Rock Zottegem draws 36,000 festival-goers amid heatwave

Rock Zottegem drew approximately 36,000 attendees this past weekend, navigating a heatwave with temperatures soaring above 30 degrees Celsius. The festival's organization proactively addressed the warm weather by increasing shaded areas and water availability.

"The sun was once again our main sponsor, and we can call it a top edition," said organizer Kurt De Loor. He noted that festival-goers were advised to wear hats, use sunscreen, and avoid excessive alcohol consumption. "As an organization, we also placed extra water taps, twice as many," De Loor added, highlighting the provision of additional tents for shade, which were appreciated by attendees.

The festival saw sold-out crowds on Friday and Sunday, featuring performances by artists like Snow Patrol, dEUS, Sylvie Kreusch, Kraftwerk, Channel Zero, and OMD. Despite the large numbers, attendees reported a relaxed atmosphere with no excessive crowding.

"It's a very accessible festival," shared some festival-goers, describing a "cozy busy" environment. Others praised the "variety of artists" that characterizes Rock Zottegem, although the diverse lineup, spanning electronic music, glam metal, and alternative rock, was not universally appealing. One attendee noted, "I find the mix of genres strange; they don't match. I would have preferred them to focus on one genre."

De Loor expressed satisfaction with the event, stating, "We look back very satisfied. With 36,000 visitors, we can speak of a top edition. The sun has been our main sponsor for many years, and this year it did not fail. It was an ideal party cocktail."