Roadburn 2022 Preview by Daniel Pietersen
One of my favourite things about Roadburn, one of the things I’ve miss the most while we’ve been hunkered down through the pandemic, is how the festival constantly explores and pushes its own boundaries. This sometimes makes the event’s appeal difficult to describe to outsiders – the amount of times I’ve been asked what kind of bands are playing only to fumble my way through a ‘well, every kind’ answer is starting to get silly – but the mantra of ‘Redefining Heaviness’ is one that’s stood it in good stead with dedicated attendees, myself included. Even my must-sees of this year, acts like Emma Ruth Rundle or Lingua Ignota, are riding high on recent releases which deviate, to varying degrees, from their past work and must appreciate the chance to explore the edges of their art in a setting like Roadburn.
This year, though, we’re going one step further with a dedicated venue for more experimental and avant-garde sounds. It may seem initially counter-intuitive to have ambient or even jazz-adjacent projects playing at an event like Roadburn, but you only need to listen to records by Roadburn alumni like Sunn O))) or Kevin Martin, aka The Bug, to see how integral drones, experimentation and, yes, ambience are to heavy music. So, here’s a run-though of what you can possibly expect in the Paradox, newly-added to the Roadburn family in 2022.
The trio promise to take their day job – a collision of industrial metal midway between Meshuggah and the machine crunch of Author & Punisher – and strip it down into a whirl of sound…
First up, on Thursday, is the duo of Kristoffer Lo & Dirk Serries, two thirds of YODOK III (who we’ll hear on Friday – b lending Serries’ wailing, whale-like guitar and the looped howl of Lo’s flugelbone (a curious hybrid of flugelhorn and trombone) this set should start us of in suitably cinematic style. Next up we have Autarkh III, the ambient alter-ego of Tilburg locals Autarkh, who some of you may have caught as part of 2021’s Roadburn Redux. The trio promise to take their day job – a collision of industrial metal midway between Meshuggah and the machine crunch of Author & Punisher – and strip it down into a whirl of sound. Thursday comes to a close in Paradox with a set from ZAÄAR, whose Magická Džungl’a album reminds me of Circle covering The Orb with its weird blend of echoing instrumentation and spin-the-radio-dial effects. Those of you into Ulver’s more prog moments will find a lot to like here. I’ll certainly be enjoying a bit of transcendental bliss before heading over to be crushed into the floor by The Bug Featuring Flowdan & Logan on the Next Stage.
Friday kicks off with PoiL Ueda who try and answer that age-old question; what would Yes sound like if they had a Japanese singer? This might sound like a parody of prog excess, but Junko Ueda’s mournful voice is complemented perfectly by the instrumentation of PoiL who, crucially for a band with such an idiosyncratic singer, know when not to play as much as what to play. Red Kite follow with a more traditional jazz-rock set, which will no doubt include their cover of Alice Coltrane’s classic P’Tah the El Daoud. The previously mentioned YODOK III, now with drummer Tomas Järmyr adding avalanches of percussion to the duo of Lo and Serries, are the day’s penultimate act with their strange, sinuous form of improvised soundscape. The stroke of midnight will see Rotterdam-based Albarte hitting the Paradox stage and it’s a fitting time for their angular, sinister groove. Folks who took part in 5ive’s Continuum Research Project need to get themselves to this one.
for a band with such an idiosyncratic singer, know when not to play as much as what to play…
John Ghost, Saturday’s opening act, are described on their promo blurb as ‘Tangerine Dream meets Steve Reich’, which seems to be born out by their Airships Are Organisms album, and hot damn if that’s not enough to get me excited for the day’s experimental offerings. With TONUS, Dirk Serries returns as band-leader to a rotating ensemble of musicians that’s ever-changing but always defined by restrained and minimalism rather than jazz’s more obvious tendency for excess. After a gap, which I’ll fill by catching the Icelandic dark wave of Kaelen Mikla in The Engine Room, the Pulled By Magnets super-group take us into the night with their gothic, urban sprawl that sounds like nothing less than Bohren Und Der Club of Gore being dragged into a rain-slicked alleyway. One of the ‘smoothest’ bands on the Paradox line-up, Belgium’s Dans Dans manage to bridge the gap between Roadburn’s more traditional desert psychedelia and the experimentation of their stage-mates. This’ll be an excellent come-down session after Ulver’s play-through of Flowers Of Evil over on the Main Stage.
