Werchter 2014 #9 Begin maar met inpakken!

#spuit11 Valt me weer mee dat ze het verbod op party tenten hebben ingetrokken. Niet dat we ons er anders aan hadden gehouden, maar toch

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Op donderdag 26 juni 2014 21:02 schreef lolcat8811 het volgende:
Nou ja, broodje knakworst...

[ afbeelding ]

Ziet er lekker uit man! 7,50¤ toch? of toch 10¤?

Moet die line-up in de OP niet een keer bijgewerkt worden?

Ja precies, heerlijk knakworstjes of een tomatensoepje! daar ga ik geen 5 euro voor betalen elke dag
Maar niemand die me er iets over kan vertellen?

quote:

Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 00:06 schreef xuryah het volgende:
Ja precies, heerlijk knakworstjes of een tomatensoepje! daar ga ik geen 5 euro voor betalen elke dag
Maar niemand die me er iets over kan vertellen?

Staat gewoon op de site...

http://www.rockwerchter.b(...)g-niet-op-de-camping

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WAT MAG NIET OP DE CAMPING?

Gasbranders en -installaties. Op last van de brandweer zijn deze om veiligheidsredenen verboden. Eenvoudige campinggasvuurtjes met kleine cartridge zijn wel toegelaten, behalve op The Hive.

Kudt, Metallica op donderdag, zijn er nog kaarten?

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 00:35 schreef LS24 het volgende:
Kudt, Metallica op donderdag, zijn er nog kaarten?

Lekker op tijd

De weersvoorspellingen zijn al iets positiever dan een dag of twee geleden.

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Op donderdag 26 juni 2014 22:01 schreef NM. het volgende:

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Ziet er lekker uit man! 7,50¤ toch? of toch 10¤?

Bakje friet met stoofvlees + saus is 2,5 bonnetjes dus 6,25 euro

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 09:42 schreef tim-elzinga het volgende:
De weersvoorspellingen zijn al iets positiever dan een dag of twee geleden.

Ben al 2 dagen als ongelovige hond tot de Goden aan het bidden!

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 00:09 schreef Felixa het volgende:

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Staat gewoon op de site...

http://www.rockwerchter.b(...)g-niet-op-de-camping

[..]

Ja maar ik las iets over een plek daar waar t wel mag.. maar ik vind het niet echt duidelijk.

Wat is je vraag precies?

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 11:39 schreef lolcat8811 het volgende:

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Bakje friet met stoofvlees + saus is 2,5 bonnetjes dus 6,25 euro

Hoeveel betaal je voor een biertje op het festival? Zijn er alleen plastic bekers, of ook blikjes bier?

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 12:55 schreef PBDuke het volgende:

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Hoeveel betaal je voor een biertje op het festival? Zijn er alleen plastic bekers, of ook blikjes bier?

Er is alleen plastic, en je betaald een bonnetje voor een biertje.

Die bonnetjes kosten volgens mij 2.70 of zo.

1 bonnetje is 2,50 euro.

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 12:03 schreef xuryah het volgende:

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Ja maar ik las iets over een plek daar waar t wel mag.. maar ik vind het niet echt duidelijk.

Dat staat er toch? Op de campings mag je wel campinggasvuurtjes met kleine cartridge gebruiken. Ik snap niet wat er nou onduidelijk aan is...

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 14:05 schreef Felixa het volgende:

[..]

Dat staat er toch? Op de campings mag je wel campinggasvuurtjes met kleine cartridge gebruiken. Ik snap niet wat er nou onduidelijk aan is...

Maar ik zit dus op the Hive waar het niet toegestaan is. Ff beter lezen ook jij dus, voordat je zo bijdehand gaat doen. Ik vroeg me af hoe dat dan daar geregeld zal zijn. Ik las dat daar een plek is waar je wel kunt koken, maar als je niks mee mag nemen hoe moet je dat dan doen :/

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 15:18 schreef xuryah het volgende:

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Maar ik zit dus op the Hive waar het niet toegestaan is. Ff beter lezen ook jij dus, voordat je zo bijdehand gaat doen. Ik vroeg me af hoe dat dan daar geregeld zal zijn. Ik las dat daar een plek is waar je wel kunt koken, maar als je niks mee mag nemen hoe moet je dat dan doen :/

Aah, nu zie ik wat je bedoelt:

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We would like to remind you not to bring cooking equipment such as barbecues and/or gas burners to The Hive. Instead, use the big barbecue zones that are available at the Hive camping area, free of charge! By the fire department's demand, we also recommend you not to bring these to the other campsites, for safety reasons.

Je mag dus inderdaad geen kookapparatuur meenemen naar The Hive-camping maar je kunt alleen gebruik maken van de barbecue zones die daar zijn.

[ Bericht 17% gewijzigd door Felixa op 27-06-2014 15:40:48 ]

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 14:05 schreef Felixa het volgende:

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Dat staat er toch? Op de campings mag je wel campinggasvuurtjes met kleine cartridge gebruiken. Ik snap niet wat er nou onduidelijk aan is...

Denk je nu echt dat ze tassen gaan controleren op kleine gas apparaten? Gewoon meenemen en lekker bij je tent koken als je daar behoefte aan hebt.

Weersvoorspellingen gaan echt op en neer. Nu voorspellen ze weer nieuwe regenperiode volgend weekend

TW Classic valt mogen alleszins in het water...

Ik ga een keer niet naar RW en meteen wordt het slecht weer.

Echt jaren achter elkaar lekker weer gehad

Oja....sorry enzo.

Die zaterdag is trouwens wel vet. De rest is mwah. Kan iemand zaterdag niet?

De weersvoorspellingen worden met de dag beter hoor, Moody ! Woensdag en donderdag krijgen van weeronline op dit moment een 9

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 21:25 schreef tim-elzinga het volgende:
De weersvoorspellingen worden met de dag beter hoor, Moody ! Woensdag en donderdag krijgen van weeronline op dit moment een 9

Beter regen en goede line-up.

Vorig jaar was al mwah vergeleken met 2012. Dit jaar is mwah-mwah. Desalniettemin zal er weer een prima sfeertje zijn. RW is een van mijn favoriete festivals Veelal goede line-ups, goed georganiseerd, fijne sfeer. Helaas wel steeds meer Randstedelingen en Engelsen.....(aanwezig volk)

Maar heb besloten dit jaar Pukkelpop eens te proberen

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 20:02 schreef lolcat8811 het volgende:

TW Classic valt mogen alleszins in het water...

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 21:43 schreef Moody het volgende:

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Beter regen en goede line-up.

Vorig jaar was al mwah vergeleken met 2012. Dit jaar is mwah-mwah. Desalniettemin zal er weer een prima sfeertje zijn. RW is een van mijn favoriete festivals Veelal goede line-ups, goed georganiseerd, fijne sfeer. Helaas wel steeds meer Randstedelingen en Engelsen.....(aanwezig volk)

Maar heb besloten dit jaar Pukkelpop eens te proberen

Het liefst een goede line-up én goed weer. Het wordt mijn eerste keer Rock Werchter, afgelopen twee jaren heb ik Lowlands bezocht. Ben benieuwd..

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 22:58 schreef tim-elzinga het volgende:

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Het liefst een goede line-up én goed weer. Het wordt mijn eerste keer Rock Werchter, afgelopen twee jaren heb ik Lowlands bezocht. Ben benieuwd..

Lowlands is alternatiever dan RW. Meer richting Pukkelpop.
RW heeft als groot Vlaams festival een iets relaxte sfeer dan de grote Nederlandse festivals (zoals Pinkpop), al is dat de laatste 3 a 4 jaar behoorlijk gelijk getrokken ivm het grote aantal Nederlandse bezoekers. Hoe dan ook....Belgisch bier > Nederlands bier

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 23:02 schreef Moody het volgende:

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Lowlands is alternatiever dan RW. Meer richting Pukkelpop.
RW heeft als groot Vlaams festival een iets relaxte sfeer dan de grote Nederlandse festivals (zoals Pinkpop), al is dat de laatste 3 a 4 jaar behoorlijk gelijk getrokken ivm het grote aantal Nederlandse bezoekers. Hoe dan ook....Belgisch bier > Nederlands bier

Lowlands is goed bevallen, maar we wilden wel een keer wat anders proberen. Hoe is het qua drukte op RW (in vergelijking met Lowlands)?

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 23:12 schreef tim-elzinga het volgende:

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Lowlands is goed bevallen, maar we wilden wel een keer wat anders proberen. Hoe is het qua drukte op RW (in vergelijking met Lowlands)?

Overdags heel relaxt. Maar richting de grote acts voelt RW een stuk drukker aan. Terrein is vergelijkbaar, maar veel minder podia. Veel verkeer tussen de podia tijdens de grote acts. Wees dus op tijd als je iets perse wilt zien.

Sfeer is anders dan Lowland. Veel meer mainstream. Minder blowen, iets jonger publiek. Veel lui die je niet verstaat (Franstalig). Geeft toch iets extra's. Als je gaat kamperen, vermijd dan de A-campings. Die zijn groot en de kans dat je lekker slaapt is klein

De laatste jaren vind ik RW iets te gezapig worden. Bijna Pinkpop. Daarom ga ik nu voor het Vlaamse Lowlands alternatief. Ben benieuwd.

[ Bericht 1% gewijzigd door Moody op 27-06-2014 23:23:26 ]

Dank!

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 23:18 schreef Moody het volgende:

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Overdags heel relaxt. Maar richting de grote acts voelt RW een stuk drukker aan. Terrein is vergelijkbaar, maar veel minder podia. Veel verkeer tussen de podia tijdens de grote acts. Wees dus op tijd als je iets perse wilt zien.

Sfeer is anders dan Lowland. Veel meer mainstream. Minder blowen, iets jonger publiek. Veel lui die je niet verstaat (Franstalig). Geeft toch iets extra's. Als je gaat kamperen, vermijd dan de A-campings. Die zijn groot en de kans dat je lekker slaapt is klein

De laatste jaren vind ik RW iets te gezapig worden. Bijna Pinkpop. Daarom ga ik nu voor het Vlaamse Lowlands alternatief. Ben benieuwd.

Dank!

Donderdag 27 graden!!

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Op zaterdag 28 juni 2014 08:21 schreef bloodymary1 het volgende:
Donderdag 27 graden!!

Ik zie alleen nog maar regenwolkjes staan op Weeronline.nl.

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Op zaterdag 28 juni 2014 10:52 schreef NM. het volgende:

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Ik zie alleen nog maar regenwolkjes staan op Weeronline.nl.

Op http://www.meteoservices.be/be/home/weer/belgie/belgie.html staat er voor donderdag en vrijdag alvast een mooie zon en 27°C.

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 15:18 schreef xuryah het volgende:

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Maar ik zit dus op the Hive waar het niet toegestaan is. Ff beter lezen ook jij dus, voordat je zo bijdehand gaat doen. Ik vroeg me af hoe dat dan daar geregeld zal zijn. Ik las dat daar een plek is waar je wel kunt koken, maar als je niks mee mag nemen hoe moet je dat dan doen :/

Ik kom er net achter dat ik ook op de Hive terecht ga komen. Ik had juist gehoopt dat we 's morgens even water konden koken voor wat koffie/thee (waarvoor je niet eerst de halve camping af hoeft te lopen incl in de rij staan voor kraampje/BBQ ). Iemand enig idee of je met een XL ticket ná woensdag wel kunt wisselen?

