13 Jun 2014
Every year, Flanders and Brussels is a hotbed of music festivals. Name the genre and you'll probably find a concert, show or event celebrating it. For a small region, they certainly have a great selection of tunes to cater for all tastes and fans. Look out for some of Europe's top concerts such as Tomorrowland near Antwerp for “dance music” fans or the renowned Ghent Jazz festival. Spoilt for choice, we give a short guide to what visitors to the region can look forward to this year in Flanders and Brussels.
Rock Concerts:
TW Classic - 28 June 2014
Leuven, Werchter
A one day festival, at the end of June organised by and using the same location of Rock Werchter. One stage will showcase performances by successful international and national artists. This year's impressive line-up includes the Rolling Stones, Simple Minds, Triggerfinger, Arno, Seasick Steve and Admiral Freebee .http://www.twclassic.be/en
Rock Werchter - 3 – 6 July 2014
Torhout Werchter
Rock Werchter is a pop/rock festival in Flanders which takes place the first weekend of July. It started out as a one day festival and has grown into a four day extravaganza. This year, the line-up includes Metallica, Placebo, Ellie Goulding, Babyshambles, Birdy, MGMT and Crystal Fighters, Kings Of Leon and many more. http://www.rockwerchter.be/en
Cactusfestival - 11 – 13 July 2014
Bruges
The Cactusfestival is a three day music festival focusing on rock and world music. Another international line up includes big names like Massive Attack, http://www.cactusfestival.be/2014/programma_en.asp
Suikerrock - 1 – 3 August 2014
Tienen
The name Suikerrock (Sugar-Rock) refers to the city in which this festival takes place. Tienen is home to the biggest sugar refinery in Belgium and this festival is part of the European Talent Exchange Programme, which encourages artists to play at festivals, outside their own country. Look out for acts like Simple Minds, The Jacksons and Madness!
http://www.winforlifesuikerrock.be/en/sugarrock
Heavy Metal
Graspop Metal Meeting - 27 - 29 June 2014
Antwerp, Dessel
Graspop is a three day festival that focusses on heavy metal. The festival is held the last weekend of June. Look out for names like Limpbizkit and Black Sabbath. www.graspop.be
Ieperfest – 8 - 10 August 2014
Ieper (Ypres)
Ieperfest is a three day hardcore into its 22nd year. This concert offers a variety of bands from all over the world and a variety of genres such as: old school hardcore, metalcore, doom, emo, metal and many more. Big names include the Dead Kennedys and The Dickies.
Dance
Summerfestival - 27 – 28 June 2014
Antwerp
Summerfestival focuses on electronic music. It is a two day festival and hosts performances on nine different stages. It's an impressively big line-up and visitors can book transport on one of its party buses which depart from a large variety of towns and cities in Belgium.
WECANDANCE
Zeebrugge Beach – 9-10 August 2014
WECANDANCE is a daytime festival, now into its second year and this year's Egyptian inspired setting will include four different stages. One of its attractions is its own Food Market and visitors can camp, with a festival after party taking place on the pier at Blankenberge beach. The festival attracts fashion forward stylish festival goers and guests are encouraged to dress up with the theme. www.wecandance.be
Tomorrowland - 18 – 20 July 2014 and 24 – 27 July 2014
De Schorre in Boom ( near Antwerp)
This is probably one of the biggest music festivals in the world. Tomorrowland started as a small music festival in Flanders and has grown to a world leading dance festival. Already sold out, the festival has already added a second weekend to this fast selling popular festival. Last year they added the tomorrowworld to their list and this year is their 10th anniversary. http://www.tomorrowland.com
Laundry Day - 6 September 2014
Nieuw Zuid, Antwerp
Laundry day is a dance music festival held in Antwerp at Nieuw Zuid. It started in 1998 as a street gathering and has grown into one of the biggest dance festivals of Belgium attracting over 60,000 participants. With 13 stages, 150 DJ's and plenty of new and emerging talent, Laundry Day closes the Belgium festival summer. www.laundryday.be
Pop
Jazz Pukkelpop - 14 – 16 August 2014
Kiewit, Hasselt
Translated, Pukkelpop refers to teenage acne but in reality, appeals to a wider age range than teenagers! Acts include Ed Sheeran, Calvin Harris, Clean Bandit, OutKast and many more. http://www.pukkelpop.be/en/
Rimpelrock - 9 August 2014
Hasselt-Kiewit
On the other end of the scale, the attraction of Rimplerock ( Wrinklerock!) was staged to attract older rock fans. After many years of going strong, this year the format will change to encourage families to attend also. http://www.rimpelrock.be/
Jazz
Gent Jazz Festival - 10 – 20 July 2014
Ghent, Bijlokesite (Godshuizenlaan)
Ghent Jazz Festival is the annual jazz spotlight showpiece. Scheduled over two separate weeks, it is one of Belgium's best known jazz festivals. (10 – 13 July and 17 – 20 July) www.gentjazz.com
Brosella Folk & Jazz festival - 12 & 13 July 2014
Brussels, Théâtre de Verdure - Parc d'Osseghem
Brosella is an international folk and jazz festival that is held on the second weekend of July. It presents traditional and contemporary jazz and folk music. The line up dedicates one day to Jazz and another to Folk music during the weekend. www.brosella.be
Jazz Middelheim - 14 – 17 August 2014
Antwerp, Park den Brandt
This annual jazz festival is held in the Middelheim Park in Antwerp. This year the Jazz Middelheim is celebrating its 45th year. With the sad demise of Toots Thielemans, the festival faces a line up without him. In tribute therefore, the festival focuses on his music with the assistance of his friends and contemporaries. www.jazzmiddelheim.be/en
World music
Afro Latino Festival - 20 – 22 June 2014
Bree
Afro Latino Festival presents African, Latin- American, Caribbean and south-European artists for a unique three day festival www.afro-latino.be/en
Sfinks Festival - 24 - 27 July 2014
Boechout, Molenveld
The Sfinks festival features exotic music and delves into different cultures and delicious food. Over 40 000 visitors visit for the three day festival whilst the line up includes up to 40 different live bands www.sfinks.be
Antilliaanse Festival - 8 – 9 August 2014
Hoogstraten, De Blauwbossen
Antilliaanse feesten is a music festival in Antwerp that puts the focus on Latin music. This year they celebrate their 32nd anniversary! www.antilliaansefeesten.be
Afro Caribbean festival - August 2014
't Paelsteenveld, Bredene
This is a free Afro Caribbean festival bringing varied music on three different stages.
