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🇧🇪 Belgium /Culture & Society

Not for the Money, But for Their CV: Why Pukkelpop Matters for Belgian Artists

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Belgian artists view performing at the Pukkelpop festival as crucial for their careers, prioritizing it over immediate financial gain.
  • Live performances constitute a significant portion of Belgian artists' income, with festivals playing a key role in their summer earnings.
  • Artists invest extra in their Pukkelpop shows to stand out, attract attention from organizers and bookers, and build their professional profiles.

For many Belgian artists, performing at the Pukkelpop festival is a pivotal career move, valued more for its professional impact than its financial reward. Managers of several Belgian acts performing this year confirmed that while the fees are acceptable, they increase slowly over time, except for a select few headliners.

You don't necessarily play at Pukkelpop for the money, but for your resume.

— Artist ManagersSummarizing the primary motivation for Belgian artists performing at Pukkelpop.

Live shows are the primary income source for Belgian musicians, accounting for an estimated 70% of their earnings. Festival season, in particular, contributes substantially, with some artists dedicating more than half of their festival income to a single performance at Pukkelpop. This often means foregoing other potential festival appearances to focus on delivering a standout show.

Bazart has released a new album this year, so it's an important promotional opportunity to play on the Main Stage now. It's an anchor point on which we hope to build further in 2027.

— Alexander VandriesscheManager for Bazart, explaining the strategic importance of their Pukkelpop performance.

Artists invest significant effort and resources into their Pukkelpop performances to capture the attention of the industry. This includes enhancing their stage presence with unique visuals and elaborate setups to differentiate themselves from the numerous other acts. The goal is to impress festival organizers, bookers, and the media, thereby opening doors to future opportunities.

The fees are okay, but they increase relatively slowly over the years. Except for a handful of Belgian headliners.

— Hanne ValckenaersManager for Kids With Buns, discussing artist compensation at festivals.

This year, 89 out of 215 artists at Pukkelpop are Belgian. The festival's high profile and significant media attention make it a coveted spot on many artists' "bucket lists." For acts like Bazart, playing the Main Stage is a crucial promotional opportunity following the release of their new album, aiming to build on this success in subsequent years. Similarly, Kids With Buns are preparing meticulously for their Main Stage performance after a last-minute slot last year, seeing it as a chance to showcase their artistic development.

If this goes well, it can mean a lot for them.

— Hanne ValckenaersManager for Kids With Buns, on the potential career impact of a strong Main Stage performance.
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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