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Op zaterdag 28 juni 2014 14:29 schreef Chicolate het volgende:

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Ik kom er net achter dat ik ook op de Hive terecht ga komen. Ik had juist gehoopt dat we 's morgens even water konden koken voor wat koffie/thee (waarvoor je niet eerst de halve camping af hoeft te lopen incl in de rij staan voor kraampje/BBQ ). Iemand enig idee of je met een XL ticket ná woensdag wel kunt wisselen?

Stop zo'n gaskoker lekker in je tas, het is echt niet alsof je daar op controleren.

Scherm voor Oranje zou wel chill zijn :p

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Op maandag 30 juni 2014 07:48 schreef sjaak_trekbek het volgende:
Scherm voor Oranje zou wel chill zijn :p

Op de hive.

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Op maandag 30 juni 2014 07:48 schreef sjaak_trekbek het volgende:
Scherm voor Oranje zou wel chill zijn :p

komt, op de hive

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Op vrijdag 27 juni 2014 23:18 schreef Moody het volgende:

[..] Als je gaat kamperen, vermijd dan de A-campings. Die zijn groot en de kans dat je lekker slaapt is klein

Andere campings zijn om het even? Dit jaar ook voor het eerst, ben benieuwd!

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Op zaterdag 28 juni 2014 14:29 schreef Chicolate het volgende:

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Ik kom er net achter dat ik ook op de Hive terecht ga komen. Ik had juist gehoopt dat we 's morgens even water konden koken voor wat koffie/thee (waarvoor je niet eerst de halve camping af hoeft te lopen incl in de rij staan voor kraampje/BBQ ). Iemand enig idee of je met een XL ticket ná woensdag wel kunt wisselen?

Wil je echt je tent gaan verplaatsen op donderdag als je deze eerst op woensdag hebt opgezet.

Ik zie jou dadelijk nog epistels zoals deze schrijven.:

LWL / De elende van Lowlands

De Jupiler stage heet dit jaar 'House of the Bull'

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Op maandag 30 juni 2014 12:39 schreef Basp1 het volgende:

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Wil je echt je tent gaan verplaatsen op donderdag als je deze eerst op woensdag hebt opgezet.

Ik zie jou dadelijk nog epistels zoals deze schrijven.:

LWL / De elende van Lowlands

Haha, nee . Genoeg ervaring met festivals om te weten dat je niet moet verwachten dat je schoon blijft, nergens hoeft te wachten en overal zomaar vooraan kunt staan . _{Maar wel last van een 'ochtendhumeur' dus ik mijd de massa 's morgens .}

Hoe zit t eigenlijk met de campings? Mag je zoveel eten en drinken meenemen als je wilt?

En is er goede controle op drugs? Lijkt me leuk om daar een dagje wappie rond te lopen :p

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Op dinsdag 1 juli 2014 07:29 schreef sjaak_trekbek het volgende:
Hoe zit t eigenlijk met de campings? Mag je zoveel eten en drinken meenemen als je wilt?

En is er goede controle op drugs? Lijkt me leuk om daar een dagje wappie rond te lopen :p

Jep je mag alles meenemen. Vorig jaar niks geen controle gehad

Oehhh nog maar een dagje! Morgen naar The Hive. Heb er zo zin in!
Denken jullie dat het verstandig is om er heel vroeg al te zijn, vanwege de drukte? We waren van plan daar rond 14 uur te zijn, maar de camping gaat pas om 16 uur open.

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Op dinsdag 1 juli 2014 11:26 schreef xuryah het volgende:
Oehhh nog maar een dagje! Morgen naar The Hive. Heb er zo zin in!
Denken jullie dat het verstandig is om er heel vroeg al te zijn, vanwege de drukte? We waren van plan daar rond 14 uur te zijn, maar de camping gaat pas om 16 uur open.

Twee jaar geleden op woensdagavond aangekomen maar toen was er geen sprake van drukte en plek zat. Ik verwacht niet dat The Hive daar heel veel invloed op heeft.

En anders rustig aanschuiven

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Op dinsdag 1 juli 2014 11:37 schreef Roberto_BOZ het volgende:

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Twee jaar geleden op woensdagavond aangekomen maar toen was er geen sprake van drukte en plek zat. Ik verwacht niet dat The Hive daar heel veel invloed op heeft.

En anders rustig aanschuiven

Oke, ik zie het morgen dan wel

Het weer gaat wel weer steeds meer achteruit trouwens nu opeens vr za en zo regen!

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Op dinsdag 1 juli 2014 12:28 schreef xuryah het volgende:

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Oke, ik zie het morgen dan wel

Het weer gaat wel weer steeds meer achteruit trouwens nu opeens vr za en zo regen!

idd, hoop dat het meevalt. Iemand nog goeie tips bij regen voor de tent enz?

Een vraag aan jullie: ik ben een beetje aan het plannen omdat ik waarschijnlijk 1 of 2 dagen richting Rock Werchter ga, en vroeg mij af wat er qua openbaar vervoer geregeld is. Treinen stoppen rond middernacht, maar er zijn toch zeker wel grote groepen mensen die bijvoorbeeld richting Brussel gaan - of in ieder geval willen... - nadat de headliners (middernacht...) zijn afgelopen...?

Volgens de site van de Belgische spoorwegen worden er inderdaad geen extra nachttreinen ingezet. De pendelbussen naar Leuven rijden volgens mij tot een uur na het laatste optreden, maar dan strand je inderdaad bij het station in Leuven. Beetje krom wel; de pendelbussen rijden tot diep in de nacht maar je kunt dan geen trein meer pakken.

Bijna!

Nu de tas aan het inpakken. Echt een heerlijk gevoel dat we morgen al op pad gaan.

Ik probeer het nog een keer, weet iemand hoe het qua campings zit als je zaterdag pas aankomt? Waar kom je dan ergens terecht?

Helaas, durf ik niet te zeggen. Er zal vast wel plek zijn hier en daar.

Ticket geregistreerd en spullen gepakt. Morgenavond die kant op! Tot daar!

Voor mensen die voetbal willen kijken zaterdag; de wedstrijd van Nederland wordt niet alleen uitgezonden op the Hive, maar nu dus ook op het festivalterrein.

twitter:

RockWerchter twitterde op woensdag 02-07-2014 om 10:33:31 In short: both the #BEL vs #ARG and the #NED vs #CRC matches will be broadcast at the festival park. http://t.co/0VfdNldhaU #rw14 reageer retweet

Mooi, wordt het lekker rustig bij Pearl Jam.

Begin van Pearl Jam kijken en daarna einde van voetbal dus
Al blijft het kut.

En vooraan staan bij Triggerfinger als alle Belgen gaan kijken.

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Op woensdag 2 juli 2014 13:58 schreef Iwanius het volgende:

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Want je bent geen voetbalfan of wat?

Het is sowieso al lastig dat Pearl Jam en Pixies tegelijk spelen.. en dan ook nog voetbal er tussendoor maakt het allemaal niet makkelijker. Wil het alledrie kunnen zien!

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Triggerfinger wil show Rock Werchter verplaatsen om voetbal

De Vlaamse rockband Triggerfinger vreest zaterdag voor een half leeg veld op Rock Werchter te spelen vanwege de wedstrijd van het Belgische elftal op dat tijdstip en wil daarom zijn optreden verzetten.

De wedstrijd van de Rode Duivels tegen Argentinië wordt zaterdag om 18.00 uur uitgezonden op een videoscherm op het festival, tegelijkertijd met het optreden van Triggerfinger.
"Ik kauw momenteel nog op een oplossing", aldus manager Eric Didden. "Later op de dag spreek ik met de organisatie van Rock Werchter, om een tegenvoorstel te doen."

"Er zal waarschijnlijk wel enige weerstand zijn, maar ik geloof dat we er samen een veel groter feest van kunnen maken", laat Didden weten aan de Vlaamse krant De Morgen. Hij ziet het als een 'groot probleem' wanneer de voetbalwedstrijd bezoekers weglokt van het optreden van Triggerfinger.
"Ik zal er mijn slaap niet om laten, maar het is wel jammer dat Triggerfinger-fans moeten kiezen tussen ons concert of de Rode Duivels", reageert bassist Paul Van Bruystegem. Niet alleen de kwartfinale van België tegen Argentinië wordt op het festival uitgezonden, maar ook die van Nederland tegen Costa Rica.

nu.nl

Heuy D_A, je staat in het grote boek van Rock Werchter



Veel plezier voor de mensen die gaan. Kan er dit jaar helaas niet bij zijn

Het is begonnen

The Hive is een festivalterrein op zich!

Voor de thuisprintende liefhebber:

Main Stage
• 13:45 - 14:20 Radkey
• 14:50 - 15:45 Dropkick Murphys
• 16:15 - 17:15 Miles Kane
• 17:50 - 18:50 White Lies
• 19:35 - 21:00 Placebo
• 21:50 - 00:10 Metallica
• 01:00 - 02:30 Skrillex
KluB C
• 14:00 - 16:20 Daptone Super Soul Revue
• 16:50 - 17:40 Valerie June
• 18:10 - 19:00 London Grammar
• 20:15 - 21:35 Damon Albarn
• 22:45 - 00:00 Gesaffelstein
• 01:05 - 02:05 The Opposites
The Barn
• 14:20 - 15:10 The Wombats
• 15:40 - 16:40 Bombay Bicycle Club
• 17:10 - 18:10 Milow
• 19:00 - 20:15 Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters
• 21:35 - 22:45 Warpaint
• 00:00 - 01:05 Arsenal
 
friday
Main Stage
• 13:35 - 14:20 The 1975
• 14:55 - 15:55 Puggy
• 16:35 - 17:35 Rodrigo y Gabriela
• 18:20 - 19:20 Ellie Goulding
• 20:05 - 21:20 Paolo Nutini
• 22:10 - 23:40 Arctic Monkeys
• 00:30 - 02:00 Major Lazer
KluB C
• 13:30 - 14:05 Coely
• 14:45 - 15:30 George Ezra
• 16:10 - 17:10 Trixie Whitley
• 18:10 - 19:10 Parov Stelar Band
• 20:10 - 21:10 Crystal Fighters
• 22:20 - 23:20 Katy B
• 00:30 - 01:30 The Subs
The Barn
• 14:05 - 14:45 The Strypes
• 15:30 - 16:10 Sam Smith
• 17:10 - 18:10 The Naked and Famous
• 19:10 - 20:10 Foster The People
• 21:10 - 22:20 Eels
• 23:20 - 00:30 Jack Johnson
 
saturday
Main Stage
• 13:00 - 13:40 The Temperance Movement
• 14:10 - 14:50 Kodaline
• 15:20 - 16:20 Haim
• 16:55 - 17:55 Biffy Clyro
• 18:30 - 19:30 Triggerfinger
• 20:10 - 21:15 The Black Keys
• 22:00 - 01:00 Pearl Jam
KluB C
• 13:00 - 13:40 Altrego
• 14:10 - 14:50 Twenty One Pilots
• 15:20 - 16:10 tUnE-yArDs
• 17:00 - 18:00 Melanie De Biasio
• 19:00 - 20:00 SBTRKT
• 21:15 - 22:15 Trentemøller
• 23:30 - 00:30 Moderat
The Barn
• 13:10 - 14:00 Jonny Lang
• 14:30 - 15:30 Midlake
• 16:00 - 17:00 Ozark Henry
• 18:00 - 19:00 Imagine Dragons
• 20:00 - 21:15 Agnes Obel
• 22:15 - 23:30 Pixies
 
sunday
Main Stage
• 13:15 - 14:05 Reignwolf
• 14:40 - 15:40 Babyshambles
• 16:20 - 17:20 Rudimental
• 18:00 - 19:00 Bastille
• 19:50 - 21:05 Franz Ferdinand
• 21:55 - 23:25 Kings Of Leon
• 00:15 - 01:15 Stromae
KluB C
• 13:00 - 13:40 Kuroma
• 14:10 - 15:00 Parquet Courts
• 15:30 - 16:30 Angus and Julia Stone
• 17:30 - 18:30 Passenger
• 19:30 - 20:30 Foals
• 21:30 - 22:45 MGMT
• 23:45 - 00:45 Interpol
The Barn
• 13:30 - 14:10 Oscar & the Wolf
• 14:50 - 15:30 Royal Blood
• 16:30 - 17:30 Metronomy
• 18:30 - 19:30 Birdy
• 20:30 - 21:30 Lykke Li
• 22:45 - 23:45 Chase and Status
 
