Rock Werchter 2025

[majmun]

7 hours ago, Nicklord said:

For me, it's worse than usual (and I loved the 2024 edition, I know some people here didn't) by quite a lot. The number of acts I'd like to see - Thursday 10, Friday 6, Saturday 2, Sunday 2. Usually I have like 5 clashes each day

 

Feels like we have the same tastes 🤝

[sisco]

I’m sure you’re not able to say or will respond but thought I’d ask the question anyway.  @Ken19 do you know what’s going on with Saturday? Seems really odd it’s the day not sold out and then they go and make an announcement yesterday with no Saturday acts at all. 

[BlackFoxx]

Really enjoying Warhaus. Anyone know if they're likely to play songs with Sylvie Kreusch? Noticed they're both playing Friday but I think they used to be in a relationship together and aren't anymore so not sure if there's bad blood to prevent them playing together?

 

Either way, two nice new names for me alongside Wunderhorse and Weezer. Curious to see what happens with Saturday. Seems strange to not get any acts at all, especially when Franz Ferdinand was leaked alongside Weezer all the way before Christmas.

 

Sunday seems to be continuing to double down with more similar acts, which is perhaps a bit unexpected as I thought they'd pivot to appeal more to combi tickets by now. Bit of a guilty pleasure day for me, but can sympathise with the frustrations of others looking for an alternative. 

 

Lots more to come, and remaining optimistic! Already looking like 5+ acts to see each day apart from Saturday, but hopefully more will come soon. 

[northernangel]

1 hour ago, BlackFoxx said:

Really enjoying Warhaus. Anyone know if they're likely to play songs with Sylvie Kreusch? Noticed they're both playing Friday but I think they used to be in a relationship together and aren't anymore so not sure if there's bad blood to prevent them playing together?

 

Either way, two nice new names for me alongside Wunderhorse and Weezer. Curious to see what happens with Saturday. Seems strange to not get any acts at all, especially when Franz Ferdinand was leaked alongside Weezer all the way before Christmas.

 

Sunday seems to be continuing to double down with more similar acts, which is perhaps a bit unexpected as I thought they'd pivot to appeal more to combi tickets by now. Bit of a guilty pleasure day for me, but can sympathise with the frustrations of others looking for an alternative. 

 

Lots more to come, and remaining optimistic! Already looking like 5+ acts to see each day apart from Saturday, but hopefully more will come soon. 

It's very clear the idea of what Sunday had gone for and I wouldn't see Saturday when they do announce something being much different.

 

Interestingly but not unexpected, I was on the train back from London with a friend last night after Papa Roach. Don't see him often, we just ended up bumping into each other on the same train and discuss music, festivals etc and he had no interest at all in Saturday and Sunday. He likes whatever everyone doesn't mind from Noah Kahan which I'm sure doesn't need explaining lol. And he likes more than me like Deftones for example and is really still on board with LP, massive fan. I'm kinda Amyl, Nia Archives and Iggy Pop from that day. 

 

Just good to hear different opinions. He is very open to newer music though probably more than myself while still listening to a lot that he did 20 years ago.

[tmolvik]

We'll this was worse than expected. Weezer we knew about, Mother Mother is ok and De La Soul is a cool booking even though their music isn't to my taste. If you play teasers from the first four names in the announcement though, they almost feel like the same artists and they are very far away from being rock. I don't mind a lot of other genres, but this again is an announcement heavily leaning towards anything but. A piss poor announcement, which should be almost impossible to gather together, given how many decent rock bands that are touring this summer. It's becoming more and more obvious that the direction this festival is taking is far away from their previous versions, and it annoys me that they can't be open about it before people having bought tickets. 

 

I have only Weezer as a must see so far in this edition, otherwise 3 that I probably will go to on Thursday, Friday so far the best with 4 (including Weezer and with and two of the others probably clashing), maybe 1 on Saturday and maybe 1 on Sunday. Pretty much the same setup as last year, so the drinking will be heavy. Can't believe how rapidly this festival is declining. 

