The spotlight was on Dutch-speaking singers and bands on Friday, opening day of the 48th edition of Lokerse Feesten in Lokeren, East Flanders.
And while it was raining in Lokeren as the music festival kicked off at the Grote Kaai, the gloomy conditions failed to dent the organisers' optimism. “We’re lucky enough to have a paved surface. So, on the whole, the weather isn’t too bad,” said festival spokesman Steven Latré.
Last year, Lokerse Feesten attracted a total of 125,000 visitors.
This year the festival, with its particularly eclectic line-up including some 100 international groups and artists, is on two stages. The main one is at the Grote Kaai and there is also an indoor one at Club Stubru, devoted to emerging artists.
The first evening features Dutch-speaking artists, from singers S10 and Merol to bands The Opposites and Goldband, the day’s headliner, not to forget Belgian singer Used.
An evening devoted to metal is scheduled for Sunday 6 August, with acts including Within Temptation, Amenra, Bullet For My Valentine and Megadeth.
A diverse line-up featuring a number of international stars will be spread out over the following days, starting with British band Blur, who will be offering their only Belgian date of the summer on 8 August in Lokeren.
Cypress Hill, Rag’n’Bone Man, Placebo and Jax Jones are also on the programme, as is Tiësto, expected to close the festival on Sunday 13 August.