Rock Werchter 2025

[willsmith700]

18 hours ago, northernangel said:

 

I wouldn't attend that. I've got 5 acts there I'd bother to watch I think.

Aren't Fontaines out Croatia way around Werchter / Pinkpop season?

[Floyd_Ams]

On 11/11/2024 at 7:13 PM, tmolvik said:

It's interesting to see how this discussion ended up being a generation divide (again). We had pretty much the same discussing after Sam Fender. It's not really relevant if one likes or dislikes the artists, but it amazes me that anyone in their right mind can mean that Fender/Rodrigo/Måneskin/DuaLipa are bigger than the ones we have been spoiled with for years. Even now. They are no Metallica, Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam etc, not matter how you compare (unless you're one of those counting Spotify-plays). It's therefore not even a question if these are smaller headliners than before.

 

The issue is therefore expectations. People expect the same from RW as they did 5-10 years ago. They are therefore bound to be disappointed. What is most popular among RW target or previous audience (which is mainly the ones on their SoMe-sites), is so clearly visible that you don't even have to have the discussion. Just look at the different reactions to the three headline-announcements on FB this year. SoMe is by no means any conclusive survey, but it shows a clear tendency.

 

I don't follow Belgian media, so they might already have done something to prevent this, but as far as I see it RW is also setting themselves up to fail. They are not very good at communicating with their audience (understatement) and when they don't clearly communicate that times have changed, what challenges they are facing and what people can expect from the festival going forward, they will face all those Pop-Werchter comments and scare their legacy audience away. It's not a question if Fender and Rodrigo can headline, of course they can, it's what sized (and genre wise) festivals they should headline. I fully understand those that are disappointed about those announcements, but that doesn't mean that the bookings are wrong

In the end, only one thing counts for RW and that's ticket sales. I think most of us 40+ (which makes up the most spend for festivals) that has bought tickets "blind" because of their track record, will think twice about buying tickets going forward. At least until most of the line-up has been announced, which means that they have to fill that gap with new customers. That's not a bad business idea in itself, because you need new audience, but you need to know what kind you attract. Coachella was already mentioned, as a festival that failed heavily and now are more of a "see & be seen showcase" rather than a festival. Last year, RW also only had one major headliner. However they had two of the weak ones on Friday/Saturday, when they know their going to sell out anyway. This year Olivia Rodrigo will play Sunday and will really be the one to show if the younger generations turn up for the new artists or if the traditional major festivals are going in the direction I've predicted..  

 

I second pretty much everything you said, I've expressed similar thoughts in the past. 

 

Just to add a little something, imo, the issue (at least for us - current/past regulars) is not so much in regard to the "size" of the headliners but mostly for the music style that the lineup is focused on overall (incl. headliners). And that has a direct impact on the target audience and its age group, of course. I've noticed a big difference in the overall festival experience in the last couple of years. For all I know, someone like Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo orrr...Billie Eilish (in wish-lists of many) can sell out stadiums in a heartbeat maybe. Big names, undoubtedly (personally I don't know a single song of theirs but that says more about me ofc)! However, RW used to have a distinct identity that was setting it apart from other mainstream festivals. And that created thousands of "loyal" customers. There is a reason why combis didn't sell out last year and they had to reduce their number and increase day tickets instead. There is a reason why The Slope has become the favorite spot among us and is so packed all the time.

 

We have too many festivals these days, most of them being "controlled" by a handful of companies. And we really don't need two Pinkpops or two Pukkelpops just a few miles apart from each other. RW doesn't need to become like Primavera or Coachella. It can remain "different" or special. That's what I believe at least...

 

Anyway...It feels like RW is changing its skin. And every year, unfortunately, it becomes less and less of my thing. I'm probably not the type of customer they want anymore. And that's ok, it saddens me (that place feels like a holiday home for us after so many years) but I understand it and it's me that needs to adapt. With my friends we were of those people that would buy tickets immediately when they were out without waiting for the lineup knowing that it'd be awesome as always. For our taste that is. But It's not the case any more. 

