Horst Arts & Music is celebrating its tenth anniversary this autumn and has announced a new temporary club – in the shape of a human tornado – at its festival grounds in Vilvoorde.
The Horst Arts & Music Club will open its doors on the weekend of 27 and 28 October for 20 club nights which will run until mid-March. The programme features national and international musical talent, artistic performances and a few surprises, organisers said.
To mark the occasion, Horst Arts & Music asked scenographers Jozef Wouters (Decoratelier) and Carolin Gieszner (touche-touche) to create a specific design for a temporary artistic nightclub.
The result is a large spiral structure which, when filled, should give the impression of a human tornado.
"The link with the different elements of the tornado is sought in different parts of the club. Once caught in the wind of the tornado, you will also be able to experience fire and water," the organisers said.
Bodies in Alliance by Marinella Senatore during the 2021 festival edition. Credit: The Brussels Times / Ugo Realfonzo
A celebration of music, art and architecture, Horst has, over the space of ten years, grown into one of the country's leading electronic music festivals. It is held every year at Asiat Park, an abandoned military base which is being slowly reclaimed by nature and lies under the shadow of two cooling towers.
"It's hard to pinpoint a single highlight over the last few years," said Mattias Staelens, the festival's general manager. "Since moving to Vilvoorde, we've tried to work in a more sustainable way. Not only in the choice of materials or approach but also in the use of information technology."
Horst Arts & Music has stood for the innovative and creative approach it puts into its festival: every year, new venues, new stages and new pavilions are created by artists who enhance the immersive experience of each stage.
State of Play by Stand Van Zaken (2023), Illias Teirlinck. Credit: Horst Arts & Music
Aside from the annual immersive festival, Horst organises a free exhibition on the site, with its most recent edition seeing 7,500 visitors over three months. There is also a work platform workshop for young people to learn from inspiring professionals for four weeks.
The first Horst Arts & Music Festival was held at Horst Castle in Holsbeek. Back then, the mission was to fundamentally question the organisation of a festival: what are the essential components for creating societal added value at a festival?
Newcastle by Assemble Studio (2017). Credit: Jeroen Verrecht / Horst Arts & Music
To answer these questions, the festival set up research groups with visual artists, architects, designers, musicians, DJs, creative entrepreneurs and young people – the driving forces and partners of Horst's success.
The new club will open on Friday 27 October, with Gabrielle Kwarteng, ISAbella and Sixsixsixties on the lineup, while on Saturday 28 October, GiGi FM, Islas, and Marco Shuttle will perform.
November will see the likes of Anna Wall, Move D, Clara!, Evan Baggs, Le Motel and many more.
For the full lineup and tickets, consult the Horst Club website.
