Around every corner, you could find something new, different areas, art installations, and a wide variety of food vendors that even had their own section focusing on vegan and sustainable cuisine. This contributes to the festival’s goal to become climate-neutral by 2030. In 2025, already 1/4th of the power used came from renewable sources, and a percentage of ticket sales went to the Fuck Cancer foundation.

It’s not only about music, though. There were DJ sets, workshops, political talks, and stand-up comedy to fill your day, all in beautifully decorated areas. The two main stages, KB and Tesco, stood in the centre of it all, while the smaller ones were nestled to the side in tents and bunkers.

The first day was packed with performances that spanned across alternative, hardcore, metal, and punk, with Avenged Sevenfold, Awolnation, Holy Wars, Kittie, and Kneecap standing out as some of the most intense and memorable acts of the day.

The Art Stage kicked things off with Holy Wars, the Los Angeles-based band whose blend of metal, punk, and alternative rock immediately drew attention. Their set was nothing short of electrifying, with frontwoman Kat Leon leading the charge with fierce energy and powerful vocals. Tracks like Unlucky and Wild Thing showcased the band’s ability to seamlessly blend heavy riffs with anthemic, emotionally-charged lyrics.

Leon’s stage presence was magnetic, as she moved with intensity across the stage, rallying the crowd to embrace the raw, unapologetic energy of the set. Fans surged forward, some moshing and others nodding along to the heavy grooves. Holy Wars’ performance was a perfect introduction to the festival’s rock and metal-heavy vibe, leaving the crowd pumped and eager for what was to come.

Next up Kittie, the iconic all-female metal band, took over with a set that was as fierce as it was unforgettable. Known for their pioneering role in the heavy metal scene, Kittie’s brutal mix of groove metal and deathcore was a powerhouse performance. Songs like “Brackish” and “Spit” had the crowd headbanging in unison, while Morgan Lander’s commanding vocals and shredding guitar work kept the energy at a fever pitch. The crowd was a sea of fists in the air, moshing wildly to every breakdown and roaring chorus. Kittie’s set wasn’t just a performance, it was a declaration of their enduring influence in the metal world. The band delivered an intense reminder of why they remain a heavy metal legacy, and the energy in the crowd was palpable as they played with unmatched aggression and precision.

As the day progressed, Rock for People became the site of one of the most energetic and politically charged sets of the festival: Kneecap, the Irish rap-punk trio. Known for their unique blend of punk, hip-hop, and Irish culture, Kneecap delivered a performance that was as wild as it was impactful. Their mix of infectious beats, razor-sharp political commentary, and rowdy live energy had the crowd hyped from the first beat. Songs like “Cúpla Focail” and “Let’s Talk About the Trouble” had the entire audience jumping and chanting along in unison. The band’s ability to blend humour, irreverence, and deep social commentary kept the crowd engaged while also making them think critically about the world around them.

They weren’t the only Irish artist of the day, Dublin-based post-punk band Fontaines DC, known for their intense, literary-inspired lyrics and gritty sound, also took the stage. Tracks like “I Love You” and “A Hero’s Death” were crowd favourites, with frontman Grian Chatten’s commanding vocals drawing fans into their raw and poetic world.

Following Fontaines D.C., Awolnation brought their blend of alt-rock and electro vibes, igniting the crowd with infectious tracks like “Sail” and “Run”. Their energetic performance was a perfect contrast to the more aggressive acts earlier in the day, with Aaron Bruno leading the band through an electric set that had the crowd dancing and singing along. The mix of rock and electronic elements created an anthemic atmosphere that had the entire audience bouncing to the beat.

Next, Dayseeker took over with their emotive post-hardcore sound. Known for their ability to blend melodic elements with aggressive breakdowns, the band delivered a cathartic set filled with highs and lows. Tracks like “Crooked Soul” and “Sleepless” showcased their signature ability to evoke intense emotions while keeping the crowd engaged with their powerful stage presence.

Later in the day, Sigrid injected a burst of pop energy into the rock-heavy lineup. The Norwegian pop star’s anthems, including “Strangers” and “Don’t Feel Like Crying,” created an uplifting contrast to the heavier sounds of the day, and her bubbly stage presence made her set an instant crowd favourite. The audience sang along to every word, with Sigrid effortlessly blending pop melodies and infectious energy to create a feel-good vibe that lifted the spirits of everyone in attendance.

