Therefore,
How rock werchter put belgium:
Founder of Rock Werchter. For example, his variations (TW Classic, Werchter Boutique), “Herman” – because here, everyone calls him by his first name – also directs Live Nation Belgium. For example, This subsidiary of the American giant reigns on the live music market. Similarly, manages the largest rooms in the country (SportPaleis and Lotto Arena in Antwerp, Forest National in Brussels). However, Over time, Schueremans has expanded its empire to scenic structures (Stageco), amplification (EMC) and generators (Powershop), three world renowned companies. In addition, He also sits on the Board of Directors of the Ardentes (Liège) and the Dour Festival. For example, In short, an essential, passionate about music, formidable in business and rare in interview. For example, “”The faithful public and the greatest international artists, for whom Rock Werchter is a summer how rock werchter put belgium priority, are our best ambassadors. Consequently, I don’t need to speakhe says. However, But, for our jubilee, I could do an exception.”
Do you organize Rock Werchter in 2025 for the same reasons that motivated you to launch the first edition of the festival in 1975?
In 1975, my dream was to place Belgium on the concert map. Moreover, In 2025, my only ambition is to do even better than the edition that took place last how rock werchter put belgium year. Therefore, Because it is the only way to maintain Belgium on this card. Nevertheless, In the mid -1970s, music was still a hobby for me. Therefore, I was a fan of Anglo-Saxon rock: Kevin Coyne. Furthermore, Kevin Ayers, Dr Feelgood… I was also very impressed by the film Woodstock by Michael Wadleigh that I had seen in a neighborhood cinema. In addition, Three hours of madness with pictures in Split Screen. Furthermore, fantastic groups, Jimi Hendrix and this crowd as far as the eye can see … Similarly, All this made me think. In addition, At the time. For example, the rule was that the rock groups played in England, then crossed the Channel and passed through Belgium, without stopping there, to go and perform in France or Germany. Meanwhile, There were of course a few exceptions, such as the Bilzen Festival, but for the rest, it was the how rock werchter put belgium desert. Similarly, After a first edition in 1975 (Werchter Rock & Blues Festival. Similarly, in a scout tent, with 6 local groups, the ticket at 40 Belgian francs, 800 spectators, editor’s note)I made the crane in front of the artistic agencies in London. Meanwhile, I was “Mister Nobody” but by dint of insisting. In addition, I was given my chance and I was able to sign some groups for the festival: say Straits, Talking Heads, Rory Gallagher … However, that’s how it all started.
For many, it was the 1983 edition with U2, Simple Minds and Peter Gabriel that allowed the festival to take off. Furthermore, Do you agree?
Each edition was important to consolidate our reputation. Similarly, When you see the 1983 flyer today with the names of U2. Moreover, Simple Minds, Peter Gabriel or Eurythmics, it is of course enormous. Consequently, At the time, how rock werchter put belgium only Peter Gabriel was an established artist. Moreover, Simple Minds and U2 were at the start of their journey. However, But we had flair. Moreover, We must not forget that we had only one scene with seven groups in 1983. In addition, We could not plant ourselves. Therefore, What is true is that U2 as simple Minds loved this first experience. Nevertheless, returned (Simple Minds will perform there for the fifth time this July 4). However, Same for Metallica, Pearl Jam or Radiohead.
Yungblud announced to replace Kings of Leon in Rock Werchter
In the 80s. 90s, you repeated that a festival was to be reinvented every ten years. Is it still true?
Of course not. Musical trends, public expectations, technology … Everything changes too quickly today. You have to question yourself every year. It is an evolution, not a revolution. We never leave a blank page. how rock werchter put belgium Good things, we keep them. The rest, we improve. Werchter, in 1975, was 800 people in front of a scene for a day. Today, it is 88,000 spectators for four days in front of four scenes. It’s no longer the same thing. In recent years. there has been, for example, a huge evolution in terms of capitals (Rock Werchter offers two outdoor scenes and two covered scenes). The Barn can accommodate more than 20,000 people in Werchter. It’s no longer a marquee, it’s a room! We decorated it, we installed stands, floor, video screens. It is larger, more beautiful and more comfortable than the SportPaleis of Antwerp. Some artists insist on playing there rather than on the hand internship.
The magic word of Rock Werchter?
“Planning”. We do not forget any detail. we do not wait the day before to provide a plan B or C. how rock werchter put belgium Additionally, We have no choice if we want to stay in the League champion. Rock Werchter is a “city” of 88,000 people of which I would be the bourgmestre for four days. People who come in white sneakers on Thursday because there is sun must be able to walk with their. white sneakers the next day even if there were big thunderstorms during the night. The heavyweight drivers arriving with Green Day equipment at 4 a.m. must be able to take a hot shower and eat. The weather forecastists expect very good weather for this 2025 edition. but we nevertheless planned sand to cover the soil in the event of bad weather. And not 100 kilos. Rather three boats …
Four festivals have disappeared from the 2025 calendar in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. Is this the end of the golden age?