[sisco]

If there was a poster listed like all the other festivals do which showed:
 

Linkin Park, Green Day, Olivia Rodrigo Sam Fender, Deftones, Noah Khan, Simple Minds, Fontaines DC, Iggy Pop, Raye, Gracie Abrams, Weezer all at the top…  well it would look massively stacked.  Funnily enough separating it day by day as they do doesn’t show it off as well

Edited February 8, 2025 by sisco

[Kempleton]

3 hours ago, northernangel said:

It's very clear the idea of what Sunday had gone for and I wouldn't see Saturday when they do announce something being much different.

 

Interestingly but not unexpected, I was on the train back from London with a friend last night after Papa Roach. Don't see him often, we just ended up bumping into each other on the same train and discuss music, festivals etc and he had no interest at all in Saturday and Sunday. He likes whatever everyone doesn't mind from Noah Kahan which I'm sure doesn't need explaining lol. And he likes more than me like Deftones for example and is really still on board with LP, massive fan. I'm kinda Amyl, Nia Archives and Iggy Pop from that day. 

 

Just good to hear different opinions. He is very open to newer music though probably more than myself while still listening to a lot that he did 20 years ago.

I think this is a good take on it, to be honest.

 

It’s good to hear everyone’s opinion on the lineup. There’s plenty for me, but I can totally understand how it’s not for everyone, including some who have been attending RW for many years.

 

I think it would be sensible to give a separate announcement for Saturday, and try and shift some tickets. How they do that is another matter, though. I mean, Thursday and Sunday sold out quickest and the lineups for each day are…different 

[northernangel]

1 hour ago, Kempleton said:

I think this is a good take on it, to be honest.

 

It’s good to hear everyone’s opinion on the lineup. There’s plenty for me, but I can totally understand how it’s not for everyone, including some who have been attending RW for many years.

 

I think it would be sensible to give a separate announcement for Saturday, and try and shift some tickets. How they do that is another matter, though. I mean, Thursday and Sunday sold out quickest and the lineups for each day are…different 

 

I think Olivia brings pop punk/pop rock angle to it and she's clearly sold a massive lot of tickets before. I can't speak 100% on the crossover broadly in the undercard but it's quite dead to me, I'd arrive for the end of Noah Kahan.

 

Thursday I think was always going to sell out the fastest as it's the 'strongest', even if not someone's taste. Friday apart from Green Day wasn't all that either but that's me. But I think if Friday delivered anything less than the expected Green Day, Weezer and JEW that Download have it was always going to look a bit weak for me....not much that can beat that run for me.

 

I don't think anything could save Saturday for me as a whole really, the top 4 acts listed on the website are of no interest. That's me though.

[sisco]

Thursday:

 

Is an exceptionally strong day.  To have a top 4 (presumably) of LP, Deftones, Fontaines DC and Iggy is very good.  Add into that Amyl & The Sniffers, De La Soul and Ezra Collective and it’s pretty stacked.   I think it’s got enough already to be a great day 
 

Friday:

 

Has the big typical headliner Werchter headliner and Weezer aren’t normally a band which are always around.  Some sold if uninspiring acts in Simple Minds, Girl in Red, Wet Leg and then the dance options.  Shaping up to be a decent day but could do with a couple more additions. 
 

Saturday:

 

Well, that’s the one isn’t it, a headliner which could headline Glastonbury but is seen as a risk in Belgium which I guess shows in the ticket sales.  Think it needs that solid act under Sam to help with that.  Other than that, Raye is a phenomenal performer and although uninspired for me Elbow and Goldband are big Belgium favs.  Barry can’t swim is the other which has blown up in the U.K. and will no doubt get a fairly low spot in comparison here, he’s someone I want to catch.  But…. It needs much more

 

Sunday:

 

It’s not a typical Werchter day but it’s certainly the 2nd strongest day with Olivia, Noah and Gracie.  All huge acts and to get that run is very impressive.  Pommelien Thjis is the other who is starting to get a big push overseas and although I know nothing of them apparently is a great booking.  Nice to see some guitars in Wunderhorse getting booked but it does need more of that to counteract the poppier run on the main stage.

