Rock Werchter 2026

[BlackFoxx]

2 minutes ago, BlackFoxx said:

How big were they across Europe? Seem to recall they never got as big as in the UK/USA. But not sure how the reunion and it being a Black Parade show factors into that. The theatrics of the stage show they've had in the US might be a little harder to translate to festivals, especially if they get shorter set.

 

Would co-headline / sub be about the right spot in the Belgian market? 

Did a quick Google. Looks like they played Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam in the Netherlands on the 2022 reunion tour. Google suggests about 16k capacity, so quite a step down from the multiple MK Bowl shows and all the others in the UK on the same tour. 

 

I feel like this tour setup might lend itself more to headlining their own shows rather than doing a reduced hour set at a major festival like Werchter. Wait and see though - would help out avoid a clash between Wembley and 2000 Trees!

[BlackFoxx]

35 minutes ago, BlackFoxx said:

Did a quick Google. Looks like they played Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam in the Netherlands on the 2022 reunion tour. Google suggests about 16k capacity, so quite a step down from the multiple MK Bowl shows and all the others in the UK on the same tour. 

 

I feel like this tour setup might lend itself more to headlining their own shows rather than doing a reduced hour set at a major festival like Werchter. Wait and see though - would help out avoid a clash between Wembley and 2000 Trees!

Just posting to myself here, so apologies...

 

Poster on the Download Fest forums says more shows and fests likely to come, so ignore most of my speculation above aha!

[VolkIreland]

Ah yes. I knew jumping in here would show some talk of MCR. 

 

Yes, yes. 

[ali_rocks]

I've read a few times that Arctic Monkeys are planning a "full summer tour" for next year. So maybe already a festival contender?

For me it was quite boring in 2023, so I hope they just play their own gigs and do an august festival run. 

 

Also Florence + the Machine are teasing new music on socials. Along with The Cure, Chappell Roan and Muse, they would be my dream line-up for next year. 

[MiloAFC]

I'd be happy with Florence and the Machine - System of a Down - MCR - 4th headliner (Arctic Monkeys?) 

[Floyd_Ams]

5 hours ago, BlackFoxx said:

Did a quick Google. Looks like they played Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam in the Netherlands on the 2022 reunion tour. Google suggests about 16k capacity, so quite a step down from the multiple MK Bowl shows and all the others in the UK on the same tour. 

 

I feel like this tour setup might lend itself more to headlining their own shows rather than doing a reduced hour set at a major festival like Werchter. Wait and see though - would help out avoid a clash between Wembley and 2000 Trees!

 

MCR are popular but not nearly as big in the rest of Europe as in UK & US. A "reduced hour set" won't be the problem as they can always give them a bigger slot even if they are not headliners (as a sub or in a co-headlining format). They did it with The Cure in 2019 for example. Imo, the question is whether they'll accept a non-headlining position or not. If not, they won't be there as they are not headliners for RW.

 

Edit: They can be Barn headliners though 🙂

Edited August 11, 2025 by Floyd_Ams

[northernangel]

4 hours ago, ali_rocks said:

I've read a few times that Arctic Monkeys are planning a "full summer tour" for next year. So maybe already a festival contender?

For me it was quite boring in 2023, so I hope they just play their own gigs and do an august festival run. 

 

Also Florence + the Machine are teasing new music on socials. Along with The Cure, Chappell Roan and Muse, they would be my dream line-up for next year. 

 

Florence would be a good sub for The Cure. I'd be disappointed with Florence, The Cure, Chappell and Muse as headliners. I'm pretty sure Chappell has confirmed she's going to be away for a while after this tour anyway.

 

I'm still on The Cure and SOAD as two of them.

[ali_rocks]

18 hours ago, northernangel said:

 

Florence would be a good sub for The Cure. I'd be disappointed with Florence, The Cure, Chappell and Muse as headliners. I'm pretty sure Chappell has confirmed she's going to be away for a while after this tour anyway.

 

I'm still on The Cure and SOAD as two of them.