All things come to an end, though, and Sunday arrives all too fast. Thankfully, we’ve got Het Concreet to look forward to. Revelling in live performance and collaboration, it’s impossible to say what this act will offer up, or even who will do the offering. Dirk Serries appears again as part of the Martina Verhoeven Quartet, supporting the eponymous pianist in her explorations of what the instrument can do when taken to its absolute extremes. That just leaves Schnellertollermeier, a Swiss trio, to bring this extended experiment to a close with their strangely elastic, guitar-heavy take on motorik rhythms which would fit right into the Finnish madness of Pharaoh Overlord and their innumerable kin. If I can still stand by then, I’ll be there.
I urge you to at least try a sample of the weird wares being presented in the Parodox…
Some of the acts on offer here might be a bit too much for Roadburners looking for a heads-down, heavy metal fix but I urge you to at least try a sample of the weird wares being presented in the Parodox. After all, the word experiment literally means ‘to try’ and, who knows, maybe this Roadburn you’ll redefine your own personal definition of heaviness.
Gott, Bad Breeding cancel; Temple Fang and RRRags replace
Sadly it felt somewhat inevitable to have some last minute cancellations for Roadburn 2022, such is the nature of putting on a festival in the current circumstances. We’re sad to say that illness has forced Gott to withdraw from playing Roadburn, and a positive Covid test has knocked Bad Breeding out of our pre-show party, The Spark.
We are delighted to say that Amsterdam’s finest space rockers, Temple Fang will step into the breach and perform at the The Spark, whilst psychedelic power trio RRRags will now perform on Friday (please note: Alice Hubble will now play the slot where Gott were scheduled, and RRRags will perform at Hall of Fame).
All changes will be reflected in the Timesquare app – which is the best way to keep up with any last minute changes (although hopefully there’s not too many more of those!) – and additional (secret!) shows!
Quote from Gott: “It saddens us deeply to not be able to play our debut show at Roadburn. A lot of hard work has gone into getting ready for this and to have to cancel at the last minute is nothing but heart breaking. Unfortunately there is not much we can do, except to thank Walter for giving us this opportunity. Hopefully we can still play this beauty of a fest in the future.”
Roadburn Preview by Cody F. Davis
Not only am I able to finally attend, but I am fortunate to be a part of Roadburn’s programming. Sunday afternoon – prior to the final day’s performances – I have the honor of sitting down with Emma Ruth Rundle, Ethan McCarthy (Primitive Man, Spiritual Poison), A.L.N. (Mizmor), and Dylan Walker (Full of Hell) to discuss community and collaboration in heavy music. These talented panelists and I will dive into the impact that collaborating with each other has on their own creative output. We will also be talking about what the Roadburn community – and heavy music as a whole – has done for these musicians over the years. In addition to this, the panelists will be taking questions from the audience on these and similar topics. This panel is about community after all.
Our Sunday panel won’t be the only place you can find us all though. Emma, Ethan, A.L.N., and Dylan will all be performing throughout the festival. I, on the other hand, will be taking it all in as a fan of many of these bands and performances for the very first time. The benevolent minds behind Roadburn tasked me with compiling a list of the performances I am most looking forward to. I’m excited to see some of my favorite bands in a way I’ve never seen them before, as well as discovering some bands and seeing some legendary and underground acts for the very first time.
Emma’s poignant and evocative compositions redefines what it means to be heavy…
On the topic of our panel, I’ve been a huge fan of Emma Ruth Rundle, Primitive Man, Mizmor, and Full of Hell for years and I’ve seen them all perform multiple times already. I’m certain their Roadburn performances are going to show them all at their very best. Emma’s poignant and evocative compositions redefines what it means to be heavy. Primitive Man’s sludgy, noisy doom reinforces the preconceived notions of what it means to be heavy. I’ll continue to attest they are the heaviest band on the planet. Mizmor’s wholly doomed black metal hit its latest peak on his last LP, Cairn, and Full of Hell has been on an absolute tear over the last five years with Trumpeting Ecstasy, Weeping Choir, and Garden of Burning Apparitions. I will most certainly be planted front and center for all these sets.
