Another long-time Roadburn photographer, Paul Verhagen captures the action exclusively in black and white. Due to an eye condition, Paul photographs exactly as he sees the world – without colour. His images often have an ethereal or otherworldly quality to them, with small details coming to life through his photographs. Below is a selection of his photographs from Roadburn 2023. More of his work can be found HERE.

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 (where the Koepelhal is) – 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 – 20:00
Sunday 12:00 – 20:00

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:
11.30 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, 01.15, 01.30, 02.30, 02.45, 03.00, 04.00
Sunday 01.00, 01.15, 01.30, 02.30, 02.45

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

As it was last year, Roadburn is once again a cashless festival.! 

The 013 venue has already been a cashless venue for a couple of years now and Roadburn 2023 will be a part of that initiative. This means no more tokens and no cash taken at food trucks and bars in any of the venues. Your bank or credit card will be accepted at these points of sale 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 to an 013 card that you can use at the bars Roadburn/band merch stands – and this year also at the food stands. You can do this at the info points at the 013 and Spoorzone.

D – DRINKING & EATING

We’ve laid on a whole host of different food options around the Roadburn venues this year. This year, you can find food trucks outside at the Pit Stop as always but this year we’ve put together a really beautiful food court opposite the 013 where all the food available is vegan. Check it out and give yourself an energy boost with something tasty! Pretty much every taste or dietary requirement is taken care of by the food trucks around Roadburn so you’re sure to find something to suit. 

E – EXHIBITIONS

We’re back in the NS16 this year and we’re thrilled to present an exhibition by Lucile Lejoly, titled <<deeper>>throughout the four days of Roadburn. Lucile’s artwork was the visual backdrop to Roadburn Redux online and we’re so honoured to present a real life, in the flesh exhibit of her work. We’ll also showcase the work of two local artists at the NS16 – Nina van de Ven and Marit Biemans. At the 013 we’ll show the work of photographers Peter Troest and David Fitt (who were handpicked by William Lacalmontie for the task) who are both skilled at capturing our favourite performers both on and off the stage. 

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/KyWFPCrTgKCf92YC7 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 – HALL OF FAME

The Hall of Fame is back in action! Last year we hosted bands in a temporary structure whilst the proper Hall of Fame was under construction. That work is now complete so we’re back in there – it’s undergone a full glow up but is still the same Hall of Fame you know and love. Take a minute to get your bearings and find your way around.

 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.

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 – KNUFFEL

You may have tried our very own Roadburn beer last year, and this year it’s back – only hazier! Pick up a Knuffel Hazy NEIPA at many of the bars at Roadburn, alongside an assortment of other craft beers and tasty tipples. 

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 vinyl or are arriving straight from the airport with your luggage -, it’s not gonna fit. But we have planned for this! 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 00:00
FRI 13:00 00:00
SAT 13:00 00:00
SUN 13:00 00:00

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 – NOT ON THE SCHEDULE!

There are always surprises and last minute changes when putting on a festival. We’ll do our very best to communicate any line up changes or last minute news via our socials and keep everyone informed. And yes, we do have a couple of extra special things planned for our Roadburn family – as always! The best way to stay up to date with changes is to download the TimeSquare app – and if you enable push notifications you’ll be pinged with breaking news as it happens. If you don’t want to be glued to your phone all day, keep an eye on the boards at the fountain close to the Koepelhal – we’ll put any announcements there as they happen. 

If you haven’t already done so, don’t forget to download the Timesquare app!

O – OFFROAD

This year we’ve introduced the OffRoad programme -a complimentary programme that will take place in Tilburg during the festival.. 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 main Roadburn website.

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 or tweet us whenever you like! 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 #RB22!

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 choose the final option, your money will go to Zeilen Van Vrijheid  – who are doing great work providing aid to citizens from Ukraine. So it’s officially possible to do some good by drinking your beers at Roadburn. This year your cans can also be recycled/donated in the same way!