 

For me, half the acts have been announced, but there’s lots more room

to give the days something for everyone.   Fully expecting the likes of Patti Smith, Bloc Party, Teskey Brothers, Royel Otis, Kaiser Chiefs, London Grammar and Foster the People to be added soon 

[majmun]

9 hours ago, tmolvik said:

We'll this was worse than expected. Weezer we knew about, Mother Mother is ok and De La Soul is a cool booking even though their music isn't to my taste. If you play teasers from the first four names in the announcement though, they almost feel like the same artists and they are very far away from being rock. I don't mind a lot of other genres, but this again is an announcement heavily leaning towards anything but. A piss poor announcement, which should be almost impossible to gather together, given how many decent rock bands that are touring this summer. It's becoming more and more obvious that the direction this festival is taking is far away from their previous versions, and it annoys me that they can't be open about it before people having bought tickets. 

 

I have only Weezer as a must see so far in this edition, otherwise 3 that I probably will go to on Thursday, Friday so far the best with 4 (including Weezer and with and two of the others probably clashing), maybe 1 on Saturday and maybe 1 on Sunday. Pretty much the same setup as last year, so the drinking will be heavy. Can't believe how rapidly this festival is declining. 

Don't bury rock names that fast. Last year, Idles was announced very late for example and don't forget we have the whole slope coming on last for mosh pits 💃

[brightside23]

Do we have any info on how the Hive Resort packages are selling? Are Sahara 4, Tipi 4 or Sphere 5 likely to last a few more weeks until we have the full lineup?

[tmolvik]

13 hours ago, majmun said:

Don't bury rock names that fast. Last year, Idles was announced very late for example and don't forget we have the whole slope coming on last for mosh pits 💃

 

Not burying anything and although The Slope is my favorite stage, they won't host most of the more known rock bands touring, and which they have passed on. They have already stashed the slots at Main Stage, Barn and Klub C with Spotify-artists, developing more and more into at 95% festival (where the audience is chatting, being on their phone or otherwise uninterested in 95% of a show, while waiting to sing and stream that last famous song). Also, even if some decent acts will show up, they're probably stacked at on the same days where they already have some decent acts, just like they did last year. 

Even if it turns out that I'm just being overly negative (which I admit I am), it doesn't make any sense for them to wait until the end to announce the bands that fits in with their (at least previous) profile. The marketing department can't have their heads that buried in the sand, so I'm quite sure that this and last year marks a substantial shift in their profile and target audience, they just don't care to announce it, as they want to ride two horses as long as possible, while exploiting their long time loyal customers for a few extra years.

 

[northernangel]

8 hours ago, tmolvik said:

 

Not burying anything and although The Slope is my favorite stage, they won't host most of the more known rock bands touring, and which they have passed on. They have already stashed the slots at Main Stage, Barn and Klub C with Spotify-artists, developing more and more into at 95% festival (where the audience is chatting, being on their phone or otherwise uninterested in 95% of a show, while waiting to sing and stream that last famous song). Also, even if some decent acts will show up, they're probably stacked at on the same days where they already have some decent acts, just like they did last year. 

Even if it turns out that I'm just being overly negative (which I admit I am), it doesn't make any sense for them to wait until the end to announce the bands that fits in with their (at least previous) profile. The marketing department can't have their heads that buried in the sand, so I'm quite sure that this and last year marks a substantial shift in their profile and target audience, they just don't care to announce it, as they want to ride two horses as long as possible, while exploiting their long time loyal customers for a few extra years.

 

I don't think you're being negative though if that is your opinion and I don't think it's negative either to express how you see a festival changing for the worse being that is what is happening if you compare it to what you would usually expect. The truth be told is likely that the rock music scene isn't what it was and it's quite telling if a rock festival that have had varying rock over a vast amount of years changes enough where it's noticeably not at this place anymore, it gets quite telling. While Olivia, Noah, Gracie might be seen as a 'big' trio, not for this festival so much. As I've touched on, I've fairly sure Olivia is carry a lot of weight in the tickets, as would have LP for Thursday but the pop fans over rock fans will be telling too.

 

If they booked this festival for Mad Cool for example there wouldn't be as much of an issue because the same expectation isn't there.

 

Speaking of The Slope, I think I had two acts on it I would watch last year and two in 2023. You can only like what you like though.