Of course, it isn’t all blast beats and tremolo picking. There is such a unique array of musical stylings on display this year – much of which I’m prioritizing. HEALTH’s dark industrial music has been another favorite since I discovered Death Magic in 2016. They recently released a new album full of collaborations, DISCO 4: PART II, and their album, VOL. 4:: SLAVES OF FEAR has been one of my favorite albums since it arrived in 2019.
Seeing Solar Temple perform – in a special collaboration with Dead Neanderthals no less – is very high on my list of things to see…
Elsewhere, I cannot wait to check out the slew of black metal bands performing at Roadburn. I am hooked on the Dutch collective Haeresis Noviomagi’s music. Seeing Solar Temple perform – in a special collaboration with Dead Neanderthals no less – is very high on my list of things to see. Their countrymen, Terzij de Horde and blackened doom group, Ggu:ll are collaborating as well. Wiegedood and Sordide are two other performances I will be seeing. They will be performing their newest albums in their entirety; both records are stellar. The list doesn’t end there however. Lamp of Murmuur, Alkerdeel, Dödsrit, Silver Knife, and Faceless Entity are all locked in on my schedule.
Kristin Hayter’s magnificent work as Lingua Ignota is so powerful to experience in a live setting. She continues to set herself apart from her peers with her continued work. Sinner Get Ready was a momentous leap forward for Hayter and continues to show the immense talent she possesses. Her ability to combine classical music, various singing styles, power electronics, and a visceral subject matter is unparalleled.
I can only imagine their performance is going be as special as their artist selections…
GGGOLDDD just released an incredible new album, This Shame Should Not Be Mine. They’re one of the first bands I ever wrote about many years ago when I was operating my own little music blog (RIP to The Amalgam) and it’s been incredibly exciting to watch the band evolve over the years. Milena Eva and Thomas Sciarone are curators for this year’s line-up, and I can only imagine their performance is going be as special as their artist selections.
Roadburn has also been known to bring out some incredibly unique collaborations. Aside from the black metal collaborations mentioned earlier, there are a few other experiences I will be checking out. Firstly, the Vile Creature and Bismuth performance of A Hymn of Loss and Hope is literally a once in a lifetime opportunity. Both bands have been working on this piece for a couple of years now. Multi-disciplinary electronic genius, Kevin Martin aka The Bug, is coming to Roadburn alongside MCs Flowdan & Logan who all worked together on The Bug’s Fire album – one that was very infectious and critically acclaimed. Martin is a Roadburn alumnus of the highest order who has been known for his captivating performances.
the rare combination of quality and quantity in music speaks to the power of Roadburn…
There is a lot I am looking forward to during Roadburn’s live return this year. The line-up is jam packed with extraordinary diversity and skill and I am excited to take it all in for the very first time with so many friends. Even with all these anticipated performances, I am certain I will run into so many other bands and performances that were not on my radar initially. Ultimately, the rare combination of quality and quantity in music speaks to the power of Roadburn and its prestige its garnered over the years. It’s an honor to be a part of it in some small way.
Roadburn 2022 Preview by Harry Holmes
This year’s festival kicks off with what for me is one of those classic impossible choices – Bruit≤ opening The Engine Room (and the Pelagic Presents showcase) with the addition of a brass section to bolster their blissful post-rock will be a fantastic way to start a long weekend. However, opening the main stage at the 013 is the long-awaited collaboration between Vile Creature and Bismuth performing their commissioned piece A Hymn of Loss and Hope. I was lucky enough to see these bands lay waste to a tiny room on their tour together back in 2018, and the thought of a proper artistic collaboration between them, scaled-up to the glory of the Main Stage gives me goosebumps of doom. I don’t know what they have composed but prepare for intelligent and emotive overwhelming heaviness.
