Pukkelpop 2015

[LexTron6K]

Gazelle Twin are an act that I am becoming increasingly excited about seeing. Check out this new video that Moog released today:

http://www.moogmusic.com/sight-and-sound/sound_lab/gazelle-twin-moog-sound-lab-uk

[Semprini]

On review, it's insane how much I want to see on the Thursday. Even if I just alternate Main and Club I'd easily get the value out of my ticket.

Edited to add provisional list for Thursday. Ridiculous, Will have to choose carefully. Might have to miss everyone I've seen before at this rate

The List:

Rudimental

Linkin Park

Dropkick Murphys

Jurassic 5

Seasick Steve

PAOLO NUTINI

Interpol

Charles Bradley

MICHAEL KIWANUKA

KODALINE

Django Django

Future Islands

Lianne La Havas

Strand Of Oaks

Mew

Curtis Harding

Natalie Prass

Cardinox

Roots Manuva

Prhyme

 

That's what you call a good list!!

 

On paper, Thursday looks like my busiest day too but I'm not expecting the timetable to allow me to catch them all:

 

Seasick, Jurassic 5 and Sigma

Bleachers and Charles Bradley

Cardiknox, Shameboy, De Sluwe Vos, Madeon and Rebel Sound

Feder, N'To, Ghost Culture and Hannah Wants

LTGL, Craze, PRhyme, Roots Manuva, Lido, Hudson Mohawke and Machinedrum

Curtis Harding and Future Islands

[Dietediet]

Humo, one of the main sponsors, is giving away 45x 2 weekend tickets. Says enough. 

[DDave]

Never seen a festival give away that amount of tickets.

Anyway, I've entered. Fingers crossed!

[Dietediet]

Never seen a festival give away that amount of tickets.

Anyway, I've entered. Fingers crossed!

 

At least not a major one. I can't even recall Pukkelpop ticket giveaways in their 'easily selling out' era, except maybe a handful on Studio Brussel to create some hype. 

[Semprini]

It is unusual to give tickets away but in the grand scheme of things it's 90 out of 65,000. If they're not going to shift all the tickets then why not make a handful of lucky people very happy? They might have a good time and possibly buy a ticket in the future. I certainly wouldn't begrudge or feel bitter about someone winning a ticket when I've paid for mine, even if it was Dave!

 

If it doesn't sell out then there obviously won't be as many people on site, which can only be a good thing. However I don't think we'll notice a lot of difference.

 

Ordered my train ticket this morning so just need the timetable and final Radio Soulwax details now!

[Trufflehound]

Those people may get free tickets, but unless they are really tight-fisted they'll still be spending a fair sum of money on site on food, drink etc.

 

They may even spend more than average because of the psychologiocal lift they'll get from not having paid to get in.

[Semprini]

Flicked on to watch the live cam a few times in the past couple of days and you can see one of the new style stages going up behind it. A picture was posted on Facebook and Twitter today of the PKP team standing in front of the count down clock and you can see quite a bit of the stage. I'm guessing from what I can make out that it's The Club, which probably means that all the stages will be like this.

 

It'll be interesting to see if they make any difference to the temperature, sound, production and atmosphere when inside? There's certainly a lot of potential for extra production in the Dance Hall and Boiler, although I wonder how they'll lay out the latter this time round? The back area of the Boiler is a nice idea but it always seems a bit detached from the main tent, and devoid of any real atmosphere. I used to love the old 'portrait' style lay out with the DJ booth at one end as it seemed more full on and intense compared to how it's been the last few years. I hope they pull out all the stops with the light show as it was a bit tame by their standards last year.

[DDave]

It's Pukkelpop 2015, Semprini, to be a greener festival (to make more money) they're asking all the ravers to bring a torch each to provide the the light show.

[DDave]

And you're right about the Boiler layout, used to be so much better with the dj's at the end instead of the middle, much more of a gig type atmosphere.

[Semprini]

It's Pukkelpop 2015, Semprini, to be a greener festival (to make more money) they're asking all the ravers to bring a torch each to provide the the light show.

 

Sounds about right Dave. I think I'll up the ante by bringing my laser pen - will be an absolutely mental show with me flashing that about!

 

And you're right about the Boiler layout, used to be so much better with the dj's at the end instead of the middle, much more of a gig type atmosphere.

 

Some of my favourite PKP memories are from the old Boiler. Ed Rush and Optical, Ellen Allien, Sub Focus, Collabs 3000 and, my personal favourite, Eric Prydz into Andy C in 2009 were all amazing and immediately spring to mind. The area right in front of the DJ booth in the current set up is ok but the left and (particularly) the right are often empty as the tent is too wide. The energy of the crowd seems to be too spread out (compared to the old set up) so hopefully they'll get a massive version of this new tent and stick the booth at one end.

