Couleur Cafe returns to Atomium for a second year

Brussels' popular summer music festival, Couleur Cafe, returns for three days of live music and good vibes around the Atomium this weekend (29 June-1 July) with international headliners including Gregory Porter, Leon Bridges, Ziggy Marley and Young Thug.

Organisers say the vibe on the site is just as important as the musical lineup. Live at the Atomium, more than 50 musical artists entertain audiences while acrobats, giants, jugglers and more parade the festival grounds.

There are also "chill zones", where festival goers can relax in hammocks strung in trees and more than 40 food stalls serving authentic international foods.

"A lot of people come there just for the atmosphere," festival spokesman Dennis Corbesier told The Bulletin. "It’s like one big family and everybody is really friendly.

"We really try and invest a lot into non-musical activities as well as musical. So there are surprises behind every tree and a lot of surprising things going on."

This is only the second year Couleur Cafe has called the Atomium home. Festival organisers had their eyes on the Atomium grounds for several years, as summer building works at Tour & Taxis became more prevalent.

"For us, it was a really important move," Corbesier said. "Everyone loved the old place, so lots of people were pretty critical and were doubting if it was going to be OK, but we only got good feedback.

"I received some really heartwarming messages on Facebook telling me they had the best three days of their lives. They absolutely loved the park. It was a really good move."

This year, the lineup is just as diverse as the festival grounds. Featuring a broad selection of Belgian artists from Selah Sue and Coely to Angèle and Damso, the programmers chose a variety of genres and talents. Notably, the third annual Niveau 4 project will unite and showcase rappers from Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels building collaborations and visibility.

"We try to keep surprising people, so I'm not going to give everything away. But there is going to be a lot going on in the festival grounds apart from the music," Corbesier said.

Festival-goers from outside Brussels can benefit from the SNCB's 50%-off weekend rate, but bear in mind that there is a rail strike from Thursday evening to Saturday night.

You can print off a free Stib ticket from machines using the code printed on your ticket. Bike for Brussels is putting on free secure bicycle parking.

Three-day passes are €85 without camping. Day tickets are €42, with discounts for groups of 10 or more at €37 per person.