Pukkelpop 2023

[Semprini]

To add to @Trufflehound's excellent advice, Q2 - I think we've got most of the 'big' names now but there could be a couple of sub level surprises to come.

Not sure we've got any of the Marquee headliners yet, unless it's Moderat, Turnstile or Bicep (both unlikely) and Foals (would love this but they'll probably play on the Main)? We might get a dance act to close the Main on Saturday and they often throw in a decent name for an early evening set e.g. Snoop Dogg, Stormzy have both done this in the past.

If you're open minded and prepared to explore the full line up once it's out then you won't be stuck for something to see at pretty much any point over the weekend. Definitely helps if you're into dance music but even without that there will be enough to keep most people happy!

[DDave]

52 minutes ago, Semprini said:

To add to @Trufflehound's excellent advice, Q2 - I think we've got most of the 'big' names now but there could be a couple of sub level surprises to come.

Not sure we've got any of the Marquee headliners yet, unless it's Moderat, Turnstile or Bicep (both unlikely) and Foals (would love this but they'll probably play on the Main)? We might get a dance act to close the Main on Saturday and they often throw in a decent name for an early evening set e.g. Snoop Dogg, Stormzy have both done this in the past.

If you're open minded and prepared to explore the full line up once it's out then you won't be stuck for something to see at pretty much any point over the weekend. Definitely helps if you're into dance music but even without that there will be enough to keep most people happy!

I've been told otherwise on the festileaks forum but are we really expecting Angele to close the main? That'll be the first time they've not closed with a dance/party act for years. Surely they'll put her on till midnight and stick a DJ/dance act on from 1 till 2?

Must say I'm not a massive fan of the small numbers per week. Although that might be different had the names so far been different. There's 1 'indie' name announced so far for the 1st 2 days and possibly even no Marquee bookings for those days so far. Great on one hand as there's plenty of stuff to come but not great if most of your bands are on the one day and you're still deciding between a day ticket or a combi.

 

Edited February 15, 2023 by DDave

[Chimme]

2 hours ago, Kaboom Boxer said:

Got combi tickets for the wife and I. Very excited. 

A couple of questions for the veterans if you’d oblige:

1. I notice that the festival is listed as 4 days (Thu 17th - Sun 20th) but the line up page of the website only has Fri/Sat/Sun listed. Is Thursday more of an opening party type affair or will there be a full line up similar to the other days?
2. There are obviously a huge number of acts still to be announced but I assume that they lead with their biggest names. Are the names likely to get progressively more niche with each new announcement?
3. What is the deal with food and drinks vouchers? Worth doing? What sort of saving are you looking at? Is the festival voucher only or can you pay with contactless once you’re there?
4. What sort of facilities should I expect at the campground? I booked Camping Chill. 
5. I will be driving from Eindhoven, what is the situation with car parking at the festival site? Also how long should I set aside for getting through border control between Netherlands and Belgium?

 

Welcome! You and your wife will have an excellent time.

1) The first evening has changed throughout the years, from a small opening party into a full-fledged festival with a decent line-up. Mostly local acts but good ones. Only half of the festival site will be open, but that's still 4 stages for you to go to. Don't miss out. It starts at 6PM and ends at 3 or 4 AM. A good warm-up for the rest of the festival!

2) PKP is very eclectic so there will be acts for everyone's taste. 

3) It's vouchers only at the festival, so I'd suggest you buy quite a lot of them before the end of July. It's 25 cents cheaper now.  

4) Camping Chill is the largest camping site, just across the street. The facilities are okay but basic. A lot of young people there. 

5) Car parking at the festival site is not possible, a little bit further away you will find festival parking lots (for one day, or for the entire festival). Just follow the signs. Border control is non-existent. 

[SarahEmpre]

No Backyard stage this year (I've been explained that it was made in consequence of Slipknot headlining to satisfy their fans)

On the other hand, saturday Marquee will be full rock orientated, and lot of rock bands will be placed in other stages, with a rock day in an smaller stage closed by an Eppo Jannsen DJ set.

[DDave]

51 minutes ago, SarahEmpre said:

No Backyard stage this year (I've been explained that it was made in consequence of Slipknot headlining to satisfy their fans)

On the other hand, saturday Marquee will be full rock orientated, and lot of rock bands will be placed in other stages, with a rock day in an smaller stage closed by an Eppo Jannsen DJ set.

Good info. Looks like it might just be a Sunday ticket for me then! 

[Kaboom Boxer]

How many stages are there? Is there a festival map?

[Death By Sexy 2.0]

22 minutes ago, Kaboom Boxer said:

How many stages are there? Is there a festival map?

 

[Dietediet]

2 hours ago, DDave said:

I've been told otherwise on the festileaks forum but are we really expecting Angele to close the main? That'll be the first time they've not closed with a dance/party act for years. Surely they'll put her on till midnight and stick a DJ/dance act on from 1 till 2?

Must say I'm not a massive fan of the small numbers per week. Although that might be different had the names so far been different. There's 1 'indie' name announced so far for the 1st 2 days and possibly even no Marquee bookings for those days so far. Great on one hand as there's plenty of stuff to come but not great if most of your bands are on the one day and you're still deciding between a day ticket or a combi.

