Rock Werchter 2025

[northernangel]

2 minutes ago, BlackFoxx said:

I think we're very lucky in Europe to have a lot of really good festivals that are relatively easy to travel to. If "Not-Rock Werchter" is a thing and is here to stay, it's not like there aren't other European festivals that do market themselves as more genre-focused rock festivals you could go to instead, e.g. Rock Im Park, Nova Rock, Download, etc. These alternative festivals will vary a bit in how narrowly they define rock music, for example Download aren't likely to book Maneskin any time soon, but they did headline Rock Im Park last year. Regardless such genre-focused festivals do still exist if that is what you're looking for.

 

Personally I think that Rock Werchter is (and has historically been) closer to broader booking, genre-diverse festivals like Mad Cool, Nos Alive and Roskilde than it has been to these kind of genre-focused rock festivals. However, for those that disagree and argue that Rock Werchter has lost its way as a 'rock' festival then I'm not sure why you wouldn't just go to something like Rock Im Park instead, as this feels to offer some of the solution to the criticism levied at the Rock Werchter lineup?

 

 

Because for a while a European festival always was an option to tick off with Werchter having looked like the option to cater to without going too heavy.

 

If Nova Rock had got Foos this year as well in the end it was possible but for Electric Callboy and Korn headlining no chance. RAR was also under consideration but we were disappointed a bit. The Friday is very me and strong but the others lack and they struggled for a final headliner too. The difference there is, I don't favour too much heavier metal hence why I have only bene to Download a couple of times and unless it's a must I avoid it. This year though has two days of interest. RAR in 2023 though was probably what I should have done but its close to Download 23 which I also went to.

[BlackFoxx]

3 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

Because for a while a European festival always was an option to tick off with Werchter having looked like the option to cater to without going too heavy.

 

If Nova Rock had got Foos this year as well in the end it was possible but for Electric Callboy and Korn headlining no chance. RAR was also under consideration but we were disappointed a bit. The Friday is very me and strong but the others lack and they struggled for a final headliner too. The difference there is, I don't favour too much heavier metal hence why I have only bene to Download a couple of times and unless it's a must I avoid it. This year though has two days of interest. RAR in 2023 though was probably what I should have done but its close to Download 23 which I also went to.

 

As a thought experiment, imagine you could create your own 4 day rock festival that isn't as heavy as say Download or Rock Im Park - so basically what it sounds like you want Rock Werchter to be (me too, a festival like this sounds perfect for me!). Based on who is already announced to be touring Europe early/mid summer 2025, who do you book as the top three acts for each day?

[northernangel]

3 minutes ago, BlackFoxx said:

@northernangel somewhat overlooked in your reply to my last post. But I'm genuinely interested in your thoughts on this part of my previous post.

Who did Rock Werchter not book from touring bands this summer that would've improved the current lineup or better fit with the lineup expectations you have from the festival?

 

Sometimes there is a lot to reply to everything which includes mine too. I mea. It goes without saying that I'd have booked Biffy Clyro and Bloc Party to start with as options. Frank Turner, Soft Play, Rise Against, The Warning, Dead Poet Society, The Prodigy, Creeper, Refused, JEW, Nova Twins, Yellowcard to name a few. That's without looking at availability etc and wjo is there.

 

But naturally availability and touring is a big point but at least a few of them are around even even bands others wanted. You could spread JEW, Rise Against, Bloc Party and Biffy Clyro and maybe Palaye Royal across the lineup for example and it suddenly becomes a do you ditch Download actually now. Some of those though would only play so low and aren't big enough in Belgium to get what they wanted but they nor are some of what they've booked higher up anyway. I would rather get an undercard band up a place higher than they should be but adds quality to a lineup than a too band not big enough for it but given it anyway. 

[northernangel]

7 minutes ago, BlackFoxx said:

 

As a thought experiment, imagine you could create your own 4 day rock festival that isn't as heavy as say Download or Rock Im Park - so basically what it sounds like you want Rock Werchter to be (me too, a festival like this sounds perfect for me!). Based on who is already announced to be touring Europe early/mid summer 2025, who do you book as the top three acts for each day?

