2026-11-12

A electronic: Music Beyond the Dancefloor

 As someone with an interest in a particular area of electronic music and an appreciation for the work of certain producers, I have recently noticed several significant milestones.


Electronic dance music is no longer a closed world of clubs, festivals, raves and specialist record labels


 Its most prominent artists are increasingly connecting with royalty, international pop music, the automotive industry, sports and major cultural institutions.

Several examples illustrate just how far electronic music has expanded beyond its environments. 

 Carl Cox – Royal Recognition

British techno and house legend Carl Cox received an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2026 for his contribution to music. He received the honor from Prince William at Windsor Castle, recognising his decades-long influence on electronic music and club culture.

 Miss Monique – Robbie Williams

Ukrainian progressive DJ and producer Miss Monique collaborated with British pop star Robbie Williams on Beauty In Us. The track brings together international pop vocals and her characteristic progressive house sound.

 Anfisa Letyago – Billboard Italia and Moby

Techno DJ Anfisa Letyago received the DJ of the Year award at Billboard Women in Music Italia in 2024. She also collaborated with electronic music pioneer Moby on You & Me, released in 2024.

 LENS – Arsenal FC

British drum & bass DJ LENS had a special performance at Emirates Stadium, the home of Arsenal FC. Her DJ booth was positioned directly beside the football pitch. She described the experience as a dream DJ set, making it a particularly memorable moment in her career.

 Charlotte de Witte – Formula 1 and Ferrari

Belgian techno DJ Charlotte de Witte presented New Form IV: Formula in 2021, connecting electronic music with Formula 1. The project was filmed at Italy’s Mugello circuit, associated with Ferrari, and featured a Ferrari SF90 Stradale driving past her DJ booth. The project also inspired her Formula EP.

Charlotte de Witte also received a Belgian Music Industry Award (MIA) in the Dance category in February 2026. The award, organized by VRT (Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie) and VI.BE (Belgian organisation supporting the music sector and its artists and professionals) recognizes outstanding achievements in the Belgian music industry.
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2026-11-07

Europe’s Safest Countries and Cities for Travellers in 2027

How European destinations compare in an international safety ranking based partly on visitors’ personal experiences

 Safety is one of the important considerations when choosing a travel destination, but what makes a country or city feel safe?

The 2027 Safest Places report by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) offers an interesting international perspective on these questions. Its annual research examines how travellers perceive safety in destinations around the world, combining their personal experiences with a range of international safety indicators.

European destinations feature prominently in the results. Iceland, Austria, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, Norway, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Germany all appear among the fifteen worldwide highest-ranked countries. Several European cities also achieve particularly strong positions, with Amsterdam ranking third worldwide and first in European Union. 

Europe’s safest countries for travellers in 2027


European rank Country Global rank Score
1Iceland478.85
2Austria678.48
3Ireland777.87
4Netherlands877.09
5Denmark976.63
6Portugal1075.63
7Norway1175.39
8Switzerland1274.73
9Italy1374.27
10Spain1474.06
11Germany15—

The ranking also reflects differences in travelers’ perceptions, the survey results and the methodology used to calculate the overall scores.

Europe’s safest cities for travellers in 2027

European cities account for nine of the fifteen destinations in the global ranking.

European rank City Country Global rank
1ZurichSwitzerland2
2AmsterdamNetherlands3
3ReykjavikIceland5
4OsloNorway6
5VeniceItaly8
6DublinIreland11
7CopenhagenDenmark12
8BarcelonaSpain13
9ParisFrance—

Amsterdam has improved its position by one place compared with the previous year, moving from fourth to third.

Zurich is the highest-ranked European city, while Reykjavik and Oslo also feature prominently. The presence of Venice, Dublin, Copenhagen, Barcelona and Paris demonstrates that the results are not limited to smaller northern European capitals...

* What is the ranking based on?

An important aspect of the BHTP research is that it does not rely exclusively on conventional crime statistics.

The annual State of Travel Insurance research project, conducted in cooperation with Polymath Research & Marketing, examines the experiences and perceptions of American travelers.

The 2027 country survey involved 2,784 American travelers, who were surveyed between 14 and 28 July 2026. Participants evaluated destinations they had personally visited during the preceding five years.

The city assessment followed a similar principle. BHTP selected 38 popular international destinations and collected the opinions of more than 1,500 travelers. Participants could evaluate only cities they had actually visited.

This distinction is important: the results are not simply opinions about places people have heard about or seen in the media. They are based on reported personal travel experiences.

However, the research is not exclusively subjective. BHTP combines its own survey results with external international indicators to produce a weighted overall assessment.

Among the sources used are:

  • Global Peace Index
  • Numbeo
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Global Terrorism Index
  • Equaldex Equality Index
  • GeoSure Global
  • US Department of State safety assessments
  • The Economist’s urban safety research

The country assessment also incorporates the average GeoSure Global scores of major cities within each country.

The city ranking uses a combination of visitors’ assessments and additional urban safety indicators, including information from Numbeo, The Economist and GeoSure Global.

Safety means more than protection from crime

Another interesting feature of the research is its broader understanding of safety.

Travellers were asked to consider several different aspects of their experiences, including:

  • Protection against violent and organised crime.
  • Safety from terrorism.
  • Transportation safety.
  • Health and protection against disease.
  • Safety for women.
  • Safety for LGBTQIA+ travelers.
  • Safety for people of color.

This approach recognizes that a destination can be relatively safe in terms of conventional crime statistics while presenting other challenges to particular groups of visitors.