Radkey
The Daltons of punk rock. Radkey consists of Dee Radke (guitar, vocals), Isaiah Radke (bass) and Solomon Radke (guitar); three brothers with a white father and a black mother from the southern United States who look like a fusion of the Jimi Hendrix Experience and The A-Team. They sound like sons of The Ramones who got extra lessons from Bad Brains and Living Colour. The wild sound of Radkey is strongly influenced by Dee's dark crooner voice. It reminds us of the deep growl of Glenn Danzig and the doom of Andrew Eldritch (Sisters Of Mercy). The Radke family is serious. They want to make their first album this spring and they are sure it will turn the world upside-down. ‘Like Nirvana's ‘Nevermind’ did.’ They also want to start a movement that will put rock music back on centre stage.
Dropkick Murpheys
The AC/DC of Celtic punk rock. Dropkick Murphys are from the U.S. city of Boston. They took their name from a local rehab clinic named after local sports hero John 'Dropkick' Murphy. Their speciality: punk x Irish folk. Obviously there are comparisons with Flogging Molly and The Pogues. But it is the ultimate ambition of Dropkick Murphys to be the AC/DC of Celtic punk rock. The seven-strong band are old hands at all the major festivals and have blazed a trail of unbridled fun around the world for almost 20 years. Belgium is a popular stop-over: all the major festivals, Lotto Arena, Forest National ... Boston is always their favourite. The song ‘I'm Shipping Up To Boston’ (2006) is the unofficial anthem of the city, and every year they give a number of concerts there around St. Patrick's Day. Last year they raised funds together with Bruce Springsteen for the victims of the bombing during the Boston Marathon.
Miles Kane
Unknown world star. Everyone has (already) heard of Miles Kane. He, bosom friend Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) and James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco) own The Last Shadow Puppets. “The Age of the Understatement” (2008) was a top single and a very solid album. At Glastonbury 2008 Jack White played at a rare live-concert. Shortly afterwards Kane left The Rascals, which had been his home base until then. He went solo. And how. “The Colour of the Trap” (2011) - with Noel Gallagher as guest of honour - summarises the best of the rich tradition of British pop. And on that subject: Kane told us last year that he had been asked to play the main role in “Nowhere Boy” (2009), a film about John Lennon’s youth. He said no because he thought it wouldn’t help him progress as an artist. But “Don’t Forget Who You Are’ (2013) certainly has. There’s pure rock on there, and inputs from Andy Partridge (XTC) and Paul Weller. This man is going global.
White lies
Fantastic sorrow. Life is never funny in White Lies’ numbers. ‘Life on earth is no party,’ according to guitarist Charles Cave, ‘Feeling sad is only to be expected.’ That makes sense. Groups such as Editors, Interpol and Joy Division have proven that sorrow can result in fantastic music. White Lies follow in their footsteps. In the autumn of 2008 the London trio made a name for themselves with ‘Death’. The single became a Studio Brussel Afrekening hit and the group sold out at AB (Brussels) on its first trip to Belgium. Their latest album ‘Big TV’ (2013) is all about how they hope to be as big as U2 one day. It is being discretely promoted with a tour in smaller venues. In November White Lies sold out at the AB two nights in a row and resulted in just as many standing ovations.
Placebo
7 out of 7. Wicked. Placebo have made seven albums and come to Werchter this year for the seventh time. To perform ‘Loud Like Love’ (2013) no less. The ties couldn’t be closer. Placebo are literally and figuratively an international phenomenon. The band of three results from a reunion in 1994 between Swede Stefan Olsdal and Brussels-born American Scot, Brian Molko. The two were at school together in Luxemburg and bumped into each other on the London tube. They started the band Ashtray Heart, which was renamed Placebo a year later. Drummer Steve Forrest replaced Steve Hewitt in 2007. He was formerly with the Californian punk band, Evaline. Fortunately, the band’s sound is less complex than all this would suggest. For twenty years Placebo has given us what good rock should be: intense, seductive, humorous and slightly risqué.
Metallica
Metallica are synonymous with metal. It’s the first name that springs to mind spontaneously. The American group have achieved so much. They brought metal into the mainstream and are already one of the best and most successful bands of all time. Metallica are currently starring in the 3D concert/film ‘Through The Never’ and will be working on the follow up to ‘Death Magnetic’ (2008) for most of 2014. In between all this, they are touring across the globe, so Rock Werchter was an essential stop. One reason is because 20 years ago Metallica played here for the first time – and they were the first metal band we’d had. They were spectacular in 1993 and will be again, this seventh time. And that’s because the fans are in charge. Everyone who buys a ticket will be asked to submit their favourite songs. No easy task because there are 10 albums, four live albums and almost 40 singles to choose from. Metallica, customised!
Skrillex
The prince of American dance. In 2010 Sonny John Moore sends out the first Skrillex demo. A year later he is nominated for five Grammy Awards. In 2012 he creates earth tremors at Rock Werchter and Tomorrowland. His creative path is just as curious. At the age of sixteen the young man from Los Angeles becomes the vocalist for the post-hardcore group From First To Last. Two albums later he goes solo. While working on his debut, Moore unexpectedly switches from metal to dance. His alter ego Skrillex becomes THE name when it comes to dubstep. Everyone comes knocking at the new guru’s door: not just Deadmau5, but Lady Gaga and Korn. The “dark lord of American EDM (Electronic Dance Music)" is also very pleased with his OWSLA label, to which he has signed Birdy Nam Nam and Crookers.
Daptone records
The house of soul. Daptone Records is the Motown or Stax of the 21st century. For the time being, it operates on a smaller scale. For the last 10 years, this New York record company has been publishing work by artists who are inspired by the high days of funk, gospel and soul. The two founders are musicians. Gabriel Roth plays the bass with soul priestess Sharon Jones and her Dap-Kings, Noel Sugarman is a saxophonist with the retro funk band The Sugarman 3. Charles Bradley, another Daptone celebrity, showed how relevant vintage soul can still be in KluB C last year. ‘Standing still was not an option,’ wrote Focus Knack. The Daptone Super Soul Revue is the over-the-top; a two and a half hour cocktail of ‘the house of soul’ that blows everyone away. Artists include Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley, The Sugarman 3 and the afrobeats of Antibalas. Don't forget your dancing shoes.
Valerie June
Cutting through everything. Valerie June demonstrates that the blues is not the preserve of old men and that it has its place in the 21st century. This young lady, a self-taught musician from Tennessee, tells us that she makes “organic moonshine roots music”. And that translates to black American folk music, best played under a full moon. Her mix of bluegrass, blues, folk and gospel is quite unique. June sings while playing the banjo, guitar or ukulele and has a raw voice that cuts right through everything. She had been warming up for this for over a decade, and it all came good with “Pushin’ Against The Stone” (2013), which she financed through crowd funding. The full amount went to Dan Auerbach, guitarist for The Black Keys, who rented out his studio in Nashville, took care of the production and helped write five of the songs. He might have been paid three times, but the result is an excellent return on the investment.
London Grammar
International allure. Hannah Reid’s voice is like a balm to the soul. It even works over the radio and the elegant “Strong” is the best evidence of this yet. The vocals soar over a sultry background reminiscent of the soundscapes of Massive Attack and Portishead. London Grammar owes its existence to Facebook. Reid and guitarist Dan Rotham went to the same university. Rotham saw a photo of Reid holding a guitar on Facebook. Keyboardist Dominic Major became the third member. The name London Grammar was chosen for its international allure. Mission complete. After one album everyone knows who they are. And so an already blossoming London pop scene (James Blake, Florence + The Machine, The xx, Jessie Ware) has got itself another highflyer.

Damon Albarn
Superman goes solo. Damon Albarn is the musical superman of the 21st century, though perhaps it is not that noticeable. The reason for the description is probable his high productivity. The Brit does so much that it is hard to keep up: rock, opera, African music... It's almost always interesting and cool. Plus: Albarn is getting better as the years go by. He is known first and foremost as the frontman of Blur, the group which staged such a fantastic performance at Werchter last year. And he has already been here with The Good, The Bad and The Queen. However, his greatest commercial successes have been achieved with Gorillaz. The second album “Demon Days” (2005) has been doing well on both sides of the Atlantic. Blur never managed that, or hasn't yet. After more than 20 years in the frontline, Albarn is releasing a first album under his own name. “Everyday Robots” (2014), he says, is a mix of folk and soul. Live, the new songs will be combined with the best of his earlier work.

Gesaffelstein

The new prince of French techno. Mike Lévy is gradually becoming incontournable. The almost 30-year-old DJ from Lyon is seen as the new prince of French techno, the successor to Laurent Garnier. He makes a sombre and overwhelming variation in which the hard mechanical beats of D.A.F., Front 242 and Nitzer Ebb can be heard. His stage name is Gesaffelstein, a contraction of Gesamtkunstwerk and Albert Einstein. He launched his first maxi single in 2008 on the label of The Hacker and worked contiguously under the tutelage of Tiga for a few years. Gesaffelstein took a big step in 2013. He worked on ‘Yeezus’ by Kanye West, was fantastic at I Love Techno and launched his first album. ‘Aleph’ is the soundtrack of a dark but intriguing world; a thriller put to music.

Las Oppositas
An attractive contrast. Twan van Steenhoven (aka Big2) is tall and white. Willem de Bruin (aka Willy) is short and dark. That's why they are called The Opposites. Aside from their appearance, they have almost everything in common. They met at school when Willem had to write a rap song as a punishment. Twan rushed to his aid and a phenomenon was born. Their debut album ‘De Fik Der In’ (2005) was cleverly positioned as ‘not some soft shit, just foreign funk with an ultra-Dutch flavour’. Humour is the glue that binds them. Willy and Twan are sublime when laughing at one another's differences. They have foul mouths yet are politically correct. ‘Broodje Bakpao’ (2010) piqued an interest in Flanders. It was a big hit thanks to the ambassadorship of radio producer Sam De Bruyn (Studio Brussel). But The Opposites are more than a one-hit wonder; ‘Licht Uit’, ‘Slapeloze Nachten’, ‘Sukkel Voor De Liefde’ and ‘Thunder’ are also bellowed loudly south of the Dutch border.

