This year’s European festival season is in full swing, and everyone knows the bigger festivals that happen annually in the beautiful country of Belgium. Graspop Metal Meeting, Pukkelpop, and of course Groezrock all attract visitors from all over the UK, Europe and beyond, and rightfully receive equal amounts of coverage and praise across the globe. While all this is happening, every year on the second weekend of August on the outskirts of the historical city of Ypres in the West-Flanders region of Belgium, the smaller scale 3-day hardcore and punk festival Ieperfest takes place.
Ieperfest is now in its 22nd year, growing from its humble beginnings of a one day event in 1992, in the centre of Ypres, into a worldwide cultural phenomenon, with fans travelling from across the globe to witness 3 days of carnage from some of the biggest and best names in the hardcore community. Legends such as Black Flag, Madball, Agnostic Front, Knuckledust, Cro Mags, Sick Of It All and Bolt Thrower have all graced the stage in recent years, as well as European exclusives from Culture, Crown Of Thornz, Dropdead and more.
Ieperfest is famed for promoting its green initiatives and recycling policies, as well as offering the finest vegan food around and its much lauded ‘More Than Music’ tent – a place to learn about activism, what we can do to help our planet, and get involved in Q and A sessions and discussions with members of the some of the bands playing. Non-profit organisations including Oxfam and Sea Shepherd attend each year, yet nothing is about preaching, rather just providing alternative outlooks on some of the realities we face.
Of course, above all, it is the music that is the main draw and this year is no exception. With one of the most stacked line ups of the summer despite a few bands now not appearing (Infest, and Blacklisted unfortunately), featuring reunions, exclusives, and festival favourites, here’s our guide on who not to miss at the 22nd edition of Ieperfest.
Friday August 8th
Converge: One of the most iconic bands in aggressive music of all time. Converge need no introductions, and are no stranger to festival stages. Expect a pummelling live show as always.
Adolescents: The California Punk band return for their second consecutive Ieperfest performance. Stage dives, and sing-alongs galore, and punk rock in its rawest form.
Ringworm: Clevo hardcore-thrash crossover titans Ringworm return to Europe for the first time in an age, after releasing the best heavy album this year in ‘Hammer Of The Witch’. Essential
Dead Kennedys: Back with a new line up, featuring Ron ‘Skip’ Greer on vocals duties. Expect some of the most iconic punk anthems in your ears. ‘Holiday In Cambodia’, ‘Nazi Punks Fuck Off’, ‘California Uber Alles’… I could go on…
Expire: Amongst the legends, Expire will show that some new blood can cut the mustard on the Ieperfest stage with their crushing, angst ridden hardcore.
No Warning: This is the big one, the one we never thought would happen. Reuniting for a one off European show, and following on from last years ‘Resurrection Of The Wolf’ 7”, No Warning’s headline slot – their first EVER show on European soil, and first show since 2005 – will be lifetime opportunity. DO NOT MISS THIS!!
Saturday August 8th
Cold World: Wilkes-Barre, PA hardcore crossover heroes Cold World are about to drop their first album in 5 years ‘How The Gods Chill’, and Ieperfest is the perfect setting for their hip hop infused hardcore punk.
Antidote NYHC: Iconic NYHC band Antidote brings their old school hardcore anthems to Europe for the first time. Another exclusive for Ieperfest.
Morning Again: This legendary Florida hardcore band is playing Ieperfest with the ‘Hand Of Hope’ era line up, featuring Damien Moyal (As Friends Rust, Shai Hulud, Culture) on vocals, for the first time, the last time, the only time.
Angel Du$t: Fronted by Trapped Under Ice singer Justice Tripp, Angel Du$t bring the fun to Ieperfest with their Suicidal Tendencies meets Faith No More style skate punk.
Deez Nuts: They may divide opinion, but love them or hate them, Deez Nuts hip hop meets hardcore vibe is sure to bring the party to the main stage on Saturday night. Lets get the shots in.
Turnstile: Another band from the extended Trapped Under Ice family. Their groove laden, heavy hardcore will make you jump!
Gorilla Biscuits: Another big one. A European exclusive, and their first appearance at Ieperfest for the iconic NYHC band. Stage dives, mic grabs, pile on’s and no doubt a lot of lost voices the next morning. Headlining Saturday night. Let’s start today!!
Sunday August 9th
Ignite: One of the longest running melodic hardcore bands, Ignite should not be missed. Now with front man Zoli Teglas in full health, they are sure to be a highlight of the weekend.
H2O: Punktastic faves H2O return to the Ieperfest stage with their incendiary live show. Expect fast, energetic, and anthemic hardcore punk, rain or shine! One life, one chance, gotta do it right.
DYS: Legendary Boston straightedge hardcore crossover, fronted by the iconic Dave Smalley. Not to be missed!!
Bane: One of the most real bands in the business, and define the word ‘hardcore’ through and through. This is part of Banes farewell tour, playing their back catalogue, as well as track from their final album ‘Don’t Wait Up’.
Boysetsfire: With a new album ‘While A Nation Sleeps’ under their belts, Boysetsfire’s melodic hardcore will be a treat on the Sunday night. Its impossible to get bored of seeing ‘Rookie’ live.
Heaven Shall Burn: These German metalcore titans headline the Sunday night with their incomparable live show. Crushing breakdowns and political lyrics are Heaven Shall Burn’s forte. Sure to bring the festival to a close in style.
So that’s just the highlights, and a drop in the ocean when you consider the fact there are 84 bands playing across the 3 stages. I could carry on, but I would be here forever telling you why you should head to Ieperfest, and if this has helped sway your decision to make the trip, then I will see you at the bar for a cold Primus and a Vegan burger.
As well as tickets still being available, all information for travel, lodging, and everything in-between can be found on the official Ieperfest Website.
I will leave the final word to Ieperfest founder and organiser Bruno Vandevyvere, who was kind enough to give me the following as to why you should come to the party of the summer:
“Ieperfest is the longest running underground hardcore festival worldwide. It’s a 3-day annual summer event (+indoor winter edition). Friends from all over Europe (the world) come to hang out and check a wide variety of international bands. Some bigger, some smaller. Most of them hardcore, but also related styles. 3 music stages, 84 acts in total. Hang-outs, bands, making new friends. We try to do things ourselves (DIY) as much as we can. We focus on ecology and also speak about other topics than just music at the More Than Music stage. We have been offering vegan food only since the very start. That’s what we believe in, that’s what we do. Come and join us. We’re sure you will just love the fest and its atmosphere.”