[BlackFoxx]

4 hours ago, northernangel said:

I don't think you're being negative though if that is your opinion and I don't think it's negative either to express how you see a festival changing for the worse being that is what is happening if you compare it to what you would usually expect. The truth be told is likely that the rock music scene isn't what it was and it's quite telling if a rock festival that have had varying rock over a vast amount of years changes enough where it's noticeably not at this place anymore, it gets quite telling. While Olivia, Noah, Gracie might be seen as a 'big' trio, not for this festival so much. As I've touched on, I've fairly sure Olivia is carry a lot of weight in the tickets, as would have LP for Thursday but the pop fans over rock fans will be telling too.

 

If they booked this festival for Mad Cool for example there wouldn't be as much of an issue because the same expectation isn't there.

 

Speaking of The Slope, I think I had two acts on it I would watch last year and two in 2023. You can only like what you like though.

 

Are Mad Cool and Rock Werchter really that different in the genres they book? To me the lineups have looked fairly similar since Mad Cool started, and I've always thought of Rock Werchter as being more like Mad Cool or Glasto where you have quite an eclectic and varied lineup, but usually one of the strongest of the summer.

 

Whereas it seems your perception is more that Rock Werchter is or at least was booked like Rock Im Park or Nova Rock and was more genre-focused as a rock festival. I've not been to Werchter before so am happy to admit I'm likely wrong, but I feel like how strictly you interpret the 'rock' in Rock Werchter probably influences a lot of what your initial expectations are and how you receive the lineup.

 

Having said that, I agree that the Sunday remains much more concentrated in certain genres and includes a lot more newer acts (Tik Tok?) than I think Werchter has had before. Will have to see if that gets balanced out at all with future announcements. Maybe they should try and get as many of the support acts playing the Sabbath show at Villa Park as they can to fill out the barn...

 

 

[RutgerGM]

On 2/8/2025 at 10:09 AM, BlackFoxx said:

Really enjoying Warhaus. Anyone know if they're likely to play songs with Sylvie Kreusch? Noticed they're both playing Friday but I think they used to be in a relationship together and aren't anymore so not sure if there's bad blood to prevent them playing together?

Very likely. Sylvie did backings on the latest Warhaus-album again, and they are full of praise for each other in interviews, podcast ...

Sylvie will play an early mainstage slot so she can join Warhaus later that day in a tent, i suppose. 

[BlackFoxx]

25 minutes ago, RutgerGM said:

Very likely. Sylvie did backings on the latest Warhaus-album again, and they are full of praise for each other in interviews, podcast ...

Sylvie will play an early mainstage slot so she can join Warhaus later that day in a tent, i suppose. 

 

Excellent news, will try and catch both sets depending on clashes!

 

Sure I'm not the first to say it, but hear a lot of Lana Del Rey in Sylvie.

Edited February 10, 2025 by BlackFoxx

[northernangel]

10 hours ago, BlackFoxx said:

 

Are Mad Cool and Rock Werchter really that different in the genres they book? To me the lineups have looked fairly similar since Mad Cool started, and I've always thought of Rock Werchter as being more like Mad Cool or Glasto where you have quite an eclectic and varied lineup, but usually one of the strongest of the summer.

 

Whereas it seems your perception is more that Rock Werchter is or at least was booked like Rock Im Park or Nova Rock and was more genre-focused as a rock festival. I've not been to Werchter before so am happy to admit I'm likely wrong, but I feel like how strictly you interpret the 'rock' in Rock Werchter probably influences a lot of what your initial expectations are and how you receive the lineup.

 

Having said that, I agree that the Sunday remains much more concentrated in certain genres and includes a lot more newer acts (Tik Tok?) than I think Werchter has had before. Will have to see if that gets balanced out at all with future announcements. Maybe they should try and get as many of the support acts playing the Sabbath show at Villa Park as they can to fill out the barn.

 

 

 

Well Mad Cool actually booked Olivia, Noah Kahan and Gracie Adams on different days for a start and in my opinion have changed as well in certain elements this year, but they've never portrayed themselves I don't believe in any different way. 

 

I've never described Rock Werchter as like Rock IM Park which has naturally always generally focused heavier so you've got your own perception from somewhere else there so yes you are wrong.

 

You contradict a bit with the Sundau while failing to mention Saturday being dull as dishwater and worse than the Sunday. I could enter Sundah to have a listen to 3 acts, Saturday I currently wouldn't leave the campsite drinking but I can accept Elbow are a 'rock band' of sorts, they likely fit in my top 3 of most dull and boring bands to ever hear or see live but that's my own opinion.