The wombats
The dancefloor fillers. These are two Englishmen and a Norwegian who studied at the Liverpool Institute Of Performing Arts (LIPA), a course initiated in 1996 by Paul McCartney. Matthew, Daniel and Tord love indie rock, electro, punk and new wave, and they put their case very persuasively. In 2008 “Let’s Dance to Joy Division”, one of their first singles, won the NME’s Best Dancefloor Filler Award. This track came before hits like “Flux” by Bloc Party and “D.A.N.C.E.” by Justice. Not long afterwards The Wombats appeared on the main stage at Pukkelpop and in Studio Brussel’s “De Afrekening”. The second album “This Modern Glitch” (2010) has made the trio really big in Australia. A dream to some extent come true: because a wombat is a lovely marsupial that only lives “down under”. Album number 3 is under construction. In the meantime, Paul McCartney is a massive fan.

Bombay Bicycle club
Join the club. The Bombay Bicycle Club consists of four dreamy guys from northern London. The group's name comes from a distant past. In the 19th century the club was a popular place for the British army officers in India to meet. The group was founded in 2006 with the ambition to make sophisticated pop. And there’s rock nobility in the band: the grandfather of guitarist Jamie MacColl wrote ‘Dirty Old Town’ and his aunt is the late Kirsty MacColl. Bombay Bicycle Club got off to a fantastic start. The group performed at all the right festivals and the first two albums went to gold. It took longer for them to become known in Belgium. ‘Shuffle’ (2011) is an ingenious song that got lots of airplay. On ‘So Long, See You Tomorrow’ (2014) samples and fragments of world music sharpen their musical course. It was their first #1 in the British charts.

Milow
Playing it cool. Milow currently lives in Los Angeles most of the time, but Werchter remains a home match. He grew up in neighbouring Wespelaar and in the festival park he dreamt about what it could become. Rock Werchter was a benchmark. Images of his performance in 2007 convinced his American manager. The rest is national history. Milow quickly became the most popular European singer-songwriter. After a long conquest he moved to Los Angeles in 2011. Not to start conquering America, but to charge his batteries in a sun-drenched city where he had lived before. He worked on the next step in seclusion. ‘Silver Linings’ was recorded live in the studio with a few renowned American musicians. It is an album that plays it cool but is convincing, and that offers him endless possibilities for the future.

Robert Plant en z’n matties
The legend lives on. Robert Plant is and will always be Led Zeppelin’s singer. That means he has one of the best and most popular voices in rock. His solo career has been twice as long and represents an insatiable quest for adventure. Plant is exploring the world and accumulating huge recognition along the way. “Raising Sand” (2007), his collaboration with Alison Krauss, led to six Grammy Awards and is now counted among the best country records of recent years. But it is folk, Americana and rock at the same time. Plant’s band projects are hybrid constructions too. With his latest band, the Sensational Space Shifters, he explores Delta blues and gospel and breathes exciting new life into the Led Zeppelin classics. It all ties in with his life’s philosophy: “Keep it fresh, dig deep and celebrate the past. But beware of nostalgia.”

Warpaint
Sitting pretty. Bassist Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers referred to Warpaint’s album ‘The Fool’ (2010) as sublime. As did his former colleague Pepper John Frusciante. In 2007 he did the mixdown for the four ladies from Los Angeles’ first EP. That led to a great contract with Rough Trade (see Anthony and The Johnsons, The Strokes, The Libertines) and a remarked appearance at the American showcase festival, South By Southwest. As a bonus British journalists included them in the BBC Sound Of 2011, the – greatly hyped and as a result effective – annual list full of big promises. Warpaint sat pretty and continue to do so in the wake of their latest album ‘Warpaint’ (2014). In musical terms the group isn’t all that far from The xx but has something different about it. The ladies also share a lot of common ground with the lethargic postpunk of ESG and the dizziness of the Cocteau Twins. The best ever.

Arsenal
The party continues. Arsenal is back. John Roan and Hendrik Willemyns are picking up where they left off three years ago. 2011 was a bumper year: the group had five sold-out concerts in the Ancienne Belgique (10,000 spectators), was the final act after Kings Of Leon at Rock Werchter and filled the Lotto Arena in the autumn. The party resumed in the Lotto Arena. Arsenal performed the live première of its new album 'Furu' in Antwerp in April. As usual it is cosmopolitan and full of well-chosen guest vocals. True to form, it will also be surprisingly different from what they have already done. Album # 6 is also their sixth visit to Werchter. Nationally, this brings Arsenal up to the same number of performances as dEUS and 2manydjs. Globally they are at the same level as The Cure, Faithless, Muse and Queens Of The Stone Age. There are only a handful of groups that have done better.

VRIJDAG

The 1975
Group of a/the year. British indie rock band, The 1975, aim to become one of the biggest bands in the world, which they reckon they can do because they are so tightly bonded. The four old friends from Manchester have been playing together since they were teenagers. In 2012, after countless experiments, they came up with The 1975, a name taken from a book of poetry. The singles “Sex” and “Chocolate”, as well as supporting acts for Muse and the Rolling Stones, opened the door to the big time. Their self-titled debut album, made by Mike Crossey (Arctic Monkeys, Jake Bugg), hit the # 1 spot in the UK charts. The band sold more than 200,000, an incredible figure these days. Influences are extremely wide ranging: Boards Of Canada, Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones and Sigur Ros. A curious combination. Two little bits of trivia: a) drummer George Daniel was born in Brussels and b) Rock Werchter took place for the first time in 1975.

Puggy
A special Belgian group. Puggy’s singer-guitarist is a Brit, the bass player is a Frenchman and the drummer is a Swede. They call themselves a Belgian group because that’s where they got to know each other. Brussels is their habitat and it played a decisive role at the beginning of their career. Puggy initially made a name for themselves in the French-speaking part of Europe. They played at the famous Olympia in Paris in 2011. In Belgium their second album ‘Something You Might Like’ (2010) is in the top 100 best-selling albums of the last 20 years in Francophone Belgium. That status was upheld in 2013 with four sold-out concerts in the AB. In early 2014 they filled Vorst Nationaal to bursting. Puggy’s pop rock sound is slowly shifting northwards. Their latest album ‘To Win The World’ (2013) was in the Flemish Ultra Top 50 for several weeks and they sold-out the Paradiso in Amsterdam.

Rodrigo Y Gabriela
Heavy classic. Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero play classical guitar with the drive of a rock band. The two were initially in a trash metal group. The genre was not really a success in their homeland, Mexico. That's why they decided to try their luck in Ireland. In the pubs and streets of Dublin they became Rodrigo y Gabriela. A byword for rhythmic and percussive guitar-playing that hovers on the verge of world music, folk, jazz and hard rock. They cover songs by Led Zeppelin and Metallica. Damien Rice, who got to know them while busking, introduced them to the general public. ‘Rodrigo y Gabriela’ (2006) pushed Arctic Monkeys out of the first place in the Irish charts. The rest of the world followed. A concert review raved about “a seldom seen ambiance.” Their new album ‘9 Dead Alive’ (2014) was called ‘straight rock’ and they sound ‘like one voice from two guitars’.

Ellie Gouldin
Part bonfire, part disco. Ellie Goulding got off to a great start. Her first single (2009) was deliberately launched without fanfare. To test the water. “Under The Sheets” made the hit lists and led to a not unnoticed appearance on the TV show “Later… With Jools Holland”. Not long after that she topped The Sound Of 2010, the annual talent list compiled by the UK music press. Her debut album “Lights” (2010) came in at #1 in the UK charts. It features sparkling, folk-based pop with an electronic edge. Part campfire, part disco. A singer-songwriter on the dance floor. On “Halcyon” (2012) she really showcases her fine soprano voice. Goulding has already sold 3 million records and managed to sell out Vorst Nationaal with ease. But that’s all as predicted and as it should be. A UK music magazine wrote the following telling words at the outset. “Imagine Björk, Kate Bush and Stevie Nicks sharing an apartment in London’s trendy Shoreditch”. That’s Ellie through and through.

Paolo Nutini
For the hat trick. A Scot with Italian roots. Paolo Nutini’s great grandfather fled Tuscany during the First World War and opened a fish and chip shop near Glasgow. Castelvecchi is still going strong and was ready to be taken over by Paolo. Grandfather Giovanni is such a big fan of the Scottish folk group The Corries that the enthusiasm ended up rubbing off on his grandson. On his 17th birthday he set off for London and worked his way up via the pub circuit. An immense ball began to roll. As many as 1.5 million copies of his first album ‘These Streets’ (2006) were sold in Great Britain. The album ‘Sunny Side Up’ (2009) did just as well. Nutini creates incredibly infectious pop music which draws its inspiration from soul, folk, ska and ragtime swing. He is back after a five year studio break and his latest album ‘Caustic Love’ (2014) is going for the hat trick.

Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are the spokesmen of a generation. “A great selfie of a generation this was. There was funky sorrow, cultivated desire, prickly sentiment. And there was maths: riff + melody = euphoria.”This is how Humo described an Arctic Monkeys concert in Vorst Nationaal in November 2013. For nearly ten years it has been said that front man Alex Turner expresses the joys and sorrows of his generation like no other. Since ‘AM’ (2013) he seems to have made the role his own. The record has just as much genius as its four predecessors, but the atmosphere is much more exuberant. The Monkeys have given up the Sheffield rain for the Los Angeles sun and it shows. Their concerts were always technically superb but maybe a little aloof. See their previous performances at Werchter. But today, all that has changed. Alex Turner is now a true performer and seeks real contact with his audience. It will be a hot evening on 4 July 2014.

Major Lazor
The hottest party machine. A few press responses to the Major Lazer performance at Rock Werchter 2013: “... the hottest place in Western Europe ...” ( Focus Knack ) , “... damn , what a bomb ...” (Gazet van Antwerpen) and “... the hottest alternative to sex ...” (De Morgen). The idea of a 'show' was completely rewritten in the new Klub C. Creator Diplo loved it and poured oil on the fire. The American DJ is best known for his work - and his former relationship - with M.I.A. A few years ago he and his British colleague, Switch, moved to Jamaica . The two returned with the album ‘Guns Don’t Kill People ... Lazers Do’ (2009 ), a tribute to the raggamuffin of the 70s. The digression turned into a party machine. Hits like ‘Bubble Butt’, ‘Watch Out For This (Bumaye)’ and ‘Pon De Floor’ will blow away even the straightest of the straight. And yet 'Get Free', a slow reggae number featuring a beautiful female voice, was the biggest hit. A point of national pride: Nowhere is Major Lazer as popular as in Belgium.

