Rock Werchter is the premier rock festival in Belgium and undergoing a radical shift this year in the lineup thanks to sponsors LiveNation (boo) – running between July 3 and 6 2025.
No longer four days of hard rock (was it ever really when Dua Lipa headlined last year?) instead you get three; followed by the brightest and the best of the future pop generation – new look Linkin Park opens a stellar lineup of the first festival outing of the day that includes Amyl and the Sniffers, De La Soul, Lambrini Girls, Iggy Pop and Fontaines DC – a one day lineup that most festivals could only dream of. That’s immediately followed by Green Day – who have Underworld, Simple Minds, Fat Dog and Lola Young on before. Then comes mini-Bruce Springsteen; Sam Fender – led into with Yungblud, a last-minute replacement for Kings of Leon, Raye and Beth Gibbons – with early shows from Amenra and Bright Eyes.
The last day is the most radical change of all – Olivia Rodrigo headlines – with an undercard that has nepo baby Gracie Abrams (hands up if your father ruined Star Wars!), folk singalong gen-z sensation Noah Kahan and country star Dasha. A real change from your Parkaway Drives, Sum 41s and even your Janelle Monaes of last year – where the lineup felt a bit more interspaced and a bit more consistent. Now it’s all over the place, for good or for ill.
THURSDAY 3rd JULY
It wouldn’t be a festival preview without spotlighting who to watch beyond the big names that are the reason why you got the ticket – the Slope stage for instance, highlights some of the best up and comers in the industry – and that’s where we start on the Thursday with Lambrini Girls. They’re fiercely anti-JK Rowling as everybody should be and punk all the way down to the ground; true to their spirit and deliver a cracker of a show. They’re on at 16:50 on the slope – perfectly positioned between favourites Amyl and the Sniffers and De La Soul on the main stage – their sound is riotous, loud and energetic: impossible not to miss. I joked as the lineup dropped, I’d be spending most of my time on the Slope this year and it turns out that’s not actually far from the truth.
English Teacher won the Mercury Prize award last year competing against acts like Barry Can’t Swim, Charli XCX and Nia Archives and became the first act from outside of London to win in almost a decade. It’s easy to see why having seen them live twice including a pre-breakout show supporting Yard Act at Troxy in 2023. They’re a band that are punchier, raw and full of lush, dreamy pop – dipping into art-rock and referencing Doctor Who so it’s hard not to fall in love. Leeds-born frontwoman Lily Fontaine has a magnificent stage presence that should lead their breakout in Europe now they’re fully established as big in the UK. See them opposite Jacob Collier at 18:30 on the Slope Stage – for a band that’s good – and searingly confident.
Sextile I saw bring out Jehnny Beth at Wide Awake earlier this year and they put on a hell of a show – the dance synth punkers create a fun groove that looks set to create pulsating, high-octane sounds. They’re energetic and dance-y, lively and just pure fun – sure to get the crowd moving. They have an evening slot at 20:15 opposite London Grammar – the evening feels perfectly suited for them. If you like to party, rave and dark wear dark glasses – this hardcore dance music grabs your attention with drum’n’bass and trance that heralds from the LA Underground with a rare gravitas.
Other Must-Watch Acts: Amyl and the Sniffers, While She Sleeps, De La Soul, Ezra Collective, Iggy Pop, Linkin Park, Fontaines D.C.
FRIDAY 4th JULY
Jasmine 4.t. I saw perform a free show at the Old Blue Last in London at the start of the year and since then has seemingly enlisted every festival over the course of 2024. She’s playing at 14:25 on The Slope and has been signed by Phoebe Bridgers’ record. Her sounds are unique and give off the boygenius vibe perfectly – expect a rapid rise after a summer of festival touring. As a replacement for Gel after the band disbanded don’t go in expecting a heavy show –expect a tour-de-force of a lyrical odyssey.
