In about a month from now, it will be once again time for the passionate Roadburners to gather for a few days in Tilburg for a long weekend celebrating the most daring and experimental fringes of heavy music, with a passion and a sense of community that is unique to the Dutch event.
This year’s visuals are curated by Nona Limmen, who was already a presence in last year’s edition with her exhibition and this time will be taking charge of the artistic feel for the upcoming festival. Famous for her work with CHELSEA WOLFE and DOOL, among others, it will be a visual journey of chaos into the unknown and exploration of human nature.
Falling this time entirely during Easter (from April 17th to April 20th, 2025), makes it perhaps easier for planning, although it might also mean some more influx of travelers through airports and other transportation hubs.
Obviously, this won’t deter people from coming together to witness as always some unique shows and collaborations, and enjoy the overall atmosphere that engulfs the city throughout the festival days, so let’s see what the 2025 edition has in store for us.
Reunions, welcome returns, and further pushing the boundaries
Since the announcement at the end of last summer of KYLESA’s reunion show at Roadburn—after a decade from the last activity of the —along with the return of acclaimed sludge/noise rockers CHAT PILE, who will come back to Europe to present their new effort “Cool World,” as well as the Turkish psychedelic folk ensemble ALTIN GÜN with a special psychedelic set crafted for the occasion, the festival made it clear that they want to pursue the direction they have been following since the beginning of this decade, while at the same time expanding their horizon—and possibly that of the audience.
Other performances people will certainly look forward to including the welcome comeback of Aaron Turner’s SUMAC playing their new record “The Healer” in full, and let’s not forget PAGENINETYNINE will be showing everyone what they got when they will unleash their hardcore punk on the Roadburn audience. These veterans will make their debut at the festival but the expectations are certainly high for an energy-packed performance. SUMAC will also have a collaboration show with MOOR MOTHER, who are releasing a new record “The Film,” shortly after the festival.
Blackened death metallers BLACK CURSE will cast a dark shadow over Tilburg and we will definitely embrace their raw malignant force together with the sonic violence of Finnish CONCRETE WINDS, a band we are very familiar with and can’t stop to recommend to everyone as they sound exactly as their name suggests, and the intensity of their live shows is on another level.
We are also excited about ORANSSI PAZUZU coming back with their latest “Muuntautuja,” which pushes the band further into the experimental path they forged themselves and will certainly be a great experience to witness their musical evolution once again live at Roadburn. At the same time, we will hopefully be able to catch HAUNTED PLASMA as well, after witnessing their live stream at Roadburn Redux and what so far has been their one and only live show at Sideways in Helsinki in 2022, we look forward—as many others probably do— to see them live again.
Another Finnish artist that comes as a bonus with HAUNTED PLASMA is Timo Kaukolampi, who (like the guitarist Juho Vanhanen with ORANSSI PAZUZU) will have a double shift, playing his solo show in which he will immerse the audience into his cinematic world of electronic experimentation.
We are also very intrigued to hear what Michael Gira and Kristof Hahn (SWANS) will have prepared for their fans in their special show as a duo, while switching gears, another noteworthy show will certainly be the GNOD collaboration with WHITE HILLS. Knowing both bands we are certain to be in for some greatness. The same feeling we get when we think about DØDHEIMSGARD visiting Roadburn to play “Black Medium Current” in its entirety in front of their fans. These weird, eclectic Norwegians are sure to capture the audience with their avant-garde experimentalism.
Let’s not forget of course THOU, who will be welcomed back with open arms by organizers and fans both when they are back to play their new “Umbilical” in full, along with performances with MIDWIFE and who knows, maybe some other special tricks to be revealed only during the festival. As a side note, the band’s guitarist Andy Gibbs will also perform with his own project SUPPLICATE.
Widely acclaimed by many as one of the highlights of Roadburn 2023, this time we need to make sure we will not be missing out on BO NINGEN, performing their 2012 album “Line The Wall,” the expectations are high for this one.
Making a long-awaited Roadburn debut, ENVY is set to perform two sets, one focusing on their 2003 landmark record “A Dead Sinking Story,” and a second set showcasing their more recent evolution including the latest “Eunoia.”
Another welcome return, BIG BRAVE, will showcase “Chaos Of Flowers.” And even if we have seen the band now a few times in the recent lineup of this festival, there is good reason for it given how they have been pushing their own boundaries with each of their creations. We also look forward to seeing them again MESSA bringing their melodies and charisma on stage when they play the new “The Spin” for the festival audience.
We also welcome the announcement of GOTT, who were supposed to play in 2022 but had to cancel due to sickness. Fingers crossed that this time the band will be able to debut live, as we can never have enough of the enthralling vocals of Farida Lemouchi.
Following the very packed show in the Next stage of 013 last year, XIU XIU has been brought back for a bigger experience – and we hope better for the audience who unfortunately had to miss out last year.