While many will no doubt still be deeply immersed in this morass, another Pelagic band – Year Of No Light – will be filling The Terminal with their cryptic post-metal, which borrows from both the blackened and sludge ends of the spectrum. Thursday also brings the first of three sets from artists in residence SLIFT, this one focusing on their excellent 2020 album Ummon. Expect hooky and well-crafted songs, electrifying energy, and a galaxy-full of SPACE! They return to the stage on Friday and Saturday for a set of previously unheard material, and another with synth/saxophone player Etienne Jaumet. Having seen these guys play live not so long ago I can definitely recommend dropping in on at least one of these, if not all three!
the thought of a proper artistic collaboration between them, scaled-up to the glory of the Main Stage gives me goosebumps of doom…
And from Ummon to Drommon – Smote bring the album of that name to the Next Stage towards the end of Thursday. In reviewing this for The Sleeping Shaman, I was drawn into the strange soundworld it inhabits, and I would expect this to be a highly immersive experience.
Friday isn’t messing about – alongside the perhaps more cerebral and exploratory performances planned at the Paradox is a selection of bands that will simply crush. This year’s theme of ‘redefining heaviness’ clearly does not mean overlooking music that would more readily be identified as heavy, although there is great range and variation within this broad descriptor. Case in point – those brave and organised enough to get themselves to The Engine Room for 1pm (broodje kaas recommended in advance) will be treated to LLNN performing their most recent album Unmaker. This record stood out to me last year for its merciless assault, bringing abrasive synth to augment the oppressive sound.
I’ve yet to see Primitive Man live, but a friend recently described the experience as ‘like all the air was sucked out of the room’…
If you are not yet fully flattened there is Primitive Man to follow. I was lucky enough to interview Ethan from the band for Weirdo Canyon Dispatch last year and he wrote then of the uncompromising heaviness and harshness that are at the centre of their approach. I’ve yet to see Primitive Man live, but a friend recently described the experience as ‘like all the air was sucked out of the room’. More clearly politically engaged lyrically are Svalbard – if you like your intelligent heaviness building more from a hardcore/metalcore grounding then stop by The Engine Room to catch my fellow-Bristolians.
It takes an event like Roadburn for the day not to be about one thing only – Warhorse. If you like doom, then you probably don’t need telling to set your autopilot to get you to their set. If you somehow don’t already know them, then expect rolling tar-thick grooves, ominous rumblings and the joy of lysergic communion. It’s a long time since I saw them play live, and it seemed very much as though the chance to do so again was a vain hope. I can only assume they are still four-metre-tall wizard warlords.
expect rolling tar-thick grooves, ominous rumblings and the joy of lysergic communion…
It also takes an event like Roadburn to make room both for the return of veterans of Warhorse’s ilk, and also original commissioned compositions such as The Cartographer which Jo Quail was due to bring to the festival in 2020. Jo is a composer and cellist who works in a somewhat unique space between various traditions, using instruments and accompanying technology in novel ways to produce emotive and cinematic music. This will be a highlight of Saturday no doubt, and indeed of the festival as a whole.
Elsewhere on Saturday things will be decidedly psychedelic, of course in a variety of ways! Whether in the form of Kanaan fuzzing-out in the Hall of Fame, Radar Men From The Moon playing an all-electronic set in The Engine Room or Kungens Män jamming late into the night, there will be something to tickle the synapses of the most burned-out of psychonauts. Among all this is furthermore a chance to spend some time with The Holy Family in what is bound to be a mind-expanding experience. Indeed, in trying to review their self-titled album for The Sleeping Shaman, the only way I could get my head round it was to turn it all the way inside-out.
anyone still standing should find their way to the Main Stage for Radar Men From The Moon x Twin Sister closing the weekend in a burst of righteous power…
Sunday for me looks to bring a bit more space to venture out into unknown territory and perhaps discover some treasures, perhaps with City Composer of Tilburg, Mathijs Leeuwis in the Paradox – Het Concreet are set to bring percussion, voice and tape loops to their commissioned piece. Or indeed the ‘ominous ritualism’ of Ural Umbo later in the day. And of course, anyone still standing should find their way to the Main Stage for Radar Men From The Moon x Twin Sister closing the weekend in a burst of righteous power.
