Close to 60,000 people flocked to the site of Les Ardentes festival in Rocourt, Liège, on Thursday, according to festival spokesman and programmer Jean-Yves Reumont.
The 16th edition of the urban music festival kicked off at 12.30 p.m, for the second time at the new site on rue de l’Arbre Courte-Joie in Rocourt, on the outskirts of Liège.
“It’s always very exciting, especially this year with a big turnout,” Reumont said late Thursday afternoon. “It’s always a big liner that we launch. It’s launched, the festival-goers are here and the first concerts have started and there’s already a very hot atmosphere.”
For this new edition, the organisers have prepared a lineup with some well-known artists. “That’s what we’ve been doing for a number of years, and this move to Rocourt means we can attract even more headliners,” Reumont explained.
The lineup includes Kendrick Lamar on Thursday night, Travis Scott on Friday, J. Balvin and Playboi Carti on Saturday, and DJ Snake and Booba on Sunday. “It’s the best of international urban music with all the French artists in this style,” the programmer commented.
The festival campsite has been increased by around 10,000 places. “Last year was a test year,” said Reumont. “This year we’ve improved everything that could be improved.
"The big thing we focused on was the campsite. We’ve expanded it with twice as many campers this year, over 25,000. We’ve improved it with better sanitary facilities, more toilets, and entertainment too.”
The festival is already a success, he feels, “because there’s a unique line-up in Belgium, but also in Europe, a generational audience that has really identified with the festival.”
“There’s a real community around this festival and young people who come from all over Europe to enjoy this music and party for four days,” he added.
Free shuttle buses will run directly from the SNCB stations in Ans and Liège-Saint-Lambert to the festival site every day from the time the campsite opens until it closes, transport operator TEC said in a press release on Thursday.
Organisers are expecting even more people over the next three days. “This Thursday is the “smallest” day and we’re at almost 60,000 festival-goers, which is already more than last year’s biggest day,” Reumont noted. “We’ll be up to 65,000 on Friday, and maybe Saturday too, as we’re getting close to selling out, and we’re already sold out on Sunday."
The event comes to a close on Sunday night with a performance by DJ Snake .
