Tienen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The 38th Suikerrock festival in Tienen was a big success. Organiser Walter Kestens praised its fresh, youth-focused vibe, strong turnout, dry weather, and comeback from past financial struggles.
As VRT News reported, the 38th Suikerrock festival in Tienen ended on a high note, with organiser Walter Kestens saying it was a strong and special edition. This year’s program was made for a younger crowd, and that plan worked well.
Kestens said it is very important to listen to what young people want because they are the future of the festival. The team now wants to keep going in this new direction and build even more on this positive change in the next editions.
What changes shaped Suikerrock 38 in Tienen this year?
The 38th Suikerrock festival in Tienen stayed mostly dry, despite earlier weather forecasts predicting rain, especially on Thursday, July 31, 2025. Organisers said the updated approach will continue in the future. Plans for the next edition are already underway, with a focus on keeping the same direction.
Kestens said,
“It’s wonderful how artists care about their audience. And how they bring those kinds of surprises to their audience. I have nothing but admiration for that.”
Suikerrock organiser Walter Kestens said the 38th edition of the festival is one of the most successful so far. He did not choose the best year, but said this one is clearly among the top. He believes it belongs in the top 5.
Walter Kestens said Suikerrock has moved past its hard years. In the past, the festival almost had to stop because of money problems and issues with how it was run. Now, those problems are over. Kestens said the time when Suikerrock was close to ending is behind them. The festival works on its own without needing much help from politics or the local economy.
Suikerrock is one of Belgium’s longest-running summer music festivals, first held in 1987 in the city of Tienen. Originally started as a small local event, it grew over the decades into a major festival, attracting both national and international artists.
In recent years, the festival faced financial struggles and internal changes. Officials mentioned that, however, new leadership and a shift in focus—particularly toward a younger audience and a refreshed program—have helped stabilise and grow the event again.
