2 Meter Sessions: A Musical Time Capsule

You may have seen them regularly on my site and socials in recent months: LPs from the 2 Meter Sessions. A concept for many, but I still often get the question, especially from young people: "What the hell is that?" Well, I'm going to tell you here!

Since the 80s, the 2 Meter Sessions have been a household name in Dutch music culture. What started as a radio concept by DJ Jan Douwe Kroeske grew into a unique collection of intimate live recordings of well-known and upcoming artists from home and abroad. For music lovers, these sessions are a goldmine of authentic performances, acoustic gems and unexpected musical moments. I can still remember many sessions, especially from the 90s when 2 Meter Sessions was on TV every week. My favorite session from that time is the one by Nils Lofgren. This is a memorable piece of music:

How it started

The very first 2 Meter Session took place in 1987 for KRO radio. Jan Douwe Kroeske wanted to present artists in a different way than the polished studio versions. He invited musicians to play live in a small setting – often acoustic or with minimal production. The idea was simple, but effective: to capture the raw power of live music, without frills. In the 90s, the sessions also moved to television, which increased their reach and popularity. More than 1800 sessions have now been recorded – an impressive archive that is still growing.

What sets the 2 Meter Sessions apart is the intimacy. Big names play as if they are in your living room. No bombast, no distance, but direct musical connection. It is exactly that atmosphere that appeals to many fans and why some sessions have become legendary.

Over the years, countless special performances have been recorded. Some highlights: Radiohead, Skunk Anansie, Alanis Morissette, Coldplay, Elbow, The Black Crowes and another favorite session of mine: Sepultura! You can find the entire list on the 2 Meter Sessies website.

Thanks to the YouTube channel of 2 Meter Sessions, many recordings are available again for a new audience. Jan Douwe Kroeske and his team continue to record sessions, keeping the project alive.

On vinyl then?

Yes! Good news for vinyl collectors: It has been decided to release a whole series of 2 meter sessions on vinyl! These titles will be released monthly in 2025 and 2026, 2 each month. So far the sessions of Damien Jurado, Bettie Serveert, Venice, K's Choice and Hothouse Flowers have been released, but there is much more to come! On this page you will always find all 2 Meter Sessions that are available on vinyl: 2 Meter Sessions on Vinyl!