Coely
A complete artist. It is always good to hear it from someone else: ‘The Belgian Coely is only 19 years old but she is currently a big shot in the Belgian rap scene.’ That’s how the native of Antwerp was announced in January of this year in the programme of Eurosonic in Groningen, the most important place to discover young talent in Europe. Coely was dispatched by the listeners of the radio station Studio Brussel. It was her first major international appearance and it was a success. This summer she will be exploring Europe. Last summer, in Belgium, she was declared the ‘queen of the festival summer’ by StuBru. That was a high point after 34 performances all over the place. Coely works hard and the best is yet to come. On her single ‘My Tomorrow’ she expands her palette from hip-hop to R&B and soul, thereby revealing that she is a complete artist. Smashing!
George Ezra
Past and present. He’s 20 but has the voice of a 50 year old, and that’s a compliment! The voice of George Ezra (real surname: Barnett) sounds just as rough and granular as that of his two greatest idols: Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie. A couple of years ago he was discovered on BBC radio Bristol. Following the invitation to play a session in London he was given a spot on Glastonbury’s neophyte stage. His bluesy acoustic songs proved a success. Ezra elegantly combines past and present, British and American. His boundless energy does the rest. Since then things have been going so well for him that he has put his university studies on hold. Ezra came fifth on the prestigious BBC Sound Of 2014 list and is working hard on his first album.
Trixie Whityley
Highly gifted musically. ‘Even when you cannot immediately follow it, it remains intense.’ This is how Jon Pareles, the New York Times’ head of music, concluded a favourable critique of ‘Fourth Corner’ (2013), Trixie Whitley’s debut album. Shortly afterwards the album went gold in Belgium. A good start to her career in both her native countries. Whitley was born in Ghent, grew up in New York and has commuted between both cities since her youth. ‘I am from everywhere, but I have never known what it feels like to come home.’ Her musical talent was tangible from a young age. She is the daughter of singer-songwriter Chris Whitley and the niece of bassist Alain Gevaert (dEUS). But she rapidly made a name for herself as Trixie Whitley. Imploring, sincere, personal, sensitive. And always surrounded by the right people: Meshell Ndegecello produced her first EP, Daniel Lanois asked her to join his super group Black Dub… She soon found her own feet and has made quite a name for herself in the meantime.

Parov Steler band
Back to the future. Marcus Füreder leaves a trail of entrancement through Europe with his Parov Stelar Band. Their electro-swing drives people to do the strangest things. It is a new word that stands for a combination of music from the roaring 20s and the swinging 60s with modern beats and grooves. Füreder is not nostalgic. The Austrian looks at the past from the future. He doesn't simply put a beat under an old song; he samples old sounds and gives them a new destination. Motown Records was so enthusiastic about Füreder's approach that he was allowed to use a Marvin Gaye sample. He started out listening to Motown then started exploring ska, soul and jazz. The Parov Stelar Band combines all these genres. Jazzy electronic sounds from a six-man live band that accentuates the vocal skills of the ravishing Cleo Panther.

Crystal fighters
Glorious chaos. “Frenzied, sultry, unruly”. Nothing but the fieriest of descriptions spring to mind when it comes to Crystal Fighters concerts. Many say that these concerts are among the best experiences of their life. The British band say they had their greatest moment at a rave in Zugarramurdi. In that Spanish village they held a wild party in a cave through the shortest night of the year. Ah, so that explains the title of their second album “Cave Rave” (2013)! The band has its roots in Spain. One of the - former - members found an unfinished opera in her granddad’s country house in the Basque Country. The band went to work on it back in London. It is coloured by Spanish folk music, and combined with today’s fat baselines it makes for glorious chaos. They describe the sound as: “The Velvet Underground and the Gipsy Kings cut a record in the Pyrenees produced by Skream, Madlib and Luciano”.

 
Kate B
An ode to the dance floor. The BRIT School in London is a major breeding ground for vocal talent. Some talent that it has nurtured over the last 10 years includes Adele, The Kooks and Amy Winehouse. Jasper Erkens also attended the BRIT School. Kathleen Brien graduated as Katy B, a black kernel in a white shell. Her voice contains a lot of gospel and soul. Erykah Badu and Jill Scott showed her the way initially. She has made strong translations to the present; first as a guest vocalist for dubstep mastodon Magnetic Man then on her own two feet with pop music that uses modern resources like dub, electro, grime and urban. The final result is a euphoric ode to nightlife and the dance floor. Her lyrics are terse and very correct. When reviewing her debut 'On A Mission' (2011), Humo magazine wrote: ‘perhaps the new Mike Skinner (The Streets) is a woman.’

The Subs
Super Subs. The musical world of The Subs is rich. They have worked with both ‘homies’ (Goose, Soulwax) and Walloon friends (Party Harders), and play a wide range of genres from French flair (Cassius, Daft Punk) to heavy guitars (QOTSA, Tame Impala). The result: deafening electro-violence (‘Face Of The Planet’, ‘The Pope Of Dope’) with surprising samples and a hyperkinetic front man. They have run amok from Antwerp to Australia. “Our live reputation is our DNA, our unique numeric code.” On ‘Hologram’ (2014) the three beat bastards are headed in a new direction: less fiery punk, more subtlety. They do not stick to existing success formulas and they try out new things. Front man Jeroen De Pessemier lives in London and you can hear that. The result is accessible yet experimental. From Subs to Super Subs. Exciting!

The strypes
Cool suits. Young as in just out of the cradle. The average age of The Strypes is 17. And they have already been together for six years! The Irish lads’ taste in music is many times older than they are. Their first single was a cover of ‘You Can’t Judge A Book By Its Cover’, a 1962 number by ageing rocker Bo Diddley. Their first album ‘Snapshot’ (2013) includes traditional blues music from 1929. Their most recent influences are The Spencer Davis Group and The Yardbirds, dating back almost 50 years. In their cool suits The Strypes also have a 1960s look. A first single led to uproarious scenes. Anyone with any fame and influence wanted to take the young kids under their wing. Elton John is a big fan and his management company succeeded in securing the deal. Other big names who also wanted a piece of the action include: Jeff Beck, Dave Grohl, Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller. Long live youth.

Sam Smith
A well-known unknown. Sam Smith is quite a guy. Before his solo career got off to a start, he already had two big hits and two valuable awards. The British singer is the soulful voice of ‘Latch’ (2012), the first big hit for dance duo Disclosure, and of ‘La La La’ by Naughty Boy, one of last year's best selling British singles. Smith remained a well-known unknown until he won the Critics’ Choice award at the last Brit Awards. It is awarded by a team of experts to an artist who will debut the following year. Previous winners include Adele, Florence and the Machine and Ellie Goulding. The Critics’ Choice award is closely related to BBC Sound Of… People in the industry select the most promising artists. Smith is the tip for 2014. We look forward to his kickoff. ‘In The Lonely Hour’ will be launched just before summer.

The naked and famous
Catchy electropop from New Zealand. The Naked And Famous picked up almost all the prizes at the New Zealand Music Awards in 2011. Shortly afterwards they moved to the United States. Back home in New Zealand, people were both sad and pleased. The Kiwis had lost their best group since The Datsuns. On the other hand, the catchy electropop by the quintet from Auckland has a real chance of realising a global dream. Think MGMT, Passion Pit and The Temper Trap. The acclaim for their debut album 'Passive Me, Aggressive You' (2010) in their home country was echoed in the UK. British critics picked out The Naked And Famous along with James Blake, Anna Calvi and Jamie Woon as the most promising artists for 2011. The singles ‘Punching In A Dream' and ‘Youngblood’ immediately found a way onto the airwaves. The new album ‘In Rolling Waves’ (2013) sounds like the start of something much bigger.

Foster the people
Like a rocket. ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ (2011) by Foster The People is the prototype of a summer hit. Think of ‘Kids’ by MGMT and ‘Young Folks’ by one hit wonder Peter, Bjorn and John. Then think of a cross between the two and it shoots into the sky like a rocket. A simple free download on his own website led to a worldwide hit and a nomination for a Grammy Award. During the awards ceremony the group got to play with The Beach Boys. Their eponym Mark Foster can now die happy. After doing far too many adverts to keep the wolf from the door it has finally worked out for him, strangely enough with a song about a teenager who has gone off the rails. Foster turned it into cheerful indie pop. The next time he stopped to draw breath he had played 350 concerts and it was time to start on a second album. According to the group ‘Supermodel’ (2014) is inspired by David Bowie, The Clash and The Kinks. Sounds good already.

Eels
For all eternity. Eels is part of a small pack of artists for whom a trip through Belgium is always a moment of glory. The match has been won hands down. Other artists in the pack include the Editors, Elbow and Agnes Obel. Their last visit to Werchter was very special for Eels. “I feel like a Beatle,” said Mark Oliver Everett, the brain and driving force behind Eels. He was visibly touched upon receiving a roar of applause for ‘The Look You Give That Guy’. Belgians love Eels for many reasons. The fantastic way that he oscillates between underdog and genius, the subtle balance between humour and melancholy … But Everett's most important weapon is timelessness: every album has at least one song that remains printed in fans' memories. The new album, ‘The Cautionary Tales of Mark Oliver Everett’ (2014), promises the same. It is recommended for young and old.

Jack Johnson

Singer-songwriter on solar energy. Enter 'surf', 'guitar' and 'do-it-yourself' to Google and you get Jack Johnson. He starts by following in the professional footsteps of his father, Jeff, a surfing legend in Hawaii. A serious accident - 150 stitches and a few lost teeth - render a sporting career impossible. His guitar becomes his new surfboard. JP Plunier, who discovered Ben Harper, heard a demo and set Johnson on his way. With his fourth album 'Sleep Through The Static’ (2008), the singer-songwriter goes worldwide. The album is produced using solar energy and is released on his own, highly artist friendly Bushfire Records. That typifies Johnson completely. He uses the positive effects of his success to support the causes he believes in. The "surfing soft rock superstar” is currently touring the world with 'From Here To Now To You’ (2013), yet another treat of styles and moods.

Zaterdag

The Temperance movement
The emotion of the blues. A ‘temperance movement’ is a social movement that attempts to push back or prohibit the use of alcohol. The phenomenon has been around for a few centuries; it mostly occurs in the Anglo-Saxon world. “That will be our name,” the founders of the British blues rock band thought. They have enough humour, charisma and expertise too. Last year the British magazine Classic Rock proclaimed them the Best New Band. The eulogy read: ‘Marinated in the emotions of the blues, they are Britain’s next great rock band’. By rock they mean the steeds of the golden 1970s: The Band, The Faces, Free, The Stones and Led Zeppelin. The Temperance Movement continues a tradition of deafening guitar pleasure. Recommended for those who want to know what it is like to be blown away by music.

Kodaline
Best new Europeans. Steve Garrigan and Mark Pendergrast have been inseparable for three quarters of their lives. They collaborated artistically for the first time as boys in the school choir in Dublin. That fact that they were the only boys in the choir strengthened the bond even more. Ten years later they found another two spotty-faced kids who, like them, were mad about The Beatles, Radiohead and The Strokes. The four of them had a megahit in Ireland as 21 Demands. But they weren’t quite there yet. In 2011 they renamed themselves Kodaline. Half Mumford & Sons, half early Coldplay, with the sort of drive and pathos that goes with being Irish. “All I Want” became a huge radio hit in Belgium and The Netherlands and led to Pukkelpop and Lowlands. But the story goes on. In January of this year they won “best new European name” at the European Border Breaker Awards. After which they set about conquering Australia and the United States.

