History of Muziekgieterij

Muziekgieterij was founded in 2004. With the closure of the Kombi in 1987, much of Maastricht’s music scene rehearsed in the old Ceylon Factory on Maastricht’s Sandersweg. Then, in 2004, the initial business plan was written for the current Stichting Muziekgieterij.

In 2007, with assistance from the municipality, the foundation was able to move into the old L1 Building on Bankastraat. With 3 rehearsal rooms, 1 DJ Laboratory, 1 studio, 1 club (cap. 250 visitors) and 1 festival (BRUIS), a jumpstart was made during that year. Due to great success, Muziekgieterij took the next step in 2009, in joint consultation with the municipality.

Muziekgieterij was included in the city’s cultural policy and a subsidy relationship with the municipality of Maastricht was established. By 2012, visitor numbers and the frequency of productions were now so high that this was accompanied by considerable inconvenience for the Mariaberg neighbourhood. Consequently, Muziekgieterij had to close its Bankastraat doors in June 2012.

In March 2013, Muziekgieterij was temporarily housed in the Timmerfabriek (part of the old Sphinx factories), both for the concerts and the office space.

However, the pre-conceived function of hosting concerts at this location proved impossible and further development of the space was put on hold. Therefor, only one concert hall with a capacity of 650 visitors was exploited in this beautiful historic building. From day one in the Timmerfabriek, established names stood alongside new talent and emerging movements were given the chance to reach a wide audience. Muziekgieterij became a household name in the region and was able to establish itself permanently in the Timmerfabriek.

In 2017, pop music culture received the appreciation and recognition of the municipality and the renovation and new construction (designed by Maurer United) of the new Muziekgieterij in the Timmerfabriek began.

The official opening took place in September 2019, giving the city of Maastricht another full-fledged professional pop stage with 2 halls (capacity 1100 and 420 visitors), 6 rehearsal rooms, 1 studio and 1 foyer, giving Muziekgieterij an important boost to the development of the Sphinx Quarter.