The largest underground music festival of Belgium, Pukkelpop 2019, our report of day 4.
Unfortunately we missed the young sensation, Billie Eilish O’Connell, but thanks to Studio Brussels we were able to follow a piece through the radio waves on our way to the last day of Pukkelpop 2019. Arriving at the festival site we were immediately informed of a legendary performance by the young American, and noticing embracing teenagers in tears. Maxim Lany in the Boiler Room was the first act on our program. His usual sound from deep house and tech house was alternated with classics such as Sono’s Keep Control. Many fans of Kelis were gathered on the first row for a beautiful performance full of funk, soul and hits like Milkshake. But we soon went back to the Boiler Room for Camelphat. There are so many acts on Pukkelpop that well, unfortunately, choices have to be made and that choice was Camelphat. Camelphat who releases on the defected label, as we think of the hit Cola (with Elderbrook) chose to add more vocals and long spacy breaks that slowly evolved to climaxes. With the start of the duo Pan-Pot, the chapter techno started in the Boiler Room. Luckily the duo chose for a nice and slow build up from house towards techno which was a pleasant switch. One of our techno stars, Amelie Lens, was loudly welcomed and started her set immediately bringing tight acid techno. But somewhere in between Amelie’s set we went bach to the mainstage for the closing act of Twenty One Pilots who surprisingly added a Tomorrowland moment in their performance with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike’s Crowd Control resulting in a moving crowd from left to right. Pukkelpop 2019 was closed with resident DJ, Michael Midnight, who delivered yet again a wonderful party atmosphere in the overcrowded Boiler Room. Electronic Music Magazine Belgium will be present next year at the largest underground music festival in Belgium as we already note 20, 21, 22 and 23 August in our agenda. Undoubtedly, Pukkelpop 2020, will be a huge celebration with the 35th anniversary. (JL)