Roadburn side programme announced
We’ll have the return of the Queer Side of Heaviness panel, a Q&A with Deafheaven, a deep-dive into folk storytelling within contemporary music, a return to the Vinyl Veda Vault, and last but not least, a Q&A with Roadburn’s artistic director, Walter Hoeijmakers on the past, present and future of Roadburn.
White Ward cancels tour
Limited number of Friday and Saturday tickets available
With the addition of Paradox as a returning Roadburn venue, we’re able to add a limited number of Friday and Saturday tickets. If you missed out on these day tickets previously and want to join us for just one (or two!) days – these tickets are now available once again.
All info can be found on our ticketpage
Alkahest added to the line-up
Roadburn is always looking to the future - we say it all the time. The last thing we’d want to ever do is stagnate, so we’re always looking for the next up and coming talent, and we seek to champion new bands. This year at Roadburn we’re taking things one step further and putting our money - or more specifically our stage - where our mouth is, and inviting a new young band to perform at Roadburn, specially commissioned for the occasion.
In collaboration with the Metal Factory in Eindhoven, five music students have seized the opportunity to put theory into practice and will be performing their first ever show at Roadburn 2023. Under the watchful eye of Metal Factory coach Michel Nienhuis (Autarkh & Autarkh III, ex-Dodecahedron), the band has taken shape and developed into a gig-ready force to be reckoned with. Please welcome to the Roadburn line up… Alkahest!
Roadburn’s artistic director, Walter Hoeijmakers, has been working closely with Metal Factory over the last few months and describes Alkahest as “if Cult Of Luna went on to play death metal”. Attendees can expect a ferocious yet dynamic entanglement of sludgy riffing, pounding blasts and screams, crystal-clear resonating vocals and fragile atmospheric sections. “As Artistic Director, I'm immensely proud to see them take this opportunity to heart,” Walter continues, “and proud that Roadburn is offering them a small chance to launch their careers. They want to be part of the live music community - and they are fearless. We have lovingly dubbed this project 'Rejuvenating Heaviness,' since that is what these young musicians are doing and will do.”
Metal Factory coordinator Kevin Quilligan comments: “In 2018 I first met with Walter and his genuine ambition to invest in new generations of alternative musicians was clear right from the start. At Metal Factory we strive to bring our students as close to the music industry as we can and working with Roadburn is a valuable opportunity for our educational program.
A group of students working on a commissioned set for Roadburn means that they are put in a creative boiling pot under the artistic wing of Michel Nienhuis. This is no small task. It demands energy, time, discipline, and the urge to grow. Not only as musicians but more importantly, as humans. I have seen this group of students develop themselves into professionals taking giant leaps towards the industry we all love.
“I am immensely proud and excited to finally bring this project full circle with their performance at Roadburn 2023. It’s a sneak peek into the future, drummer Abe being just 16 years old, and with the new generation stepping up, I feel it’s a bright future.’’
Michel adds: "Working with this talented group of students has been a very inspiring journey so far. I'm proud to see their strenuous efforts turn into exciting artistic endeavours and growth in professionalism. This project not only propels their instrumental and conceptual awareness; the constrained time frame also catapults the level of collaboration and organisation. We can't wait to share the result of this project with the Roadburn 2023 audience!"
Alkahest is:
Cheyenne Reudenbach: vocals
Konstantin Richter: guitars, backing vocals
Martín Jaramillo: guitars, backing vocals
Sian Syed: bass
Abe Stadhouders: drums
Alkahest will open the Hall of Fame on Saturday, 22 April - come along and witness the future of heavy music for yourselves.
Roadburn announces Paradox venue line up
After joining forces with Tilburg’s renowned jazz club, Paradox, in 2022, Roadburn is delighted to announce that the collaboration will continue for 2023. Making the most of the venue’s intimate setting, a programme of performances curated by the venue’s artistic director, Bartho van Straaten will complement the main Roadburn line up on Friday and Saturday (21/22 April) – with a focus on jazz and avant-garde music specifically.
Bartho comments: “Paradox is thrilled to welcome Roadburn for the second year in a row. Our venue will host an international line-up with bands like Nordmann, Poil Ueda, Schnellertollermeier, and I Like to Sleep. On Saturday we will also present a Heavy Jazz Jam, which will feature some of the finest Dutch (jazz) musicians that includes guitarist Reinier Baas amongst others. Artist-in-residence will be the group Under the Surface. They will perform both on Friday and Saturday with a different line-up. Paradox is proud to present this remarkable and talented Dutch band to the Roadburn audience.
