Our third and final commissioned project for Roadburn 2026 features some homegrown Dutch talent, spearheaded by Kim Hoorweg. Kim first performed at Roadburn in 2023 with their band VULVA, a project that spawned the Rotterdam-based Vulvaverse festival – an event designed specifically with community and communication at its heart. Kim is an artist with classical training, a social conscience and a singular vision for their work. They will present their commissioned project, titled I Hope This Hurts, with their band Teardrinker – a post-metal ensemble who made their Roadburn debut last year with a secret show at the skatepark.

Kim comments:

“This commissioned piece is meant to hurt, scratch and itch, and it is meant to be uncomfortable, mirroring the horrors of living in a persecuted body under patriarchal, colonialist, white supremacist and capitalist rule. Simultaneously it is meant to connect and radiate compassion, healing and a manifesto for choosing kindness collectively, by remembering on whose shoulders we proudly stand. I can’t emphasize enough how eternally grateful I am to have been given the space and platform to share our music and my story. Thank you, Walter and Becky, for your trust in me.

I hope this hurts.”