Now that the dust is beginning to settle, I feel like I am finally starting to come to terms with everything that happened and with how overwhelming Roadburn 2024 really has been.

From the very start on Thursday afternoon, when we handed over the festival to all of you involved, you instantly made it your own. From bands to staff and attendees, everybody contributed to turn Roadburn into a shared reality that went beyond anything we could have imagined or hoped for. Whether it was watching a show, having a drink with friends, walking from one stage to another or hanging out outside, whatever. Just being at the festival, the collective energy was unparalleled. A real sense of community made busy Roadburn days feel relaxed, easy-going, laid back… and fun! It’s like the festival became a living organism, completely at peace with itself. Roadburn veterans, first-timers and all between; it was clear we were all there for the music that we all love so dearly.

I believe this feeling of unity led directly to the amazing performances witnessed across every stage. The level was at an all-time high, and once again surpassed our wildest expectations. Everyone seems to have come away from the festival with a bunch of shows they will remember forever. We are extremely grateful to all of you for fully embracing Roadburn as your home away from home. And thank you for helping to make sure that everybody in attendance, without exception, became a part of it.

Of course, many are already wondering about next year. We can say that for Roadburn 2025 we will look to the horizon of the underground, exploring and discovering the present and the future along the way. We are excited to have all of you with us on this journey.

– Walter

We’re putting the finishing touches to some special things behind the scenes and we can’t wait to see you all next week. 

Before you make your way to Tilburg, we have some info to share with you that should help your transition to Planet Roadburn go smoothly. As always we’ve put together an A-Z with various pointers and bits of information. Don’t forget there’s the FAQ section on our website too – so there’s lots of resources to find the answers to any outstanding questions you have.

We’ve also put the booklet online in digital form – so you can start to immerse yourself in the whole Roadburn experience a few days early if you wish! Don’t worry, you can still pick up the paper version of this at the festival!

See you in a few days!

 A – ACCESS
When you arrive in Tilburg, you can exchange your ticket for a festival wristband and also pick up a programme booklet. In the centre pages there you’ll find the Roadburn map that lays out where the venues are, plus the timetables and other useful info.

The ticket exchange is halfway between the 013 and the Spoorzone – it will be signposted and you can’t miss it! Wristband exchange will be open at the following times and we encourage you to collect your wristband on Wednesday night if you’re already in town so you can breeze right in on Thursday afternoon!

Wednesday- 15.00 – 21.00
Thursday 11:00 – 21.00
Friday 12:00 – 20:00
Saturday 12:00 – 19:00
Sunday 12:00 – 18:00

Please note: backpacks are not allowed into the venues – totebags and similar are okay. See L for info on lockers and luggage storage.

B – BUSES & TAXIS
There are buses going to Eindhoven and to Beekse Bergen, the bus stops for both are marked on the map.

Buses between Beekse Bergen and 013 are operated by Taxi Korthout and will depart approximately every 20 minutes between the times stated below. To purchase just one trip you will need to pay in cash, to purchase a multi-trip wristband, cards are accepted.

Beekse Bergen to 013:
12.00 to 19.00 

013 to Beekse Bergen (bus stop at Sint Josephstraat 106):
23.30-03.00

Cost: €6,- single trip/3 days €28/4 days €33

Night bus to Eindhoven

If you purchased a ticket for the night bus to Eindhoven these are the approximate times they will run: 

On Wednesday: 01.00 and 01.30
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 01:00/01:30/02:30/03:00/04:00
Sunday 01:00/01:30/02:30/03:.00

Buses will depart when full. You can exchange your weekend bus ticket for a wristband at the Info points. 

The departure area for this night bus is located at the Interpolis building, near the Tivoli Parking – just around the corner from the 013 (marked on the map). The drop off is at the Holiday Inn only. If you don’t yet have a ticket but want to use the night bus to Eindhoven then bus tickets can be bought each day at the info point next to main entrance and the infopoint in the Spoorzone but please note, these are in a limited quantity.

The closest taxi point is Heuvelstraat. Be careful that you use a licensed taxi only! 

C – CASHLESS
Your bank or credit card will be accepted at bars, food vendors, and merch stalls – keeping things simple and quick (cards accepted include: Visa, Visa Electron, V Pay, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express, Union Pay, JCB, Bancontact, Ideal, Apple Pay and Google Pay). If you don’t have a bank or credit card you can use for this, you will be able to deposit cash on an 013 card that you can use instead. You can do this at the info points at the 013 and Spoorzone.

D – DRINKING & EATING
As always, there’s plenty of choices for food  at the 013 and the Spoorzone – including plenty of vegan options. The food court opposite the 013 is entirely vegan! There are also dining options throughout the city that are part of our Off Road programme – meaning special offers and menus for Roadburners! For the beer drinkers amongst you, The Junction at the Spoorzone will be of particular interest – a wide range of craft beers is available throughout the festival.

