Marktrock Festival Returns to Leuven After a Decade
Friday evening, Leuven will see the return of a piece of Belgian music history with the revival of Marktrock. The legendary festival is returning to the Flemish city this weekend after a decade-long absence, reports 24brussels.
Marktrock began in 1982 as a small, local festival and gradually evolved into a major summer attraction, drawing over 350,000 visitors. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, it featured international stars such as Iggy Pop, Joe Cocker, Radiohead, Kanye West, and Natalie Imbruglia, solidifying its status as one of Belgium’s premier music festivals.
The original organizing association disbanded in 2007, leading to smaller free editions until 2014. Despite attempts to revive the festival in 2015 with a paid version, which only attracted 21,000 visitors, Leuven officials decided to discontinue Marktrock. This was followed by a summer event named ‘Half Oogst’, which concluded in 2024.
Two Stages Planned for Revival
The comeback of Marktrock is spearheaded by Kat Kerkhofs, daughter of one of the festival’s founders and wife of Belgian footballer Dries Mertens, alongside her sister Lyn. This edition will feature two stages: a ticketed main stage located in the historic Oude Markt square and a free DJ stage at the nearby Vismarkt.
Friday’s lineup will showcase Belgian talents including Clouseau, Milow, and Emma Bale on the main stage, complemented by a free DJ set from Mertens himself. Saturday will see performances from headliners Nile Rodgers & Chic and Selah Sue. The festival will also include food trucks, the Marktrock Bar, free water services, and an information stand.
Marktrock’s revival edition is set to take place on August 22 and 23, 2025, with performances scheduled daily from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. While Friday’s main stage shows are sold out, tickets for Saturday and weekend access remain available.