When Static Dress took the stage on day two, they immediately established themselves as one of the most energetic acts of the day. Their mix of post-hardcore and emo-punk left a deep impression on the crowd, with a powerful blend of catchy hooks, raw emotion, and unrelenting chaos. Static Dress proved themselves as one of the day’s most exciting up-and-coming acts.

Dead Poet Society, the alternative rockers from Boston, took the Shoe Stage next, adding a bit of grit and edge to the festival’s heavy lineup. Lead vocalist Jack Underkofler’s voice was an immediate standout, resonating with raw emotion and power. Their performance was charged with a palpable sense of urgency, and the crowd was fully engaged, swaying, clapping, and cheering to every chord.

Next up, The Ghost Inside brought their signature blend of melodic hardcore and post-hardcore. This legendary band’s set was one of the most anticipated of the day, and they didn’t disappoint. From the first note, Jonathan Vigil’s commanding vocals and the band’s thunderous, yet melodic riffs had the crowd in a state of unrelenting energy. The crowd’s energy only amplified as the band gave a nod to their recovery after their near-fatal bus accident years ago, making the performance not just a concert, but a symbolic return to the stage. The Ghost Inside’s set was a reminder of why they are such revered figures in the post-hardcore scene, delivering both a sonic and emotional gutpunch.

The day’s intensity ramped up when Lorna Shore took the stage. Known for their brutal and technical deathcore sound, the band’s performance was an absolute force of nature. Opening with their hit “To the Hellfire,” the crowd was immediately whipped into a frenzy by the pulverising blast beats and guttural vocals of Will Ramos. Lorna Shore’s set was a masterclass in deathcore, and they showed no mercy.

When Slipknot stepped out on the Rock for People stage, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. As soon as the band’s iconic masks appeared on stage, the crowd erupted into a frenzy, and the band wasted no time launching into their brutal set. Kicking things off with high-octane tracks like “Psychosocial” and “Duality” the crowd, packed tightly, was an unrelenting sea of headbanging, moshing, and singing along to every word.

The legendary In Flames took the festival by storm, bringing their brand of melodic death metal to the eager crowd. Anders Fridén’s vocals were as commanding as ever, seamlessly moving between harsh growls and clean choruses that had the crowd moshing and singing along. In Flames didn’t just play, they took control of the crowd, blending technical precision with atmospheric melodies that made every song feel like an anthem.

Imminence, the Swedish post-hardcore band, delivered one of the most emotionally intense performances of the day. From the first note, their powerful mix of melodic hardcore and orchestral elements grabbed the audience’s attention. Eddie Berg’s impassioned vocals and commanding stage presence set the tone for a performance that was both an emotional journey and a sonic explosion.

Later in the day, Paleface Swiss injected a burst of heavy energy into the festival’s final hours. The Swiss quartet got the audience jumping, clapping, and shouting along.

The post Three days at Czech Republic’s Rock for People music festival appeared first on Quip Magazine.

The grounds, first of all, are huge and countless stages with an enormous capacity, all inside tents, offer music of every genre imaginable. Castello and Broiler Room mainly hosted DJs and electronic music, Marquee all the calm pop acts, the Club stage was home for many indie and punk artists while the Backyard stage had some of rock and metal’s finest acts on a relatively small space.

All the big action, however, happened on the main stage, which was never too crowded to get to. Everything is sparkling clean at all times, the payment system is organized with coupons you have to buy at designated stalls which basically only has one purpose – to make people forget how much money they actually spent. A cute beer shack, record store, multiple cafes, secret venues, a stage where you can play with your own band, a carnival area, and a place in the forest that acts as a calm oasis if everything is a bit too loud (perfect for all the neurodivergent folks!) all add up to a festival experience that couldn’t be further away from other messy European events we have seen this year.

As with most festivals, a big sustainability campaign was set in place, and like most, it didn’t hold up its promises at the very basics here either. Drinks are still served in single-use cups and the reward system is so complicated it resulted in people walking around with a tower of cups for half of the day. The food offerings were repeated in every area, except the pretty cool hidden lounge between the Castello and Marquee tents that hosted multiple independent food trucks. The vegan options were pretty sparse once again, no surprise here.

The music lineup was absolutely packed with gems and offered a lot of something for everyone! 

On Friday, Belgium metalcore newcomers Moments opened the Backyard stage with a bang. Moshpits, circle pits, wall of death – you name it and the crowd was still full of energy going absolutely crazy. Due to several lineup changes, they got announced rather last minute but delivered a solid set that definitely gave them a few new fans.

