From an intimate celebration of underground electronic music, Horst has grown into Belgium's worst-kept secret, winning a Europe-wide following. Now in its 11th edition, the festival line-up has been released and features local favourites and some international heavy-hitters.
The name comes from the Flemish renaissance castle on the other side of Leuven, where the festival first took place in 2014. It has since relocated to Asiat park – an industrial site on in Vilvoorde. Not only a showcase of cutting-edge techno and house music, the event has a reputation for making architecture a central theme, with impressive stage designs that elevate the warehouse party concept. With a disused cooling tower looming overhead, it makes for a novel setting.
No longer the reserve of those most tuned into the alternative electronic music scene, the festival has blown up and draws fans from across the continent. Last year, Horst expanded its offering, putting on a series of club weekends as well as the annual festival.
This year's festival takes place Thursday 1 – Saturday 3 May and features 115 artists, most prominently Four Tet (aka English musician Kieran Hebden), who will play on Thursday. Other big names include Erol Alkan, Job Jobse, and Brussels resident Lefto Early Bird.
Credit: Jeroen Verrecht / Horst
This edition aims to focus on the sounds of club culture that are flourishing worldwide but have made less of an impression in Belgium. In this vein, Makadsi presents a crossover between Arabic and North American music culture while Gyrofield brings Hong Kong's IDM heritage into the mix.
Horst continues collaborations with The Lot Radio and Kiosk Radio – a cornerstone of the Brussels music scene.
Testament to the international acclaim the festival has enjoyed, this year is almost entirely sold out.