 

Which is exactly what I knew you would turn it into. You asked me who else they could book and I gave you a selection of acts that not only me but others wants and like but you turn it into me, me, me again like always. Not all those bands I mentioned I like, I picked them as examples. But would you expect if you ask me that question?, me to roll of 10 bands that I don't like because they suit you?, obviously not.

 

I'm not going to into anymore of it to be honest as it's views and it goes for circles. If you take a festival though like Mad Cool which Werchter is closer to being now and with with Werchters pulling power, Mad Cools better previous 4 day efforts put a lot of this year to shame. But they still keep certain acts away from the same day to split it up and yes they have realised that over 4 days it wasn't sustainable for what they wanted which begs the question why another major festival in Europe would try 

[sisco]

So in summary:

 

Change the Rock Werchter name  to Werchter.  Bingo.

 

Glad I’m still getting name checked. ☀️

[BlackFoxx]

15 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 Some of those though would only play so low and aren't big enough in Belgium to get what they wanted but they nor are some of what they've booked higher up anyway. I would rather get an undercard band up a place higher than they should be but adds quality to a lineup than a too band not big enough for it but given it anyway. 

You'd rather bump a band up higher than they should be than give it to a band not big enough? I'm not sure I understand this.

 

10 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

Which is exactly what I knew you would turn it into. You asked me who else they could book and I gave you a selection of acts that not only me but others wants and like but you turn it into me, me, me again like always. Not all those bands I mentioned I like, I picked them as examples. But would you expect if you ask me that question?, me to roll of 10 bands that I don't like because they suit you?, obviously not.

 

I'm not going to into anymore of it to be honest as it's views and it goes for circles. If you take a festival though like Mad Cool which Werchter is closer to being now and with with Werchters pulling power, Mad Cools better previous 4 day efforts put a lot of this year to shame. But they still keep certain acts away from the same day to split it up and yes they have realised that over 4 days it wasn't sustainable for what they wanted which begs the question why another major festival in Europe would try 

I'd asked that question before you'd replied with your list of Biffy Clyro, Yellowcard, Refused etc. I'm not sure why you are being quite so defensive in not answering this question.

 

I'm asking this question because if you're going to criticise the Werchter lineup (it's fine, everyone is obviously allowed to do that), it's interesting to think what they could've booked instead. Whether Rock Werchter have actively chosen to go in this direction, or somewhat been 'forced' into it by a lack of available touring bands is an important distinction. This might provide some insight for what to expect in 2026, when traditionally big 'Rock' Werchter headliners like Pearl Jam, The Cure, Radiohead are expected to be touring again.

 

The rationale behind this thought experiment is that I'm not sure there are enough big 'rock' bands touring Europe is summer 2025 to fill a 4-day festival of the kind you describe. You likely either have to diversify 'softer' in one direction - e.g. to Olivia Rodrigo and Sam Fender, or 'heavier' in the other direction - e.g. Slipknot, BMTH and the like on RIP/Nova Rock lineups. That's without even considering the extra complexity of competition from other festivals, exclusivity clauses and everything else that is going to narrow the pool of bands further.

 

If you can't even come up with a hypothetical festival you'd like then I don't think it's fair to criticise Rock Werchter for not being able to do the same. 

[northernangel]

3 hours ago, BlackFoxx said:

You'd rather bump a band up higher than they should be than give it to a band not big enough? I'm not sure I understand this.

 

I'd asked that question before you'd replied with your list of Biffy Clyro, Yellowcard, Refused etc. I'm not sure why you are being quite so defensive in not answering this question.

 

I'm asking this question because if you're going to criticise the Werchter lineup (it's fine, everyone is obviously allowed to do that), it's interesting to think what they could've booked instead. Whether Rock Werchter have actively chosen to go in this direction, or somewhat been 'forced' into it by a lack of available touring bands is an important distinction. This might provide some insight for what to expect in 2026, when traditionally big 'Rock' Werchter headliners like Pearl Jam, The Cure, Radiohead are expected to be touring again.

 

The rationale behind this thought experiment is that I'm not sure there are enough big 'rock' bands touring Europe is summer 2025 to fill a 4-day festival of the kind you describe. You likely either have to diversify 'softer' in one direction - e.g. to Olivia Rodrigo and Sam Fender, or 'heavier' in the other direction - e.g. Slipknot, BMTH and the like on RIP/Nova Rock lineups. That's without even considering the extra complexity of competition from other festivals, exclusivity clauses and everything else that is going to narrow the pool of bands further.

