There are some powerful performers here between the likes of Croatian progonauts Seven That Spells, the fury-prone heavy rock/metal wrought by Godsleep and the classic classy class class class (plus charm) of watching The Bevis Frond on stage, but both that and the aural variety are to be expected from Down the Hill, which with this announcement reveals the first of its 2025 lineup. Set to take place over two days in Belgium this August, the festival has yet to give any word on who’ll be headlining this year’s edition, but with Swiss psych-prog instrumentalist mainstays Monkey3 and the aforementioned The Bevis Frond at the top of the poster-thus-far, you couldn’t really call the initial reveal lacking. Good on Travo getting out, too.

Early-bird tickets — as opposed to the super-early-birds, which, yes, were a thing, and I believe are sold out — go on sale as of today. The Frédéric Genêt poster (with more names to come) and announcement text follow here, as per the ol’ social medias:

A New Year and the First Wave of Bands!

The wait is over! We’re thrilled to unveil the first 10 bands that will electrify our stages. From psychedelic legends to rising stars, this year’s lineup promises an unforgettable mix of powerful performances, mind-blowing riffs, and immersive soundscapes. Whether you’re here for the heavy grooves or dreamy melodies, there’s something for everyone. Let’s dive into the first wave of confirmed acts:

monkey3

Prepare to be mesmerized by the Swiss masters of instrumental psychedelia. Monkey3 delivers immersive, cosmic journeys that blend stoner rock with progressive elements. A guaranteed mind-expanding experience you don’t want to miss!

The Bevis Frond

With over three decades of psychedelic rock brilliance, The Bevis Frond remains a cult favorite. Nick Saloman’s timeless melodies and fiery guitar work will transport you to another dimension. A must-see for fans of classic psych-rock.

Hemelbestormer

Belgium’s own post-metal titans, Hemelbestormer, craft massive, cinematic soundscapes that are equal parts heavy and atmospheric. Their live shows are an intense, hypnotic experience. Prepare to be overwhelmed in the best way possible.

Seven That Spells

Croatia’s psychedelic warriors, Seven That Spells, are known for their explosive and experimental live performances. With a fusion of krautrock, prog, and heavy psych, they deliver music that defies boundaries. Expect chaos, energy, and pure sonic magic.

Godsleep

Hailing from Greece, Godsleep brings thunderous stoner rock grooves infused with bluesy riffs and soulful vocals. Their high-energy performance will have the crowd moving from the first note to the last. Get ready to rock out!

Apex Ten

This up-and-coming band is a force to be reckoned with in the alternative rock scene. Apex Ten combines intricate melodies and dynamic arrangements for a fresh, modern sound. Don’t sleep on this rising star!

Wheel of Smoke

A hidden gem from Belgium’s underground rock scene, Wheel Of Smoke delivers a unique blend of space rock and psychedelia. Their atmospheric jams and groovy rhythms will take you on a sonic journey. Let them light your fire!

Travo

Travo’s gritty, blues-infused rock ‘n’ roll is raw, intense, and utterly captivating. Their sound pays homage to classic rock while carving out its own rebellious identity. A perfect addition to this year’s lineup.

MOTOR!K

Dive into the hypnotic world of Motor!k, a Belgian band that channels the spirit of krautrock legends. Pulsating rhythms, repetitive grooves, and a touch of modern flair create an entrancing live experience. Perfect for fans of Neu! and Can.

Capitan

This promising new act is making waves with their fresh take on alternative rock. Capitan blends catchy hooks, introspective lyrics, and powerful instrumentation to create a sound that sticks. A band to watch as they rise to the top!

Stay tuned for more lineup announcements, and grab your tickets tomorrow at 5PM!

www.downthehill.be/tickets

It’s going to be a weekend to remember.

We’re thrilled to unveil our 2025 artwork, crafted by the incredibly talented Frédéric Genêt! 🎨✨ His unique style and impeccable attention to detail bring our vision to life in the most stunning way.

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Monkey3, Welcome to the Machine (2024)

Somewhere along the line, I lost track of how many announcements deep Roadburn 2020 was into its lineup. Perhaps it was being CONSTANTLY BLINDSIDED by the lineup. Yeah, that’s what I’ll tell myself. Couldn’t possibly be that I’m just dumb. Whatever. I think this is number eight, which is pretty significant, so it’s probably number 14.

In any case, here we are in January the festival is still developing its lineup for the year. There’s much more to come, and then you get into stuff like surprise sets, secret shows, the big announcement of the side-programme and everything else. We get the Ignition pre-show in this announcement. It’ll be The Dead Cvlt, Early Graves and Splinter, which sounds like a wild time. Generally is though, so yeah.

But things just keep getting weirder here, with Alexis S.F. Marshall from Daughters signing on for a solo set and a sit-in with Lingua Ignota, plus LSD and the Search for God and a whole host of others whose names may or may not be familiar but you just trust Roadburn and go with it because it’s Roadburn and that’s what you do.

Yup:

Today’s announcement features Alexis Marshall (last seen on a Roadburn stage with Daughters) performing a solo set, as well as joining Lingua Ignota for her covers set, plus… DARKHER, Forndom, The Devil’s Trade, LSD and the Search for God, Ulveblod, Doodswens making a return, KODIAN TRIO (Dirk Serries) celebrating their fifth anniversary, Jonah Parzen-Johnson, The Sweet Release of Death, Motorik, Of Blood and Mercury, and last but not least – VONNIS.

As you will have seen earlier – we have another stacked line up for the Ignition Roadburn pre-party on Wednesday 15 April!

Given that we have Early Graves? in town already, we really couldn’t resist inviting them to do a second set and be part of the welcoming committee on Wednesday night. With their hearts in the boogie and their minds in the gutter, Amsterdam’s Splinter? (with members of Death Alley and Birth of Joy) could hardly be more appropriate to launch Roadburn 2020. Rounding out the bill will be The Dead Cvlt: amped up on a lethal dose of misanthropic black metal, pounding blastbeats and oldschool drum and bass.

Wristband exchange will be open from 6pm on the Wednesday so you can come and get yours early to save queuing on Thursday… and more importantly, Ignition is an opportunity to get your Roadburn experience off to an amazing start. Admission is free. See you there!

Only Sunday day tickets remain on sale – all other tickets are sold out.

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Roadburn 2020 Eighth Announcement