Leuven youth test new event site with electronic music festival

A new electronic music festival, 'Gemak! festival,' is underway this weekend behind Leuven's Philipssite, organized by young volunteers. The event serves as a crucial test for the location's potential as a venue for future outdoor gatherings, with city officials keen to evaluate the balance between the number of attendees and possible noise disturbances.

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Gemak! is truly by and for young people. We want to give young people a place to enjoy electronic music and have a total experience while partying. Not just a DJ and speakers, but also art and architecture. You really notice there's a big demand for that during parties like Club Vismarkt.

Leuven faces a known shortage of dedicated event zones. While the park near the Sportoase has been used before, the fields behind the Philipssite have primarily hosted smaller events. 'Gemak! festival,' expecting 1,500 visitors, marks a significant step up. The organizing collective, 'gemak!', comprises 8 core members, 5 architects, and around 30 volunteers. They have set up two stages and are integrating artistic installations across the site to create a comprehensive experience.

"Gemak! is truly by and for young people," stated organizer Renaud Segaert, 24. "We want to give young people a place to enjoy electronic music and have a total experience while partying. Not just a DJ and speakers, but also art and architecture. You really notice there's a big demand for that during parties like Club Vismarkt."

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We are surrounded by greenery, yet we have a raw part with the Philipssite buildings. We have two large fields that we can completely shape. You can hardly find a better location in the city.

Tim Borlez, 25, highlighted the location's advantages: "We are surrounded by greenery, yet we have a raw part with the Philipssite buildings. We have two large fields that we can completely shape. You can hardly find a better location in the city." He also noted the site's minimal neighbors, reducing the risk of noise complaints, a common issue in Leuven.

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We know residents always have questions about volume. That's why it's important to test something and see what works. Then we can weigh the number of partygoers against the noise pollution.

Leuven's Alderman for Events, Bert Cornillie (Vooruit), views the festival as an experiment. "We know residents always have questions about volume. That's why it's important to test something and see what works. Then we can weigh the number of partygoers against the noise pollution." Cornillie emphasized Leuven's commitment to balancing vibrant city life with resident concerns, aiming to optimize public spaces as the city prepares for its role as European Capital of Culture in 2030.

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We are a city and will never be a quiet village. A lot must be possible here, with something for everyone. Also towards 2030, the year of the European Capital of Culture, we are looking for how we can optimally use public space.