Every year in August, Ypres, the Belgium city known as the center of the trench warfare during World War I, is the host of a whole different kind of violence. Together Republyk Vort’n Vis and Genet Records organize the annual Ieper Hardcore Fest. An independent 3-day hardcore punk festival that also features death, grind and sludge amongst other genres.
This festival strongly connects with the DIY mentality and this certainly pays off. With approximately 120 volunteers the organization is about to welcome people from more than 17 different countries to their 10k capacity festival. Besides the DIY mentality they also strongly connect with the “more than music” theme. Debates, non-governmental organizations presenting themselves, workshops; all of this will be there for you of interested.
But of course the main reason to go to this (100% vegan) festival is the incredible line-up! What to think about seeing the Black Flag reunion (with Ron Reyes), witnessing an exclusive European summer performance by the almighty Cro-Mags, singing along with the classics of Madball or watching Nick Oliveri’s Mondo Generator playing their first Ieper show ever. Besides these (and many other) great bands the organization also presents their finest “local” heroes with for example the Belgium bands AmenRa, Length Of Time, Oathbreaker, Reproach and The Black Heart Rebellion.
All in all enough reasons to travel to Ypres on the 9th of August for three heavy days of partying!
More information can be found here.