Also, CAVE IN will be back. They will finally perform “Jupiter” in full for the fans who will be attending their performance this year, in celebration of the record’s 25th anniversary. This will be a first and something many people will be certainly looking forward to.
THE BUG (a.k.a. Kevin Martin) will make waves with his solo performance of “The Machine,” and fans of electronic, industrial experimentation at its most extreme will certainly be delighted by this. If that’s not enough, THE BODY and DIS FIG are going to showcase the result of their collaboration “Orchards of a Futile Heaven” in a performance that promises to be seriously intense. Both artists will also have their own separate shows during the festival, so there will be plenty to satisfy the needs of their fans.
A genre-redefining project that should tickle the interest of many will be FOUDRE!, a project featuring Frédéric D. Oberland who will surely be familiar to the fans of OISEAUX-TEMPÉTE.
INSECT ARK will present themselves as a trio incorporating Dana Schechter, Tim Wyskida at the drums (KHANATE), and Lynn Wright (lap steel and electric guitar), adding power and depth to their offering when playing their new—as well as older—material.
Bands to keep an eye for will also be for instance DE MANNEN BROEDERS duo (Broeder Dieleman together with Colin van Eeckhout of AMENRA and CHVE fame – and of course let’s not forget that CHVE will also be among the bands performing this year) promising an interesting collaboration in the form of their debut album “Sober Maal” for the fans of this particular blend of folk and drone.
Experimental folk is also the connecting theme of the Irish murder ballads that will be offered by ØXN, where the audience will certainly recognize the distinctive vocals of Radie Peat (LANKUM). Still from the creative framework of LANKUM, ONE LEG ONE EYE is the darker, more experimental folk outlet of Ian Lynch, which will also make an appearance this year. And if we want to remain in the veins of experimental contemporary folk, why not check out also CINDER WELL.
It will also be interesting to see how SMOTE‘s show performing “A Grand Stream” will unfold, with the participation of John Perry (GNOD), Adam Sykes (PIGSx7), Lisa Ekelund (FLOWERS MUST DIE) and Ian Lynch (LANKUM).
Perfectly in tune with the redefining heaviness theme of Roadburn, the genre-transcending NEW AGE DOOM will perform together with TUVABAND in a show that promises to be certainly among the most unique-sounding of this 2025 edition.
While industrial noise rockers HUMAN IMPACT (featuring members of UNSANE, SWANS, XIU XIU) will certainly make their impact clear, STRESS POSITIONS brings more hardcore punk to the table in this rich banquet, and they promise not to disappoint, either.
Hailing from Italy, PONTE DEL DIAVOLO belongs instead to that occult doom that has been making strides in their home country among the fans of the genre thanks to MESSA and has received a lot of positive reviews from their debut “Fire Blades From The Tomb,” which they will play in its entirety.
Aussie screamo four-piece BLIND GIRLS might offer something more for those looking for an energetic boost, while in the theme of all-female bands, WITCH CLUB SATAN will be offering their take on Norwegian black metal with a twist. A different twist in the black metal realm, mixing it with techno will be given by VMO (or VIOLENT MAGIC ORCHESTRA), and that already just sounds plain weird, which is exactly why it’s perfect for this festival.
Spawning from the Dutch underground, VUUR & ZIJDE will present their debut album “Boezem” to the Roadburn audience, mixing the extreme influences of its members (LASTER, SILVER KNIFE, GREY AURA, TERZIJ DE HORD, WITTE WIEVEN) with post-punk vibes.
Speaking of SILVER KNIFE, the band will mark its return to the festival after their packed performance in the then-temporary Hall Of Fame tent stage back in 2022. So is GREY AURA: the Dutch experimental black metal band will play its latest effort “Zwart Vierkant: Slotstuk.”
As fans of traditional Japanese instruments used in novel, experimental ways, we should at least mention KUUNATIC, as the psychedelic trio will be part of this year’s Roadburn offer on April 19th. And what about some flamenco instead? Roadburn got you covered also in this case with a special performance by FRENTE ABIERTO, a collective of Andalusian musicians mixing flamenco and heavy rock into what promises to be a unique display.
Finally as part of the collaboration between Roadburn and Eindhoven’s Metal Factory school, much like last year with ONEIROPOREIA, we will have the chance to see some young talents coming together into a new project called HAATDRAGER, which will culminate in their live debut at the festival. In the words of Roadburn’s own Artistic Director Walter Hoeijmakers:
“These youngsters are taking cues from sludge, electronica, and even contemporary industrial hip hop whilst amplifying their inner struggles and uncertainties as well.
It’s all about tension and release; it’s about catharsis and catharsis is bliss – especially when it comes to Haatdrager. This is the best education project to date and you won’t be disappointed. Don’t miss out, as championing Haatdrager will be very rewarding and is key to nurturing the talents of these seven burgeoning musicians.”
There are of course many other talented artists and musicians people will have the chance to discover throughout the weekend in Tilburg, and the opportunity to find out new favorites or just new intriguing musicianship is right there – quite literally – behind the corner.
