Lunchtime in Brussels Park.
Benches packed, visitors stretched out on the grass, the scent of veggie boudin and Greek pita in the air. Boterhammen In Het Park is in full swing, and the opening days set the pace: De Toegift swept the park under bright skies, Madou (with Vera Coomans) won over old and new fans, Simon keeps blossoming into a Dutch-language crooner, and Emma Bale moved the crowd in English, Dutch and French in true Brussels fashion. “Free Dutch-language concerts every noon, right in the centre. A simple formula that still works,”. The beauty is the blend: Brussels locals on lunch break alongside tourists, students and die-hard fans.
By night, Feeërieën pushed the envelope: from the wondrous folk chemistry of merope (with Magic Malik) to a meditative-yet-danceable hybrid set by M I M I in the open air. And then that very tangible border-blurring sound from ØXN and De Mannen Broeders – sacred and raw at once, in the park’s cathedral of trees.
Today at the Boterhammen we saw two breakthrough voices: LUNA showed why the momentum is firmly hers, MAKSIM delivered the dreamy pop his many fans flocked to hear. As we write, Celenges (all-Brussels, all-multidisciplinary) and Tanaflow (Kultura, BRUZZ ICE selection) are colouring Bar Chaud with beats from around the world and fresh edits. Tonight, we’re looking forward to a Berlin-flavoured double bill at Feeërieën: Sorvina and Moses Yoofee Trio – hip-hop poetry and explosive, experimental jazz.
Meanwhile, care and comfort run through the site. Bolt partially powers the festival with solar energy, and their booth is buzzing: festivalgoers are upcycling their tees with one of three designs by Axelle Rose Zwartjes. The sunscreen dispenser has been a hit in the sunshine, and free water flows at the fountains.
Still to come
Boterhammen In Het Park (12:00–14:00)
- Thu 28/08 - Prins S. en De Geit & Sophie Straat
- Fri 29/08 - Guido Belcanto & Kaat Van Stralen
Feeërieën (from 19:00)
- Thu 28/08 - Nusantara Beat & Fulu Miziki
- Fri 29/08 - Accidental Meetings takeover with James Massiah & Lord Tusk, Elijah Minnelli (live) & i-sha x ojoo
Bar Chaud (14:00–16:30 • Fri until 18:00)
Free daily activities around the kiosk: thanks to BX’elles and Timiss, come for skate, dance and play. On Friday, Frontal and Rapsalon scout the next Dutch-language hip-hop voice: the winner opens Rapsalon at AB.
