By cave 
🎸 A Musical Highlight of the Summer
Every year, I eagerly look forward to Rock Zottegem. And honestly? I’ve rarely missed an edition in the festival’s entire history. It’s only about 10 kilometers from my doorstep – perfect for biking back and forth, just like I do every year. Though I’ll admit: you can’t exactly take the festival home with you. But the feeling, the atmosphere, that music pulsing through your body – that you do bring home.
Over the years, Rock Zottegem has grown from a small local fest into a mature event with a lineup that commands respect. These days, the festival even includes a third day, but to be honest, that part doesn’t really interest me. Three full days? I just can’t keep up — and besides, the music on that extra day isn’t really my taste.
Still, Rock Zottegem never feels distant – quite the opposite. It remains a warm, familiar festival with deep roots in the region and a heart for its audience. This year’s edition is once again shaping up to be something special.
đź“… Friday, July 11
🎤 Alice Mae (16:30)
As a winner of De Nieuwe Lichting (a rising talent competition), Alice Mae brings a fresh breeze to Friday’s early slot. She combines warm, folk-like vocals with introspective lyrics, and her live sound carries a maturity that goes beyond her studio recordings. What stands out live is how she controls her voice – pure high notes and emotional intensity. Expect a stage presence that may seem modest (compared to the headliners) but leaves a big impact. Perfect for easing into the day, sipping that first drink, and gently slipping into the Friday night festival vibe.
🎤 Sloper (17:15)
Sloper is rock in its rawest form – two drum legends, Mario Goossens and Cesar Zuiderwijk, behind a single kit. Expect unfiltered, explosive grooves and solid rock energy. No frills, just sound. Live, it feels like the ground is shaking. For you, as a rock purist, this is the power punch before the electronic closers: authentic, raw, and straight to the soul.
🎤 Jazz Brak (18:25)
Brussels hip-hop often slips through the cracks, but Jazz Brak seizes that space with raw punch, sharp flow, and unfiltered lyrics. No glitz, just substance and rhythm. For those who want more than just beats, this is the perfect set before the heavier rock acts roll in: a moment to truly listen, reflect, and start prepping the dance floor.
🎤 Fisher-Z (19:45)
Fisher-Z, led by John Watts, brings timeless British new wave with sharp social commentary and catchy melodies. Classics like “So Long” still resonate, blending post-punk edge with melodic pop.
Live, Watts connects with honest storytelling and charm, making the set a warm, sincere moment between newer acts and headliners. For longtime festival fans, it’s a reminder that great songwriting never gets old.
🎤 Merol (21:15)
Merol takes festival perfection and makes it playful. Known for her ironic, often cheeky tracks like “Hou je bek en bef me” (“Shut your mouth and go down on me”), you can expect humor and strong audience engagement. Her stage experience – from TV to theater – shines through in surreal choreography, verbal fireworks, and a unique mix of pop, cabaret, and rebellious flair. For you, as a loyal visitor, this is the moment to kick off the weekend with a wink and a bang.
🎤 Arsenal (22:50)
This band blends electronic music with live percussion, topped with a tropical twist. Arsenal walks a fine line between danceable and artistically challenging, with organically building beats that get the crowd moving. Expect surprising soundscapes and rhythmic layers – the perfect bridge from pure rock to beats, keeping the momentum alive all the way to Goldband.
🎤 Goldband (00:30)
Goldband is the grand finale – confetti, sing-alongs, and pure party energy. Known for their smash hits (“Rommel,” “Ik maak alles kapot,” “Ja Ja Nee Nee”) and a shelf full of awards (including the 2022 Popprijs), this set promises to be a spectacle: dancefloor open, everyone joining in, pure joy. Their stage experience – from Lowlands to AFAS Live – clearly shows. Ending the night with confetti and a crowd that keeps singing, loud and free – that’s exactly what you want to feel on Friday night.