 

So be it, I'll remain hopeful that it's just temporary and keep my eyes pinned on every announcement and if the lineup is similar to '24 I simply won't be there. But I'll still buy my Graspop ticket without second thoughts. It is what it is...

[northernangel]

2 hours ago, willsmith700 said:

Aren't Fontaines out Croatia way around Werchter / Pinkpop season?

I'm not sure. 

[sisco]

2 hours ago, willsmith700 said:

Aren't Fontaines out Croatia way around Werchter / Pinkpop season?

No mate.

 

Looks like:

 

Thursday - Werchter

Saturday - Finsbury Park

Sunday - France

Tuesday - Luxemberg 

[willsmith700]

3 minutes ago, sisco said:

No mate.

 

Looks like:

 

Thursday - Werchter

Saturday - Finsbury Park

Sunday - France

Tuesday - Luxemberg 

Ah my bad - it's just Pinkpop weekend when they are out and about Budapest way. 

[northernangel]

Fancy going from Blink 182/SOAD/Linkin Park to LP/Fontaines DC

[sisco]

16 minutes ago, northernangel said:

Fancy going from Blink 182/SOAD/Linkin Park to LP/Fontaines DC

You could do that for every festival.  Times change 

[BlackFoxx]

13 minutes ago, northernangel said:

Fancy going from Blink 182/SOAD/Linkin Park to LP/Fontaines DC

Linkin Park now are much bigger than they were then - as shown by the stadium tour they've got planned vs doing arenas back in the late 2010s. Fontaines have got a lot of critical acclaim and are an exciting band on an upward trajectory. Doesn't really feel like that much of a downgrade to me. We still only have 3 acts announced, feels premature to be complaining about lineups that haven't even been confirmed yet! 

[thetime]

56 minutes ago, northernangel said:

Fancy going from Blink 182/SOAD/Linkin Park to LP/Fontaines DC

 I would of thought that not having Blink 182 is an automatic upgrade for any festival. 🫣

[northernangel]

37 minutes ago, BlackFoxx said:

Linkin Park now are much bigger than they were then - as shown by the stadium tour they've got planned vs doing arenas back in the late 2010s. Fontaines have got a lot of critical acclaim and are an exciting band on an upward trajectory. Doesn't really feel like that much of a downgrade to me. We still only have 3 acts announced, feels premature to be complaining about lineups that haven't even been confirmed yet! 

 

Are they though or have they just come back on reunion buzz? You know LInkin Park played MK Bowl 65k in 2008 yes? They aren't playing stadiums in Belgium hence the Rock Werchter booking and their history shows they've only ever done festival shows there. Fontaines to be honest aren't a band I'd even think to put on a LP day. As the time said unfortunately, headliners at Rock Werchter sell you your ticket and it either works or it doesn't. The thought that Fontaines under LP instead of SOAD and Blink at Werchter and with the extra cost isn't a downgrade probably doesn't need to go any futher than that. 

 

4 minutes ago, thetime said:

 I would of thought that not having Blink 182 is an automatic upgrade for any festival. 🫣

 

I don't think you're the best option to ask when it comes to bands like them haha

[BlackFoxx]

3 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

Are they though or have they just come back on reunion buzz? You know LInkin Park played MK Bowl 65k in 2008 yes? They aren't playing stadiums in Belgium hence the Rock Werchter booking and their history shows they've only ever done festival shows there. Fontaines to be honest aren't a band I'd even think to put on a LP day. As the time said unfortunately, headliners at Rock Werchter sell you your ticket and it either works or it doesn't. The thought that Fontaines under LP instead of SOAD and Blink at Werchter and with the extra cost isn't a downgrade probably doesn't need to go any futher than that. 