Haim
Real talent. The Haim sisters enjoyed a carefree childhood in Los Angeles. Alana, Danielle and Este grew up listening to the best albums of the 1970s. So there is some real substance behind their frequent comparison to Fleetwood Mac. But the girls cannot stress enough their strong influence by Destiny’s Child, Kendrick Lamar and TLC. Musically, Haim is somewhere in the middle of all that: folk rock with a hip hop / R&B edge. The three gained initial stage experience in the family band, Rockinhaim. Father Mordechai played the drums, mother Donna the guitar. After a period of study and artistic experimentation, the three daughters came together again as Haim. Shortly afterwards they found themselves touring with Mumford & Sons and Florence + the Machine, which brought them into the Champions’ League of music. Simple. That’s evidence of real talent.

Biffy Clyro
The Scottish equivalent of Foo Fighters. Last year, British magazine NME named Biffy Clyro as Best Live Band. This wasn’t the trio’s first ever accolade. They also have a BRIT Award and a truckload of awards from Kerrang! metal magazine. The band has sold more than 1 million albums in Great Britain and easily fills stadiums that seat 20,000 people. Five albums later and the power rock produced by the Scottish equivalent of Foo Fighters has finally crossed the Channel. “Opposites” (2013) was their passport to the rest of Europe. This was said of their performance at The Barn last year: “…a very tight set with a monumental sound…”, “…everything a festivalgoer could wish for…”, “… as contagious as a cold…” And what about that strange name? They have no explanation for it themselves.

Triggerfinger
Belgium's finest. Triggerfinger is a trio. But a trio with a drummer, two guitarists, two bass players, three session musicians, two producers, a drum teacher and two former roadies. Between them they have 75 years of service and certificates from the likes of Hooverphonic, Noordkaap, Sin Alley and The Wolf Banes. Trigger Finger is a phenomenon. Three unpretentious blokes who put everything they owned into their big dream. And that dream has come true. Their peppery roots rock develops its greatest brake horsepower on stage. There, the group is gradually becoming untouchable. It brought them onto the bill opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and on the same line-up poster as the Rolling Stones. An impression from their own country: "If we were Michelin, we would give them three stars." In Los Angeles the three stars have - finally - made the successor to “All This Dancin' Around” (2010). Party Time!

The Black keys
Vintage noise from two battering rams. According to the American magazine Rolling Stone, The Black Keys are a “supercharged stomp machine”. Singer / guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney have developed supersonic powers together. These powers brought them from obscure concerts in empty factory buildings in their hometown of Akron to the world’s biggest stages. It went even better when they upped the pace of their sewer blues by adding soul and grooves. The albums 'Brothers' (2010) and 'El Camino' (2011) blasted The Black Keys to out-and-out headliners. They do need two extras to make it sound as good as possible live, but it was an easy sacrifice. At the recent Grammy Awards, the duo took home Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song and Best Rock Album. That's the Lottery, the Keno and the Euro Millions.

Pearl Jam
These days the best marathon shows are given by U2, Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam. The UK’s Q magazine recently gave Eddie Vedder & Co. 5 stars for a concert in New York. Above all, the music magazine praised the almost homely welcome they gave the fans. Pearl Jam combine the energy of fledglings with the blessings of twenty-five years’ experience. They are superstars who play like it might be their last concert. Not one note too many, furious and compelling. Constant touring has perfected the band and given them a huge and fanatical following. More than 20 years after the magnificent ‘Ten’ (1991), Pearl Jam is still very ‘Alive’. In that time they have sold about 60 million albums. Did you know: ‘Lightning Bolt’ (2013), the tenth studio album, was their first number 1 in Belgium. Pearl Jam are planning just 11 shows in Europe next summer. They’ll play at only 2 festivals - Open’er in Poland and Rock Werchter.

Altrego
Beats and basses. His Facebook page says ‘Altrego is a London-based artist’. We know him as Jasper Erkens, the youngest performer ever at Rock Werchter. He set the Pyramid Marquee ablaze in 2009 when he was just 16 years old. Up until then, being young was the leitmotiv of the singer-songwriter from Diest. He wrote his first songs when he was 12. When he was 15 he shot up to #2 in Humo’s Rock Rally 2008. That provided enough financial resources to launch his first album largely on his own. ‘The Brighter Story’ (2009) was in the hit lists for 30 weeks and surprised with the singles ‘Crazy’ and ‘Waiting Like A Dog’. After that, everything changed. Erkens was admitted to the BRIT School in London in March 2010. That's where Adele, Kate Nash and Amy Winehouse were moulded. He became Altrego, a trio under his command that moves ‘on the crossroads between dance funk and the dirtiest sound of the 1980s’ (dixit Humo). Beats and basses are diluted with Erkens' natural talent for creating catchy pop songs.

21 pilots
Ready to soar. Their name is misleading; it comes from ‘All My Sons’, a play written by Arthur Miller. The play is about a man who unintentionally sent 21 pilots to their death during WWII; a serious moral dilemma that sharply contrasts the spirit of Twenty One Pilots. The line-up offers a hint. Josh Dunn is the drummer and Tyler Joseph sings and plays the piano, ukulele and synthesizer. That's the entire line-up, but they sound very complete. They are unparalleled on stage. They grab everyone's attention by dressing up and using all kinds of tricks. Their music is special: energetic pop that sprouts wings via Joseph's raps. Ben Folds meets Eminem meets The Venga Boys. Last year they were a hit at Lowlands (NL); according to the producer of their debut album ‘Vessels’ (2014) they are ready to soar. That man is Greg Wells and he played an important role in the careers of Adele and Mika.

Tune Yards
Wild ideas. In the past it was not obvious that Merrill Garbus would go into pop music. She used to put on a puppet show in an American theatre and later played ukulele with Sister Suvi, a group from Montréal. The ideal leg up to children's theatre but Merrill switched course. tUnE-yArDs - notice the spelling - leave many people dumbfounded. Garbus signed with 4AD, a high-quality record label that represents interesting names like Bon Iver, Efterklang and The National. Her debut ‘BiRd-BrAiNs’ (2009) was treated like a discovery. She makes a kind of lo-fi world music that relies on loops, African rhythms (she worked in Kenya for a while), wind instruments, the bass of permanent band member Nate Brenner and, you guessed it, a ukulele. It is playful music full of wild ideas that constantly inches towards pop music. Her new album ‘Nikki Nack’ is proof enough!

Melanie De Biasio
A clever switch. Nobody saw her coming. Melanie De Biasio came from an unexpected corner. She studied voice and flute, initially in her hometown of Charleroi and later in Brussels. Her first steps were 100 % jazz. Aside from a guest performance with Sophia at Pukkelpop 2007, she had no ties with pop or rock. Last year she made a clever switch with her second album ‘No Deal’. It appeared on the rock label Play It Again, Sam! (Balthazar, dEUS, Soulwax) and was linked to Beth Gibbons (Portishead), Talk Talk and Scott Walker. De Biasio makes music with a highly sentimental value that touches a large audience. ‘No Deal’ became the album of the month in the French music magazine Les Inrocks and it was applauded by the entire Belgian rock press. Last year she sold-out the AB and combined Jazz Middelheim with a few rock tinted festivals. We anticipate big things from her.

SBTRKT
The masked man. SBTRKT (pronounced subtract) is the stage name of Aaron Jerome. The British producer/remixer tries to maintain anonymity, that's why he hides his face behind tribal masks on stage and on album covers. SBTRKT brought dubstep and post-dubstep to the hit parade, together with James Blake and Magnetic Man. The next stop is the hereafter. The refined beats and bleeps on his debut album ‘SBTRKT’ (2011) are of very high quality and suitable for every moment of the day. Guest roles - Jessie Ware and Yukimi Nagano (Little Dragon) - are well-chosen and frequent collaborator Sampha continues to perform with him on stage. People call SBTRKT ‘a new Timbaland’. In other words, someone who can sum up everything musical that is happening around them in powerful pop music
Trentemoller
A dance specialist with a rock heart. Anders Trentemøller is a celebrated Danish electronics specialist and computer whiz who is also very devoted to indie rock. His all-time favourite group is The Smiths and his favourite albums include work by Joy Division, Mazzy Star and The Velvet Underground. That love is expressed very emphatically in his work. Half of the songs on his latest album ‘Lost’ (2013) have a traditional song structure. As guest voices he booked alternative rock artists like Kazu Makino (Blonde Redhead), Low and Jonathan Pierce (The Drums). Once again, it is an interesting twist from a man who is determined never to repeat himself. The most famous musical Dane - together with Agnes Obel and Volbeat - will play with a real band that includes the crème de la crème of the Danish rock scene.

Moderat
An electronic super group. Berlin forever! Moderat is a contraction of the names of two electronic heavyweights from the German capital. Modeselektor has been the daily life of Gernot Bronsert and Sebasitian Szary for almost 20 years. The duo loves booming and lashing out. They are brilliant, according to Thom Yorke of Radiohead. Apparat is the pseudonym of Sascha Ring, who evolved from pumping beats to soft sound carpets. Modeselektor + Apparat = Moderat. It is a collaboration that goes back more than 10 years but only came into full bloom in 2009. The collision between hard and soft ensures sparks and is touching. The phrasing follows German rules of thoroughness.
And if this isn't enough: for their live show the three masterminds joined forces with high acclaimed artist collective Pfadfinderei.

Johnny ang
A jack-of-all-trades. Real talent always appears at a young age. The exceptional gifts of American guitar god Jonny Lang were already recorded before he had a driving licence. ‘Smokin’’ (1995) by Kid Jonny Lang & The Big Bang came out when he was just 14. His second album, ‘Lie To Me’, brought him to Belgium for the first time. He was only 16 when he set fire to the AB Club in Brussels. Lang returned to Belgium last year. In the meantime he became a legend in his own country. The man is a jack-of-all-trades: he is a fabulous (blues) guitarist with a voice that suits blues and gospel songs perfectly. In the beginning he gained a lot of attention because he played barefoot. After a few too many electric shocks, he stopped doing that. Now in his thirties, he has toured with Jeff Beck, Sting and The Rolling Stones. He received his first Grammy Award in 2006 for the album ‘Turn Around’. He is a young veteran.

Midlake
The new line. Midlake moves in mysterious ways. The band is forever shifting shape and colour. They started as a group of Texas jazz students who were mad about Grandaddy and Radiohead. Things started getting serious after ‘The Trials Of Van Occupanther” (2006). On that album the band painted a 19th century, imaginary world of hunters, shepherds and troubadours. Very British, very romantic and very strange for five Texans. On “The Courage Of Others” (2010) the tempo slowed and the acoustic guitars took over. Midlake now sounds like the British folk rock of the late 60s. Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, even Jethro Tull at times. But the latest change of tack was entirely unexpected. Singer Tim Smith left the band while making “Antiphon” (2013). The remaining band members started from scratch and guitarist Eric Pulido took over the vocals. The new line is progressive rock à la Pink Floyd.

Ozark Henry
Many fruitful years. Piet Goddaer had too many ideas a long time ago and that was a problem. His first steps as Ozark Henry were greeted with cheers by the press but turned out to be too difficult for a wide audience. Just when he considered giving up, the tide turned. On ‘Birthmarks’ (2001) Goddaer adjusted his many influences into layered music with a huge emotional impact. It was the beginning of many fruitful years. The man developed into one of the most popular Belgian artists of his generation. Every album went platinum and spent at least six months in the hit parade. Goddaer stopped working in 2007. He was exhausted. A voyage around the world resulted in new insights. The previously strict director loosened his grip and attempted some collaborations. For his latest album ‘Stay Gold’ (2013) Piet recruited vocalist Amaryllis Uitterlinden. Ozark Henry now has two voices and sounds revived. The line of successes continues.