E – EXHIBITIONS
The 013 walls will display a photography exhibition by Nona Limmen titled Where Shadows Grow – a homage to the twilight hour. The NS16 will host two exhibitions – one by our official 2024 artist, David Fitt and one by French duo, Fortifem. David’s exhibition, Empty Hamptons, is a striking autobiographical collection of images. It’s well worth a short diversion between shows to check these out. Over in the Spoorzone, The Workshop is a new area that will be home to Maarten Donders, Fortifem, Nona Limmen, Marald van Haasteren and Vince Trommel for the duration of the festival – they’ll be exhibiting their work and offering Roadburners the opportunity to buy pieces too!

Please join us to officially open the NS16 exhibitions at 1pm on Thursday, 18 April

F – FIRST TIMERS & SOLO ‘BURNERS
If this is your first time at Roadburn, or if you’re coming solo then join us on Thursday afternoon at the downstairs bar in the 013 from 1.30pm where others in the same boat as you will be gathering to get their bearings! We’ll be around to answer your questions and help make you feel at home. Come say hi – don’t be shy! It would be great if you would register your interest here: https://forms.gle/JgEocGmkC4znUvpN7 so we know how many of you to expect!

G – (THE) GRASS COMPANY
Whether you’re from the Netherlands or abroad, Roadburn visitors who are over the age of 18 (and with valid ID) can enter Tilburg’s coffee shops and purchase cannabis products. The Grass Company is one of the bigger outlets in the city of Tilburg, and the first one you’ll come across when making your way from the station. We encourage anybody who chooses to partake, to do so responsibly, of course!

H – HOW TO KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING!
We strongly recommend you download the TMSQR app and then add Roadburn to your favourites from there. This app version of our schedule is customisable, meaning that you can mark your favourites and be reminded of upcoming shows you don’t want to miss. You can plan your day from the very beginning right through to the afterparties (don’t miss the dub reggae afterparty in the 013 basement on Friday night!). On the off chance that we have to make any last minute changes to the schedule then the app will be updated accordingly. We can send push notifications via the app in situations like this so ensure you have this option switched on if you want to be kept up to date. We will also post important announcements to our socials. We appreciate not everyone wants to be glued to a screen at a festival, so if you prefer to get your updates in the real world, keep an eye in the Spoorzone area where important show information will be shared. 

 I – INFO POINTS
There is an info point close to the 013 and another at the Spoorzone/The Pit Stop. If you get lost, confused, need medical help or simply have a question that you can’t find the answer to – head to one of the info points where you will be pointed in the right direction! Don’t be shy – we’re a friendly bunch. If you feel unsafe or unwell at any time during Roadburn, please speak to any member of staff and we’ll help you.

J – JAZZ & AVANT-GARDE
We’ve got the Paradox as a Roadburn venue once again – for just Friday and Saturday. This renowned venue is intimate and will be host to some very special performances. The capacity is just 150 – so if something is on your must-see list then make sure you’re there nice and early!

K – KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED!
As has become something of a tradition, we do plan on having some secret, as-yet-unannounced sets at Roadburn. That much we can confirm! However, when, where and who is involved is still a closely guarded secret. To stay in the loop, we suggest you download the TMSQR app, keep your eye on our socials – and maybe there will also be some hints and clues out there in the real world too!

L – LOCKERS & LUGGAGE
There are multiple options for storing merch and personal items throughout the festival. Work out which suits you best, based on what it is you need to stash away.

There are lockers at the 013 venue and Pit Stop which will be perfect for coats and small bags. These cost €2.50 and are operated via a QR code.

The only downside to these lockers is that if you’re buying lots of vinyl or are arriving straight from the airport with your luggage – you’re going to struggle to squeeze your stuff in. Fortunately, there are designated large item lockers – check the map for the location. These XXL lockers cost €5. There is also a desk drop off at the XXL lockers (Tivolistraat 132) for large items like suitcases. The desk is manned at the following times: 

WED 15:00 01:00
THU 13:00 01:00
FRI 13:00 01:00
SAT 13:00 01:00
SUN 13:00 01:00

The locker cost is per day. 

M – MERCH
All the band merch and festival merch can be found at the Pit Stop – this is a cashless area. Typically bands only sell their merch on the day they perform, so you may be visiting this area quite regularly to check for new items! Roadburn merch usually sells pretty quickly, but if we run low we will let you know via our socials etc. 

There will also be a few stalls so you can stock up on vinyl and your usual Roadburn necessities! Go wild, your record collection will thank you!

N  – NEW PLACES
There’s a few spots to check out at Roadburn this year! Don’t miss out on The Junction at the Spoorzone – a cool new area where you can catch your breath and pick up a delicious craft beer or two. Also at the Spoorzone is The Workshop, a new art-focused area where you can view and buy work from a host of artists including Marald van Haasteren and Maarten Donders! Of course, if it’s your first time with us, everywhere will be new to you – but we have a handy map, friendly volunteers and info points to help you get where you want to go.

O – OFFROAD
OFFROAD returns for 2024! A number of venues throughout the city will participate in OFFROAD, offering discounts, performances, activities, special menus and more to visitors. Tilburg residents and visitors from all over will get a taste of what Roadburn is about, whilst Roadburn attendees can explore the city and add a little extra to their usual Roadburn experience if they wish. You can find out more about the OFFROAD programme on the Roadburn website or via the Timesquare app.