 

 

I don't think you're the best option to ask when it comes to bands like them haha

2008 was almost 10 years before the 2017 lineup that you're referring to. Linkin Park in the mid/late 2010s did not have the same appeal as they did the decade before and were more of an arena than stadium band. Now they're back and are playing stadiums again, whether that's due to reunion buzz or not doesn't really matter if they're selling the tickets then that's the size they are, and everything suggests that this tour will sell. The relative size of a band is dynamic and Linkin Park are a bigger act in the 2025 festival landscape than they were in 2017. 

 

Not sure why Fontaines doesn't work for Linkin Park when they're a rock band with clear influences from other genres, including elements of hip hop. Although they do it in a different way you could draw parallels to the way Linkin Park also experiment across genres too. Also isn't this the same Rock Werchter that booked Black Eyed Peas and Iron Maiden together? I don't think you need to be restricted by genres and can be more creative in your programming than that.

 

Also the ticket price increase since 2017 also has to be partly down to inflation across the entire economy, and especially with gigs and festivals. It's a bit disingenuous to expect more based on that alone. I'd expect a fairer comparison might be to compare individual gig ticket costs Vs festival costs (albeit with some discount as you're seeing shorter festival sets) and I'd imagine Werchter still comes out as good value for money.

 

Out of interest, given who is either announced or believed to be touring this summer, who would you program for the festival? 

[sisco]

13 minutes ago, BlackFoxx said:

2008 was almost 10 years before the 2017 lineup that you're referring to. Linkin Park in the mid/late 2010s did not have the same appeal as they did the decade before and were more of an arena than stadium band. Now they're back and are playing stadiums again, whether that's due to reunion buzz or not doesn't really matter if they're selling the tickets then that's the size they are, and everything suggests that this tour will sell. The relative size of a band is dynamic and Linkin Park are a bigger act in the 2025 festival landscape than they were in 2017. 

 

Not sure why Fontaines doesn't work for Linkin Park when they're a rock band with clear influences from other genres, including elements of hip hop. Although they do it in a different way you could draw parallels to the way Linkin Park also experiment across genres too. Also isn't this the same Rock Werchter that booked Black Eyed Peas and Iron Maiden together? I don't think you need to be restricted by genres and can be more creative in your programming than that.

 

Also the ticket price increase since 2017 also has to be partly down to inflation across the entire economy, and especially with gigs and festivals. It's a bit disingenuous to expect more based on that alone. I'd expect a fairer comparison might be to compare individual gig ticket costs Vs festival costs (albeit with some discount as you're seeing shorter festival sets) and I'd imagine Werchter still comes out as good value for money.

 

Out of interest, given who is either announced or believed to be touring this summer, who would you program for the festival? 

Knowin his taste:

 

Razorlight

The Coral

Richard Ashcroft 

[charlierc]

1 hour ago, northernangel said:

Are they though or have they just come back on reunion buzz? You know LInkin Park played MK Bowl 65k in 2008 yes?

I grew up near Milton Keynes and am pretty sure that was the first gig for about 20 people in my school year.

 

In retrospect it's kinda something they never tried to book another show like it over there. Looking at their tour history between 2008 and the loss of Chester, there were 3 UK arena tours and a headline slot apiece at Download & Sonisphere. Feel like if they got the crowd to come to Milton Keynes - a venue I'm aware Londoners love to whine about having to trek too - they could've booked a big London stadium show. But maybe they didn't realise they could've done it at the time. I dunno.

[thetime]

2 hours ago, northernangel said:

 

I don't think you're the best option to ask when it comes to bands like them haha

 

Why not? 

 

They spoiled an amazing day at reading festival 2000. 

 

My Vitriol

Cay

RATM

Slipknot

Placebo

Ian Brown

 

Epic day, apart from blink who are a poor man's bloodhound gang. 😉

 

 

Edited 21 hours ago by thetime

[northernangel]

1 hour ago, sisco said:

Knowin his taste:

 

Razorlight

The Coral

Richard Ashcroft 

 

Sisco, why are you suddenly turning into a bit of a knob?, to put it politely? You've recently been giving sh*tty reactions on discord as well like 'didn't ask' as someone who had to make a new account on there recently. It's a bit dumb.