S – SIDE PROGRAMME

This year – as we do every year – we aim to bring you a little bit extra via the side programme. We have the return of the Queer Side of Heaviness panel, illuminating the perspectives of some of the queer artists on the line up. We’ll have a panel discussion about contemporary folk – a concept that is being viewed beyond simple genre boundaries. We’ll be hosting a Q&A with Deafheaven – they’ll be discussing the highs and lows of their last decade+ of being a band. The final day of Roadburn will host a Q&A with our artistic director, Walter who will be answering any and all questions you wish to throw his way, before handing the mic over to Andreas Kohl who will hold court on all things vinyl once again.

T – THE SPARK

Roadburn starts for many of us on the 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
7.45- 8.30PM – Mai Mai Mai
9.15-10PM – The Shits
10.40 – 11.30PM – Poison Ruïn

U – UNDERGROUND

This year’s edition of Roadburn is truly a celebration of the underground. We love to give a platform to emerging artists and hope you’ll join us in celebrating the rich pickings that are available to us at Roadburn this year. Whether you’re immersing yourself in one of our commissioned projects or uncovering a brand new band, there’s plenty to embrace in terms of underground discoveries. Take this journey with us and see what gems you uncover…

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 – WIND DOWN… OR NOT

When the bands are over, if you’ve got the urge to continue the party then we well and truly have you covered. Each night in the 013 Foyer bar there will be DJs spinning the best of the best party tunes. On Friday night the Next Stage will transform into a dance party as Boy Harsher take control of proceedings and guide us late into the night.

Elsewhere – and as part of the OffRoad programme – Bitches Brew will be cooking up a storm at the Little Devil on Thursday night. On Saturday PRSPCT will take the lead and a host of artists will take over Club Smederij with a mix of horror-influenced breakcore, drum & bass, jungle and more.

X – XEME

Last year we kept our eyes peeled for Xerus (African ground squirrels) and none were spotted.  This year we’re on the look out for xemes, a type of gull, Let us know if you spot one…

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 – ZOLA JESUS

How blessed we are to have Zola Jesus performing this year – not just because her latest album, Arkhon, is incredible, but also because we can end this A-Z on a high!

As always, visual art will make up the rich tapestry of creative experiences at Roadburn this year. We’re thrilled to present an exhibition by Lucile Lejoly, titled <<deeper>> at the NS16 throughout the four days of Roadburn. Lucile’s artwork was the visual backdrop to Roadburn Redux online and we’re so honoured to present a real life, in the flesh exhibit of her work. We’ll also showcase the work of two local artists at the NS16 – Nina van de Ven and Marit Biemans.

At the 013 we’ll show the work of photographers Peter Troest and David Fitt (who were handpicked by William Lacalmontie for the task) who are both skilled at capturing our favourite performers both on and off the stage.

We urge you to make a little time to spend with these visual artists at some point throughout your trip to Roadburn.

Lucile Lejoly
In 2021, when in-person Roadburn existed in a state of suspended animation we gathered up the spirit of the festival and channeled it into an online iteration, maintaining as many hallmarks and cornerstones of the ‘real’ festival as we could. So, needless to say, visual art played a significant part of that, and the images that accompanied Roadburn Redux were courtesy of French multimedia artist, Lucile Lejoly.

Two years later, we’re delighted to finally be hosting an exhibition of her work at Roadburn – titled <<deeper>> – most definitely in person, real and in the flesh. Lucile is a dedicated Roadburner herself which makes this exhibition all the more meaningful for us; great talent walks among us and it’s such an honour to be able to present her evocative works at the festival. 

Lucile is well known for her work as a tattoo artist, but she also works with photography, sculpture, and line drawing to create work that revolves around themes such as climate and environment, psychology, the human body and trauma. Her creations are often emotionally charged and poetic.

We’re delighted that Lucile will curate an exhibition of her own work at the NS16 gallery in Tilburg that will be open throughout Roadburn – for both Roadburn attendees and local residents alike. You are invited to take some time out from the audio stimulation to sit in contemplation of Lucile’s contemplations on the world – be they luscious and dreamlike, or stark and challenging. 

It feels like this exhibition has been a long time coming; time away from each other seemed to have warped time itself. Lucile Lejoly will provide a focal point, a link to the past and a bridge to the future. Join us as we step into her world. 