DJ and Hip-Hop Stage on Friday
Chris Amor – DadSon – Brysa – Kaptain E-Glow – Frontal XXL – Freddie Konings – Robert Abigail – Omdat Het Kan & Average Rob
đź“… Saturday, July 12
🎸 Kaat Van Stralen (16:10)
As a young talent from De Nieuwe Lichting, Kaat Van Stralen brings a refreshing contrast with her soulful and introspective sound. Expect soft but powerful vocals, with melodies that grow and show depth. She’s daring on stage – sometimes vulnerable, always energetic. The perfect way to start your Saturday: a moment of calm before the storm.
🎸 J. Bernardt (17:00)
The solo project of Jinte Deprez (of Balthazar) blends R&B, soul, and electronic beats. J. Bernardt combines melancholy with groove – a smooth transition from acoustic to a fuller festival vibe. Live, he moves from whisper-soft moments to rhythmically sweeping sections, with layered beats that invite you to move and breathe along. For you, a welcome breath of air: subtle, but never still.
🎸 Novastar (18:20)
Joost Zweegers brings you emotional pop at its core with Novastar – melancholic, nostalgic, and at times heartbreaking. His sound is mature, warm, and familiar. Expect deep vocals, intimate moments where time seems to pause between the big rock sets. A perfect chance to breathe with the crowd, slowing things down for maximum effect.
🎸 Rival Sons (19:50)
American blues-rock on steroids. Rival Sons taps into the heart of rock tradition – raw riffs, pounding rhythms, and vocal intensity that lingers for months. Their live show is sultry, physical, almost tangible, with gritty solos and driving momentum. For you, as a guitar lover, this is a pure rock treat: emotion, power, and volume in its rawest form.
🎸 Manic Street Preachers (21:30)
Legendary, mature, timeless. Manic Street Preachers deliver alternative rock with intellect. James Dean Bradfield and co bring sharply written lyrics, political depth, and gripping riffs. Classics like “Motorcycle Emptiness” and “If You Tolerate This…” get an extra layer of gravity live. Expect a set that evokes nostalgia while engaging the brain.
🎸 Within Temptation (23:20)
The main act of the evening: symphonic metal on an epic scale. Within Temptation blends orchestral arrangements with pounding guitars, bombast, and Sharon den Adel’s powerful, almost operatic voice. Their recent Bleed Out tour features monumental visuals – moving platforms, gothic cathedrals, space-station aesthetics. Expect dark melodies, emotional depth (with a live nod to Ukrainian activism), and special guest appearances. Their sound is so massive that it can silence thousands while still charging the air with energy. You’ll end your weekend with Sharon’s voice soaring above the crowd – pure, towering emotion.
Saturday is when I fully unleash my love for rock. From singing along at the top of my lungs to standing silently in awe – this lineup has it all.
DJ and Hip-Hop Stage on Saturday
Dj Atommik – Paige – Dimitri Cooman – Henok D – MANZ – Kurkdroog – JaĂ«l Ost & MagiK – Arthur Lewis & Gerben Tuerlinckx
🏕 Why Rock Zottegem Stays Special Every Year
There are bigger festivals. Pricier ones. Multi-day marathons. But Rock Zottegem is… ours. Maybe it’s because I live just around the corner, or because I’ve gathered so many memories on that field. But it’s more than nostalgia – it’s connection. You see people there every year that you don’t see anywhere else. And every time, it feels a little like coming home.
Cycling to the grounds, finding a good spot, beer in hand, hearing those first notes ring out… that ritual is pure gold. And when I bike home after midnight, I feel recharged. Not because I can bring the festival all the way home – of course I can’t – but because it stays with me for days.
Full Timetable
đź“Ś Practical Info
For those planning to join:
Location: Bevegemse Vijvers, Zottegem
Friday, July 11: Starts around 16:30 – from Alice Mae to Goldband
Saturday, July 12: Starts at 16:10 with Kaat Van Stralen, closes with Within Temptation
Tickets: Day tickets from €70 – info via rock-zottegem.be
✍️ See you there?
Whether you’re in it for the beats or the guitars – or just the atmosphere – Rock Zottegem is back. And so am I. As always. If you spot me on my bike or somewhere on the festival grounds – don’t hesitate to wave.
See you then – and let the grass tremble again in Bevegem.