Program

Gooikoorts presents traditional music from various corners of Europe, taking music lovers on a journey full of new experiences and discoveries, all while staying true to its roots. For an entire weekend, you can enjoy live performances by international and Belgian top acts in two music tents. In addition to listening concerts, there will also be folk dances, activities for children, and space to jam together in between!

The first two names for 2025 are here! Grab your weekend ticket now with the Early Bird deal. Prefer a day or two-day pass? Those will be available starting January 16. And there’s more to come—the program will be further expanded this spring!

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Friday, July 4th, 2025
19:00

Le Diable à Cinq

Canada

Le Diable à Cinq is an exciting trad-folk band from Eastern Canada, carrying a strong family bond: three brothers, a cousin, and a friend who share the stage with undeniable chemistry. Their mission? To bring the festive music nights from their youth back to life. With explosive energy, harmonious vocals, and infectious instrumental arrangements, they take every audience on a musical adventure.

Brothers Éloi, Félix, and Samuel Sabourin, along with Rémi Pagé and André-Michel Dambremont, have played over 200 concerts in Canada, the US, and Europe, often being referred to as the younger version of Le Vent du Nord. After their award-winning album Debout! — nominated for JUNO Awards, GAMIQ, and Canadian Folk Music Awards — they continue their musical journey with their latest album, Tempête. This album brings a fresh twist to their musical identity: deeply rooted in traditional folk, but enriched with modern influences. The result? A powerful, captivating sound that effortlessly connects folk fans and new listeners alike.

© Arianne Bergeron

Friday, July 4th, 2025
21:00

Kadril & Riguelle

Belgium

Kadril needs little introduction. For nearly fifty years, this folk rock band has been a staple on countless stages. From the fields of Flanders to the farthest corners of Europe, and even to the southernmost tip of Africa—Kadril has left its musical mark everywhere they’ve played.

Their music is a journey filled with stories: about love and life, the past, the present, and the future. With an impressive career and no less than 14 albums to their name, the band—featuring Erwin Libbrecht, Peter Libbrecht, Bart De Cock, Dirk Verhegge, Koen Dewaele, and Jan De Neve—stays true to its roots while giving traditional sounds a fresh, contemporary twist.

This concert is something special. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their legendary album Nooit met Krijt!, Kadril is bringing back some familiar faces: vocalist Patrick Riguelle and hurdy-gurdy player Hans Quaghebeur are rejoining the band for a set that blends nostalgia with innovation. Expect a mix of classics from Nooit met Krijt! alongside brand-new material from their latest album Jolie Flamande, with the powerful voice of Kimberly Claeys as the cherry on top.

After their highly acclaimed performance at Zilleghem Folk last year, Kadril is in top form and ready to conquer Gooikoorts with the Classic Kadril line-up!

© Anneke D’Hollander & Johan Jacobs

Saturday, July 5th, 2025
15:30

Esi Nri

Belgium

Meet Esi Nri, a fresh trio pushing the boundaries of vocals, accordion, and nyckelharpa. Their music defies labels, flowing through a journey of soothing intimacy to hypnotic, repetitive rhythms. Since 2023, they've been performing their debut album Graag traag, hier spelen wij. And it doesn’t stop there: the duo has now grown into a trio and is currently working on a new album.

Marjolein Cools, known for the acclaimed Aranis, plays the accordion with passion, exploring every corner of the instrument. Her partner in crime, Koen Vanmeerbeek, brings the mesmerizing nyckelharpa, an instrument with roots in ancient Swedish tradition, to life. You may know him from dr. Eugène, where their atmospheric acoustic music made quite an impact. Lenneke Calcius, the vocalist, sings with striking intensity, enveloping you with the intimacy of her voice.

Esi Nri creates music that resonates and stays with you – definitely something not to miss!

Saturday, July 5th, 2025
17:00

Julie Alapnes

Norway

Julie Alapnes is a musical shapeshifter, effortlessly weaving traditional Norwegian folk with influences from across the musical spectrum. Her soulful fiddle, captivating vocals, and the distinctive harmonium Leon form the heart of her unmistakable sound.

On stage, Julie and her band reimagine the sounds of the North with a fresh, modern twist. Petter Carlsen’s deep baritone guitar, Halvard Rundberg’s harmonium and guitar, and Aleksander Kostopoulos’ dynamic drumming blend into a mesmerizing mix of moody rock and delicate folk.

Their debut album received widespread acclaim, and Helleristning earned them a coveted nomination for the Norwegian Grammy Awards in 2022.

For the first time, this celebrated band is bringing their infectious energy to Belgium—don’t miss the chance to experience them live!

Sunday, July 6th, 2025
19:00

Gnoss

Scotland

Recognizable from the very first note—that’s the rare hallmark of Gnoss. Energetic Scottish folk with a touch of electronica, where layered acoustic textures, masterful musicianship, deep-rooted traditions, and modern compositions come together in perfect harmony.

Hailing from the Orkney Islands, Aidan Moodie, Graham Rorie, Connor Sinclair, and Craig Baxter blend guitar, fiddle, whistles, bodhrán, and vocals into a powerful, dynamic sound.

Their innovative approach to traditional music and the infectious energy of their live performances have earned them a loyal fanbase and three Scots Trad Music Awards nominations. Their albums have taken them across Europe, with The Light of The Moon as a standout: a nomination for Album of the Year and over a million streams in 2022.

Following performances at top festivals like Orkney Folk Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, and Denmark’s Tønder Festival, their Belgian debut at Gooikoorts is not to be missed!