[Kempleton]

Whilst currently absent of much in the way of big names, is Saturday really that bad?

 

Two of this year’s All Points East headliners for a start, and I think Barry Can’t Swim will be an absolute riot.

Beth Gibbons is a bit of a living legend, who I’ve never managed to catch live.

 

Amenra sound absolutely spectacular, if a lot heavier than what i usually listen to.

 

Blanco White’s last album is also worth checking out imo.

 

It could definitely benefit from something like Biffy Clyro, or something like that, but the undercard is definitely worth checking out, if you haven’t already.

[BlackFoxx]

1 hour ago, northernangel said:

 

Well Mad Cool actually booked Olivia, Noah Kahan and Gracie Adams on different days for a start and in my opinion have changed as well in certain elements this year, but they've never portrayed themselves I don't believe in any different way. 

 

I've never described Rock Werchter as like Rock IM Park which has naturally always generally focused heavier so you've got your own perception from somewhere else there so yes you are wrong.

 

You contradict a bit with the Sundau while failing to mention Saturday being dull as dishwater and worse than the Sunday. I could enter Sundah to have a listen to 3 acts, Saturday I currently wouldn't leave the campsite drinking but I can accept Elbow are a 'rock band' of sorts, they likely fit in my top 3 of most dull and boring bands to ever hear or see live but that's my own opinion.

 

 

Sorry if I've misunderstood, but I'm trying to understand this previous comment. 

 

"If they booked this festival for Mad Cool for example there wouldn't be as much of an issue because the same expectation isn't there."

 

My reading of this was is that you think Mad Cool is more pop-leaning? Or that O Rod, Noah Kahan and Gracie Abrams fit more there for some other reason than they do at Rock Werchter? What did you mean by this?

 

I agree you've never directly compared Rock Werchter to Rock IM Park, but the point I was trying to make is that your previous comments reacting to some of the lineup suggests you're expecting a more genre-focused rock lineup. I guess I struggle sometimes to understand what your realistic expectations for the festival are? 

 

Saturday has less acts announced, for reasons speculated above at length, and so didn't seem fair to compare to the other days. Sam Fender qualifies as a rock act too, as would the heavily rumoured/leaked Franz Ferdinand, and as mentioned by Kempleton there are lots of other big names in other genres already announced.

 

[sisco]

28 minutes ago, BlackFoxx said:

 

 

Sorry if I've misunderstood, but I'm trying to understand this previous comment. 

 

"If they booked this festival for Mad Cool for example there wouldn't be as much of an issue because the same expectation isn't there."

 

My reading of this was is that you think Mad Cool is more pop-leaning? Or that O Rod, Noah Kahan and Gracie Abrams fit more there for some other reason than they do at Rock Werchter? What did you mean by this?

 

I agree you've never directly compared Rock Werchter to Rock IM Park, but the point I was trying to make is that your previous comments reacting to some of the lineup suggests you're expecting a more genre-focused rock lineup. I guess I struggle sometimes to understand what your realistic expectations for the festival are? 

 

Saturday has less acts announced, for reasons speculated above at length, and so didn't seem fair to compare to the other days. Sam Fender qualifies as a rock act too, as would the heavily rumoured/leaked Franz Ferdinand, and as mentioned by Kempleton there are lots of other big names in other genres already announced.

 

The thing is people always want more.  Not really sure why people continue to moan about it either as you can see the way all festivals/acts are going.  People have done the same about Glastonbury for years too.  
 

The 1 argument I get is for balance of hat announcement the other day really could have done with more acts that could counteract the pop acts.  Think it was only really Wunderhorse that done that.  And of course still perplexed why nothing came for Saturday.  Sure all will become clearer soon 

[h12101]

Rumours of the demise of this festival are greatly exaggerated. It's always been a good mix of mainstream music, the "rock" in Rock Werchter is somewhat of a misnomer.

 

In my first year (15 years ago), there was Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Black Eyed Peas. There's always been pop, there's always been dance, there's always been the new/popular acts at the time.

 

Green Day and Linkin Park are the two biggest "rock" names they could of booked this year (and wouldn't be out of place at Download and RaR/RiP), with the other guitar bands further down the lineup (and those yet to be announce) we're well catered for.