 

The Dutch press release is explicitly stating she's the closer. "In 2018 she played Pukkelpop's Dance Hall, on Saturday 19 August she's closing the Main Stage".

In 2018 stond ze in de Dance Hall van Pukkelpop; op zaterdag 19 augustus sluit ze het hoofdpodium af.

[Death By Sexy 2.0]

23 minutes ago, Kaboom Boxer said:

How many stages are there? Is there a festival map?

Main Stage: explains itself

Marquee: big tent, no specific genre (last year: Jungle, Dave, HER, Vitalic, James Blake, Glass Animals,...)

Dance Hall: electronic/rap (Last year: Pendulum, Four Tet, Boys Noize, Fred Again.., Little Simz, Underworld,...)

Boiler Room: big DJ stage(Last year: Kolsh, Nina Kraviz, Paula Temple, Camelphat,...)

Club: smaller indie/rock stage ( Last Year: Viagra Boys, Bright Eyes, shame, Kokoroko, Jordan Rakei,...)

Castello: smaller, more experimental stage, feels like rap and electronic to me (Last year: 100Gecs, Kelly Lee Owen, Overmono, Channel Tres, Sons of Kemet, BADBADNOTGOOD,...)

Booth: small dj stage, only outdoor stage beside Main Stage, more underground than Boiler Room (Last Year: Eris Drew, SPFDJ, HAAi, Romy,...)

Lift: small version of Club (Last Year: Wu-Lu, Yard Act, Mdou Moctar, Donny Bennet,...)

Backyard: rock/metal stage, but it will be scrapped?? (Last Year: While She Sleeps, Nova Twins, Ho99o9, Clutch, Clawfinger, Ghostemane)

[Death By Sexy 2.0]

2 hours ago, SarahEmpre said:

No Backyard stage this year (I've been explained that it was made in consequence of Slipknot headlining to satisfy their fans)

On the other hand, saturday Marquee will be full rock orientated, and lot of rock bands will be placed in other stages, with a rock day in an smaller stage closed by an Eppo Jannsen DJ set.

Definitely no Backyard this year? That sucks....

[Death By Sexy 2.0]

5 hours ago, Kaboom Boxer said:

Got combi tickets for the wife and I. Very excited. 

A couple of questions for the veterans if you’d oblige:

1. I notice that the festival is listed as 4 days (Thu 17th - Sun 20th) but the line up page of the website only has Fri/Sat/Sun listed. Is Thursday more of an opening party type affair or will there be a full line up similar to the other days?
2. There are obviously a huge number of acts still to be announced but I assume that they lead with their biggest names. Are the names likely to get progressively more niche with each new announcement?
3. What is the deal with food and drinks vouchers? Worth doing? What sort of saving are you looking at? Is the festival voucher only or can you pay with contactless once you’re there?
4. What sort of facilities should I expect at the campground? I booked Camping Chill. 
5. I will be driving from Eindhoven, what is the situation with car parking at the festival site? Also how long should I set aside for getting through border control between Netherlands and Belgium?

 

1. Thursday is a pre-party with mostly Belgian bands and DJ's. 

2. First time they are doing it like this, but I assume the bands are getting more and more niche. It is possible that there is a band booked bij Werchter and Pukkelpop, this band would be announced in june or july due to contract limitations. 

3. You have to buy food/drink tickets at the festival site to buy drinks/food. You can buy them also in advance, which will save you 0.25 cents for eacht ticket. Reminder: special beers are only one ticket at the festival site, and since last year there are plenty of places to get them. 

4. Basic facilities: Toilets, showers, some food and drink stalls, first aid. Camping Chill have soms sponsored places with trampolines etc. Chill also has sports, I am not sure if Relax has them. 

5. Follow the signs, It is possible you need to walk a bit. Nothing to exhausting though. No border control between Belgium and The Netherlands, so you can buy weed in Eindhoven and bring it with you if this is what you are asking...

[Death By Sexy 2.0]

9 minutes ago, Death By Sexy 2.0 said:

Main Stage: explains itself

Marquee: big tent, no specific genre (last year: Jungle, Dave, HER, Vitalic, James Blake, Glass Animals,...)

Dance Hall: electronic/rap (Last year: Pendulum, Four Tet, Boys Noize, Fred Again.., Little Simz, Underworld,...)

Boiler Room: big DJ stage(Last year: Kolsh, Nina Kraviz, Paula Temple, Camelphat,...)

Club: smaller indie/rock stage ( Last Year: Viagra Boys, Bright Eyes, shame, Kokoroko, Jordan Rakei,...)

Castello: smaller, more experimental stage, feels like rap and electronic to me (Last year: 100Gecs, Kelly Lee Owen, Overmono, Channel Tres, Sons of Kemet, BADBADNOTGOOD,...)

Booth: small dj stage, only outdoor stage beside Main Stage, more underground than Boiler Room (Last Year: Eris Drew, SPFDJ, HAAi, Romy,...)