The phenomenon goes beyond Wallonia: in how rock werchter put belgium Flanders, the Netherlands, England, many festivals have passed by the hatch. Before the covid. then in the euphoria aroused by the reopening of culture after the pandemic, the offer exploded: additional days and scenes at existing festivals, new events sometimes launched without real expertise. The “Festival” has become the new Eldorado. But reality has caught up the sector. Errors have been made, including by us. The artistic fees and production costs have increased, the risks too. Some did not hold. I also believe that many festivals are poorly organized. More than the end of a cycle, we are witnessing normalization.
The Rock Werchter poster continues to fill
In 2025. the competitor of Rock Werchter, is another festival, a mega-concert at the Stade de France or a city-trip abroad?
The city-trip formula is very attractive to young people. We combine a short stay in a foreign city with how rock werchter put belgium a festival that takes place. But Rock Werchter also benefits. 28 % of our festival -goers come from abroad. For the Belgians who go to a city-trip to the setting, there is a phenomenon of curiosity. Then, they realize that it is ultimately not so bad with us. The concerts start. end on time, the public who comes to Werchter is above all a fan of music and pays attention to what is happening on stage, the sanitary facilities are clean, we have the best beer in the world and in the event of a problem, there is optimal medical assistance. Let’s be a little proud of Belgium.
Do you need a new stadium in Belgium?
It’s imperative. If Belgium wants to stay on the map. you have to build a new modern stadium with a capacity of 40,000 spectators with a retractable roof. In London, how rock werchter put belgium this summer, next to festivals, there are about twenty-five stadium concerts. In France, in the Netherlands, they have modern stages. Belgium misses lots of opportunities. We have lots of artists who tell us: “We have a scenography adapted to stages and not to festivals. We love Belgium but we don’t like the King Baudouin stadium “. Even the Red Devils no longer want to play it. Build a stadium, I know it takes time. At least five years. We need political decisions, licenses, but sometimes we have to think about the long term.
Your passion has become your job. Do you still have time to see concerts during Rock Werchter?
On each festival day before, I am very ambitious. On Thursday, I’m going to see a lot of concerts, Friday a little less, Saturday and Sunday, even less. But I have a team that debriefs me. how rock werchter put belgium I generally try to attend the start and end of the shows to observe the public’s reaction. In 2019, I made an exception for the David Byrne concert in The Barn. I looked at everything from start to finish without seeing time pass.
In 2014. following a common bike accident, you were detected a serious problem at the appendix which required an emergency operation of 32 hours. Is there a life before and after?
If I had not fallen from my bike that day when I went to visit my mother. we would never have discovered this problem and I would not be there today. So, yes, I live my second life. The positive is that I am healthy today. I am 71 years old. If it was only a profession, I would have taken my pension at the legal age. But it’s more than a how rock werchter put belgium job.
Do you think of your succession?
I was already thinking about it before the covid. The success of Rock Werchter is the success of a team. We are seventy in the offices of Live Nation Belgium in Malines. We are ready for the future.
In 1988, you put your scenic infrastructure available for free for the giant free mandela concert in Wembley. Why didn’t you say anything at the time?
I prefer to do things what to say that I do them. This event aimed to release Nelson Mandela. who was still imprisoned in Robben Island, and to raise public public opinion against apartheid. Peter Gabriel was very involved in this cause and asked me for logistical help. I can’t refuse anything to Peter Gabriel. This is the decision I am most proud of. I did not know it at the how rock werchter put belgium time, but South Africa was going to enter my life. My partner is South African. It has become my second country. We go there regularly.
Olivia Rodrigo will close the 2025 edition of Rock Werchter
How rock werchter put belgium
A poster that. makes you dream
The Francophone Charles at opening on Thursday 3 at 1 p.m.. the Pop Queen Olivia Rodrigo at the end of Sunday 6 at midnight before a fireworks fire fired under the rhythms of the crazy 2 Many Dj’s which planned a special set “50 years”. This edition of Rock Werchter 2025 hosts veterans (Iggy Pop. Green Day, Deftones, Soul, Underworld, Linkin Park, Beth Gibbons), but its programming also reflects new trends. With in particular Lola Young. Gracie Abrams, Les Pissed Lambrini Girls, Raye, Fontaines DC, the “Flemish Angèle” Pommelien Thijs (who also hits Bone off On Netflix), the Metalles of Amenra, how rock werchter put belgium the impeccable Sylvie Kreusch or the Australian punks Amyl and the Sniffers. There are still a few combi tickets and “1 day” places for Saturday 4.
From 3 to 6/7. Rockwerchter.be
Further reading: Ecolo reveals many relationships between Huy and China: Christopher Collignon denounces a political drift – Horror in Limburg: a man has drugged and raped his wife for years, all by filming her – Blue sweeps in Belgium in friendly – “In 24 years of state visits, I had never experienced this”: the return of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde postponed, what happened? – A man discovers his wife, goalkeeper in Lantin prison, in bed with … an inmate: “He was in exit permission”.