Announced for Paradox:
Under the Surface will be the Paradox Artist in Residence for Roadburn 2023. Under The Surface will host two special shows during Roadburn’s two-day Paradox program: one where they play their own set as an expanded five piece, and the second where they will join forces with classical/experimental artist White Boy Scream who is also part of the main Roadburn programme.
French prog rockers PoiL and Japanese singer/satsuma-biwa player Junko Ueda – who perform together under the PoiL Ueda moniker – offer a seeing-it-to-believe-it mix of novel and traditional styles. Imagine King Crimson’s most wayward material and drop those works in feudal Japan, and you might get a close approximation of it.
Swiss minimalist rockers Schnellertollermeier are a streamlined sonic expressway, braiding a wide range of musical influences within their liminal, forward-thrusting sound. They play a unique combo of noise, proto-industrial, ambient and kraut rock with pinpoint precision, without sacrificing impulsiveness and inventiveness.
In 2022, Paradox hosted a heavy jam, uniting musicians from RRRags and Kanaan. To continue the theme, this year there will be a Heavy Jazz Jam led by composer and musician Reinier Baas, who has been somewhat of an enfant terrible in the fields of jazz, classical and pop music
Trondheim’s I Like To Sleep have coined their craft “powerjazz to the people”, which sums their music up to a tee. Applying the (lack of ) rules of free-jazz to heavier styles, these Norwegians are a live force to be reckoned with.
It would be an oversimplification to call Belgian experimental rockers Nordmann’s ‘jazz rock’; they combine elements of avant-jazz, slowcore and psychedelic rock to dizzying effect.
Read more about these line up additions here.
They join previously announced artists on the main programme including Deafheaven, Boy Harsher, Cave In, Julie Christmas, Wolves In The Throne Room, Zola Jesus, Giles Corey, Backxwash, Chat Pile, four commissioned projects, two artists in residence, a Rocket Recordings showcase, and more.
Tickets for Roadburn 2023 are already on sale; Friday and Saturday tickets are sold out, but weekend tickets, Thursday and Sunday tickets remain. Accommodation options are also available to purchase. All information can be found on Roadburn.com
Sangre de Muérdago premiere new single via Roadburn.com
We’re delighted to share the premiere of a new single from Sangre de Muérdago today. As one of our 2023 artists in residence this Galician ensemble will perform three times across the Roadburn weekend; one of those performances will be centred around their brand new, upcoming album O VENTO QUE LAMBE AS MIÑAS FERIDAS.
For over 15 years Sangre de Muérdago have been crafting their intimate and distinctive take on folk music; the upcoming album will be their sixth full length. Their thoughtful missives look backwards towards the musical heritage that has helped shaped them, but they have one eye on the future and how these sounds and stories will be remembered in years to come.
The single we’re sharing today is taken from that album, and is titled Wo sich Fuchs und Hase gute Nacht sagen. As Sangre de Muérdago main man Pablo C. Ursusson tells us, the song holds a personal meaning for him:
“[This is] a song that was initially born after getting to know the news of a person killed for their sexual orientation in a town I call home. Yet the song is lyrically written through the eyes and wishes of different animals, I hope the deep meaning of this song comes through the words and melodies in it found. An embrace to diversity, that everyone that has been feeling “different” does it with confidence and conviction.
“There shall be no burden in our heart choices, we owe to ourselves to trust the signs that our hearts are giving us. So, let’s live our lives in plenitude, respect and honour each other, free ourselves to live and love and feel our own way, no matter what anybody could think about it. There’s only one way to feel different, which is the good way. In loving memory of all victims of hatred, regardless of their species, and dedicated to all those who dare to try to reach the impossible to turn it into possible.”
Pre-orders for O VENTO QUE LAMBE AS MIÑAS FERIDAS will be available in due course, and the album will be released via the band’s own labelMúsica Máxica, as well as Throne Records and Neuropa Records
King Yosef, Lord Spikeheart, HIDE, Brigid Mae Power, Hilary Woods and more complete the line-up
The line-up for Roadburn 2024 is finally complete. We are immensely proud of the diverse array of artists that we have gathered, and we feel that we are channeling past, present and future artistically, musically and spiritually. We can’t wait to explore and discover everything that is in store and celebrate our beloved underground together with all of you.
- Brigid Mae Power will deliver alchemical incantations and dreamy folk-pop melodies.
- Channeling intensity and vulnerability, deathcrash’s slowcore will be a welcome addition.
- Fear Falls Burning will premiere new music in the form of their new album, The Principle Flaw.
- Gros Coeur are set to bring a psychedelic rainbow of sound to Roadburn.
- With a new album on the way, Habitants will make their Roadburn debut this year.
- Den Haag’s Heath promise “odd time signatures, blazing harmonica and hypnotic guitars” and more!