Lift: small version of Club (Last Year: Wu-Lu, Yard Act, Mdou Moctar, Donny Bennet,...)

Backyard: rock/metal stage, but it will be scrapped?? (Last Year: While She Sleeps, Nova Twins, Ho99o9, Clutch, Clawfinger, Ghostemane)

I forgot the Vall-ey, a stage sponsored by Ernst & Young (lol). 

It has cool some underground, Belgian acts. 

[DDave]

18 minutes ago, Dietediet said:

The Dutch press release is explicitly stating she's the closer. "In 2018 she played Pukkelpop's Dance Hall, on Saturday 19 August she's closing the Main Stage".

In 2018 stond ze in de Dance Hall van Pukkelpop; op zaterdag 19 augustus sluit ze het hoofdpodium af.

Fair dos. That puts that to bed. 

[Kaboom Boxer]

3 hours ago, Death By Sexy 2.0 said:

1. Thursday is a pre-party with mostly Belgian bands and DJ's. 

2. First time they are doing it like this, but I assume the bands are getting more and more niche. It is possible that there is a band booked bij Werchter and Pukkelpop, this band would be announced in june or july due to contract limitations. 

3. You have to buy food/drink tickets at the festival site to buy drinks/food. You can buy them also in advance, which will save you 0.25 cents for eacht ticket. Reminder: special beers are only one ticket at the festival site, and since last year there are plenty of places to get them. 

4. Basic facilities: Toilets, showers, some food and drink stalls, first aid. Camping Chill have soms sponsored places with trampolines etc. Chill also has sports, I am not sure if Relax has them. 

5. Follow the signs, It is possible you need to walk a bit. Nothing to exhausting though. No border control between Belgium and The Netherlands, so you can buy weed in Eindhoven and bring it with you if this is what you are asking...

Thanks for all the responses. Super helpful. One more, what are the phone charging options in Chill?

[Death By Sexy 2.0]

11 minutes ago, Kaboom Boxer said:

Thanks for all the responses. Super helpful. One more, what are the phone charging options in Chill?

I think there are some options, not plenty though. 

[Chimme]

On 2/15/2023 at 11:06 PM, Kaboom Boxer said:

Thanks for all the responses. Super helpful. One more, what are the phone charging options in Chill?

My preferred phone charging option is: renting a powerbank at the festival site. 😉

[SweetJesus]

Or buy and use your own power bank, for example Xiaomi. Using two of their powerbank last 5+ years and still working 

[Kaboom Boxer]

2 hours ago, SweetJesus said:

Or buy and use your own power bank, for example Xiaomi. Using two of their powerbank last 5+ years and still working 

Thanks for the recommendation, just ordered one each for my wife and I. 

[Semprini]

We always hire a locker between us and, along with jumpers and other stuff, we leave a power bank in there for whoever needs it. Tbf we also always stay in a hotel so phones are pretty much on full charge everyday when we arrive on site, but still useful to have as backup.

[foolee]

How long do tickets take to sell out? Also, anyone been to either Pukkelpop, Lowlands, Rock En Seine and Sziget can recommend the best one? 

[Mondo-kun]

6 hours ago, foolee said:

Also, anyone been to either Pukkelpop, Lowlands, Rock En Seine and Sziget can recommend the best one? 

Sziget was in a top tier for me for many years, but after last year I just can't recommend it - no decorations (which always were one of the best thing there), lots of dust, camping also became worse. Were there in a company of five and everybody was shocked how it went downhill so bad. Still in their social media sometimes they tell about improvements comparing with 2022 at this year's festival, but I don't want to check it out this time. However if it's your first Sziget then I'm sure you will enjoy it.

Lowlands, on the other hand, was rather expensive, but very good - clean campings, great festival atmosphere, strong lineup. The main issue for me were some problems with a view due to Dutch people height (and I'm 1.80m tall), but main stage also was set higher than on other festivals, so it helped in some way 🙂
Tickets are sold out, and you probably won't find anything for a decent price until the festival week.

Never been at Pukkelpop or Rock en Seine yet, but first Rock En Seine bandwave IMO is brilliant this year and Pukkelpop is also shaping nice.

[gigi21]

Maybe this could help some of you guys:
Don't know if it's a bug or what but I just booked a double room at YUP Hotel with free cancellation until August 17th for less than 300€ per 4 nights including taxes, to pay at the arrival (payed zero today).
Fares where a lot higher until yesterday.

Edited February 21, 2023 by gigi21

[Tigane]

From a portuguese interview with Paredes de Coura main director (i posted the picture in the Paredes de coura thread, however it is in portuguese),  it seems  they tried to make a joint offer to Yeah Yeah Yeahs, with Lowlands and Pukkelpop so they would go to the 3 festivals , and the deal was almost sealed off,  however the band decided to change their plans and the deal was off

[johnybegood]

Are we expecting new names tomorrow?

[DDave]

25 minutes ago, johnybegood said:

Are we expecting new names tomorrow?

Festileaks forum says no. By that I mean that the usual press release that has been shared the day before the names have been announced hasn't happened today. 

I think there will be names. 

Edited February 21, 2023 by DDave