The Netherlands, like a lot of European countries, has struggled with exporting music since the 60s. Which figures if all you're doing is imitating your British or American counterparts rather than offering anything original. It's probably the main reason why we still talk about Golden Earring, Shocking Blue, Herman Brood, or the fact that Little Green Bag by George Baker (born Johannes Bouwens) made it on to the Reservoir Dogs soundtrack.

However, the Netherlands was an early adaptor of Chicago house, Detroit techno and rave culture from the UK in the late 80s and that influence has proven its worth. Clubs such as Mazzo, iT and Roxy in Amsterdam were famous in the early 90s, while in Rotterdam the origins of the hardstyle scene were laid at Parkzicht. Gabber (a Dutch slang word for "mate") was created there as a reaction to the house scene in Amsterdam, which was seen as pretentious. Promoters ID&T helped to popularise the music with Thunderdome parties. They now host the house-oriented Sensation and Mysteryland events all over the world. In the late 90s, trance took over and the rest is dance music history. There are currently nine Dutch DJs in the DJ Mag top 20.

Dance music is now one of the Netherlands' most important exports, celebrated each October at the Amsterdam Dance Event, the world's leading electronic music conference. While Dutch big-room DJs Afrojack, Headhunterz, Fedde Le Grand, Tiësto, Laidback Luke and Armin van Buuren rock stages from Las Vegas to St Petersburg, the local scene keeps it cool with labels such as Rush Hour in Amsterdam (regularly voted one of the dance labels of the year by readers of Resident Advisor) and the ever-influential Clone in Rotterdam – both of which also have their own physical shops, providing a hub for the grassroots scenes in their respective cities.

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Techno and house have been steadily vibrant genres throughout the years, with names such as Speedy J, Steve Rachmad, Joris Voorn and 2000 and One putting out consistently good records. Now the new breed is ready to take over, with dubstep-influenced producers Martyn and 2562 going worldwide while Rush Hour signings Tom Trago and San Proper – whose latest album Animal has been mixed by Ricardo Villalobos – represent the distinct Amsterdam house sound. In the minimal techno field, Kabale und Liebe and Lauhaus have scored several international club hits, while Bart B More, Boemklatsch and Nobody Beats the Drum offer a modern take on banging electro-house, the latter touring the US extensively at the moment. Also from Amsterdam comes relative newcomer Non Records, whose roster boasts the idiosyncratic talents of Kai Hugo and Bear Damen. Hugo's new album under the name Palmbomen is the one to watch in 2012, coming on like a musical cross between Wendy Carlos and Gorillaz.

Up north lies Groningen, the city that hosts the European showcase festival Eurosonic every January. It is also home to Vera club, one of the most famous Dutch venues for indie rock – its Kelderbar is the place where bands and fans usually end up together drinking with host Peter Weening – and a ramshackle local garage rock scene. It is also in Groningen that drum'n'bass and dubstep have mutated into something distinctly Dutch, courtesy of Noisia's razor-sharp productions. Skrillex is a big fan.

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Since the late 90s, Dutch hip-hop has mainly focused on rapping in "je moerstaal" (the native language), with popular acts such as Extince, Opgezwolle, Jiggy Dje and the Opposites rapping about everything from the ups and downs of life in the city of Zwolle (two hours north of Amsterdam) to the joys of eating a Broodje Bakpao (a beef-filled steamed bun). The most influential and succesful Dutch hip-hop act is De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig (the Youth of Today), who had their breakthrough in 2005 with the modern Dutch classic Watskeburt?! (What Happened?!). Faberyayo, Vjèze Fur and Willie Wartaal rap in a hugely funny and mainly coded language, and have added new vocabulary to the Dutch dictionary. Their producer is influential electro prince Bas Bron, also known as Seymour Bits, Bastian and a dozen other aliases. DJVT are pleasing kids and adults alike on the big stage while staying firmly grounded in the Amsterdam underground scene with side projects such as Le Le (Faberyayo's pan-European electro outfit with producer Rimer London and graphic artist Piet Parra) and punk-electro group Coevurduh!

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One of the most surprising successes of the last few years is Kyteman Orchestra, the project founded by young trumpet player Colin Benders from Utrecht. His modern take on classical music mixed with hip-hop – backed by a 50-piece orchestra – has been a big success at Dutch festivals such as Lowlands and Pinkpop. If that sounds a little too André Rieu for your tastes, try Gilles Peterson favourite Jameszoo, who mixes jazz, beats and the noises made by his parrot into a heavy blend of disturbed tropicalia. He releases on the Rush Hour-affiliated Kindred Spirits label, which is also home to Jungle By Night , a group of teenagers who skip school to reintroduce afrobeat to a new generation of Dutch music lovers.

The brightest new star coming from the Netherlands right now must be Caro Emerald. With her blend of retro-modern big band jazz and lounge pop, Caro and her production team have made a joyous and clever-sounding album. Deleted Scenes from the Cutting Room Floor has spent longer at No 1 in the Dutch charts than any other album and the accompanying live show is taking Europe by storm. Amsterdam label Dox Records is making some equally smooth moves with jazzy singer Wouter Hamel and saxophone player Benjamin Herman as its trump cards.

What about Dutch rock music? Go Back to the Zoo fill Dutch venues quicker than most international bands, De Staat from Nijmegen have already played Glastonbury, and Excelsior Records signings Moss have gathered consistently great international press. And there's a new generation waiting to be heard: Rats on Rafts, Bombay Show Pig and I Am Oak all have released excellent albums this year.

In Amsterdam, the Subbacultcha team play an important role in keeping the Dutch and international indie scene afloat with their magazine, blog and club nights. The same goes for Red Light Radio, an online radio station broadcasting from a former prostitution window in the red light district of Amsterdam. The place plays an important role as a get-together for a likeminded but diverse group of musicians and DJs. So if you pass the Oudekerksplein while trying to find your way out of Amsterdam's seedier streets, go and say hi, and hear for yourself that the Netherlands is much more than just Tiësto, weed and cheap sex.

Live act to watch – Thomas Azier

Moving from Groningen to Berlin aged 19, Thomas Azier already had his eyes on the prize. With a blend of catchy German and French electro-influenced pop on his first EP and a stage personality to match his ambition, Azier should be the next big thing coming from the Netherlands.

DJ to watch – Cinnaman

The host of the monthly Colors nights recently played Fabric and Boiler Room. The Dutch counterpart to Britain's Jackmaster seamlessly blends hip-hop, house and UK garage. He has his own stage at the Appelsap festival this summer in the Amsterdam's Oosterpark.

Key venue – Paradiso

This former church at the Leidseplein is the spot every Dutch band wants to play at least once in their career. Paradiso is the place where Prince stripped to his panties in 81 and the Stones like to play warm-up shows before they hit the road in Europe. Also host to the twice-yearly London Calling festival.

Key club – Trouw Amsterdam

Built in the former printing office of the Trouw newspaper, this temporary club has a Berlin-meets-Amsterdam feel and is the home of some of the best house and techno nights the country has to offer.

Key hangout – Into the Great Wide Open

By far the most idyllic of all Dutch music festivals, Into the Great Wide Open takes place on the small island of Vlieland. This year, the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Willis Earl Bearl and Django Django will play alongside local bands in a relaxed atmosphere.

• Sander Kerkhof is a freelance writer for Nieuwe Revu, DJ Broadcast and Het Parool. He also DJs under the name DJ Sandemann.