside the Benelux. The initiative is successful, the rudder is set on this course.

Stonehenge is increasingly taking on the allure of an international festival. Bands from Germany, France, Sweden, Italy and even America immerse themselves in Steenwijk's metal. However, the original goal is not lost sight of.

Stonehenge is now often sold out weeks in advance. This has proven its power. Stonehenge has grown into the leading underground metal festival in the Netherlands. And the organization continues relentlessly. Because the Steenwijker tower has still not been blown out of alignment.