[Dietediet]

Lowlands just released its timetable, turns out the main stage is something like this:

- Paolo Nutini and Ben Howard coheadlining

- Bastille and Chemical Brothers coheadlining

- Kendrick Lamar and Major Lazer coheadlining

This coming from a festival that had Nick Cave, Nine Inch Nails and QOTSA headlining in the past 2 years.

 

Just to show again that the bad lineup can partially be blamed on a lack of good acts being available that weekend. Nontheless the 'bad' ticket sales prove that the audience (even the mainstream one!) won't accept things like this, so I hope Pukkelpop learns from this for next year. 

[johnybegood]

Lowlands just released its timetable, turns out the main stage is something like this:

- Paolo Nutini and Ben Howard coheadlining

- Bastille and Chemical Brothers coheadlining

- Kendrick Lamar and Major Lazer coheadlining

This coming from a festival that had Nick Cave, Nine Inch Nails and QOTSA headlining in the past 2 years.

Just to show again that the bad lineup can partially be blamed on a lack of good acts being available that weekend. Nontheless the 'bad' ticket sales prove that the audience (even the mainstream one!) won't accept things like this, so I hope Pukkelpop learns from this for next year.

Metallica, Blur, Muse, Beck, Robbie Williams, Lenny Kravitz, Kasabian... Are all playing shows in Europe in the gap between 2 weeks after And before PKP

No excuse for Pukkelpop to have Bastille, Ellie Goulding, Alt-J, Likin Park, Limp Bizkit And Offspring as headliners And subs. It's pathetic.

Since 2011, each year they have chosen a cheaper line-Up than the previos year, and they managed to sell out the festival. This year they decided to go further but they managed to destroy the festival reputation increasing 15% the tickets prices and booking shit main Stage acts (friday Main stage Programm is Just unbeliveable)

Chokri And Eppo won't take my money this year: I chose Rockavaria + Riot Festival in Chicago as my 2015 festivals (Riot festival 3 days festival: 160€ with No Doubt, System Of A Down, Modest Mouse, Faith No More, The Prodigy, Iggy Pop, Snoop Dogg, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, Motorhead, Rancid, Tenacious D, Billy Idol, Ice Cube and dozens of cool bands)

Pukkelpop killed the european reputation they won in 2010

Edited July 29, 2015 by johnybegood

[Semprini]

Lowlands just released its timetable, turns out the main stage is something like this:

- Paolo Nutini and Ben Howard coheadlining

- Bastille and Chemical Brothers coheadlining

- Kendrick Lamar and Major Lazer coheadlining

This coming from a festival that had Nick Cave, Nine Inch Nails and QOTSA headlining in the past 2 years.

 

Just to show again that the bad lineup can partially be blamed on a lack of good acts being available that weekend. Nontheless the 'bad' ticket sales prove that the audience (even the mainstream one!) won't accept things like this, so I hope Pukkelpop learns from this for next year. 

 

But as you say yourself, the line up is really dictated by who is available on that particular weekend so if the situation is the same next year how can PKP or Lowlands 'learn' from this year?

 

Neither of these two, Lowlands in particular, have ever been about the headliners though. I think we all pretty much agree that the undercard for both festivals is very strong so in that sense they've done a good job. Unfortunately, a good undercard is not going to sell in-excess of 60,000 tickets, which is why it's not really fair to compare them with the likes of BKS, Dour etc. To sell out, they've got to book big names and their ability to do so is (as we've already said) dependant on who is available and also what they can afford when there's over 200 bands and DJs to consider.

 

PKP wouldn't be PKP without all the stages and the huge breadth of music on offer, and I for one don't want to see that change. If I did, I'd go to Rock Werchter instead (and that's not a dig at RW - the two festivals offer a different experience so shouldn't really be compared). I've undoubtedly had much more pleasure 'discovering' bands in the Club or Chateau over the years than standing in front of the Main Stage, but that's my subjective opinion.

 

This is a poor year for headliners at PKP but that doesn't mean the overall standard of the line up is poor. The ironic thing is that if Blur were on the poster above Bastille then it would no doubt be hailed a success and (most!) people would be happy.

[DDave]

Yes, but they aren't.

I'm not having it that the festival is dictated by the band's who are around at the time. You pay the right money, you'll get the right bands.

[lightning1000]

Personally, as someone who doesn't like dance music, the undercard is just as bad as the top of the bill. There really isn't anything there for me at all.

[Trufflehound]

I have 74 bands on my list, and only one of those (Underworld) could be described as dance music. And none of them are "pop" acts, and none of them are the Main Stage headliners or sub-headliners.

 

As a rock/punk/indie/garage/blues fan I don't see any issue with the undercard.

[Dietediet]

Metallica, Blur, Muse, Beck, Robbie Williams, Lenny Kravitz, Kasabian... Are all playing shows in Europe in the gap between 2 weeks after And before PKP

No excuse for Pukkelpop to have Bastille, Ellie Goulding, Alt-J, Likin Park, Limp Bizkit And Offspring as headliners And subs. It's pathetic.