Audio/Visual exhibition at Roadburn 2022
At Roadburn art and music have always been entwined and we have sought to further strengthen this connection with an audio visual project at Roadburn 2022. Our festival artwork this year was created by two Finnish artists – Tekla Vály and Tereza Holubová – who work under the name Valreza Collective, and shot a mesmerising eight minute long video as the basis of the festival’s 2022 visuals.
We commissioned four Roadburn 2022 performers to create an alternate soundtrack to this video, and we’re thrilled to be able to present them at the festival. Each day before the bands commence, one of these soundtracks will be shown on the screen at the Main Stage (and the Engine Room on Saturday). The videos and soundtracks will also be exhibited at the NS16 throughout the festival.
The artists we approached were Midwife, Cloud Rat, Alice Hubble, and TAU and the Drones of Praise – representing the musical diversity on display this year at Roadburn. We gave them no instructions or guidelines other than to make it their own however they saw fit.
Alice Hubble told us: “ When I first watched the video, I felt a strong sense of celebration and togetherness that I wanted to capture in the music. I also thought of the festival and how important these are in bringing people to connect.
“The piece is of two halves underpinned by a sample of water lapping on the shores of Lake Garda. Banging toms echo the ritualistic dancing in the video, and flutes always symbolise ‘festival’ to me so I knew the mellotron flute had to feature heavily.
“I finished off the recording and mixing with Mike Collins at Big Jelly Studios in Ramsgate, UK. Some of the percussion samples were constructed from me playing the metal columns that hold up the studio’s stairs!”
Cloud Rat also gave us some insight into how their soundtrack came together:
“This piece comes from a late night drone session after working on the mix for our new album,” they told us, “We got weird and recorded a few hours of improvised soundscapes. We then greatly condensed, edited and restructured the material in an attempt to fit the film’s vibe, layering in Madison’s vocals for further dreamworld effect. Thanks to Roadburn and Tekla and Tereza for giving us this lovely opportunity!”
Madeline Johnston aka Midwife provided something suitably heavenly (with additional instrumentation from Jon Mulville), whilst TAU and the Drones of Praise provided a sonic kaleidoscopic of wonder which fits just perfectly.
Immerse yourself in these four different soundtracks and celebrate the happy union of art and music in this inspiring new way. Remind yourself of the original video below and don’t forget to stop in to the NS16 to experience all four soundtracks during the festival.
Your A-Z guide for all things Roadburn 2022!
Welcome to your A-Z guide for all things Roadburn 2022! Hopefully all your questions are answered here – and you can prepare for a smooth trip to Tilburg and a stress-free time at the festival.
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 – 22.00
Thursday 10:00 – 22:00
Friday 12:00 – 22:00
Saturday 12:00 – 22:00
Sunday 12:00 – 22:00
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
We have buses going to Eindhoven and to Beekse Bergen, the bus stops for both are marked on the map.
- Beekse Bergen to 013
11.00 to 19.00 approximately every 20 minutes.
013 to Beekse Bergen (bus stop at Sint Josephstraat 106) 23.30-03.00
Cost: €5,- single trip/3 days €25/4 days €30
- Night bus to Eindhoven
If you purchased a ticket for the night bus to Eindhoven (as a stand alone ticket or as part of a hotel package) then these are the approximate times they will run:- On Wednesday: 01.00 and 01.30
- On all other days: 01.00, 01.15, 01.30, 02.30, 02.45, 03.00, 04.00
Busses 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 (in front of V39) and at the bus stop for €15 (card payments only) – 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 you may have seen, Roadburn is cashless this year!
The 013 venue has already been a cashless venue for a couple of years now and Roadburn 2022 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 and Roadburn/band merch stands (but not at the food stands). You can do this at the info points at the 013 and Spoorzone.
If you still have tokens from previous years then black, purple and grey (half) tokens will still be accepted at the bars.
