Horst Festival Blends DIY Ethos with Professional Polish in Brussels

Horst, the Brussels-based arts and music festival held at Asiat Park, a former military complex, has been praised for its integration into the urban community. The festival, organized by Onkruid, is contracted by the local government to run the park year-round, overseeing basketball courts, a climbing center, retail spaces, and quarterly club nights. The Atelier program brings volunteers to learn skills in scenography and sound production. The 2026 edition featured architectural stages designed by different collectives, performance art in the Rain Room (including Lisa Vereertbrugghen's 'Again Forever' with dancer Maisie), and a pop-up cumbia block party. Programming emphasized Belgian talent, with DJs like Kanapee Nordwand, Bjeor, DTM Funk, and AliA in peak slots. Criticisms included a 'cliquey' local scene and the potential for 'ravefluencer' attendees. DJ Heléna Star noted the rarity of such prominent slots for Black women in the UK. DTM Funk's David led a dance performance reimagining dancefloor dynamics. Overflow collective ran a chill-out space blending spa practices with rave culture. The festival aims to incubate culture and inspire similar spaces elsewhere.