Imagine Dragons
THE new American band of 2013. According to music magazine Billboard and music video channel MTV, Imagine Dragons is the breakthrough American band of 2013. The group is from Las Vegas and they were cast in the same mould as Editors, The Killers and Snow Patrol. Robust songs, great emotions, a rough edge. Outlandish stories about the indie rockers are doing the rounds. Such as that they learned their trade by playing in Vegas for uninterested gamblers. And that Imagine Dragons is an anagram of their real, secret name. If that's marketing, then it worked pretty well. The singles 'It's Time' and 'Radioactive' are worldwide sing-alongs and their debut ‘Night Visions’ was the fourth-best selling album of 2013 in America. They worked on it with Alex da Kid. An odd choice, because the British producer/songwriter is from the opposite end of the spectrum, working with Eminem, Dr. Dre and Rihanna. But it appears to have been a wise decision. Da Kid complements the indie rock with influences from dubstep, folk and hip-hop.

Agnes Obel
Pure art. Danish artist Agnes Obel was discovered in Germany by the boss of a Belgian record label that has made her a major new European name. Almost 500,000 copies of her debut album 'Philharmonics' (2010) were sold. The follow-up 'Aventine' (2013) was a chart success in a dozen countries. Her greatest success has been in her native land Denmark, France and Belgium. The love affair with the Belgians is very intense indeed. It is a remarkable success story. Obel is on the alternate side of the musical spectrum. Her most famous song 'Riverside' is a kind of Lykke Li-meets-Cat Power. She is also a trained pianist who adores classics such as Claude Debussy and Eric Satie and who feels silence is just as important as sound. Last year, she held The Barn spellbound with nothing more than a piano and a cello. It is art so pure that it is irresistible.

Pixies

A wave of pleasant frenzy. "I tried to imitate the Pixies," said the late Kurt Cobain of "Smells Like Teen Spirit“. And "Paranoid Android" by Radiohead was an attempt to cross Queen’s "Bohemian Rhapsody" with the Pixies. The foursome from Boston was undoubtedly the most exciting rock phenomenon of the 80s. Though the audience remained unconvinced in the American homeland. And then just when it started to happen for them, Black Francis (later Frank Black) blew the group up. He did it live on BBC Radio 5, without telling the rest beforehand. So at that time relations became heavily soured between Black and bassist Kim Deal, the group’s other genius. In 2004 everything was hunky dory again and a wave of pleasant frenzy swept over Werchter. Encore! Only this time Deal won’t be there. She left last year for a reunion of The Breeders, her other group and was replaced with Paz Lenchantin, who previously played Werchter with A Perfect Circle.
Zondag

Reignwolf
Man with a wolfish appetite. According to Rolling Stone magazine he is one of the ‘10 New Artists You Need To Know’. The rumours that precede Jason ‘Reignwolf’ Cook are extremely promising. The Canadian's stage performances are said to be "amazing". He runs across the stage like a maniac, makes daring leaps and regularly dives into the audience. Cook becomes one with his guitar and with the bass drum that he plays with his feet. He howls into the microphone, plays endless solos and easily makes as much noise as an entire group. According to North American trade journals, he outclasses Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and The White Stripes. Cook recently expanded his one-man show with a bassist and a drummer. That doesn't mean he will calm down. After all, this man has a wolfish appetite.

Babyshambles
Enfant terrible becomes chastened hero. For years the name Peter Doherty was synonymous with “trouble”. Drugs, possession of an illegal weapon, a famous girlfriend… He loved all the forbidden fruits. Illustrative of how things were: Doherty didn’t turn up at Rock Werchter in 2008 because his cat was about to have kittens. Amid all those tales of the sex and drugs we almost forgot how good a rock ’n’ roller Doherty actually is. With The Libertines he got the British dreaming of a new Clash or The Smiths at the start of the century. But it never happened, for the reasons above. At first Babyshambles seemed to be an extension of the malaise. That was until producer Stephen Street (Blur, The Smiths) got involved. The course he set out for Doherty has become clearer and clearer. “Sequel to the Prequel” (2013), the third Babyshambles album, is a disarming portrait of a chastened hero. Peter Doherty is 35 and seems to have it together at last.

Rudimental
New electronic music. Rudimental is an unstoppable dance machine from Hackney, a lively district in East London. Kesi Dryden, Piers Agget, DJ Locksmith and Amir Amor were musical sponges in their youth who absorbed everything that passed by. They hung around at illegal raves, listened to pirate radio stations and memorised the cassettes of their older brothers and sisters. Their own music must ‘make people dance and feel something’. There is always soul and bass in their music; it can be both experimental and radio-friendly. Rudimental had an international breakthrough in 2012 with ‘Feel The Love’, a summery drum ’n’ bass song with an organ, trumpets and the warm voice of homie John Newman. Belgians love their new electronic music. Last summer they performed at Rock Werchter and Pukkelpop. 2014 got off to an excellent start with a concert in the Lotto Arena (Antwerp).

Bastille
The revolution goes on. The French national holiday is known as Bastille Day in Great Britain. Londoner Dan Smith was born on 14 July. Hence his fascination for the notorious Parisian stronghold. Last year his band Bastille was among the revelations at Eurosonic in Groningen (NLD). The programme brochure for this annual talent festival praised the band’s nerve. Bastille was happy to give anything a try. Like: gratuitously taking fragments of a 90s hit and putting their own spin on it. The mix of beats, indie, pop and R&B went global immediately. The singles “Pompeii” and “Laura Palmer” and the album “Bad Blood” were warmly welcomed in Australia, Europe and the United States. Bastille was nominated in the main categories of the BRIT Awards (Album, Breakthrough, Single, Group). The revolution simply continues this year. In March they play a sell-out Lotto Arena and in July they visit Rock Werchter for the second time.

Franz Ferdinand
Sexy and swinging. Franz Ferdinand’s first performance at Rock Werchter in 2004 is still something of a historical moment. During the sing-along songs 'Take Me Out' and 'The Dark Of The Matinee' the audience set new records for enthusiasm. "Unbelievable. The people entertained us as much as we did them" wrote front man Alex Kapranos in the tour log. The Scots succeeded in their mission: they made guitar rock sexy and swinging again. And it is starting to swing even more. The angularity of the early days has almost gone, replaced by driving beats. This they wrote in their journal about their latest, 'Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action' (2013): "The first two albums were like a teenager having sex. This one's a bit more assured and a bit friendlier for the dance floor. " Fun, fun, fun!

Kings of Leon
The Kings of Werchter. “There is no festival we’ve played more,” said singer Caleb Followill to the Werchter crowd last year. The pleasure is ours, Caleb. No name has graced the bill as often in such a short space of time: in 2014 it will be the sixth time in eight years. This mutual respect tells a Werchter fairytale: young band makes headliner status through repeat visits. The first time around, in 2007, Kings of Leon were honoured by a visit from Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam). Two years later they topped the bill. By then “Sex On Fire” and “Use Somebody” had brought them world fame and they were heaping up the gold records. The album “Come Around Sundown” (2010) was overshadowed by internal stresses, but that was only a glitch. “Mechanical Bull” (2013) sees them back in good form. More roots than arena rock. Good stuff.

Stromae
Stromae = Maestro. At present Paul Van Haver is Belgium’s coolest musical ambassador. And that status was earned purely on the basis of “Formidable”. The instant evergreen was a great relief for Stromae (an inversion of maestro). In 2009 he had scored a monster hit with “Alors On Danse”. The song went to #1 in Belgium’s neighbouring countries, in countries near the Alps and half of the Eastern Bloc. A great achievement, but it set the bar pretty high. And “Alors On Danse” was only Stromae’s second single. From there he grew even more in status. At home he released two singles at once in 2013: “Papaoutai” and “Formidable”. Pure genius according to marketers, pure coincidence according to insiders. The video for “Formidable” (60 million views on YouTube) was so good that the song just had to go round the world. Stromae became a phenomenon. The Anglo-Saxon press has pegged him as the poster boy for a lost European generation, the “Morrissey of the euro zone”. A man for the future. And yet the present is already so formi…

Kuroma
On one's own two feet. Quiz question: what kind of music does the group make who describes themselves on Facebook as ‘Waterfall of fun, incredible fun, sunlit fun, that candy fun, it's really got a hold over me, and that is justified’? Psychedelic rock is correct! Kuroma, an American group, was founded in 2006 by Hank Sullivant. He had just made ‘Give ‘Em All A Big Fat Lip’ with The Whigs. According to Rolling Stone magazine, that group was one of the ‘10 bands to watch in 2006’ but Sullivant preferred to stand on his own two feet. His opening move ‘Paris’ (2007) was based on ‘Love, Peace & Poetry’, a compilation with obscure psychedelic music from all over the world. Kuroma tours with kindred spirits like Primal Scream and Tame Impala and it built up an intense relationship with MGMT. Sullivant joins in as a guitarist a few times and Ben Goldwasser of MGMT is the producer of ‘Kuromaroma’ (2013).

Parquet courts
Teenage kicks. There is something familiar about Parquet Courts's punk rock sound, especially for those who have experienced the past from up close. But the four New Yorkers, who are originally from Texas, are definitely a match for their musical heroes. Those heroes include Pavement, The Ramones, Jonathan Richman, Television and the Velvet Underground. ‘Light Up Gold’ (2013) is a huge, exuberant celebration of life. To express it in famous song titles: ‘My Generation’, ‘Teenage Kicks’ or ‘Sheena Is A Punk Rocker’. The gem is a bit more than 30 minutes long, but gives a month's worth of adrenaline. All the praise was justified. The most beautiful description was in Rolling Stone magazine: ‘They do 90 percent of what I expect a guitar group to do and they make it seem easy too.’ Warning: Parquet Courts makes fans for life. The new 'Sunbathing Animal' is the next perfect half an hour.

Angus and Julia Stone
2 for the price of 1. Brother Angus and sister Julia grew up in a coastal town near Sydney. Folk is at the heart of their music. Depending on who is singing, they sound smoky and haunting (him) or broken and vulnerable (her). It’s obvious where the pair’s talent came from. Their parents were a folk duo as well. Their collaboration came about in stops and starts. Julia started out as a backing singer for Angus. Then they went their separate ways but did each other’s backing vocals. Before joining forces to play together again but writing separately. A complex yet winning combination: two great talents for the price of one. They immediately attracted a large audience in Australia. In Belgium, the second album ‘Down The Way’ (2010) was tipped by the experts and the single ‘Big Jet Plane’ was a big hit too, even more so in the remix by Australian duo Hook N Sling and Goodwill. Previously they have each worked on separate projects, but at the end of last year they once again joined forces. They like to keep us on our toes.