 

Yeah, I can see Florence in a co-headline construction like they did with Mumford & Sons in 2019. But good to know that Chappell confirmed that, though. I automatically thought about an interview Herman Schueremans did, in which he compared her to Olivia Rodrigo and talked about them being a good fit for (rock) festivals, so hopefully on her next tour then. 

 

SOAD also are really strong contenders. And maybe KOL will reschedule their tour for next year, who knows?

[MiloAFC]

KOL would be nice as co-headliners again; gutted I can't make it down to Victorious for them and QOTSA (who I'm also hoping are back in some form) 

[northernangel]

6 hours ago, ali_rocks said:

 

Yeah, I can see Florence in a co-headline construction like they did with Mumford & Sons in 2019. But good to know that Chappell confirmed that, though. I automatically thought about an interview Herman Schueremans did, in which he compared her to Olivia Rodrigo and talked about them being a good fit for (rock) festivals, so hopefully on her next tour then. 

 

SOAD also are really strong contenders. And maybe KOL will reschedule their tour for next year, who knows?

 

Potentially next time yes, Olivia is streets ahead of Chappell though.

 

I wouldn't be surprised a bit if SOAD and The Cure aren't there. SOADs Berlin date is too close to not be an option and they won't be doing their own outside date if LP couldn't. That's one of the benefits as well that Werchter has, they can grab huge headliners that would play their own shows in other places of Europe. SOAD, Florence, The Cure and KOL being in the mix would be very strong for me. I can't make it to Victorious for KOL...well I'm not going to as its too much travel etc. We are looking at feastival for the Sunday which takes much less time to get to.

[northernangel]

I think MCR will sub SOAD and play their own Belgium show later as well. They played Werchter in 2007, did their own show later that year and returned to Werchter 2011 with a shorter set so I don't think that would bother them.

 

SOAD, MCR

The Cure, FATM, Vampire Weekend

Radiohead, KOL

Billie, Lorde

[Ohad]

On 13/08/2025 at 20:01, northernangel said:

I think MCR will sub SOAD and play their own Belgium show later as well. They played Werchter in 2007, did their own show later that year and returned to Werchter 2011 with a shorter set so I don't think that would bother them.

 

SOAD, MCR

The Cure, FATM, Vampire Weekend

Radiohead, KOL

Billie, Lorde

Sounds nice. Is Billie confirmed to tour next year? She did a big one this year

[bitterobvious]

How did deadmau5 go down in 2012? seems pretty active this year. I know it wouldn't normally fit in, but for incredibly selfish reasons, it would be cool

[BlackFoxx]

Just rumours obviously, but on the Download Forums folks who were in the know about the MCR dates have since cooled on rumours that they'd do other festivals / shows - so perhaps looking less likely they'd turn up here.

 

Think the latest suggestion is a festival run in '27.

[Sparticus]

3 minutes ago, BlackFoxx said:

Just rumours obviously, but on the Download Forums folks who were in the know about the MCR dates have since cooled on rumours that they'd do other festivals / shows - so perhaps looking less likely they'd turn up here.

 

Think the latest suggestion is a festival run in '27.

I could see a festival run, but can't see the logic in only doing the Wembley shows. Equally, they're not advertised as exclusive.

[northernangel]

17 hours ago, Sparticus said:

I could see a festival run, but can't see the logic in only doing the Wembley shows. Equally, they're not advertised as exclusive.

 

They might do a festival run in 27 but that doesn't stop them doing certain festivals in 26 similar to LP where bigger outdoor shows aren't always the easiest. That's how the likes of Werchter grabs the acts as well because unless your doing the Sportspalais however it's spelt, the boutique, the classic or are a heavier act that Graspop grabs then Werchter is there. No other festival got the 3 main headliners Werchter had this year...even if the rest of the card did suffer.

[charlierc]

On 11/08/2025 at 09:54, BlackFoxx said:

Did a quick Google. Looks like they played Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam in the Netherlands on the 2022 reunion tour. Google suggests about 16k capacity, so quite a step down from the multiple MK Bowl shows and all the others in the UK on the same tour. 

