Brussels has a thriving arts and culture scene, and its extensive offering of live music and venues is one of the capital's biggest assets.
Whether you are new in town and are looking for the most popular venues to see well-known artists, or even a long-term resident in search of new territory to discover alternative bands, our list has something for everyone.
Bigger names
Ancienne Belgique
Located in the city centre of Brussels, Ancienne Belgique is widely considered to be one of the most iconic venues in the capital's contemporary music scene.
Its agenda features bigger names as well as up-and-coming stars, and Brussels' very own stars, performing in the more intimate AB Club or the Salon.
Ancienne Belgique interior, with the stage in the background. Credit: Belga
The venue organises festivals such as BRDCST in April and its free Feeërieën event in August, and also brings together the local community with thought-provoking talks and debates.
Find the upcoming events at this venue here.
Forest National
This multi-purpose arena to the south of the city can hold an audience of up to 8,000. It hosts established artists but also spectacles such as musicals, ballets and even ice-skating shows such as Disney on Ice.
Forest National concert hall is located outside the city centre. Credit: Belga / Christophe Ketels
While Forest National is not the most intimate or majestic venue, it is often the place where bigger artists that go way back, such as NE-YO and MIKA, and newer artists including the 1975 and The Blaze.
Find the upcoming events at this venue here.
Cirque Royal
Aside from the wide range of live music and other events offered at Cirque Royal, the Indian-inspired hall is worth a visit for its unique design and ceiling structure, which adds to the enchanting atmosphere during live performances.
Cirque Royal in Brussels. Credit: Belga / Noe Zimmer
In its heyday, it was the only permanent circus in Brussels and brought audiences numerous equestrian and circus shows, but its programme has since been expanded to include niche artists, often with a sound that matches the venue's grandeur.
Find the upcoming events at this venue here.
ING Arena
With a capacity of 15,000 people, the ING Arena – formerly known as Palais 12 – is one of Belgium's biggest venues (trumped only by Sportpaleis in Antwerp and the Trixxo Arena in Hasselt). It is located on the Heysel Plateau in Laeken, near the Atomium.
Credit: Belga / Maarten Weynants
The ING Arena is the place to be for artists who usually fill up stadiums and arenas during their tours.
Find the upcoming events at this venue here.
Alternative programming
La Madeleine
The second part of the list shifts the focus to smaller, more intimate and unique venues, and here, La Madeleine, just a stone's throw from Central Station, cannot be missed out. Its ashlar façade – the only surviving element of the large covered market that used to stand here – makes it stand out from other venues.
La Madeleine concert hall, in Brussels' city centre. Credit: Belga / Noe Zimmer
The renovated Salle de la Madeleine re-opened its doors as a concert venue in 2016, offering a capacity of 1,500 and a varied programme.
Find the upcoming events at this venue here.
Botanique
One of Brussels' more unique venues is Botanique. Aside from its largest space (the Orangerie), concerts are also held in the more intimate Rotonde (which is preferred by audiences and artists for its acoustics and aesthetics), the Witloof Bar set in a vaulted cellar and the magical Museum room.
Credit: Bart Van der Sanden / Les Nuits Botanique
Many bands (including the Foo Fighters, Bon Iver and Billie Eilish) played their very first Belgian show in Botanique, and the venue continues to thrive in discovering new talent. In particular, its legendary springtime festival Les Nuits Botanique promotes the local Belgian scene alongside internationally renowned artists.
Find the upcoming events at this venue here.
Intimate and international
ArtBase
This small venue in the heart of Brussels, run by passionate music lover Frans De Clercq, focuses mainly on Mediterranean, Balkan, Latino and classical music.
Argentinian Tango by Los Pua Abajo at ArtBase. Credit: The Brussels Times
Concerts here are on a very different scale from the venues mentioned above. ArtBase can hold a maximum of 80 people, creating an acoustic and intimate concert experience that allows the audience to get closer to the musicians, resulting in regular interactions and a connection that cannot be created in larger venues.
Find the upcoming events at this venue here.
Le Baixu
Another quaint and unusual music venue, Le Baixu, is located in the Tour & Taxis neighbourhood in Brussels. Aside from concerts, it also hosts expositions, screenings, and conferences. Here too, quality, exchange and interaction are at the centre of the project.
Credit: Le Baixu
Find the upcoming events at this venue here.
Off the beaten track
mOtown Concerts
This independent music venue located near Brussels-North station specialises in bringing its audience Soul, RnB, but also the latest music trends from Brazil, Morocco and many other countries.
Credit: mOtown concerts / Facebook
It also organises events to put female voices and musicians in the spotlight.
Find the upcoming events at this venue here.
Le Lac
Located in the Dansaert neighbourhood of Brussels, Le Lac not only enables artists of all expressions to rehearse and bring their shows to life, but it also connects them with other artists and technicians.
Credit: Le Lac
From a night dedicated to death metal to a stage taken over by dozens of percussionists and evenings of Turkish fusion, no two nights are the same here.
Find the upcoming events at this venue here.