- HIDE will bring their uncompromising live performance to Roadburn for the first time.
- Fresh from the success of her latest release, Acts of Light, Hilary Woods will perform at Roadburn 2024.
- Bringing a heady blend of industrial noise, hip hop to Roadburn is King Yosef.
- Lord Spikeheart will make his Roadburn debut as a solo artist, performing music from his brand new album.
- Lucy Kruger & The Lost Boys have been highly praised for their live show which will make its way to Roadburn this April.
- Tilburg’s own Mirusi Mergina will present an experimental mix of whispers and soundscapes.
- Neptunian Maximalism will present their ambitious and expansive new album Le Sacre Du Soleil Invaincu.
- Having previously performed at Roadburn with his band, Tau and the Drones of Praise, Seán Mulrooney will return for a solo performance.
- The Infinity Ring will head to Europe for the first time and perform at Roadburn 2024.
- Throwing Bricks seek to find joy in heaviness and combine elements of punk, black metal, screamo and sludge.
The Spark, Roadburn’s Wednesday night pre-festival party, was recently announced featuring performances from Final Gasp, Sonja, and Riot City.
The above artists join a line-up that includes The Jesus And Mary Chain, Khanate, Chelsea Wolfe, Lankum, Clipping., Blood Incantation, Health, Royal Thunder, Hexvessel, Dool, Inter Arma, Agriculture, Fluisteraars, and many, many more. More artists will be announced in the coming weeks. For all information including tickets, please visit www.roadburn.com
Këkht Aräkh cancel; Mamaleek replace
We’re very sad to announce that the planned performance by Këkht Aräkh at Roadburn 2023 will not go ahead. Below is a statement explaining the circumstances behind this cancellation. We at Roadburn send love and strength as he works through these issues. We are so disappointed to miss out, as we’re sure you are too. Ticket refunds are not possible in the case of a cancellation like this, but we hope you’ll still join us in April.
Due to this cancellation we have added Mamaleek to the line up - we’re thrilled as they were originally booked for Roadburn 2020 and a show from them is a rare occurrence indeed. Read more about Mamaleek here.
Këkht Aräkh statement:
Hello dear friends.
I'm really sorry to say this, but it is with great sadness that we have to cancel my show at Roadburn festival.
I've faced a big unexpected issue: my visa process, which was supposed to end in December, got heavily delayed and I'm not permitted to travel abroad until it's resolved.
When we confirmed Roadburn we were operating under the belief that the process would be complete in plenty of time.
Me and my team have been trying our best to move things forward, but unfortunately there are elements that are beyond our control.
So, it is with a heavy heart that we have come to the realisation that the performance at Roadburn is no longer a viable option. I’m grateful to everyone who showed support and was excited to see us at Roadburn, but it was simply not possible to make it happen this year. I'm sincerely offering an apology and hoping for your understanding in these complex circumstances.
Roadburn completes 2023 line up with 25 new names
Roadburn has announced the final names for its main musical programme for the 2023 edition. Zola Jesus, Backxwash, Nicole Dollanganger and White Boy Scream are among the 25 new additions to the line up. Roadburn 2023 will take place between April 20-23, with a pre-festival show on Wednesday, April 19.
Roadburn’s artistic director, Walter Hoeijmaker comments:
“We’re delighted to announce the final names for the Roadburn 2023 line up. As has been said before, this year’s Roadburn will be a journey of discovery. The lineup is purposely focused on bands that have begun to make their mark over the last few years, and so, it’s also a reflection of the current underground. It was our aim to offer a lot of these bands and artists a platform to excel in front of a passionate and open-minded audience.
“We are so grateful to everyone who has gone to great lengths to help bring these artists to Roadburn. When you look at the full lineup, we sincerely hope you share our excitement. It’s our intention to make sure that Roadburn is a home away from home for everyone involved; the bands, the attendees, the industry folk, the staff.
“Roadburn 2023 is a celebration of underground music and culture; it will be a hub for positivity, creativity and artistry, and in a spirit of defiance it will bring hope in the face of the many adversities of our times. We thank you for this opportunity. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.”
New line up additions:
Zola Jesus will return to Roadburn, performing a full band show on the main stage on Sunday, as well as presenting her solo electronic project, NIKA on Saturday night. Backxwash will make her European debut with two special performances at Roadburn. Also playing her first show in Europe will be Nicole Dollanganger, who released a new album this January.
White Boy Scream will bring distinctive operatic vocals, noise and drone to Roadburn. Meanwhile Esben and the Witch will perform their just-announced new album, Hold Sacred, in full at the festival. Ashenspire will play their first show on Dutch soil as one of the most-requested underground bands for this year. Ashenspire share members with both Maud the Moth and Healthyliving who will also be performing, the latter band playing their first ever show.
