Brussels celebrated its growing nightlife scene for the 2024 Listen Festival. With pop up venues including The Tunnel, Gare Centrale, and Congrès, it showcased the city’s versatility. There was a rave below Place Louise and within train concourses. Over 5 days, from 26-31 March, 150+ acts were featured. Among these were international artists LSDXOXO, VTSS, and Marie Davidson. Also, like last year’s edition, a continuous 2-day party took place at BUDA BXL. To get a sense of the festival’s vibe, check the Instagram gallery below.
A real movement
Belgium is not a stranger to nightlife and electronic music. Fuse, which has been around since 1994, is one example of this. As the scene continues to grow, new venues have emerged. One in particular, Umi, is an intimate space with an immersive sound system. It’s also Brussels’ first woman-owned nightclub. This dent within a male dominated industry is hopefully a start towards a more gender-balanced community in Brussels.
Listen Festival creates a safe atmosphere
In an effort to create a good time for everyone, Listen Festival made its awareness policies clear. This conscious effort for a safe party space is important for any nightlife event. As issues like harassment and health concerns come into play, it’s comforting to know there is a dedicated team responsible for such matters. With an announcement for all guests, there was no way to miss the message. Due to this, attendees could be comfortable and at ease.
The future of nightlife in Brussels
With Listen Festival getting bigger each year, it’s clear Brussels is making a point to be more than the sleepy European capital. In fact, the city recognises clubbing as part of its cultural heritage. While Berlin still remains the most popularised destination for nightlife, Brussels is inching closer and closer each year.
Cover photo: Maryan Sayd
