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🇧🇪 Belgium /Culture & Society

Lokerse Feesten gears up for 10 days of festivities with night buses and new additions

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The 51st Lokerse Feesten festival will feature new additions including night buses and a collaboration with VRT MAX.
  • Organizers have decided to stop using confetti after consulting with local residents.
  • The 10-day festival expects 120,000 to 130,000 visitors, with some days already sold out, and will offer free water and misters during hot weather.

The Lokerse Feesten, Belgium's 51st edition, is set to kick off with several new features aimed at enhancing the festival experience. Organizers are introducing night buses to transport attendees safely back to cities like Ghent, Antwerp, and Bruges. Additionally, a partnership with VRT MAX will allow viewers to watch select concerts on the platform after the event.

After an evaluation, it became clear that it is a fantastic added value for everyone. Both for bands, for the audience, but also for us: truly an incredible atmosphere and experience.

— Steven LatréSteven Latré, spokesperson for the Lokerse Feesten, discussing the arena setup.

The festival grounds will again utilize an arena setup, a feature praised by organizers, artists, and audiences for creating an incredible atmosphere and enhancing the overall experience. This year, a notable change is the discontinuation of confetti, a decision made in consultation with local residents. "We are a city festival, we have fantastic neighbors, and shooting confetti isn't really innocent. It ends up in air conditioners and the like," explained Steven Latré, a spokesperson for the festival. This policy will extend to future editions.

The lineup boasts a wide range of musical genres, from 60s pop to contemporary DJs, featuring artists such as Diana Ross, Dropkick Murphys, Gary Numan, and Editors. Lenny Kravitz's performance day sold out quickly, a testament to the festival's 51-year reputation, which Latré believes attracts major acts due to the quality offered over the 10 days.

We are of course a city festival, we have fantastic neighbors and shooting confetti is actually not that innocent. It ends up in air conditioners and the like.

— Steven LatréSteven Latré explaining the decision to stop using confetti.

Concurrent with the Lokerse Feesten, the free Fonnefeesten will take place in a nearby park, also showcasing Belgian and international artists. Notably, ex-Eurovision winner Sandra Kim will perform at the Fonnefeesten, stepping in for Isabelle A, who is unwell. The Lokerse Feesten anticipates between 120,000 and 130,000 visitors, with tickets still available for certain days. Measures are in place for hot weather, including free water distribution and misters.

Band agents also see what quality we can offer here for 10 days.

— Steven LatréSteven Latré on the festival's ability to attract major artists.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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