Pukkelpop 2013

[HorseDonnell]

There should be some places around the Markt in Hasselt open until 4am or so, particularly on the Friday and Saturday nights. A lot of Belgian bars list their opening hours simply as "From 11.00" or similar, and will stay open so long as there is someone in there buying (and not misbehaving). If it's quiet (or if he's simply bored and wants to go home) the landlord can shut up shop at any thime.

[pryce]

im probs going to the pub in hasselt to watch England vs Scotland then come back to the boiler and weds night ..,, was decent in 2011

[Trufflehound]

We'll probably go up there Wednesday night this year, if only to get our wristbands and check out the vibe for a bit.

Last few years we've picked up wristbands when passing by en route to Hasselt on Wed afternoon, and I haven't been able to summon the energy to drag my arse out of the pub in Hasselt in the evening. Haven't done the Wednesday night since last time we camped in 2008.

But this year we're doing things a little differently. We'll be coming down a day earlier than usual, on the Tuesday, then going to visit a favourite brewery of mine south of Hasselt on the Wed afternoon.

[Semprini]

Did hear you we're going up on Tuesday Trufflehound, visiting a brewery is a great reason to kick off proceedings early. I should be getting in around 7pm on Wednesday depending on what trains I get so will also hit the pre-party at some point. Aside from the very first year we went, when our plane was delayed and we didn't get into Hasselt until 9pm, we've been to the Boiler party every year. There's something special about the night before a festival kicks off and the party at PP always has a fantastic atmosphere. They just have local DJs playing but the music is pretty eclectic and not just dance. Only that corner of the site is open and it's always nice to see the lay out of the Boiler and the outside area. You can buy food and drink tokens and we normally get a locker then too. Definitely go if you're camping, at least to have a look and soak up some of the atmosphere.

[NineInchRuiner]

How long will take to walk between the farthest stages? (Dance Hall and Club)

If there is, say, 10-15 min gap between two acts on different stages, will I make it?

[TheNewUnion]

Yeah, no problem. Pukkelpop site is pretty small really. OBviously crowds will slow you down but if you are good at bobbing and weaving through the crowd I don't think anywhere is more than 10 minutes walk away.

[truly_mangled]

How was the Castello last year?

Serious acts playing at it last year and the same for this one!

Same capacity as the club stage or slightly bigger?

Was never there in 2011...

[Semprini]

How was the Castello last year?

Serious acts playing at it last year and the same for this one!

Same capacity as the club stage or slightly bigger?

Was never there in 2011...

Edited August 7, 2013 by Semprini

[truly_mangled]

Seriously disappointing about XXYYXX backing out for me, I really hope it does not make the Maya Jane Coles/ James Blake dilemma even worse...

So many acts now sadly backing out, I remember Flying Lotus also dropping out last year too...

Castello is great to have so close to the Dance Hall and Bolier, but a serious lack of toilets in that general area looking at the map!

Boiler Room design this year? Any ideas? They always bring it with the visuals!

Also cheers for the info Semprini much appreciated

[Trufflehound]

Looking at the overhead picture they posted just before last year's festival, the Castello tent is the same as the Shelter, which was always bigger than the Club. I'm also very interested to see what it's like as I'll be spending quite a bit of time in there over the weekend. Think the fact it's now so close to the Boiler and Dance Hall will be a massive bonus for me as it will be very quick and easy to move between the three stages.

Up until about 2009/10, they used to have seats inside the Chateau (and the Wablief? too) which went round the back of the tent. It was a great place to sit and watch bands, particularly on Saturday night when you were really knackered and your feet were aching. Think it was following the Rusko incident that they moved the seats outside and they were there again last year from pictures I have seen.

Edited August 8, 2013 by Trufflehound

[pryce]

ignore ... stupid question

Edited August 8, 2013 by pryce

[HorseDonnell]

Probably getting geared up for Mikal Cronin this time next week! Anyone starting with him next week?

Many of you guys go to Brussels or any other close by cities after PP?

[Trufflehound]

Many of you guys go to Brussels or any other close by cities after PP?

[Semprini]

I always go to Amsterdam but that's usually just for Sunday as the flight I get is around 9pm from Schiphol. Stayed there for a couple of days the first time we went but sadly don't have the luxury of doing that now.

If I'm there in time I will watch a bit of School is Cool and Psycho 44 but the first ones for me are the Whatevers and Imagine Dragons. This time next week I'll be making my way to the Dance Hall to indulge my guilty pleasure - Charli XCX!

Saw some pictures taken yesterday on Facebook of the Main Stage going up. Could see the Club in the background and that looked all finished. There's a one day festival at the site this Saturday called Rimplerock which is for the oldies and features Bjorn Again and Engelbert Humperdinck. It's all on the Main Stage and everyone is seated so no mosh pits. It's a good way to make a bit more money and also test things out ready for the main event!

[Trufflehound]

There's a one day festival at the site this Saturday called Rimplerock which is for the oldies

Edited August 8, 2013 by Trufflehound

[HorseDonnell]

Sweet. Planning to go to Brussels for 2 days, then Antwerp for a day, somewhere random, and then Amsterdam for two days before flying home.

Any tips on whats good or what you would suggest for those cities?

[Challfc]

Travelling for a few days around holland and Germany on our way to the festival.we are still undecided where to stay on the Tuesday night,we have 2 choices,either Maastricht or hasselt itself.i'm thinking I'd like to stay in hasselt as it gives me a chance to check out the town before the festival itself as no doubt we'll be making a few visits throughout the festival.

Any ideas,advice would be great thanks.

[amfest12]

does anyone go or been at Brussels Summer Festival? how is it?

I'm flying to Brussels on Tuesday and thinking of going there but I don't really know the bands that play that day..

[DDave]

Never knew it was called after a zit.

Zitpop is what I shall call it from now on.

Our first act is likely to be Miles Kane, as I've said before, really not that arsed with the Thursday line up so will be knocking around Hasselt and relaxing with a few beers until then.

[pryce]

thursday is the busiest day for me ... packed from School is cool to Godspeed ....

[karelaanzee]

Neil Young cancelled.

[jimmyjimmy4080]

Will they replace Neil Young?? Few big drop outs now. Blur are free after szigert this week but it will probably be Deus, Snow Patrol or a shite metal band.

[TheNewUnion]

Truly gutted about this, the number one artist I was looking forward to. There must be a good reason for the cancellation but still, at this late stage it's a real blow. Lost count of how many people have cancelled, all of whom seemed to be on my list, Neil Young, Soloange, Slayer to name but three.

Yeah, Soulwax cancelled too,

Edited August 8, 2013 by TheNewUnion

[TheNewUnion]

Starting to question if I can be arsed going now. Can't stand Eminem, can see The XX anywhere, most of the others are touring bands you see at all sorts of festivals here and there, or at gigs locally. So much for spending at least a month listening almost exclusively to to Crazy Horse (can you tell I am disappointed! I said only this week if I only saw one act at the festival, as long as I was Crazy Horse it would be worth the admission)

How do you do a sad face?

[jimmyjimmy4080]

Starting to question if I can be arsed going now. Can't stand Eminem, can see The XX anywhere, most of the others are touring bands you see at all sorts of festivals here and there, or at gigs locally. So much for spending at least a month listening almost exclusively to to Crazy Horse (can you tell I am disappointed! I said only this week if I only saw one act at the festival, as long as I was Crazy Horse it would be worth the admission)

How do you do a sad face?