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 (pay by card only!) outside at the Pit Stop as well as the usual stalls outside the 013. Pretty much every taste or dietary requirement is taken care of by the food trucks so you’re sure to find something to suit. Not to mention all the bars and cafes that Tilburg has to offer. You’ll not go hungry!
E – EXHIBITIONS
We’re back in the NS16 this year with a career retrospective exhibition from multi-disciplinary artist Manuel Tinnemans! Also on display at the NS16 is the audio-visual exhibit featuring a video from our official 2022 artist – Valreza Collective – soundtracked by Cloud Rat, TAU and the Drones of Praise, Alice Hubble, and Midwife! Valreza Collective aka Finnish artists Tekla Vály and Tereza Holubova will also have their artworks exhibited near to the Hall of Fame. Photographer William Lacalmontie will have an exhibition of his incredible work in the frames found around the 013 venue.
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 Hall of Fame from 2pm 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!
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
This looks a bit different this year – it’s a tent! A fancy tent, but not the bricks and mortar building of previous Roadburns. But with state of the art audio setup we aimed to capture the spirit of the Hall of Fame whilst the original is being renovated.
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
Surely you can’t have missed that we added a new venue for 2022 – Paradox! Here you will find a curated line up of artists that explore the experimental jazz and avant-garde realms! The venue is small so you’ll need to get there early if there’s a must-see artist on your list! Check the map to find your way to the world of wonder that awaits you at Paradox.
K – KNUFFEL
Grab yourself a Knuffel! We have teamed up with Brouwerij Het Uiltje to create a Roadburn beer that celebrates all that’s great about being at Roadburn! It’s called Knuffel and it’s available at all the bars alongside other beers from Brouwerij Het Uiltje!
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!
We’ll be up front with you and tell you now that we have planned some surprises for the Roadburn faithful. There’s a couple of shows that aren’t on the schedule which will be announced during the festival – keep your eye on our socials or better yet, download the Timesquare app and receive push notifications of new additions as and when they’re added. Due to the unusual nature of putting together Roadburn this year, we’re ready for anything – but if there are any last minute changes to the schedule or (worst case scenario!) a cancellation, we will let people know through our socials and the app. So, stay connected for the latest info!
Don’t forget to download the Timesquare app!
O – ONLINE 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.
P – PHOTOGRAPHY
Unless you are attending as 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!
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 V39 and one at the Pit Stop (See I)- there will be someone around to answer your questions quickly when you need them!
R – RECYCLABLE CUPS
You may remember that we trialled reusable cups in 2019 and they proved popular with Roadburners. Since then the 013 has continued to work towards eliminating single use plastic and the hard cups will be back for 2022! 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 the World Food Programme. Each 50 cent deposit will pay for one meal for a child living in poverty. So it’s officially possible to do some good by drinking your beers at Roadburn.
S – SIDE PROGRAMME
Every year we strive to bring you just a little bit extra; something to enhance your Roadburn experience in a new and exciting way. The side programme is a big part of this – we work hard to bring you interesting insights, informed debate and a peek behind the scenes at what makes some of your favourite artists tick. This year we have a panel celebrating the overlap between heavy music and LGBTQI+ communities, another exploring the relationship between classical and contemporary music, one on community and collaboration – there’s lots to get stuck into! Featuring thoughts and opinions from artists like Lingua Ignota, Hunter Hunt-Hendrix, Emma Ruth Rundle, Dylan Walker and many more! The timetable is in the booklet and online!
T – THE SPARK
We’re kicking things off in true Roadburn style with our all-new pre-party! Maggot Heart, Bad Breeding and Radar Men From The Moon will be your welcoming committee on the Wednesday evening at the Next Stage (formerly the Green Room!) – no ticket needed, just come along and help us get Roadburn off to a great start!
7.45pm – 8.45 Radar Men From The Moon
9.15 – 10 Bad Breeding
10.30 – 11.15 Maggot Heart
U – UNDER CONSTRUCTION
There’s a lot of work being done in Tilburg at the moment, which in years to come will mean an even more glorious Roadburn experience, but for now we’re mid-facelift! If things aren’t quite where you’re expecting them to be, and things look a little different, please bear with us! If you lose your bearings, check the map or head to the info points for help – or grab the nearest Roadburner who will no doubt point you in the right direction!
