BRAND!

On 24, 27, 28 and 30 November, jazz festival BRAND! will flare up once again. The ninth edition will be a feast of surprise and recognition, with an exquisite combination of domestic and foreign artists, united by their free and authentic voices.

On Sunday 24 November, for instance, we will get a visit from Dutch cult legends The Ex. Only in Amsterdam and Mechelen will they celebrate their 45th anniversary with a real festival, for which they will be joined by kindred souls, such as jazz legend Han Bennink, Chicago heavyweight Ken Vandermark, the legendary Marion Coutts (ex-Dog Faced Hermans), the Ethiopian phenomenon Etenesh Wassie and many, many more. Party!

On Wednesday 27 November, you can witness the saxophonist of the moment perform. James Brandon Lewis will play his very first Belgian concert with his Red Lily Quintet in the Stadsschouwburg! With this band, he pays tribute to the music and figure of Mahalia Jackson. For Mahalia, with Love belonged to the best music that we heard in 2023. And given Lewis' live reputation...

On Thursday 28 November, we resolutely opt for beauty with a splendid double bill. The collective aki around drummer Anke Verslype creates audio cinema in which catchy melodies and free moments balance each other. The duo Merope puts an intoxicating spin on Lithuanian folk music with conjuring vocals, guitar and electronics. They present their fifth album Vėjula with master Shahzad Ismaily (see: John Zorn, Marc Ribot, etc)

On closing day Saturday 30 November, we dive into the legacy of German improvisation icon Peter Brötzmann (1941-2023). With a film, a book presentation and four concerts - featuring a few of Brötzmann's contemporaries as well as young explorers in the free wing of jazz - we will explore exactly what his legacy is and how it continues to inspire new generations. This day we organise in collaboration with Sound in Motion.

WELCOME!