Passenger
Bearded poet with warm songs. Passenger was founded in 2003 in the popular British seaside town of Brighton and Hove. The founders were Mike Rosenberg and Andrew Phillips. Phillips bid farewell to the band six years later. Rosenberg continued under the same name. He went on the road and tried his luck in Australia. Life was no bed of roses. Until 2012, when he went on tour with childhood friend Ed Sheeran. His reputation had been growing, and that rubbed off on Rosenberg. The fragile 'Let Her Go' turned the tide. It topped the charts in 16 countries, including Belgium. ‘Let Her Go' went platinum in Belgium, selling over 30,000 copies. Mike Rosenberg found time during the constant travelling to make 'Whispers', his fifth studio album. We should be hearing it soon ... One of his best memories of 2013: ‘singing Bruce Springsteen songs while standing on a table in a beer tent in Belgium’. That's one of ours!
 

Foals
Applause all round. Their song, “My Number”, the second single from their third album “Holy Fire” (2012) was what made life easier for Foals. The catchy tune wasn’t a big seller immediately. But it did attract a bunch of curious people to the place where this British band is at its best and can captivate a crowd - the concert hall. Foals attract praise and applause all round for their brilliant live act. And it has to be said that the band keep enriching and refining their sound. Foals is an amalgam of several bands from the clever student town of Oxford. The basic elements were minimal techno, krautrock and Talking Heads. Today the band navigates creations of their own, such as afropunk, hypnorock and guitar dance. It’s a nicely reduced sauce, served at the right temperature. Top chefs.

MGMT
A magical world. New Yorkers Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden met at university. They formed The Management (later MGMT) in their first year, but waited till they graduated before really going for it. Their second album “Oracular Spectacular” (2008) is their real work. “Kids”, “Weekend Wars” and “Time To Pretend” became hits, Paul McCartney said he was a big fan and the album kept selling for two years. In Belgium it struck gold, in the US the magazine Rolling Stone ranked it among the best 500 albums of all time. The new status affects the duo badly to start with - too much, too soon. But, since then, their magical world has been twinkling like a Christmas tree. The music is psychedelic, the atmosphere is neo-hippy and there’s plenty to dance about. Imagine the youth section of The Flaming Lips. Or a strange race that has come to earth to party.

Interpol
A major comeback. New York indie rockers with a passion for the England of the 1980s. See Echo & The Bunnymen, Joy Division and The Smiths. The deep baritone of frontman Paul Banks goes perfectly with this gloomy atmosphere. It is no coincidence that Interpol started out in Europe. A tour with The Cure established their reputation in the United States as well. Firstly ‘Turn On The Bright Lights’ (2002) slowly but surely found a way to a wider audience. ‘Antics’ (2004) and ‘Our Love To Admire’ (2007) resulted in the hits (‘Slow Hands’, ‘Evil’, ‘The Heinrich Maneuver’) and gave them access to even bigger audiences. The group took a break. Which ended up being so long that their return felt more like a comeback. A great anecdote from home: after a concert in Brussels frontman Paul Banks was accosted by an employee of the other Interpol who had come to take a look out of sheer curiosity.

Oscar and the wolf
Modern soul. Max Colombie is young and eager to learn. The account of his musical quests is called Oscar & The Wolf; the group is built around his talent. He started his musical quest when he was 18. It has been a remarkable journey from free-floating folk and dreamy pop to contemporary soul. Those are rather large leaps, but Colombie makes them look effortless. His instantly recognisable voice is like a chameleon that adapts to any situation. ‘Princes’ is the loveliest situation so far. That song took Oscar & The Wolf to a higher level. ‘Seductive like Sade, surprising like David Lynch and enchanting like Erik Satie.’ Modern R&B that has things in common with James Blake, Rhye and How To Dress Well. The debut album ‘Entity’ is beauty and melancholy from the present. ‘One long serenade in which I try to express my desires and my view of things to a loved-one,’ says Colombie.
Royal blood
Delectable noise. Royal Blood is a shamelessly loud duo from Brighton. The twosome created the group when Mike Kerr (vocals, bass) returned from a trip to Australia at the beginning of 2013. Drummer Ben Thatcher picked him up from the airport. On the way home they decided to start a band. They gave their first concert the next day. Royal Blood specialises in delectable noise that is often compared to Queens Of The Stone Age and The White Stripes. Their fame was given a boost when Matt Helders, drummer for the Arctic Monkeys, wore a Royal Blood T-shirt at Glastonbury in 2013. Thousands of British music fans discovered - the name - Royal Blood on the telly. The next stroke of luck was being selected for BBC Sound Of 2014, an annual poll of British music critics to find the most promising new music talent (see also George Ezra and Sam Smith). Give this duo a royal welcome.

Metronomy
Pop music and romance. Joseph Mount is a stereotypical British eccentric: stylish, exotic and visionary. As Metronomy, he has been responsible for tight remixes for Franz Ferdinand, Lady Gaga, Gorillaz and Justice. Under the same name, he and a few mates have already been making light-hearted electro with the romantic beauty of the best pop music for the last 15 years. It took a long time for them to get going. Only after the third album 'The English Riviera' (2011) did they really build up a head of steam. High ratings in the year-end lists, a nomination for the Mercury Music Prize (a prize for the best British album of the year) and, hardly a trivial matter, good sales. There were great expectations for ‘Love Letters’ (2014). The album was influenced by Sly Stone, The Zombies and the birth of Mount's first child. It was deliberately recorded at the primitive Toe Rag Studios, known for ‘Elephant’ by The White Stripes. ‘When you have only eight recording tracks, you cannot lose yourself in the details.’

Birdy
18 and already firmly established. Birdy is exceptional. By the time she was half way through secondary school she had already sold 1.5 million records. When she was old enough to apply for her driving licence, the world was already singing along to three of her songs: “Skinny Love”, “People Help The People” and “Wings”. Birdy is the stage name of the young Brit, Jasmine Van den Bogaerde. It is the pet name her mother gave her when she was very young - because she had such a small appetite. Her mum is a professional concert pianist, and actor Dirk Bogarde (“Death In Venice”) was her great-uncle. Some of her talent must have filtered down then. But the main thing is that she did it all herself. Birdy made her name with brilliant covers of Bon Iver (“Skinny Love”), Fleet Foxes, The xx and Ed Sheeran. On her second album “Fire Within” (2013) she reveals herself convincingly as a musician and songwriter. She has lost nothing of her enchanting voice and mystical aura. 18 and already firmly established. Sound.

Lykke Li
Hot. Her full name is Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson. She is from Sweden but her history lies elsewhere. She moved to Portugal when she was six and she took her first musical steps in New York. Lykke Li wanted to become a hip-hop artist but she became so much more. She first gained our attention as guest vocalist of the Norwegian group Röyksopp. This was followed by a bomb: ‘I Follow Rivers’ (2012) was a megahit with a Belgian edge. The Magician made a successful remix of the song and Triggerfinger altered it slightly. Their ‘stripped down’ version was a huge hit in Germany and #1 in Belgium, the Netherlands and Austria. Lykke Li was instantly hot. She signed a contract with a modelling agency and will debut this spring in the Swedish film ‘Tommy’. Her return to music is a personal album about the end of a relationship. ‘It feels like I finally found my voice,’ she says about 'I Never Learn' (2014). ‘I am much more of a singer-songwriter than a pop artist.’

Chase and status
An exciting whirlwind. Pharell Williams says: “Saul Milton (Chase) and Will Kennard (Status) are today's most exciting British producers”. Their trademark: a whirlwind of dubstep, hip hop, funk and garage. The duo met in the mid-1990s at Manchester University. Drum 'n' bass brought them together. They filled lots of dance floors as DJs, but only started making music in 2004. A remix of ‘Who Dem’ (as ‘Duppy Man’) by Capleton was an important step. Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg said they were fans. The single ‘End Credits’ (2009) was the highway to mainstream listeners and large-scale work. The guest list on their albums is impressive: Major Lazer, Nile Rodgers, Skrillex, White Lies… Together with MC Rage and drummer Andy Gangadeen, Chase & Status have become a powerful live machine that ploughs through all the major European festivals. What's more, they really like coming to Belgium.

Spullen gepakt, bier staat koud. Zin in

Wij zijn er ook vandoor, dikke doei!

Onderweg!

Is er weer een stream dit jaar?

nevermind

Veel plezier! Eens kijken of er weer wat wordt uitgezonden

quote:

Op donderdag 3 juli 2014 13:48 schreef theodoor9 het volgende:
Is er weer een stream dit jaar?

http://www.skynet.be/nl/festivals/rock-werchter-2014/live-stream

Placebo

Veel plezier voor de mensen die op het terrein aanwezig zijn!

Nu Damon Albarn ( ) op stream 2.

quote:

Op donderdag 3 juli 2014 20:19 schreef Tourniquet het volgende:
Nu Damon Albarn ( ) op stream 2.

Tijd om te switchen dus!

Bedankt voor de mededeling! Hij's goed bij stem, band klinkt strak, publiek vindt het tof, prima dus!

Wat een held is Damon!

En al 2 3 Gorillaz nummers.

Zag 'm vrijdag op DTRH. Erg goed!

Mooie flashback naar het Gorillaz concert in de HmH

Die TGTBATQ nummers doet hij ook vet live, zeg!

Nu Three Changes van The Good, The Bad & The Queen

Tijd dat aangekondigd wordt dat ie in het najaar in Paradiso speelt!

quote:

Op donderdag 3 juli 2014 20:41 schreef theodoor9 het volgende:
Tijd dat aangekondigd wordt dat ie in het najaar in Paradiso speelt!

Ik gooi geld naar m'n scherm maar er gebeurt niks

Kingdom of Doom

quote:

Op donderdag 3 juli 2014 20:55 schreef Tourniquet het volgende:
Kingdom of Doom

Zo, dat was genieten ja!

Poison

Hollow Ponds

El Manana

Out of Time

[ Bericht 29% gewijzigd door Herpderphawk op 03-07-2014 21:12:11 ]

Noooooooooooo

Lijers! Waar is Damon

Dus niet de hele set

Rot op met je interview met The Wombats, laat Damon zien!

Goedmakertje:

Hebben ze gewoon SBTRKT gecanceld voor het voetbal, wat een armoe.

Keek net even op de livestream, maar het is nog best druk bij Triggerfinger zo te zien.

twitter:

frontstage twitterde op zaterdag 05-07-2014 om 18:28:06 On a retrouvé le supporter argentin #rw14 http://t.co/YdM4vf7utq reageer retweet

Die durft.

Wat is het stil hier!
Wat vonden jullie van RW14?

quote:

Op maandag 7 juli 2014 12:01 schreef xuryah het volgende:
Wat is het stil hier!
Wat vonden jullie van RW14?

Weer een leuk feestje met een paar heel vervelende overlappende acts. Beste act vond ik Robert plant.

Net weer thuis.

Als Pearl Jam-fan ben ik wellicht wat bevoordeeld, maar wat mij betreft toch dé act van dit jaar. Wat dat betreft hoop ik dat Alex Turner goed opgelet heeft, want qua charisma kan hij nog heel veel leren van Eddie Vedder. Wat overigens niet wil zeggen dat AM tegen viel, integendeel zelfs.

Verder blijf ik me verbazen over de prijzen van consumpties. Nu weet ik wel dat het op festivals 'altijd wat duurder' is, maar ik vind het wel heel onbeschoft om voor 1 broodje hamburger met een stukje tomaat en wat sla er op 10 euro te vragen.

Overigens wel een raar gezicht om een zo goed als gehele oranje weide te zien aan het einde van Biffy Clyro (belgen waren massaal naar de grote schermen gegaan om België - Argentinië te kijken).