 

[bitterobvious]

1 hour ago, h12101 said:

Rumours of the demise of this festival are greatly exaggerated. It's always been a good mix of mainstream music, the "rock" in Rock Werchter is somewhat of a misnomer.

 

In my first year (15 years ago), there was Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Black Eyed Peas. There's always been pop, there's always been dance, there's always been the new/popular acts at the time.

 

Green Day and Linkin Park are the two biggest "rock" names they could of booked this year (and wouldn't be out of place at Download and RaR/RiP), with the other guitar bands further down the lineup (and those yet to be announce) we're well catered for.

 

 

Exactly, I went in 2010 when there was just the main stage and the barn. Now there's four stages you're going to get a bigger mix of music

[ParanoidTourist]

I actually think the festival was more musically diverse in the past despite having only 2 stages back then. For example, in 2010 Pink and Rammstein played directly after one another whereas this year they seem to gather all Tik Tok artists on the same day which makes it more boring in my opinion. 

[northernangel]

5 hours ago, Kempleton said:

Whilst currently absent of much in the way of big names, is Saturday really that bad?

 

Two of this year’s All Points East headliners for a start, and I think Barry Can’t Swim will be an absolute riot.

Beth Gibbons is a bit of a living legend, who I’ve never managed to catch live.

 

Amenra sound absolutely spectacular, if a lot heavier than what i usually listen to.

 

Blanco White’s last album is also worth checking out imo.

 

It could definitely benefit from something like Biffy Clyro, or something like that, but the undercard is definitely worth checking out, if you haven’t already.

 

Saturday is garbage and considering at least one person who has agreed its the problem area but agreed with this is contradictory and quite laughable but that doesn't shock me at all really. Amenra are dreadful. 

 

I'm unsure what two of APE's headliners actually means?, APE days of booking decent lineups are gone and for the amount of trashing older indie bands get on here, The Maccabees lol come on. RAYE is just a no.

 

4 hours ago, BlackFoxx said:

 

 

Sorry if I've misunderstood, but I'm trying to understand this previous comment. 

 

"If they booked this festival for Mad Cool for example there wouldn't be as much of an issue because the same expectation isn't there."

 

My reading of this was is that you think Mad Cool is more pop-leaning? Or that O Rod, Noah Kahan and Gracie Abrams fit more there for some other reason than they do at Rock Werchter? What did you mean by this?

 

I agree you've never directly compared Rock Werchter to Rock IM Park, but the point I was trying to make is that your previous comments reacting to some of the lineup suggests you're expecting a more genre-focused rock lineup. I guess I struggle sometimes to understand what your realistic expectations for the festival are? 

 

Saturday has less acts announced, for reasons speculated above at length, and so didn't seem fair to compare to the other days. Sam Fender qualifies as a rock act too, as would the heavily rumoured/leaked Franz Ferdinand, and as mentioned by Kempleton there are lots of other big names in other genres already announced.

 

 

Mad Cool have never identified as anything other than a festival booking a range of what they consider the best out there at the time. Rock Wechter has booked with identity.

 

It's just just the fact they fit more there, they've split them up on days including Olivia as I said so there is space for more variety. Those 3 one after another at Werchter is pretty bad, like slide one at least to the Fender day or something even if the way it's booked is pretty obvious. I don't see at all why you would go to see Olivia thinking of those other two....the fact they are big selling at the minute counts for nothing in scheme of things. LDR is big selling, she's not going to play under Slipknot, BMTH, SOAD is she.

 

Yes but rock doesn't mean go and book Slipknot. In all fairness, we know that Rock AM Ring focus a lot on heavy rock and have a lot of metal band bands but there is rock and pop.

 

Sam shouldn't be doing it plain and simple.

[northernangel]

51 minutes ago, ParanoidTourist said:

I actually think the festival was more musically diverse in the past despite having only 2 stages back then. For example, in 2010 Pink and Rammstein played directly after one another whereas this year they seem to gather all Tik Tok artists on the same day which makes it more boring in my opinion. 

Pink is about the most rock pop singer you're going to get, she's famously known for rock influenced pop songs. But the difference to Fender and potential Raye and then Olivia and Noah is massively different.