The complete opposite was happening on the Club stage right after with the Australian Indie Surf giants Hollow Coves playing their biggest hits alongside new singles, creating a beautiful vibe that invited everyone to close their eyes and just enjoy.

It didn’t stay calm for long though, as one of the biggest sensations of this year, UK’s Wargasm, took over the Backyard stage. Regardless of if their music fits someone’s personal taste, they are an absolute must-see with an energy that is unmatched by any other rising talent. The duo played their latest EP release alongside the songs that made the popular to begin with, creating a perfect environment for the singer Milkie Way to crowd surf as one of the many interactive ways the band engaged with their audience.

Nothing but Thieves, who played the main stage, didn’t quite get the audience they deserved, which seemed to be a phenomenon on the main stage during day concerts all weekend. Nonetheless, they were absolutely worth popping by and seeing many fans sing along.

Carolesdaughter was one of a few fast risen social media musicians this weekend, sadly her very short songs all of which were broken up by a minute break created a patchy interrupted set. Carolesdaughter seemed shocked and excited to be on this stage, commenting how she couldn’t believe she was famous enough to be there. 

The Backyard stage continued to be strong, with metalcore giants While She Sleeps burning it all down within seconds. A perfect timed slot, the tent was packed to the brim and due to its unique set up it felt more like an intimate concert than one of many festival gigs, something not many festivals are able to achieve.

Before the legends, Slipknot got the people out of the tents with their killer show after a short but strong rain shower, Ghostemane benefited from the rain with everyone running into the tent in time for the set. A continuous strobe light sadly was a bit distracting and exhausting, but it was a great performance nonetheless.

The weather was a bit cloudy on Saturday, but because all stages except the main one were placed in tents that didn’t bother anyone. Belgium DJ SEA started the day with her set in the Boiler Room which filled up very fast and in the end even left some people waiting outside. 

Irish punk band The Murder Capital, set up in the Club, performed another one of their great shows. The band offered a lot of audience interaction and theatrical improvisations like smoking a cigarette on stage or sitting down for several minutes just watching the crowd which certainly made the performance more entertaining.

Norwegians superstar Aurora is always guaranteed to touch everyone who joins one of her shows, and this was no exception. Her unique persona, powerful voice, and songs that combine politics, connection, and emotions are just a few of the ingredients that make her one of the most fascinating young artists of this generation.

Palaye Royale, Clutch, and Frank Carter all played the Backyard stage on Saturday, a row of nonstop moshpits and dancing ended with Frank setting an example of what it means to create a safe environment for the crowd – he made sure that every single female crowd surfer arrived safely and even called for a women-only moshpit!

Tame Impala‘s show was sadly a bit underwhelming, especially with the heated-up energy, the crowd seemed to need a bit more than slow stoner rock and their psychedelic stage show didn’t work here as well as it did in other venues.

The sun came out a little more on the last day, but shoe gaze hero’s Slow Crush brought the crowd straight back into a dark comfy night with their magical performance that was dominated by beautiful light combinations.

Girli, performing in the Backyard, surprised everyone by performing without a band or any live musicians, just her and her background singer. Nevertheless, she was able to get the crowd going fast and this unconventional setup was forgotten fast.

On the main stage, British pop rock band Sea Girls probably would have been better placed on a smaller stage, they barely filled up and seemed a bit lost in the space they had. But this four-piece band still offered a nice performance despite having minimal hits, definitely a band to watch.

Nova Twins once again brought girl power back and one last time heated up the backyard to its full potential. Strong messages, detailed outfits, and guitar riffs that impress every hardcore metal head are just a few reasons why they are promising on every level.

YouTube star Chloe Moriondo came up right after, if the show can be described in any one word then it would be ‘adorable’. Fun, light-hearted songs, and her excitement were infectious, even though her lacking stage experience showed at times through long distracting breaks.

Many were waiting for one of the two last bands, one of which was Bring me the Horizon. The crowd was still pretty sparse and except for the first few rows, many only seemed to know the newer songs. This lack of energy made me feel as if the lead singer Oli Sykes didn’t really want to be there and was exhausted after a long summer tour. While the show itself was great as usual, it felt scripted and absent of any of his usual expressive outfits, replaced by a black hoodie.

After a long break, the Arctic Monkeys closed out Pukkelpop. Learning from their past mistakes and mostly playing their old hits that defined the youth of a whole generation. A solid show, with no surprises but a nice way to end a well-organized festival.

The post Rewind on Pukkelpop Belgium, where mosh pits rule and rain does not appeared first on Quip Magazine.