Rock Werchter 2016 - Our Picks

Last year, we went to Rock Werchter over in Belgium and we had an amazing time seeing some great bands. As the festival season of 2016 is fast-approaching, here are the bands to make sure you catch if you're heading to Belgium this year! 

The Last Shadow Puppets
When: Sunday, Main Stage @ 7pm 

Whenever Miles Kane and Alex Turner get together for a show, you know that it's going to be a good one. Their flamboyant on-stage theatrics are sure to get the crowd enticed and along with their retro, noir pop, they will bring a sense of fascination and wonder to Werchter. Having just released their second album (Everything You've Come To Expect) eight years after their first LP, the duo will want to put on a memorable show, truly showcasing their joint songwriting ability. Hopefully they won't turn up in those ghastly tracksuits!

LISTEN - 'Used To Be My Girl'

New Order
When: Thursday, The Barn @ 8:50pm

The name New Order should be more than enough to fill The Barn (one of two indoor venues at the festival). With their vast back catalogue, energetic, electronic live shows, the band are more than suitable to ignite The Barn. They will doubtless throw in the classics: 'Blue Monday'. 'Bizarre Love Triangle', 'Temptation', 'Regret', 'True Faith', - I could go on - to the mix along with tracks from their latest LP Music Complete. The freshness of that album added real zing to the bands sound, maintaining their status as one of the most important bands of the late 20th Century. Sure, Peter Hook might not be apart of the band, but take nothing away from Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert. A high recommendation. 

LISTEN - 'Plastic' 

Blossoms
When: Friday, Klub C Stage @ 1:35pm

Flying the flag for Manchester's thriving music scene are psychedelic five-piece Blossoms, whose groovy psych-pop put them on BBC Radio 1's list for 2016. Thus granting them airplay and just this month an they bagged an appearance on Jools Holland Live. With a dedicated following in the UK, Blossoms are looking to the Werchter faithful to join them in Klub C for a dazzlng performance. The Guardian has labelled them as "perfectly crafted pop with a gentle lysergic feel". Not only that, but they are selling out venues across the UK despite having not released a debut album. Be sure to catch them because next time The Main Stage could beckon. 

LISTEN - 'Charlemagne' 

Courtney Barnett
When: Saturday, The Barn @ 2:05pm 

We seriously cannot recommend Courtney Barnett enough! Yep, she's that good. She has such a pedestrian, 'I don't give a fuck' style that makes her immensely desirable. Her debut album oozes class, it also contains exsquisite musicianship and lyrics. Sometimes I Sit And Think And Sometimes I Just Sit made it onto countless top albums of 2015 countdowns and it's easy to see why. The Australian singer/songwriter may not have great stage presence, but to be honest, in this day and age people aren't too fussed about that. Her songs will win over anybody who thinks otherwise. Get ready for a sweaty hour or so in The Barn because Courtney Barnett will leave the place jumping. 

LISTEN - 'Nobody Really Cares If You Don't Go To The Party'

Savages
When: Saturday, Klub C Stage @ 2:55pm

London based Savages are one of many post-punk revival bands. The thing that makes them different however, is the fact that there is real meaning behind what they do. This is evident in both albums they have released thus far (Silence Yourself and Adore Life). Organised chaos is a term that describes Savages perfectly. More so on Adore Life as it sounds like the musical equivalent of being spun around in a washing machine. Silence Yourself is more rooted in post-punk. Clear Joy Division inspired tracks feature on an album that wowed critics and defined a band's sound. An astonishing live act too. Yet another must see!

LISTEN - 'The Answer'

Beck
When: Sunday, The Barn @ 8:05pm

The forgotten man of the early grunge movement. Beck, the alternative rock pioneer is making a rare festival appearance this year at Werchter. That should be reason alone to try and catch him on The Main Stage. Aside from his status, he has a vast array of albums all of which feature a different musical style than the last. 2014's Morning Phase was lightyears away from his 90s albums like Mellow Gold and Odelay. It was a folk-inspired album which reinvented the singer/songwriter, but nonetheless confirmed his relevance and heritage. With classics like 'Loser', 'Devil's Haircut' and 'The New Pollution' sure to feature in his set, Beck will no doubt attract one of the largest crowds of the festival. Be sure to get there early. 

LISTEN - 'Devil's Haircut

Florence & The Machine
When: Sunday, The Main Stage @ 11:30pm

In 2015 when Foo Fighters couldn't turn up to Werchter because Dave Grohl was a bit clumsy, Florence was left to pick up the pieces. And boy did she do that and then some! She completely blew the crowd away, helped in part by her powerful voice and all guns blazing performance. She certainly left an impression last year. And it counted because she's been invited back for a longer set. Having got the headline slot at Glastonbury last year, she's more than prepared for Werchter this time round. We have a sneaking suspicion that she'll perform better than ever.

LISTEN - 'Ship To Wreck'

For further details including tickets, please visit: www.rockwerchter.be 

Tickets for the four day festival are priced at 236 Euros.

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