Lucile Lejoly will exhibit her work at the NS16

Opening times
Thursday – Saturday 12:00 – 20:00
Sunday 12:00 – 17:00

Peter Troest

You’ll have seen Peter’s photography on our social channels during and after previous editions of Roadburn. With an eye for perfectly capturing the mood of any given performance, Peter’s skill truly lies in preserving the visual story that accompanies memorable shows. Each year he makes the trip over from Denmark and moves stealth-like through the photopits of Roadburn working his magic with understated poise. We’re delighted to have the opportunity to share his work with Roadburners in a new way this year – his work will adorn half of the frames that hang in the 013 venue.
As you rush between shows, take a moment to pause and appreciate this underrated talent.

David Fitt.
Having been gifted his first camera as a teenager, it took a few years for his interest in the medium to truly blossom. Once it did, he was hooked – specifically shooting live performances of artists such as Alcest, Perturbator and Regarde Les Hommes Tomber. For the past nine years he has been a full time photographer, also working with household name brands such as AirBnB and Nestlé. Unsurprisingly it’s his work in the music world that we’re showcasing during Roadburn. His evocative portraits will hang in frames at the 013 venue for the duration of the festival.

Nina van de Ven
The assembly of references of historical and contemporary visual language is characteristic to Nina’s artwork. From Ancient Greek vases to modern battle jackets; from the culture of the Vikings to Temptation Island; by associatively combining elements of these different cultures and histories, a new story is created. 

The series  ‘Vests & Jackets’  consisting of charcoal- and pastel drawings of vests and battle jackets onto which diverse symbols and icons are illustrated, almost like a collage, represent the common thread in Nina’s work. Depictions of historical myths, occult artefacts, ornaments and religious symbols are pictured equally besides Adidas and Marco Polo logo’s, Polly Pocket and a fairly happy-looking potato with a napkin tucked under its chin – a sticker she saw on the side of a truck and ended up in her sketchbook. Bringing these symbols together results in a non-hierarchic play between the ‘signifier’ (a sign’s physical form) and the ‘signified’ (the actual meaning).

Key to this series is working within the confines of a limited space. The surface of a battle jacket can only carry so much badges or signs to form an identity or represent a story, similar to how a story on an Ancient Greek vase must be told within the size and shape of that vase. This challenge combined with the fact that these items are often part of mass-production and are sensitive to trends, is what makes these objects fascinating for Nina to work with.

The artworks give a sense of openness and pleasure through the associative freedom that Nina takes in creating them, arising from researching a diverse body of topics she makes her own. And just like Nina is aware that our lives today are shaped by and connected to our past; history, contemporary pop culture and trends are brought together in her work, creating an alternative narrative.

Marit Biemans
In works on paper, textile and photography Marit deals with cyclical processes that encompass the physical and spiritual existence in and around us, which manifests itself beyond measurable boundaries as one living environment. Carefully, this environment is created with pen, needle and light. Where both biotic and abiotic eyes, ears, noses and mouths can see, hear, smell, taste and feel. Where one blends seamlessly into the other, or becomes fertile ground for a new layer in this sphere. The works can be seen as a small hymn to the silliness and the beauty of that which feels so essential – the being of the being

Alright! It’s time! The Roadburn 2023 schedules are finally here. Understandably we had to make a few last minute adjustments this week, but we’re excited to bring you the daily timetables for the upcoming edition of the festival.

A pdf version is available on the website for those of you who like to print them out, and the TimeSquare app will be updated soon.

As ever, hours of planning go into making these; we take into consideration the flow of the day, the production needs of the bands, and yes – how painful the clashes will be. So, be gentle – but enjoy planning your own personal journey of discovery through Roadburn 2023.

We were so devastated to lose White Ward earlier this week, but we’ve worked our magic behind the scenes and we’re so happy to be able to announce Afsky to the Roadburn line up today! Please give them an extremely warm welcome… and while you’re waiting for Roadburn to roll around, give their new album om hundrede år a listen!

We are also so pleased to welcome Witte Wieven back to Roadburn… we realised we had just enough room to squeeze in one more band and we can think of nobody more fitting than one of Tilburg’s own home grown talents.