 

If you can't even come up with a hypothetical festival you'd like then I don't think it's fair to criticise Rock Werchter for not being able to do the same. 

 

Yes because the bigger bands are what sells the festival to people so if they were to put a band that should really be 4th down 3rd down instead to get them in okay. If they put a band that should be subbing headlining it's a completely different matter.

 

You asked me a question and I have given you a decent amount of bands as a selectio. Some of which I like and some of which are just options. I'm not being defensive, you made out I'd just named a bunch of bands that I'm interested in but that wasn't the case. Some of those others were hoping for too so is it now a problem that I'd have liked them but not a problem when it's others? I've made it clear it is a case that not all will be available but they are touring and that's without going into every European festival and picking out rock bands. I've also made the suggestion that if they weren't able to fill a 4 day festival by doing it then maybe a 3 dag stronger festival was an option so I've covered multiple bases you have asked for. I'm not expecting the festival to book Slipknot and likes as Graspop is there for that.

 

Other than that, I'm not sure what you are expecting.

 

 

Edited March 29, 2025 by northernangel

[thetime]

10 minutes ago, northernangel said:

I've also made the suggestion that if they weren't able to fill a 4 day festival by doing it then maybe a 3 dag stronger festival was an option so I've covered multiple bases you have asked for. 

 

 

It exists to make money, would be a bit daft to reduce it by 25%, with 25% less money making opportunities. 

 

 

[thetime]

Not been on the werchter forum for a while, to excited by Sziget. 😃

 

How's the KOL/Fender combo gone down? Sounds like a cracking few hours to me. I was thinking of going down for the KOL/Courteeners day in Newcastle, so that's saved me a long trip, a few quid and 2 days off work for a 1 dayer. 

[northernangel]

48 minutes ago, thetime said:

 

It exists to make money, would be a bit daft to reduce it by 25%, with 25% less money making opportunities. 

 

 

 

I understand why it exists but it was a comment in reply.

 

44 minutes ago, thetime said:

Not been on the werchter forum for a while, to excited by Sziget. 😃

 

How's the KOL/Fender combo gone down? Sounds like a cracking few hours to me. I was thinking of going down for the KOL/Courteeners day in Newcastle, so that's saved me a long trip, a few quid and 2 days off work for a 1 dayer. 

 

Who are you top we'll say 7/8 acts at Sziget out if curiosity? Also of the clashfinder is right, that TLDP/Refused clash isn't nice bit I guess TLDP biggest song can still be seen stage distance depending.

 

Good if you like them, not if you don't haha. 

Edited March 29, 2025 by northernangel

[thetime]

26 minutes ago, northernangel said:

 

I understand why it exists but it was a comment in reply.

 

 

Who are you top we'll say 7/8 acts at Sziget out if curiosity? 

 

Van Buuren top of the list

Adriatique

Justice

Papa Roach

TLDP

FKA Twigs

Portugal the Man

 

Will check out the likes of RORY, luvcat, refused, caribou and Blossoms. 

 

Headliner wise I will check out charli xcx, chappel roan and anyma. 

 

Don't get me wrong it's a very very average lineup wise, still my fave festival I've been to by a long way though. Certainly enough to make the trip worth it. 

 

[sisco]

1 hour ago, thetime said:

Not been on the werchter forum for a while, to excited by Sziget. 😃

 

How's the KOL/Fender combo gone down? Sounds like a cracking few hours to me. I was thinking of going down for the KOL/Courteeners day in Newcastle, so that's saved me a long trip, a few quid and 2 days off work for a 1 dayer. 

Gone down very well on pretty much all the forums I’m on, the usual they’re not great live comments but on the whole pretty good.  Think both announcements this week have really given people a little pick me up.

 

[Kempleton]

1 hour ago, thetime said:

Not been on the werchter forum for a while, to excited by Sziget. 😃

 

How's the KOL/Fender combo gone down? Sounds like a cracking few hours to me. I was thinking of going down for the KOL/Courteeners day in Newcastle, so that's saved me a long trip, a few quid and 2 days off work for a 1 dayer. 

