Mechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Mechelen’s Transit M youth site will get 2 new rehearsal spaces; Concertzaak manages De Club (150 capacity) and plans weekly concerts. Alderman Kristof Calvo and Stijn Van Aerschot lead music expansion.
As VRT News reported, Mechelen will get 2 new rehearsal spaces for local musicians at Transit M, the youth centre on Dovaneplein. They mentioned that the new spaces will give artists a proper place to practice, collaborate, and develop their music.
We have very ambitious plans for the Transit M youth centre,”
says Alderman for Culture Kristof Calvo (Mechelen).
“In 10 years, we want a brand-new building for music and nightlife. We don’t want to wait for that. That’s why we’re already incorporating more fun and rock ‘n’ roll into the existing infrastructure. It will be a fully-fledged music centre in the city.”
How is Mechelen expanding Transit M and Concertzaal De Club for musicians?
The city also handed management of De Club, a small concert hall for about 150 people, to the non-profit group Concertzaak, based in Mechelen. Concertzaak has transformed a former back room into a lively music venue. It hosts a range of shows, from local bands to experimental acts.
The organisation focuses on offering performances that attract a wide audience. The non-profit group Concertzaak currently organises about 1 concert per month at De Club, the small concert hall in Mechelen. The organisation plans to increase this to one concert per week.
“By taking over management ourselves, we can tailor De Club even more effectively to the needs of live music,”
says Stin Van Aerschot of Concertzaak.
“Musicians who can’t rehearse are like football players who can’t train.”
Stijn Van Aerschot, non-profit organisation Concertzaak
Concertzaak already manages 2 rehearsal spaces in a former warehouse of the old customs building on the square. Plans are in place to add 2 more rehearsal rooms.
“We’re getting a lot of requests from musicians to rehearse without it costing anyone any money. Musicians who can’t rehearse are like footballers who can’t train. We want to support the local scene as much as possible. External organisers are also welcome.”
The group is also considering Trix in Borgerhout as the location for a future music centre.
“We want to replicate the Trix model at the Mechelen level. Mechelen is, of course, smaller than Antwerp. We’re centrally located between Brussels and Antwerp, but it’s still easy to experience music nearby in your own city, by attending concerts or working on music yourself.”
The non‑profit group Concertzaak started in 2022 to support the local music scene in Mechelen. Since then, Concertzaak has regularly organised concerts in De Club, the small concert hall at the youth‑centre Transit M on Douaneplein.
In February 2024, Concertzaak secured funding from the Nationale Loterij to support its “Young Talents” programme, enabling it to offer paid performance opportunities and promote emerging bands on its stage. At the same time, the city’s long‑term plan for Transit M designates the site as a central hub for pop and rock music, including rehearsal rooms, live‑music venues and support for youth organisations.
