If you're a fan of avant-garde, experimental, drone, doom, or any genre on the darker side of music, then Roadburn Festival is an event that should be at the top of your list. Held annually in the small, vibrant town of Tilburg in southern Holland, Roadburn has become one of the most important festivals for fans of alternative music worldwide. Known for its immersive atmosphere and diverse lineup, the festival is a celebration of the underground music scene.
Since its inception in 1999, it has evolved from a modest zine curated by founder Walter Hoeijmakers into a groundbreaking four-day festival. What started as a small gathering for like-minded music enthusiasts has transformed into an international cultural event, drawing in fans, artists, and music lovers from all over the world.
Hoeijmakers’ inclusive, open-minded approach to curating the lineup has shaped the festival’s ethos—one that emphasizes community, collaboration, and the exploration of experimental sounds. Roadburn is known for its genre-defying programming, its focus on bringing both emerging acts and legendary bands to the stage, and its constant effort to push the limits of live music experiences.
The festival’s eclectic lineup includes everything from groundbreaking full-album performances to rare soundtracks, exclusive premieres, one-off collaborations, and secret shows.
Though music is undoubtedly the heart of Roadburn, the festival offers much more than just live performances. In addition to the fantastic lineup, you’ll find a variety of art exhibitions, immersive installations, and artist talks that give fans a deeper understanding of the creative processes behind the music and offers the opportunity to mingle with artists, curators, and organizers in such an intimate setting.
In 2025, Roadburn will celebrate its 25th anniversary. It has earned its reputation as a "prestigious" event, by publications such as Revolver, Kerrang!, and BrooklynVegan. Stereogum calls it "a vital annual landmark in the world of adventurous heavy music," while in 2023, the festival was honored with the European Festival Award for "Best Small Festival," recognizing its place among festivals with a capacity under 10,000. Bandcamp commended Roadburn for its ability to "reliably draw landmark performances from the biggest and most intriguing names in extreme music," with tickets often selling out in record time. The Independent described it as a "Mecca for those seduced by the experimental dark arts of psychedelia and doom," celebrating avant-garde artists who push the limits of heavy music.
In 2014, Vice released Mr. Roadburn, a documentary focused on co-founder Walter Hoeijmakers. Of the festival Walter says "When we started out back in 1999, we were pioneering the vibrant stoner scene of the day. It was more focused on stoner and doom. Over the years, we just followed what was going on in the underground, we wanted to be a reflection of all the exciting bands and the cutting edge of the underground and that gradually changed over the years. There was no blueprint or anything, we just did it by heart and soul, by the gut.
Over the years, many bands have released "Live at Roadburn" albums, including Wolves in the Throne Room, Ulver, Enslaved, Zola Jesus, Godflesh, Oranssi Pazuzu, Chelsea Wolfe, Emma Ruth Rundle, and Fu Manchu.
A few artist to have played there are Bo Ningen, Lankum, Monster Magnet, Sun o))), Hawkwind, Melvins, Current 93, Psychic TV, Sleep, Loop, Lord Spikeheart, Napalm Death, Dalek, Godspeed You Black Emperor, Deaf Club, Jesus And Mary Chain, the list goes on and on.
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