Pukkelpop 2026: The best pop festival in Belgium
Kind reminder that pop means popular, and pop nowadays is much more than when it exploded in the 80s and 90s. Pukkelpop 2026 brought to its usual location in Kiewit some of the biggest names of the music industry in 2026, a mix of national and international artists for every festivalgoer.
Pop-rock and indie-pop were also strongly represented at Pukkelpop, with Florence + the Machine and sombr among the standout names, taking the spotlight on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Florence Welch returned to Belgium following a sold-out show in Antwerp earlier this year, bringing once again the extraordinary energy and theatrical stage presence that have become trademarks of her live performances. This time, however, fans were treated to a slightly different setlist, mixing recent material with some of the most celebrated songs from the band’s extensive catalogue. ‘You’ve Got the Love’ was naturally one of the evening’s highlights, alongside a generous selection of fan favourites that turned the festival field into a massive singalong especially with closing song 'Dog Days Are Over'.
Meanwhile, sombr brought a younger and more contemporary shade of indie-pop to Sunday’s programme. His appearance underlined just how quickly the New York singer-songwriter has grown from an emerging online sensation into an artist capable of drawing major festival crowds. With his blend of melancholic songwriting, catchy melodies and modern alternative pop, sombr offered a striking contrast to Florence’s grand, euphoric performance — and showed the different generations and sounds that currently coexist under the increasingly broad indie-pop umbrella. The artist, counting with several Billboard Top 20 hits and a Grammy nomination of Best New Artist, performed hits like '12 To 12' and 'Undressed' and starred in a viral entrance in a car along with ADÉLA.
Since pop is not only our preference at BMA but also is part of the festival name, some of the pure pop artists performing last weekend were Zara Larsson, Natasha Bedingfield or rising Slovak singer ADÉLA just to name a few. Swedish pop star Zara Larsson brought a burst of Midnight Sun energy to Pukkelpop, performing in front of thousands of fans with the confidence and charisma that have made her one of Scandinavia’s biggest international pop exports. Combining powerful vocals, impressive choreography and an infectious stage presence, Zara transformed her set into a full-scale pop celebration. Beyond the music, she also shared some memorable moments with her passionate Belgian crowd, whose enthusiasm was clearly reciprocated by the singer.
Slovak rising pop star ADÉLA was undoubtedly one of the biggest surprises of this year’s Pukkelpop. With a captivating stage presence, sharp choreography and infectious pop energy, she proved why she is quickly becoming one of Europe’s most exciting new names. Her latest single, ‘Ain’t in LA’, has already become a global success less than a month after its release, adding further momentum to her rapidly growing international career. And Belgian fans won’t have to wait too long to see her again: ADÉLA will return in January with a new album and a concert at La Madeleine in Brussels, giving audiences another chance to catch one of pop’s most promising rising stars.
Belgium was rightly represented with sets by bands like BAZART, Kids with Buns, Selah Sue and The Gallands and The Subs and solo sets by ISE, Eefje de Visser, Iskander Moon and many more. We had the chance to catch up with Oliver Symons after his show and promised to release a new single very soon.
Pukkelpop is also home to all kind of genres from soul/rnb, rock/metal and electronic music and this is why it is the perfect blend of styles to reach everyone's musical palate. Stay tuned because the next edition of Pukkelpop is confirmed! The dates are 19-22 August 2027. More videos and pictures in Instagram and YouTube!
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