 

 

And again: take out the acts Rock Werchter was first at, and you leave Metallica, Beck and Blur. Metallica is doing it for the highest bid, no doubt the Scandinavian gigs (where they are hugely popular) were too much for Pukkelpop to compete with. Beck wouldn't make a satisfying headliner either, and Blur confirmed themselves that they are picky about their live dates. Money really isn't everything.

 

But as you say yourself, the line up is really dictated by who is available on that particular weekend so if the situation is the same next year how can PKP or Lowlands 'learn' from this year?

 

Neither of these two, Lowlands in particular, have ever been about the headliners though. I think we all pretty much agree that the undercard for both festivals is very strong so in that sense they've done a good job. Unfortunately, a good undercard is not going to sell in-excess of 60,000 tickets, which is why it's not really fair to compare them with the likes of BKS, Dour etc. To sell out, they've got to book big names and their ability to do so is (as we've already said) dependant on who is available and also what they can afford when there's over 200 bands and DJs to consider.

 

PKP wouldn't be PKP without all the stages and the huge breadth of music on offer, and I for one don't want to see that change. If I did, I'd go to Rock Werchter instead (and that's not a dig at RW - the two festivals offer a different experience so shouldn't really be compared). I've undoubtedly had much more pleasure 'discovering' bands in the Club or Chateau over the years than standing in front of the Main Stage, but that's my subjective opinion.

 

This is a poor year for headliners at PKP but that doesn't mean the overall standard of the line up is poor. The ironic thing is that if Blur were on the poster above Bastille then it would no doubt be hailed a success and (most!) people would be happy.

 

By pulling more collective actions (since Lowlands is also feeling it in its sales), trying to anticipate more rather than having the June festivals take out all the interesting acts, ... 

 

I agree with you on the undercards. Like I've said here before: I personally think that the Saturday (except the headliner, but I like Alt-J) is one of the best Pukkelpop days in a long while. But along that I've also mentioned that it's still not worth 100 euros for me, and there lies my problem. Both Pukkelpop and Lowlands have been raising ticket prices towards the same level as Rock Werchter and Pinkpop. By that they are basically obliging themselves to also care about the big headliners and not just the undercard. Yet both festivals are regressing in the opposite direction, meaning higher prices for smaller headliners. 

[lightning1000]

Jurassic 5, seasick Steve, Interpol, dropkick Murphy's and mew are about the only acts I'd go out of my way to see. I hope everyone that goes has a great time though

[johnybegood]

The shelter programma is also the worst of the last 5 years. Its not only about the headliners. Also the way they proceed with day tickets is pathetic. Friday And saturay tickets sold out the same day, then 1.000 tickets of each day sold in minutes but they couldnt sell another 1.000 in one month. The way they deleted all negative comments from facebook. Also people from festileaks announcing Blur as headliners created a huge dissapointment. Do you think that they have sold More than 500 day tickets for Friday? 100€ for such a line-Up. I hope that Semprini, TheNewUnion, Truffle And all you you will have a nice festival! I hope to join PKP thread next year. Dave: good luck with HUMO tickets And enjoy Your summer wherever you will be!

[DDave]

Thanks. Still not got anything sorted for an alternative to PP yet. Rock en Seine is looking the favourite at the moment but the flight tickets are going up by the day, probably due to the events in Calais.

We'll either do that or go to a UK one to save some cash. Festival number 6 being the most likely.

Already got an eye on next year tbh. Definitely going to Primavera and hopefully back to PP if they sort their shit out.

[Semprini]

By pulling more collective actions (since Lowlands is also feeling it in its sales), trying to anticipate more rather than having the June festivals take out all the interesting acts, ... 

 

You may well be right, perhaps the two festivals will have to work more collaboratively in the future to secure acts. I guess we'll never really know for sure what's happened this year - were they slow to book headliners? Did they hold out for someone who let them down? Were they offered one or more 'big' bands but thought the fee was too much? Or did they always have this line up in mind but are now realising they've misjudged public perception?

 

I hope that Semprini, TheNewUnion, Truffle And all you you will have a nice festival! I hope to join PKP thread next year. Dave: good luck with HUMO tickets And enjoy Your summer wherever you will be!

 

Cheers Johny! It's a real shame you're not making it over this summer but I completely respect and understand your reasons. It's a lot of money to pay so you've got to be happy with what's on offer. Had a look at the Riot Fest line up and there's quite a few interesting bands on, plus you've got Chicago to enjoy as well! Hopefully we'll see you back at PKP16!!

[Dietediet]

Timetable is coming tomorrow.

[DDave]

Timetable is coming tomorrow.

But still no news if it includes the Soulwax night line up. Their communication to their customers has really pissed me off this year.

[TheNewUnion]

Given the last couple of days*, I fully expect that every one of the 50+ bands I want to see will be on at exactly the same time!

*My accommodation cancelled on me yesterday afternoon. Nowt like short notice to focus your mind. On the way to being sorted now, but a bit of a shock for an hour or two, especially when I saw the price of the only available hotel in town!