P – PLAYLIST
There are over 100 bands playing Roadburn. We don’t expect you to necessarily know them all, but why not check out as many as possible? There will be a test afterwards… only kidding, but if you give our official playlist a spin you may find yet more bands to add to your “must watch” schedule.

Q – QUESTIONS
We’re always here to answer your questions but please be aware that there may be a bit of a delay in getting back to you online during the festival itself. If your question is urgent or if you feel unsafe please speak to a member of staff or security at any of the venues. If your question is not life or death feel free to message us! Note that there is an info point outside the main entrance and one at the Pit Stop (See I)- there will be someone around to answer your questions quickly when you need them!  A question we get quite often is about cameras and photography. Unless you are attending as a professional press and have been granted a photo pass then you won’t be able to bring a camera with a lens of over 35mm. However, any photos that you do take with your phone / non-professional camera we’d love to see, so please tag us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram so we can see what your weekend looked like or use #RB24

R – RECYCLABLE CUPS & CANS
For the last few editions of Roadburn we have served your drinks in recyclable hard cups – to help reduce single use plastics and raise some money along the way. All visitors will receive their drinks in these reusable cups and pay a 50 cent deposit. 

When you’ve finished your drink these are your options:

– re-use the cup
– return your cup and claim your deposit back
– leave your cup at a designated collection point and donate the 50 cents. 

If you donate the 50 cents, we will pass it along to a charity called Quiet, who shine a light on ‘silent poverty’ and help people emerge from their social isolation, enabling them to, for example, attend concerts and festivals. 

S – SIDE PROGRAMME
This year – as we do every year – we aim to bring you a little bit extra via the side programme. This year we have ‘in conversation’ sessions with both Khanate and Blood Incantation. We also have what are sure to be illuminating panel discussions about experimental music with clipping and King Yosef, as well as a conversation about heavy music’s healing power featuring members of Agriculture, Ragana and Death Goals.  Heavy Metal Business Club will ponder the pros and cons of being a metalhead in the workplace. Roadburn’s artistic director, Walter Hoeijmakers will be answering any and all questions you want to throw his way, and our resident vinyl guru, Andreas Kohl will be holding court to talk us through the environmental impact of this beloved format.

 T – THE SPARK
Roadburn starts for many of us on Wednesday night; The Spark kicks things off in style. No ticket is needed and the event is free to enter – so what better way to get your Roadburn experience off to a memorable start?

7PM – Doors open
8PM- 8.45PM – Riot City
9.15-10PM – Sonja
10.30 – 11.20PM – Final Gasp

U – UNDERGROUND
As always, we like to shine a light on underground bands and scenes. These artists are so important to what we do at Roadburn and we hope that some of them will be the main stage bands of the years to come. So, whilst we are extremely proud of the bookings we’ve made on the bigger stages, we wholeheartedly encourage you to pay a visit to some of the smaller venues or take a gamble on an unknown name here and there. There’s so much to discover, and we’re thrilled to share this with you!

V – VOLUNTEERS & VENUE CAPACITIES
Did you know that a lot of the people working at Roadburn are volunteers? The person pouring your beer, giving you directions or scanning your ticket is very likely to be one of our wonderful team of volunteers! Give them a hi-five and show them some love – Roadburn relies on their hard work. 

A quick note about venue capacities… as we said above, Paradox is a very small venue! If you really want to be there for a specific show, please do get there early. We have worked hard to eliminate queues and a big part of that is down to scheduling and ensuring the flow of people through the festival is smooth. If you do encounter a queue, we hope it will be only a very brief stall in your day. But if missing a particular band would derail your enjoyment just make sure you’re there with time to spare.

W –THE WALTER
Named after the great man himself, our official Roadburn beer for 2024 is The Walter. Brewed by Uiltje and available exclusively at Roadburn, don’t miss your chance to sup on this delicious new beverage!

X – XIU XIU
Bless Xiu Xiu for having the foresight to name their band as they did, meaning that many years down the line when we would come to write this A-Z we would be delighted at having X covered easily. For this, and countless other reasons, we are happy to have Xiu Xiu with us at Roadburn 2024 – it feels overdue, so let’s make them feel very welcome with us!

Y – YOUR ROADBURN
As ever, we love to see and hear about your Roadburn experiences. Please tag us in pictures, give us feedback on the event page or the Roadburners facebook group and tweet us about your favourite performances. We welcome feedback so let us know what’s on your mind.

Z – ZOKOR
They live in China, Kazakhstan and Siberian Russia, so the odds of seeing a Zokor at Roadburn are slim. These chunky lil’ burrowing rodents are very sensitive to light so they mostly come out at night – not unlike some of the more nocturnal among us Roadburners.

We are proud to unveil the Roadburn merchandise for 2024, designed by Førtifem. People have been asking if they would be involved since the moment they graced the first 2024 announcement poster, and it is so fitting to have Adrien and Jesse stunning designs emphasizing the community feel of the festival. Merch will be at the Pit Stop from Thursday at 12.00 on. Make sure to get there early so you don’t miss out. Less than one week until Roadburn!