 

Aren't you the person that loves the Coral too?, and has been hoping for their appearances the last couple of years at Victorious and the likes? Whether you're trying to take the piss as using them as a reply for bands I'm thinking of instead of Fontaines DC or not, you like them so let's not try and be clever eh.

 

You're a grown man, you can reply to people's like and dislikes and people's changing of kinds of a situation without bringing bands in that you like yourself which actually makes your argument look stupid.

 

11 minutes ago, thetime said:

 

Why not? 

 

They spoiled an amazing day at reading festival 2000. 

 

My Vitriol

Cay

RATM

Slipknot

Placebo

Ian Brown

 

Epic day, apart from blink who are a poor man's bloodhound gang. 😉

 

 

Haha banger that. Good old Bloodhoung Gang.

[gingerevans84]

2 hours ago, BlackFoxx said:

2008 was almost 10 years before the 2017 lineup that you're referring to. Linkin Park in the mid/late 2010s did not have the same appeal as they did the decade before and were more of an arena than stadium band. Now they're back and are playing stadiums again, whether that's due to reunion buzz or not doesn't really matter if they're selling the tickets then that's the size they are, and everything suggests that this tour will sell. The relative size of a band is dynamic and Linkin Park are a bigger act in the 2025 festival landscape than they were in 2017. 

 

Not sure why Fontaines doesn't work for Linkin Park when they're a rock band with clear influences from other genres, including elements of hip hop. Although they do it in a different way you could draw parallels to the way Linkin Park also experiment across genres too. Also isn't this the same Rock Werchter that booked Black Eyed Peas and Iron Maiden together? I don't think you need to be restricted by genres and can be more creative in your programming than that.

 

Also the ticket price increase since 2017 also has to be partly down to inflation across the entire economy, and especially with gigs and festivals. It's a bit disingenuous to expect more based on that alone. I'd expect a fairer comparison might be to compare individual gig ticket costs Vs festival costs (albeit with some discount as you're seeing shorter festival sets) and I'd imagine Werchter still comes out as good value for money.

 

Out of interest, given who is either announced or believed to be touring this summer, who would you program for the festival? 

The crowd for Iron Maiden (then A-Trak, I think?) followed by Black Eyed Peas was the biggest churn of audience I have ever seen in my life. Also that BEP show was horrific and have never seen so many people leave a set 😂😂

[sisco]

17 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

Sisco, why are you suddenly turning into a bit of a knob?, to put it politely? You've recently been giving sh*tty reactions on discord as well like 'didn't ask' as someone who had to make a new account on there recently. It's a bit dumb.

 

Aren't you the person that loves the Coral too?, and has been hoping for their appearances the last couple of years at Victorious and the likes? Whether you're trying to take the piss as using them as a reply for bands I'm thinking of instead of Fontaines DC or not, you like them so let's not try and be clever eh.

 

You're a grown man, you can reply to people's like and dislikes and people's changing of kinds of a situation without bringing bands in that you like yourself which actually makes your argument look stupid.

 

Haha banger that. Good old Bloodhoung Gang.

Very polite.

[thetime]

24 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

Haha banger that. Good old Bloodhoung Gang.

 

Probably my 2nd fave festival day ever. 

 

Remember the bloodhound gang guy getting his nob out at Glastonbury, probably get done by the woke brigade now. 

Edited 20 hours ago by thetime

[sisco]

1 minute ago, thetime said:

 

Probably my 2nd fave festival day ever. 

Always good to get a run you love.  Typically Glastonbury Fridays always used to be that for me and then struggle over the rest of the weekend.

 

For those with experience what is the distance between stages at RW, presuming nothing is too far away?

[thetime]

1 minute ago, sisco said:

 

 

For those with experience what is the distance between stages at RW, presuming nothing is too far away?