EBM artist Sierra will be making the trip from Paris to bring her danceable anthems to Roadburn. Sweden will be represented by psych-pop masters, The Hanged Man, whilst Mai Mai Mai will present what has been described as ‘Mediterranean Hauntology’, a distinctive take on folk, minimal music, synthwave, industrial, dream pop and ambient.
Sowulo will also reimagine elements of folk music with tribalistic songs and an immersive performance. Marion Leclercq will bring her Mütterlein project to Roadburn, complete with ominous ambience, and soul-shredding vocals.
Further threads of folk can be found with Osi and the Jupiter who will bring their Appalachian-tinged take to Tilburg. Elsewhere Grift will present an intimate form of Nordic folk to Roadburn audiences. After releasing his debut solo album last year, guitarist Mat Ball will do double duty – performing his own solo set as well as taking to the main stage with Big Brave who were previously announced.
The Golden Grass are setting off on a groove-laden boogie odyssey, and we’re all invited along for the ride. The Sonic Dawn will continue this sun-kissed trip into the unknown as they roll into Tilburg this coming April with their psychedelic overtones. Experimental trio, France, will present a drone/folk infusion, complete with hurdy-gurdy! Iskandr brings a more ominous, darker tone to Roadburn in a set where black metal, doom and psychedelia will converge.
We’ve witnessed Enphin’s members before under the name Mr. Peter Hayden and later known them by their PH-insignia; they will return to Roadburn to distill elements of doom metal, electronica, heavy psychedelia, ambient and post-rock in wholly imaginative ways. Crouch are a new project featuring two members of Wiegedood; although in the early stages of performing live, they promise something slow and heavy for Roadburn attendees.
Colombian producer Filmmaker will bring his dark, atmospheric and – yes – cinematic electronic offerings to Roadburn this year. And last but not least, Rotterdam’s VULVA wear their hearts on their sleeves in an explosion of colour, vibrancy and radical action.
Unfortunately, Birth – who were previously announced for Roadburn – have had to cancel their upcoming European tour plans. See below for a statement from the band.
“It is with heavy heart that, due to circumstances beyond the control of ourselves, our booking agent and the promoters we’ve been dealing with, we need to postpone all non-US touring engagements until the second half of 2023. It is specifically galling that we won’t be able to make it to Roadburn this year, a festival where we have played on numerous occasions in the past in different incarnations and a place we all have an attachment to.” – Birth, 2023
More information on these artists can be found on our line-up page. They join previously announced artists including Deafheaven, Boy Harsher, Cave In, Julie Christmas, Wolves In The Throne Room, Giles Corey, Chat Pile, four commissioned projects, two artists in residence, a Rocket Recordings showcase, and more.
Tickets for Roadburn 2023 are already on sale; Friday and Saturday tickets are sold out, but weekend tickets, Thursday and Sunday tickets remain. Accommodation options are also available to purchase. All information can be found on our ticket page.
Roadburn wins Best Small Festival at the European Festival Awards
At last night’s European Festival Awards ceremony in Groningen, Roadburn collected the award for Best Small Festival. The prestigious awards event is held at the beginning of Eurosonic Noorderslag conference and showcase festival and recognises contributions to the festival world across 16 categories. Best Small Festival recognises events with a capacity below 10,000; Roadburn was nominated alongside the likes of Liverpool Sound City (UK), Unsound Festival (PL), and Arsenal Fest (RS).
Upon collecting the award, Roadburn’s Artistic Director, Walter Hoeijmakers spoke of the origins of Roadburn and its roots in the underground, as well as challenges the industry has faced over the last three years.
Walter comments: “We’re incredibly proud of winning this award, it validates the hard work that we put into Roadburn. But it is also a token of recognition for the bands in the underground that we have championed - they’ve overcome so many challenges in the last few years. We’re so proud that we’re still able to offer them a platform to excel and showcase their artistry.”
Roadburn has been championing underground music since 1999. As the festival has grown in size, it has also grown in scope - embracing artists from a broad spectrum of genres and disciplines. Metal, doom, avant-garde, electronics, psychedelic music and more are all represented across Roadburn line ups.
Roadburn’s 2023 line up includes a diverse array of artists including Deafheaven, Boy Harsher, Wolves In The Throne Room, David Eugene Edwards and Këkht Aräkh. The festival will also host two Artists In Residence who will each perform three times across the days of the festival. Four collaborative projects have been commissioned to compose and perform original work specifically for Roadburn - including a joint venture between Duma from Kenya and Deafkids from Brazil. Roadburn 2023 will take place between April 20-23. More information on the line up can be found here.