Seems like the Sam Fender / KOL combo has gone down like a bucket of cold sick in some quarters.

 

I’m not sure it’s possible to have a festival lineup that pleases everyone, to be honest. And the moaning always seems to drown everything else out.

 

I think there’s 4 good days and I’m really looking forward to it, but this will be my first time at RW, and I’m not about to tell those that have attended for many years that they’re wrong for being disappointed.

 

Part of me wishes that lineups were still the same as when I started going to festivals in the 90s, but realistically that won’t sell enough tickets.

 

When we’re at the festival, there will be thousands of people having the time of their lives, and the negativity will be forgotten.

[thetime]

3 minutes ago, sisco said:

Gone down very well on pretty much all the forums I’m on, the usual they’re not great live comments but on the whole pretty good.  Think both announcements this week have really given people a little pick me up.

 

 

Not seen KOL alot, they've always been decent when I've seen them.

[sisco]

Just now, thetime said:

 

Not seen KOL alot, they've always been decent when I've seen them.

Yeah seen them at Hyde park and like the tunes so I’m all good.  Don’t need a Dave Grohl talk to me every 2 mins

[thetime]

2 minutes ago, Kempleton said:

Seems like the Sam Fender / KOL combo has gone down like a bucket of cold sick in some quarters.

 

I’m not sure it’s possible to have a festival lineup that pleases everyone, to be honest. And the moaning always seems to drown everything else out.

 

I think there’s 4 good days and I’m really looking forward to it, but this will be my first time at RW, and I’m not about to tell those that have attended for many years that they’re wrong for being disappointed.

 

Part of me wishes that lineups were still the same as when I started going to festivals in the 90s, but realistically that won’t sell enough tickets.

 

When we’re at the festival, there will be thousands of people having the time of their lives, and the negativity will be forgotten.

 

Unfortunately people will always moan about lineups, especially when you've been to festivals for a few years.

 

Festivals and what sells moves on. I would love Shed Seven, Embrace and Bjork to to play major festivals, those times have gone. 

 

 

 

[thetime]

1 minute ago, sisco said:

Yeah seen them at Hyde park and like the tunes so I’m all good.  Don’t need a Dave Grohl talk to me every 2 mins

 

Last time foo fighters headlined a festival I was at, I went back to my tent. 🤪

[sisco]

Just now, thetime said:

 

Last time foo fighters headlined a festival I was at, I went back to my tent. 🤪

Love the food but f*cking shut up and he could fit in a few more songs 

[Ferda]

6 hours ago, BlackFoxx said:

@northernangel somewhat overlooked in your reply to my last post. But I'm genuinely interested in your thoughts on this part of my previous post.

Who did Rock Werchter not book from touring bands this summer that would've improved the current lineup or better fit with the lineup expectations you have from the festival?

NIN, who are available during Werchter timeframe. Having NIN instead of KOL would have been fantastic, but perhaps KOL will shift more tickets?

Anyway, I am happy with the lineup, just having a bit of diversity on Sunday by swapping some names around would make it much better for me, not just Sunday but the other days too as they have tons of clashes now

Edited March 29, 2025 by Ferda

[BlackFoxx]

6 minutes ago, Ferda said:

NIN, who are available during Werchter timeframe. Having NIN instead of KOL would have been fantastic, but perhaps KOL will shift more tickets?

Anyway, I am happy with the lineup, just having a bit of diversity on Sunday by swapping some names around would make it much better for me, not just Sunday but the other days too as they have tons of clashes now

Great answer, thanks for engaging with the question. I think NiN ended up at Graspop, so that would've ruled them out of Rock Werchter, so maybe a knock-on effect of not enough suitable heavier bands touring to fill Graspop and them being needed more there than at Werchter. Would've been great as a Barn headliner against Olivia. 

[Kempleton]

6 hours ago, BlackFoxx said:

@northernangel somewhat overlooked in your reply to my last post. But I'm genuinely interested in your thoughts on this part of my previous post.

Who did Rock Werchter not book from touring bands this summer that would've improved the current lineup or better fit with the lineup expectations you have from the festival?

Of the heavier acts that are around this summer, I would have preferred Biffy Clyro, Muse, Turnstile, Nova Twins over what is at RW. But that’s just personal preference.

