The Lotto Brussels Jazz Weekend is returning to the Belgian capital this weekend, filling every corner of the historic city with swing, soul, blues, hip-hop and bebop. From Friday 23 to Sunday 25 May, the organisers promise a vibrant display of live music in the heart of Brussels, and as ever, the event is completely free of charge.
Having welcomed 150,000 visitors to over 120 free concerts last year, the festival dedicated to contemporary jazz is coming back to Brussels for the eighth time this weekend, sharing the magic of live music in the heart of the city.
More than 100 impressive names will be descending on the capital for the three days, with a particular focus on Belgian talent, brand new music projects and resounding names from the contemporary scene.
Credit: Brussels Jazz Weekend
For this year's line-up, the organisation is joining forces with Ancienne Belgique, Les Lundis d'Hortense and Vaartkapoen.
Some of the acts include VAAGUE, Early Life Forms, Adja, Francesco Turrisi Trio, Wajdi Riahi Trio, HYPERCONTENT!, Stéphane Galland & Jeroen Van Herzeele, Helena Casella, Mobilhome, Louis Matute Large Ensemble, and Bandler Ching.
A festival as diverse as Brussels
"The festival reflects perfectly Brussels' identity: everybody is welcome to discover the amazing richness of our national jazz musicians," the festival's founding director Steven Palmaers told The Brussels Times. "Musicians come to experiment on the Brussels scene as it offers enormous opportunities to enrich yourself musically."
Palmaers added that this year, visitors can expect "three main stages, five busker stages and 30 bars, "which all offer the audience moments of surprise."
Each main stage has its own "identity": at Grand Place, there is more contemporary jazz, in collaboration with Greenhouse Talent and Les Lundis d'Hortense; at Bourse, there will be 'Jazz & Beyond' on offer with Greenhouse Talent, Ancienne Belgique and the Vaartkapoen; and at Saint-Catherine, visitors can enjoy next generation jazz and the first-ever Brussels Jazz Vanguard will be awarded.
The stage in Grand Place. Credit: Brussels Jazz Weekend
The Brussels Jazz Vanguard supports the next generation of jazz musicians, "helping them step into the spotlight and onto the international stage." A total of 15 promising acts, selected from 150 submissions via VI.BE, Court-Circuit and the Royal Conservatoire of Brussels (KCB), will perform at Place Sainte-Catherine, according to a press release.
A professional jury, along with the public, will vote to determine who will win the prizes and claim their spot on one of the main stages during the next festival in 2026.
Finally, on Sunday make sure to put on your dancing shoes as there will be a salsa workshop from 11:30 on Place Sainte-Catherine, with an exquisite array of live music from KCB, Charanga Bruselas and Banda Bruselas to get your day off to the best start.
Find the full festival programme and more information here.