For example, transportation infrastructure, road safety, access to healthcare and the general conditions of public spaces can all influence how comfortable people feel when travelling.

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2026-11-06

A simple interaction can reveal a great deal about the atmosphere of a different culture

 One thing that many people notice sooner or later in the Netherlands is the way drivers, cyclists and pedestrians interact in urban areas.

For people coming from places with different driving habits, it can be surprising how readily Dutch drivers stop to let pedestrians cross the road. Those who are used to a less predictable approach to pedestrian crossings may not immediately trust that an approaching car will actually stop. Even when a driver has already come to a halt and is clearly waiting for someone to cross, pedestrians may still hesitate.

This can lead to rather amusing situations: the driver waits for the pedestrian, while the pedestrian waits for the driver. From the Dutch driver’s perspective, there is no reason to hesitate. However, someone unfamiliar with this approach may still be acting on habits developed elsewhere. As a result, pedestrians can sometimes end up holding up traffic simply because they are not used to being given priority so readily.

What also stands out is the general attitude behind the wheel. Drivers often seem to anticipate pedestrians and adjust their speed well in advance. Stopping at a crossing does not appear to be treated as an inconvenience, but simply as a normal part of sharing the road. Even at traffic lights, some drivers seem to take an extra moment before moving off, remaining alert to pedestrians who may still be crossing.

For people accustomed to different traffic conditions, this can be quite a change. Pedestrians may initially approach crossings with some uncertainty, unsure whether approaching drivers will actually stop. In some situations, they may even remain cautious despite having the right of way. There can also be occasions when drivers seem more focused on getting through quickly than on allowing pedestrians to cross. Of course, attitudes and driving habits vary considerably from place to place, and traffic lights do not always guarantee that everyone will follow the rules.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect is the psychological effect of this difference. In the Netherlands, people can gradually become accustomed to being treated as a natural and respected part of the transport system. Those arriving from elsewhere may initially retain a more defensive approach, constantly keeping an eye on approaching vehicles and making sure it is genuinely safe to cross.

Another particularly interesting feature of Dutch road culture is the position of cyclists in everyday urban traffic. Cycling is not simply an alternative form of transport or a recreational activity; it is an integral part of daily mobility. In Dutch cities, cyclists are a familiar presence throughout the urban environment, from residential streets and shopping areas to major transport corridors.

Dedicated cycling infrastructure makes a particularly noticeable difference. Separate cycle paths, clearly marked crossings and traffic lights specifically for cyclists help establish a more predictable relationship between different road users. This allows cycling to remain a practical and convenient way of getting around, even in busy metropolitan areas.

Another striking aspect is how naturally cyclists are incorporated into the rhythm of city life. They are not treated as an unusual presence that drivers or pedestrians have to accommodate occasionally. Instead, their movement is an expected part of everyday traffic. At the same time, cyclists have to remain aware of pedestrians, intersections and other road users, particularly in places where different routes meet.

Ultimately, this is about much more than traffic regulations or who has the right of way at a particular crossing. It is about the everyday experience of sharing public space. The way drivers, cyclists and pedestrians interact can reveal a great deal about the atmosphere of a city and the level of mutual respect and consideration among the people who live there.

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2026-11-04

Rotterdam -> Erasmusbrug

 A Monumental Landmark in the Flat Landscape of the Netherlands

 Sometimes I mention Erasmusbrug in Rotterdam as one of the most majestic places in Western Europe. And there are reasons for that beyond its architectural beauty, its location on the Nieuwe Maas River, or its distinctive silhouette. The height of Erasmusbrug itself is also part of what makes this bridge so remarkable.

Erasmusbrug, Rotterdam

Its main pylon reaches 139 metres, making it an exceptional landmark in the Dutch landscape. This is particularly interesting when we consider the geography of the Netherlands, a country known for its predominantly flat terrain.

The highest natural point in the European Netherlands is Vaalserberg, reaching approximately 322 metres above sea level. It is located in the southernmost part of the country, close to the borders with Germany and Belgium, where the landscape gradually becomes more hilly. Outside this region, the Netherlands is largely characterised by lowlands, dunes and relatively modest elevations.

What makes Erasmusbrug particularly striking is that its 139-metre pylon rises above virtually all the natural hills and elevated terrain elsewhere in the Netherlands. In this sense, it is a dominant vertical landmark in a country where such impressive natural elevations are relatively rare.

There is another interesting detail when you actually walk across the bridge. Its highest point is approximately 17 metres above the water. Although this is considerably lower than the main pylon, reaching the top of the bridge involves a noticeable ascent. The difference in elevation from the riverbank is roughly comparable to climbing four or five floors of a building.

Additional interesting facts: 

Total length: 802 m 
Main span: 284 m 
Bridge width: 33.8 m

This gives Erasmusbrug another dimension beyond its architectural significance. It is not simply a bridge connecting two parts of Rotterdam. It is a remarkable vertical structure in an otherwise predominantly flat landscape, and one of the reasons why the Rotterdam skyline feels so distinctive.

For me, Erasmusbrug remains much more than a piece of infrastructure. It is one of those places where architecture, geography and one of the important characters of the beautiful city come together.

* The tallest completed building in Rotterdam is De Zalmhaven I, standing at 215 metres with 59 above-ground floors. It is also the tallest building in the Netherlands. The tower is primarily used for residential purposes.

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2026-11-01

Sidney SN Music


 SIDNEY SN Drum And Bass


01. For A Better World 2017

 SIDNEY SN Progressive/House



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