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… we have worked hard to eliminate lines for popular shows. We have introduced new venues, and we labour over the running order every year. We hope that queues will be a thing of the past – but if they do follow us into 2022, that they will be minimal. Please arrive promptly for shows that are ‘must see’ shows for you -especially at Paradox and Hall of Fame, our smallest venues.
W – WASH YOUR HANDS, WEAR A MASK…
There are currently no Covid related restrictions mandated by the Dutch government for Roadburn (although travel restrictions may still apply depending on where/how you’re travelling – please check the latest information!). However, we are part of a community so please be aware that your fellow Roadburners may have different needs or comfort levels to yourself. We encourage basic hygiene practices like washing your hands (but you do that already right?), and wearing a mask in crowded areas if you are more comfortable doing so.
If you require a Covid test before your onward travel you can do that at these locations in Tilburg:
Spoorlaan 21
Schouwburgring 27
Theresiastraat 15a
X – XERUS
Xerus are African ground squirrels. They have short ears, spiky fur and long tails. They live together in groups which are called bands! There are no Xerus in Tilburg (to the best of our knowledge).
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 (see R!) so let us know what’s on your mind.
Z – ZZZ… OR NOT
Once the bands are done, you may well want to head straight to bed. But if there’s still juice left in your batteries, then party on into the night with us (3am Thursday and Friday, 4am Saturday).
On Thursday night long-standing Roadburn DJ, Kevin, will be giving you cause to dust off your dancing shoes as he gets the party well and truly started. Friday night will see DJ Case dig out some underground and wave gems to spin alongside rock and metal classics.
On Saturday night KANGA will be key in transforming the Next Stage into an interdimensional dance sphere as she blurs the lines between performance and party. Jameszoo will continue the theme right after and long into the night – bringing a serious electronic-led dance party to the 013.
Jo Quail shares further insight to The Cartographer
With just over a week to go until Roadburn 2022 kicks off – we can still hardly believe it ourselves – we’re thrilled to bring you another peek behind the scenes of the making of The Cartographer by acclaimed cellist Jo Quail.
Originally commissioned by Roadburn way back in 2019, this original composition was due to make its debut at Roadburn the following year… but that just was not to be (for obvious reasons). The Cartographer was clearly a labour of love from the word go, with Jo throwing her all into creating something truly special and unique. The delay to the live performance gave Jo the ability to record the piece in a studio – which will soon see its release via By Norse).
The commissioned projects have been a cornerstone of Roadburn for the past few editions and we’re delighted that Jo is one of the artists continuing the tradition in 2022. We strongly urge you to attend if the space between classical and contemporary music piques your interest; there are few crafting such exquisitely emotive pieces of music in the way that Jo does.
Jo Quail will perform The Cartographer at Roadburn 2022 – on the main stage on Saturday 23 April at 15.20
The Roadburn 2022 timetables are here!
Roadburn announces side programme
As is tradition, we have a side programme of events which reflects certain elements of what’s going on in the main musical programme. We’re honoured to have these artists and industry folk participating in our Q&As and panel discussions – an opportunity for you to hear them speak in an intimate setting on the topics that they’re passionate and knowledgeable about. We’ll cover the intersection of classical and contemporary music, the overlap between queer and heavy music communities, the ever expanding troubles with vinyl, the magic of community and collaboration, and a Q&A all about Roadburn 2022!
Don’t miss out!
Last names confirmed for Roadburn 2022
We promised a handful more bands – and here they are! We’re thrilled to welcome Wiegedood back to Roadburn as they perform their new album There Is Always Blood At The End Of The Road in full on the main stage, as part of Milena Eva and Thomas Sciarone’s curated event. Svalbard will make their return to the mainland with a one off performance, and Motor!k, Severant and Ordigort will make their Roadburn debuts.
Don’t forget, there’s a limited number of weekend tickets back on sale via Ticketmaster.nl