 

No not really, bit tougher getting through as the evening goes ahead.

 

Although there shouldn't be much congestion for sam fender. 🤣

[tmolvik]

42 minutes ago, thetime said:

 

Why not? 

 

They spoiled an amazing day at reading festival 2000. 

 

My Vitriol

Cay

RATM

Slipknot

Placebo

Ian Brown

 

Epic day, apart from blink who are a poor man's bloodhound gang. 😉

 

 

 

Let's wake up Bloodhound Gang! 😉

6 hours ago, Floyd_Ams said:

 

I second pretty much everything you said, I've expressed similar thoughts in the past. 

 

Just to add a little something, imo, the issue (at least for us - current/past regulars) is not so much in regard to the "size" of the headliners but mostly for the music style that the lineup is focused on overall (incl. headliners). And that has a direct impact on the target audience and its age group, of course. I've noticed a big difference in the overall festival experience in the last couple of years. For all I know, someone like Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo orrr...Billie Eilish (in wish-lists of many) can sell out stadiums in a heartbeat maybe. Big names, undoubtedly (personally I don't know a single song of theirs but that says more about me ofc)! However, RW used to have a distinct identity that was setting it apart from other mainstream festivals. And that created thousands of "loyal" customers. There is a reason why combis didn't sell out last year and they had to reduce their number and increase day tickets instead. There is a reason why The Slope has become the favorite spot among us and is so packed all the time.

 

We have too many festivals these days, most of them being "controlled" by a handful of companies. And we really don't need two Pinkpops or two Pukkelpops just a few miles apart from each other. RW doesn't need to become like Primavera or Coachella. It can remain "different" or special. That's what I believe at least...

 

Anyway...It feels like RW is changing its skin. And every year, unfortunately, it becomes less and less of my thing. I'm probably not the type of customer they want anymore. And that's ok, it saddens me (that place feels like a holiday home for us after so many years) but I understand it and it's me that needs to adapt. With my friends we were of those people that would buy tickets immediately when they were out without waiting for the lineup knowing that it'd be awesome as always. For our taste that is. But It's not the case any more. 

 

So be it, I'll remain hopeful that it's just temporary and keep my eyes pinned on every announcement and if the lineup is similar to '24 I simply won't be there. But I'll still buy my Graspop ticket without second thoughts. It is what it is...

 

Amen to that. The programming last year almost seemed like they deliberately tried to divide the audience. Thursday/Friday had some nice rock-ish and novelty acts whic made me run from concert to concert, while Saturday/Sunday was more other genres represented by the likes of Jessie Ware, Janelle Monae, Sampha, Jungle, Loyle Carner, while there was hardly anything of that kind the two first days. I don't mind them booking such acts, even though it's far from my music taste and what I think RW should be (or at least was), but at least split them among the days. If not, it's no wonder why they don't sell festival tickets. Saturday/Sunday was terrible for my liver and if that's how the new RW will be, I unfortunately need to find something else after 12 consecutive years. Maybe that's why they've booked Green Day to play Good Riddance 😉

[sisco]

2 minutes ago, thetime said:

 

No not really, bit tougher getting through as the evening goes ahead.

 

Although there shouldn't be much congestion for sam fender. 🤣

That normally happens with my alcohol legs too tbf 😂

 

From anything I’ve watched the only issues seem to be getting into that front part with the big X

[thetime]

1 minute ago, sisco said:

 

 

From anything I’ve watched the only issues seem to be getting into that front part with the big X

 

Not sure about that 1, not someone that goes to the front. 

[e2p2]

9 hours ago, sisco said:

That normally happens with my alcohol legs too tbf 😂

 

From anything I’ve watched the only issues seem to be getting into that front part with the big X

Not really*. If there's a headliner you want to see, stand near the front gates when the sub finish their set. Many people will leave the pit and after that they'll let you enter. If you fancy seeing other acts usually a few minutes before the set starts will do.

 

*My last time was 2022 though.

[sisco]