His approach to mental health, especially the way he manages to stay grounded by stepping away from the constant digital noise, shows that he’s not just concerned with his professional growth but also with his well-being. That balance is so important, especially in a field like his.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Being a programmer, especially in a scene like music and events, feels like a constant push and pull between your heart and your head. On one hand, it’s about curating an experience that speaks to you on a deep level—about finding artists you love, setting the tone, and creating moments that are personal, powerful, and unforgettable. But then, there’s this whole other side to it—the reality of budgets, timelines, availability, and the external pressures of trying to make everything work. It’s not just about picking the lineup or the venue, it’s about making sure every piece fits together to create something meaningful for everyone involved. And that can feel incredibly overwhelming.
It’s tough because there’s a lot of sacrifice involved. As much as you’re creating something for the community, you’re also losing pieces of yourself along the way. That balance between work and personal life, for example, it’s nearly impossible to switch off when your brain is constantly spinning with ideas or worrying about logistics. You might feel like you’re in a constant hustle, trying to keep things fresh and exciting, but it’s hard to find time for yourself amidst the madness. You want to have fun, enjoy the process, and feel inspired, but there are always moments of doubt or exhaustion. And it’s not always clear how to manage it. Sometimes, you just have to power through it, but that means things like sleep, self-care, and downtime often fall by the wayside.
It also feels like there’s this duality when you’re a programmer—you have to be both in tune with the industry and yet slightly apart from it. On the one hand, you have to be aware of trends, what people are into, and what’s hot right now, but on the other, you have to stay true to your taste and vision. Sometimes, it feels like you’re an outsider, pushing your agenda in a sea of expectations. But that’s what makes it exciting, right? There’s a special freedom that comes from staying true to your instincts, even when it feels like you’re going against the grain. At least for people like Bas and others in the same role, that’s what keeps the work authentic and meaningful.
I think it’s safe to say that what keeps programmers grounded is not just the music or the shows they curate but the relationships they build with people along the way. It’s the connections with artists, the team, and the audience that turn the work into something more than just a job. There’s this sense of community, of creating a space for everyone to gather and experience some- thing special together. Despite the challenges, there’s also something undeniably fulfilling about seeing your hard work come to life and knowing that you played a key role in crafting that experience.
In the end, it’s not just about the events or the lineup or the logistics—it’s about creating a sense of belonging and connection. And that requires a whole lot of per- sonal investment. But it’s that personal commitment, even through the long hours and the tough decisions, that makes the role of a programmer so rewarding. It’s about feeling like you’re part of something bigger, even when the weight of the job feels heavy.
Text by: Sergio Niño Photo: Artist Courtesy -
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