There are some awesome music festivals happening this summer in Belgium, after an exhaustive research here are the best ones.
Belgians have festivals down to a fine art, from the organization to the all-night party. The big events typically take place over four days that provide a nearby campground for 20 €/4-days with amenities such as toilets, showers, and water. It’s a short walk to the “Wei”, Flemish for festival grounds, to enjoy the amazing performers that make a point to come to Belgium for the amazing atmosphere. With such a wide variety, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy.
Here is a top five list to help you plan for next year’s festival season!
Pukkelpop
Pukkelpop has been described as “the European Coachella,” which is an accurate comparison for this lively festival. This summer, Pukkelpop successfully recovered from last year’s stage collapse tragedy by increasing safety and reorganizing the festival grounds. The result is parties from dusk ‘till dawn and a solid line-up of performers, which makes Pukkelpop a favorite among young Belgians.
Location: Hasselt, Limburg, Flanders
Music Genre: Rock, Pop, Techno/House, Indie, Hip-Hop
Past Performers: Foo Fighters, The Black Keys, Eminem, 2 Many DJs, Calvin Harris, Daft Punk, The Flaming Lips, PJ Harvey, Netsky, Nick Cave, Massive Attack.
Ticket Price: Combi Ticket (entire festival) 155 €, Day Ticket 79 €
Date: August 15-17, 2013
Rock Werchter
Rock Werchter began in 1975 and has grown to be one of the biggest festivals in Europe winning several international awards along the way. Their ticket prices are high for only three stages but it showcases more internationally renowned acts compared to Pukkelpop.
Location: Werchter, Vlaams-Brabant, Flanders
Music Genre: Rock, Techno/House, Indie, & HipHop
Past Performers: Queens of the Stone Age, Metallica, Deadmau5, Moby, The Cure, Muse, The Who, Florence + the Machine, Jack White, Editors.
Ticket Price: Combi 200 €, Day ticket € 79
Date: 1st weekend of July
Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland is an electronic-dance music extravaganza. The grounds are elaborately decorated as a garden of fantasy, complete with fireworks and a colorful crowd. Tomorrowland’s mantra “Yesterday is history, today is a gift, and tomorrow is mystery” encourages its patrons to live for the moment.
Location: Boom, Antwerp province, Flanders
Music Genre: Electronic, House, Progressive
Past Performers: Avicii, Bloody Beetroots, Fatboy Slim, Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta, Afrojack, Steve Aoki.
Ticket Price: Combi 170€, Day pass 72 €, can upgrade to Comfort. Tickets typically sell-out in two hours!
Date: September 27-29, 2013
Dour
Dour is a huge alternative music festival in Wallonia, Belgium’s French region. Dour has a reputation of a wild, party festival sometimes prone to some last minute line-up changes, but its massive line-up is a great opportunity to find new bands.
Location: Mons, Hainaut, Wallonia
Music Genre: Alternative, Reggae, Dub Step, Electronic
Past Performers: Black Mountain, Against Me!, Chromeo, The Futureheads, Tiga, Datsik, The Horrors.
Ticket Price: Combi Ticket 110 €, Day Tickets 60 €
Date: July 18-21, 2013
Graspop Metal Meeting
Graspop Metal Meeting is an acclaimed Metal festival that provides a change of scenery to the bevy of pop music festivals throughout Belgium. Graspop celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2010. They consistently book huge metal acts from past and present, attracting metalheads worldwide.
Location: Dessel, Antwerp province, Flanders
Music Genre: Metal
Past Performers: Mötorhead, Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer, Killswitch Engage, Bad Religion, Cradle of Filth, Marilyn Manson, Mastodon.
Ticket Price: Combi Ticket 150€, Day Ticket 80€
Date: June 28, 29, 30 of 2013