 

I feel like this tour setup might lend itself more to headlining their own shows rather than doing a reduced hour set at a major festival like Werchter. Wait and see though - would help out avoid a clash between Wembley and 2000 Trees!

I hate to be so pedantic, but they played the MK Dons stadium (capacity around 25-30k) rather than the MK Bowl (capacity around 65k).

 

Just as someone who went to both MCR at Stadium MK and Muse at MK Bowl a year later.

[charlierc]

On 15/08/2025 at 19:53, Sparticus said:

I could see a festival run, but can't see the logic in only doing the Wembley shows. Equally, they're not advertised as exclusive.

I'm assuming there'll be some European shows, if only because taking the full apparatus here to just play Wembley seems extreme.

 

Whether it necessarily translates to MCR doing Werchter or other such events as a bill topper is another question. At the very least the timing of Wembley rules them out of Mad Cool & NOS Alive.

[BlackFoxx]

12 hours ago, charlierc said:

I hate to be so pedantic, but they played the MK Dons stadium (capacity around 25-30k) rather than the MK Bowl (capacity around 65k).

 

Just as someone who went to both MCR at Stadium MK and Muse at MK Bowl a year later.

Cheers, thanks for the correction!

 

The latest chat on the Download Forums suggested that this might be their only European shows this year. Looks like it's changing situation though, as the same person had also earlier reported that they'd been in discussions with Hellfest. 

 

Not sure if it's a case of wanting to do these Black Parade shows as a standalone thing, and then maybe come back for festival slots next year?

 

I think the same person had reported that the MK Stadium shows during COVID were meant to be standalone, with Warrington, Eden etc as a separate run, but then because of postponements it all got pushed together. 

[Sparticus]

14 hours ago, charlierc said:

I'm assuming there'll be some European shows, if only because taking the full apparatus here to just play Wembley seems extreme.

 

Whether it necessarily translates to MCR doing Werchter or other such events as a bill topper is another question. At the very least the timing of Wembley rules them out of Mad Cool & NOS Alive.

That was my thinking.

 

I could see them adding Graspop and hellfest (logistically close, and I can't see them getting top billing at Werchter).

[charlierc]

On 11/08/2025 at 12:35, ali_rocks said:

Also Florence + the Machine are teasing new music on socials. 

They very much are now. New album out in October, lead single out this week.

 

So I assume we'll soon be hearing them being active in some capacity.

[charlierc]

11 hours ago, BlackFoxx said:

Cheers, thanks for the correction!

 

The latest chat on the Download Forums suggested that this might be their only European shows this year. Looks like it's changing situation though, as the same person had also earlier reported that they'd been in discussions with Hellfest. 

 

Not sure if it's a case of wanting to do these Black Parade shows as a standalone thing, and then maybe come back for festival slots next year?

 

I think the same person had reported that the MK Stadium shows during COVID were meant to be standalone, with Warrington, Eden etc as a separate run, but then because of postponements it all got pushed together. 

Plausible. MK Stadium was the only confirmed 2020 UK shows in March when covid interrupted everything, with the other stuff announced later on down the line and those shows ending up being the centrepiece of a longer UK run.

 

I guess we'll find out what follows in due course. But it would surprise me if there weren't some kind of other shows supporting the main Black Parade stuff. Even if that intelligence suggests they could genuinely just pop to this side of the Atlantic for Wembley only.

[sisco]

Well 2025 festival season is pretty much over so starting to look forward to the announcements coming from October (presumably).  
 

For Werchter my 10 I think will be there for certain (so that’ll mean hardly any of them will be) are:

 

Mumford & Sons, The Cure, CMAT, HAIM, The Last Dinner Party, Lorde, Turnstile, Viagra Boys, Kings of Leon and Wolf Alice. 

Edited August 25, 2025 by sisco

[BlackFoxx]

Anyone up to date with Oasis rumours? Seen something suggesting Paris end of June. Could be them in the frame for a date at Werchter - more likely Classic rather than festival itself 

[ParanoidTourist]

Many rumours now about a Radiohead tour in November/December and possibly doing some festival dates in the summer.