Opposite Underworld but with a tenacity to match. Fat Dog are the most fun touring act around. They’ve cracked that the best way to get free festival tickets is to show up and perform at every festival but it helps they’re actually really nice people – I’ve met them in person at a record signing where they complimented my Green Day shirt – now they’re playing as a lead in to Billie Joe Armstrong’s band – and the post punkers always put on a show. They’re industrial rave euphoria with a riot of a mosh – ridiculous and fun with a drummer that wears a dog costume – all I can say is good luck to him in the sweltering Belgium summer heat. Don’t miss them at 21:55.
Other Must Watch Acts: Girl in Red, Thee Sacred Souls, The Scratch, Boston Manor, Lola Young, Weezer, Wet Leg, Underworld
SATURDAY 5th JULY
Jacoténe may only be 18 but she already has a voice that rivals Adele. Emerging full of confidence with tracks like “I need therapy” from the off – she plays at The Barn at 13:00 and is already elevated to one of the biggest stages at Rock Werchter. It’s a talent making festival – hailing from Melbourne and with influences that include Aretha Franklin and Etta James – she’s a star on the verge of a great success for the future. Her voice is powerful; her talent is there – and it’s the perfect kind of music to get you started for a third straight day of festival revelling. Come to see her at KlubC at 13:00 – part of the rising star of the next generation of musicians that include man/woman/chainsaw and My First Time.
Gurriers clash with the last fifteen minutes of ex-Portishead soloist Beth Gibbons’ set on the Saturday at 18:15 but are well worth seeking out and I’ll be there for them. They come onto – without fail – Franki Valleri’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and within seconds; you get a good mosh. I was in it at Wide Awake – the Irish punk-rockers go from Top of the Bill into Dipping Out, a song to all their friends who have left Ireland for home – I’m happy to see them rise from the days of their early End of the Road shows – but they fit that Amyl and the Sniffers vibe of always being pure fun – postpunk, noise rock that always goes down gangbustingly well. I’ve seen them thrice now and they deliver a show every time out.
It’s not often you’ll find a legendary 70s jazz band on at the unsung gems list of a festival but Cymande are probably London’s greatest band; to not put them here would be an injustice. They’re part of the Windrush generation and peak “your kids aren’t ready for this yet, but your kids are going to love it,” groovy, danceable, perfect Saturday afternoon jazz that you can’t help but vibe to. After being sampled by De La Soul and a reignition in popularity that led to their new album and a documentary – Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande – they’re now very much back in the popular consciousness. On at 21:05 on the Saturday opposite Yungblud – for anyone disappointed that Kings of Leon aren’t playing, I was probably going to see them opposite Kings of Leon anyway – you’ll get one of the finest bands of all time. Not too bad.
Other Must Watch Acts: Beth Gibbons, Amenra, Faye Webster, Bright Eyes, Elbow, Raye, Sam Fender
SUNDAY 5th JULY
I first saw Wunderhorse in a small Cornish bar in their hometown of Newquay – before their big breakout; and now two albums deep they’re headlining Alexandra Palace. Talk about a rapid explosion – the solo project that morphed into a group in 2021 fronted by Jacob Slater is an instant favourite. They are the next great rock band; you’d argue – wait a few years and they’ll be back headlining Rock Werchter. Come rush and say that you saw them here first – just off the back of their biggest ever UK tour and brushing with the confidence of one of the most exciting homegrown acts in the game. They’re on at 15:00 in the Klub C stage…
…at the same time as Irish post punk sensations Cliffords; who come onto The Slope at 14:55. If Wunderhorse are the next great band, the Cork based punk rockers are the next Wunderhorse – for anyone who’s a fan of guitar rock; look no further. Their EP Salt of the Lee is a ferocious tribute to Irish culture and are aware of the importance of artists using their platform to speak out – following in the tightknit Cork scene that has included Cardinals and I Dreamed I Dream. It’s an album that feels like a statement of adult problems – inspired by the rich music scene and aware of the power that comes with the exposure of their talent. Iona Lynch is a fierce frontwoman with the personality to match.
Other Must Watch Acts: Allie X, Soulwax, Remy Bond, Dasha, Olivia Rodrigo
Rock Werchter will take place from July 3-6.
Learn more about the festival, including how to get tickets, at the official website.
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