The festival was indeed a remarkable success this year, with often packed halls and an electric atmosphere in most of them. Our new HQ, the Hôtel de Clercx and its new Regina hall were immediately adopted as the new meeting point of the festival. Witness the warm atmosphere of its concerts and evenings like the traditional Bal Swing! In terms of concerts, the highlights came together, starting with the Johan Dupont Trio at the Trocadéro on Thursday, culminating with a brilliant performance by Lakecia Benjamin at the Reflektor. Other highlights include the mesmerizing performances of the Daniel Garcia Trio, Simone Prattico and Wajdi Rihai at the Cité Miroir, Shabaka at the Trocadéro, Makaya McCraven and Tenderlonious and, in a completely different style, from Jewel Usain to the Reflektor. We should also mention the exceptional quality of the performances of the Robin Verheyen Trio at the Regina Club, Henri Texier at the Trocadéro and Jazzmea Horn at the Cité Miroir, and of course the two concerts at the Forum of Snarky Puppy and Gogo Penguin. This edition also made us live almost mystical moments of trance and dance thanks to the performances of Leon Phal, Emile Londonien and The Brums at the Regina Club but also of Kamaal Williams at the Reflektor.
The festival was also an opportunity for beautiful discoveries, with promising performances by Maina and Adja aux Chiroux. Apart from the main rooms, the off events at the Dissocle and the Palais des Princes Évêques were also success stories, and there is hope to be able to repeat this experience next year, possibly extending it to other places. To finish and before meeting you in 2025, we remind you that you can still vote HERE (link) until the end of this week for the Jean-Marie Peterkenne Award for the best Belgian concert of the festival!