Marktrock Festival Is Back After A Decade Of Silence

This Friday evening, Leuven welcomes nan return of Marktrock, a cherished portion of Belgian euphony history, aft a decade-long hiatus. The iconic festival, which began successful 1982 arsenic a humble section event, grew into a awesome summertime attraction, drafting complete 350,000 visitors astatine its peak. 

During nan precocious 1990s and early 2000s, Marktrock hosted world stars for illustration Iggy Pop, Joe Cocker, Radiohead, Kanye West, and Natalie Imbruglia, cementing its position arsenic 1 of Belgium’s premier euphony festivals, according to nan Belga New Agency. The original organising group disbanded successful 2007, starring to smaller, free editions until 2014. A paid revival successful 2015 attracted only 21,000 attendees, prompting Leuven to switch Marktrock pinch ‘Half Oogst,’ a summertime arena that ran until 2024. Now, Marktrock is back, spearheaded by Kat Kerkhofs—daughter of a laminitis and woman of Belgian footballer Dries Mertens—alongside her sister Lyn. 

Check retired nan lineup

The 2025 revival, group for today, August 22 and Saturday, August 23, features 2 stages: a ticketed main shape connected Leuven’s historical Oude Markt quadrate and a free DJ shape astatine Vismarkt. Friday’s main shape lineup includes Belgian favourites Clouseau, Milow, and Emma Bale, pinch a free DJ group by Mertens himself. Saturday will showcase headliners Nile Rodgers & Chic and Selah Sue. The show runs regular from 6 p.m. to 1 am, offering nutrient trucks, a Marktrock Bar, free water, and an accusation guidelines to heighten nan experience. Friday’s main shape performances are sold out, but Saturday and play tickets stay available. Marktrock’s return promises a vibrant ceremony of euphony and community, rekindling its bequest successful nan bosom of Leuven.