Successful experiment: Gemak! festival draws 2,000 to Philipssite, opening door for new events

Leuven's youth collective 'gemak!' has successfully launched its first festival, drawing more than 2,000 attendees to the fields behind the Philipssite. The event, primarily catering to young people interested in electronic music, ran smoothly with minimal complaints, marking it as a successful trial for the city to host larger events at the location.

The festival featured two stages and showcased local talent, with artists, food vendors, and photographers all hailing from the Leuven area. This focus on local elements created a distinct community atmosphere. The event was free to attend, and organizers estimate over 2,000 people passed through between its 2 PM start and midnight closing. The bar reportedly sold out completely half an hour before the festival concluded.

The city of Leuven viewed the festival as a crucial test for the Philipssite, a location chosen for its relative proximity to fewer neighbors. To mitigate noise concerns for residents on Tivolistraat, the 'dubstage,' known for its heavy bass, concluded at 10 PM. Music continued for another two hours on the main stage at a lower volume, directed away from residential areas.

City official Bert Cornillie, alderman for Events, deemed the experiment a success, opening the door for future events at the site. The 'gemak!' collective also expressed satisfaction with the location and has not ruled out organizing a follow-up festival. The event demonstrated the potential for the Philipssite to accommodate diverse activities and highlighted the initiative of local youth.