Artists in residence, the new “triennium residency” and commissioned works
This year Steve Von Till will be among the artists in residence with his work entitled “Weaving Ourselves Into The World”, which is best commented on by the artist himself:
“To say that I am honored to be an Artist in Residence at Roadburn Festival is an understatement. Roadburn is a pillar of our international community. Their dedication to independent heavy music, art and community represents some of the best work that human beings can be involved in. For me, the collective catharsis that sharing emotional music, art, and poetry brings is the only way to make sense of this world. The connection it brings to each other and to the more than human cosmos allows us to weave ourselves back into a world of meaning
I will be presenting three distinct experiences for the residency. The centerpiece will be a set of mostly new material from my upcoming solo album which will see the light of day before Roadburn. For this I will be joined by Dave French on synths and percussion and Brent Arnold on cello. As Harvestman, I will also be performing Sounds from Triptych, using electronics, synths, and fuzz guitars to create live variations of pieces from the three album series I released this year. Visual accompaniment will be provided by friend and artist, Thomas Hooper, creating animated forms and moving landscapes to communicate with both the audience and myself as the sounds unfold. Finally, throughout the festival, Thomas and I will have an exhibition at the NS16 creating a landscape of light, texture and sound with a new series of his original paintings combined with an immersive, infinite multi directional score I have composed specifically to accompany his work. We have been artistically inspiring each other for years now and finally have this opportunity thanks to the beautiful and generous human beings at Roadburn”.
Madeline Johnston a.k.a. MIDWIFE will be rejoining the festival also in the same role, including a performance of the whole “Orbweaving” in collaboration with Vyva Melinkolya. She will also perform as MIDWIFE together with Roadburners favorite THOU to play “No Depression In Heaven,” and will showcase some selected works from the end of the last decade. These are her own words regarding her upcoming role in this year’s edition:
“My first time at Roadburn was a pivotal and deeply meaningful experience. Performing alongside all of the bands I greatly looked up to, and finally being able to see my artistry on their level, as a peer, helped me reach an epiphany: that I am one of the bands. It sounds simple, but that was a huge moment in my career. I greatly look forward to what new epiphanies my upcoming residency will unlock. Roadburn is so much more than a festival. It is an honor to be Roadburn’s artist in Residence.”
A new concept of artists in residence is the “triennium residency,” which will debut at the 2025 edition with Lane Shi (OTAY::ONII). Starting this year until 2027, the artist will be able to showcase her development as it happens over the span of 3 years so that fans can witness firsthand her creativity taking life at Roadburn. This year she will embark on this journey by performing her latest work “True Faith Ain’t Blind.”
Like every year, of course, there will be also some specially commissioned works, among them Gordon Chapman-Fox’s “Industrial Growth,” which he will perform under the monicker of WARRINGTON RUNCORN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PLAN:
“It’s an honour to be offered this opportunity by Roadburn 2025. Industrial Growth represents a blank slate for me, and the shape and form of the music is taking on a harder edge to match, less ambient, more jarring. My music has always represented a reflection on the state of the UK now, compared to the ambition and innovation of the past and that view does not seem to be improving.”
Another commissioned work to watch for is the collaboration between THROWING BRICKS and ONTAARD. From the union of the two Utrecht-based bands, along with some more guest musicians joining the fray, “Something To Lose” was born specifically for Roadburn 2025:
“With these long standing friendships we see crossroads in many aspects of our lives: work turns into a career, falling in love turns into marriage and being in a band can even turn into a job. All changes that feel both exhilarating and overwhelming. With every opportunity to gain, also comes the fear to lose.”
Paradox: the jazzy side of Roadburn
Once again Paradox will feature the most jazzy, experimental, avant-garde part of Roadburn in its intimate—and normally very packed—setup. Patrick Walker will again delight the audience with a 40 WATT SUN solo show, but that’s not all the Paradox program has to offer: ANGLES, EARLY LIFE FORMS, HEAVY JAZZ JAM, ILL CONSIDERED and UNDER THE REEFS ORCHESTRA, will all be featured at the venue during the weekend.
The Spark: something to get you all warmed up
The festival warm-up day, also known as The Spark, will see our beloved THOU play together with TEMPLE FANG and RATTENBURCHT, and it sounds already like people should arrange to be there on the night before, after all, it’s an open and free event, which will allow everyone to already get into the festival mood and spirit before fetching their wristbands on Thursday.
OFFROAD: Roadburn X Tilburg
Also, the OFFROAD program will return in its various forms and shapes – we enjoyed a lot for example the performances and special discounts at LOC Brewery last year – but that’s definitely not all there is on the plate, so you might want to check out what’s going on and see what suits you best: www.roadburn.com/offroad
We are once again stoked about all the possibilities and chances to discover new bands and have an amazing time with like-minded people from all over once again. Hopefully, you are as well, in which case see you somewhere in Tilburg between April 16th and 21st!