Folk
Festival Dranouter - 1 – 3 August 2014
Dranouter's annual Folk music festival takes place over four days with a cast of over 50 artists performing live. http://www.festivaldranouter.be/nl/programma.html
Other Genres
Couleur Café - 27 – 29 June 2014
Tour & Taxis, Brussels
Couleur Café is a festival that brings you a mix of urban and world music. Now into its 25th year the festival takes place at Brussels large scale venue Tours and Taxis.
http://2014.couleurcafe.be/en/couleur_cafe/home-270.html
Brussels Summer Festival 2014 - 8 – 17 August 2014
Place des Palais, Mont des Arts, Magic Mirrors BSF / Paleizenplein, Kunstberg, Magic Mirrors BSF
A cultural festival taking place in various venues around the city, An annual summer event since 2002. Artists from all over the world perform on three different venues and this year include James Arthur, Texas, Level 42, Madness and a whole host of other talented acts. http://www.bsf.be/en
Lokeren Festival 1 – 10 August 2014
Lokeren, Grote Kaai – Old Fish Market
Big name acts like Blink-182, Example, Motorhead, Jessie J as well as Fatboy Slim and Sean Paul make up the line up here. Close to Antwerp and Ghent, the festival lasts ten days and features an array of different and popular music genres. Located in between Antwerp and Ghent, this is a great location to see some fantastic bands. http://www.lokersefeesten.be/en
Ghent Festival - 18 – 27 July 2014
Ghent – various locations
During this ten day festival, the city of Ghent literally grinds to a halt and gives in to a non-stop celebration of music, local food and drink and city revellers. Small stages appear in the most unlikely locations all over the city and part of the river which flows through its centre, is transformed and covered into a giant stage.
http://gentsefeesten.be ( website in Dutch only)
Classical music
Festival Musiq' 3 - 27 – 29 June 2014
Brussels, Flagey
Now into its fourth year, this year's Festival Musiq takes fans on an historical musical tour from Gypsy, Classical and Balkan music. Visitors get to choose to view a selection of different concerts taking place at the same time. http://www.flagey.be/en
Leuven Bells - July – August 2014
Leuven, various venues
For those interested in the peel of bells, Leuven treats its visitors to the sound of the city's four big carillons. On Thursdays visitors are treated to a rendition of the M-bells from the rooftop terrace of the M-Museum. On Sundays of the Vanden Gheynbeiaard bells at the Abbey of Sint-Geertrui can be enjoyed from their gardens and on Saturdays the city's enchanting Beguinage or Leuven's Library garden provides a fabulous backdrop to enjoy the city's bells. The four carillons of Leuven will be played every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday in July and August.
MAfestival – Flanders Festival Bruges - 1 – 10 August 2014
Bruges
Founded in 1963, the MAFestival focuses on the historical practice of early music and is always renewing and extending the concept. For the ten days of the festival, the world's most exciting performers appear in Bruges and as well as concerts, the festival also organises lectures and classes, a competition for young musicians and an exhibition that focuses on historical instruments and musical accessories. http://www.mafestival.be/EN/program/MAfestival_2014
Laus Polyphoniae 2014 ''CLAUDIO'' - 22 - 31 August
Various historic locations in Antwerp
Claudio Monteverdi is famous for his transformation of the Franco-Flemish polyphony and introduced the world to an expressive Italian baroque style. His combination of old and new is a great perspective to dedicate this series of concerts to. Between 22nd and 30th of August, concert goers are treated to the oeuvre of Marenzio, Ingegneri, Gombert, de Wert, Caccini and Willaert, played by different musicians at various historical locations in Antwerp.
http://www.amuz.be/en/node/2399
1000 Voices for peace
5-9 November 2014
Various locations in Flanders and the rest of Belgium.
Flanders Festival commemorates the Great War in its own way and uses the occasion to reflect on the future. With a great Oratorio for peace its intention is to bring people together from all over the world. People from countries who were fighting each other to the death a hundred years ago will be singing together for peace. On 9 November 2014, choirs from Belgium will be joined by choirs from the four corners of the world to sing the Oratorio for peace – a new composition by the great Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki. A selection of Belgian top artists like Arno Hintjes, Sioen, Dirk Brossé and Jef Neve will give performances. www.1000voices.be/en
Night of the proms – Classic meets Pop 7, 8, 14 and 15 November 2014
Sportpaleis Antwerp
Twenty nine years ago this festival started as a college concert and has grown to attract more than 9,000,000 visitors in eight different countries. The festival combines classical music with pop music which is one of its big strengths.
The line-up is a closely guarded secret at the moment but keep an eye out for its announcement tweet! http://www.notp.com
-Ends-
Notes for Editors:
For pictures of Festivals last year see : https://www.flickr.com/photos/visitflanders/sets/72157625215906446/
For more information please contact:
Anita Rampall
Press Manager
Visit Flanders
Tel: 020 7307 7741
Twitter: @AnitaRampall
