Groezrock Festival (BEL)

Belgium’s Groezrock is fast becoming the best punk/hardcore/ska festival in Europe. Boasting almost 40 bands in two days and with this year’s heavyweights including Billy Talent, Bad Religion and Alkaline Trio the line-up is as impressive as the price. Running on the same weekend as London/Sheffield’s Give It A Name festival many of the bands intend to hop between the two, although Groezrock definitely claims the meatier line-up.  

Friday sees punk-rock being the order of the day, with awesome bands from start to finish such as upcoming US bands All Time Low, Mayday Parade and Set Your Goals. While the return of Finch will please many, the night is topped off with undoubted energetic performances from political-punksters Anti-Flag and the crazy Canadian’s Billy Talent. 

Saturday is Groezrock’s main day, with two stages kicking off at 12pm and rocking till around 1am. A mix of hardcore, metal, punk-rock and ska is on offer with bands such as Lit, A Wilhelm Scream, Sick Of It All and pop-punk heavy-weights Good Charlotte, the day has something for everyone. Headliners Bad Religion and Story of The Year should crown a weekend of top bands, cheap Belgian beers and more importantly, no skinny-ass  emo’s that litter the Give It A Name festivals. 

Groezrock’s popularity has steadily increased, with over 15,000 people expected at the 2008 version. You can either camp or just buy the day tickets. 

Although not situated in the most convenient of places, Meerhout is fairly easy to access with a quick hop on the Eurostar then onto the regional trains. Also flying or taking the ferry if you wish to drive, are other options that won’t break the bank. 

Official Website