 

And like others have said, some of Thursday and Friday’s acts swapped to Sunday would have made it a bit more balanced.

[thetime]

3 minutes ago, Kempleton said:

Of the heavier acts that are around this summer, I would have preferred Biffy Clyro, Muse, Turnstile, Nova Twins over what is at RW. But that’s just personal preference.

 

And like others have said, some of Thursday and Friday’s acts swapped to Sunday would have made it a bit more balanced.

 

Have muse fallen of the cliff for the majority of festival organisers, there tour this summer seems a strange one. 

[northernangel]

1 hour ago, thetime said:

 

Van Buuren top of the list

Adriatique

Justice

Papa Roach

TLDP

FKA Twigs

Portugal the Man

 

Will check out the likes of RORY, luvcat, refused, caribou and Blossoms. 

 

Headliner wise I will check out charli xcx, chappel roan and anyma. 

 

Don't get me wrong it's a very very average lineup wise, still my fave festival I've been to by a long way though. Certainly enough to make the trip worth it. 

 

 

I've got:

Van Buuren

Papa Roach

TLDP

Refused

Amelie Lens

Palaya Royale

Chappell Roan or Kenya Grace for the final one. I would say that top 6 would be must sees to so for what I would see it's good. I don't think there is enough to travel but there isn't much of I'll see if I feel like it apart from Charli. 

 

55 minutes ago, Kempleton said:

Seems like the Sam Fender / KOL combo has gone down like a bucket of cold sick in some quarters.

 

I’m not sure it’s possible to have a festival lineup that pleases everyone, to be honest. And the moaning always seems to drown everything else out.

 

I think there’s 4 good days and I’m really looking forward to it, but this will be my first time at RW, and I’m not about to tell those that have attended for many years that they’re wrong for being disappointed.

 

Part of me wishes that lineups were still the same as when I started going to festivals in the 90s, but realistically that won’t sell enough tickets.

 

When we’re at the festival, there will be thousands of people having the time of their lives, and the negativity will be forgotten.

 

KOL booking won't make the Fender booking and placement disappear and be better. It's the addition that's the difference but this is a really good post.

 

45 minutes ago, Ferda said:

NIN, who are available during Werchter timeframe. Having NIN instead of KOL would have been fantastic, but perhaps KOL will shift more tickets?

Anyway, I am happy with the lineup, just having a bit of diversity on Sunday by swapping some names around would make it much better for me, not just Sunday but the other days too as they have tons of clashes now

 

If they had booked NIN and KOL at the top how solid would they have been? I don't even like NIN either, but I can appreciate the idea and booking.

 

21 minutes ago, Kempleton said:

Of the heavier acts that are around this summer, I would have preferred Biffy Clyro, Muse, Turnstile, Nova Twins over what is at RW. But that’s just personal preference.

 

And like others have said, some of Thursday and Friday’s acts swapped to Sunday would have made it a bit more balanced.

 

Exactly this! So I'm not the only one who likes some of the acts. Every person out there wants to a degree their preferred acts more with a mix of others to miss or you wouldn't go. 

[Kempleton]

24 minutes ago, thetime said:

 

Have muse fallen of the cliff for the majority of festival organisers, there tour this summer seems a strange one. 

Good question. I have no clue how popular Muse are these days.

 

I don’t think I’ve listened to anything new by them for about 10 years. Always good value live, though.

[sisco]

36 minutes ago, Kempleton said:

Of the heavier acts that are around this summer, I would have preferred Biffy Clyro, Muse, Turnstile, Nova Twins over what is at RW. But that’s just personal preference.

 

And like others have said, some of Thursday and Friday’s acts swapped to Sunday would have made it a bit more balanced.

Yep that’s the thing I’ve always said, move Lambrini Girls, Coheed and Cambria, Boston Manor etc… to Sunday slope it would have helped a lot (obvs availability etc…).

 

Biffy are my fav band but as soon as I mentioned them on the Belguim boards I was basically told nope..: they’ll not be playing.  Annoying but I’ll see them elsewhere.  Tbf, I don’t mind having some different acts I’d not see at a standalone gig anyway.  That’s always my downfall at Glastonbury, I’ll always go with what I know whereas RW is forcing me a bit more out of the comfort zone.