Taking place between 30 June to 3 July at the Werchter Festivalpark in Belgium, the Rock Werchter festival returns for 2016. With Paul McCartney, Rammstein, Florence + the Machine, Ellie Goulding, Iggy Pop, James Bay, New Order, Years & Years and At The Drive-In all on the bill festival director, Herman Schueremans has made us a playlist of personal picks to help you find a way through the varied line-up.
Tame Impala – The Less I Know The Better
“At their first Werchter appearance in 2010, the Australians were heralded as one of the revelations of the year. It is a band full of surprises. Happy to have them back at Rock Werchter.”
Courtney Barnett – Dead Fox
“Courtney Barnett makes music which harks back to the good old days of Pavement and Sonic Youth. Great indie music. Great live artist.”
Jamie xx – I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times)
“In Colour is a party disc for mind and body. It’s wild, warm and beautiful. Looking forward to his set in The Barn on Sunday July 3.”
New Order – Blue Monday
“Combine rock dynamics and the trance of electronic music. Make music history. This is exactly what New Order did and does. They never been scared to innovate.”
Florence + The Machine – Ship To Wreck
“In 2010, her debut album Lungs led to a memorable Werchter moment in the former Pyramid Marquee. The tent was packed to bursting point as Florence rocked so hard she ripped her dress.”
Foals – My Number
“What an awesome live act. Energy!”
The Beatles/ Paul McCartney – Helter Skelter
“The Number 1 on my wish list! Paul McCartney is one of the last really big names to be missing from our rich festival history. Sometimes such a high profile visit is purely a matter of luck. The artist must be performing and the diaries have to fit. This time it all worked out. Every generation has its McCartney classic. He has inspired so many musicians, and is still doing so today. I am looking forward to the concert.”
The Last Shadow Puppets – Bad Habits
“The combined musical forces of Alex Turner and Miles Kane is more than the sum of their mature talents. What a band!”
Beck – Dreams
“A born entertainer. Beck has explored so many musical directions since his debut in 1993. He played the festival in 1997, 2001 and 2008.”
Iggy Pop – The Passenger
“Iggy Pop is top. He is one of the most enigmatic performers of the current and last century. A stage beast and provocateur. The proud owner of the most energetic rock song (Lust For Life) and the most danceable (The Passenger).”
Years & Years – Shine
“The Londoners received a deafening welcome at a packed out KluB C at last year’s festival. And barely a year later they’ve got 3 mega hits to their name – King, Shine and Sunlight, they played sold out Vorst Nationaal in Brussels and are now back headlining The Barn on Thursday night.”
Flume – Never Be Like You
2016 is a very big year for Flume. This guy is conquering the world. His live show is a really epic experience.
Blossoms – Getaway
“They are the new Stone Roses, the next Arctic Monkeys. This band has so much potential!”
Samm Henshaw – Our Love
“Pure metropolitan soul. What a voice, what a talent. The word is out on Samm Henshaw. Go check out this new artist.”
Richard Hawley – Heart Of Oak
He is the last of the great crooners. His latest release ‘Hollow Meadows’ (2015) is once again classic Hawley: the best alternative there is to a roaring fire. Happy to have him back at Rock Werchter.
For more, including the full line-up and latest ticket news, head to Rockwerchter.be.
