On 24, 27, 28 and 30 November, jazz festival BRAND! flared up once again. The ninth edition was a feast of surprise and recognition, with an exquisite combination of domestic and foreign artists, united by their free and authentic voices.
On Sunday 24 November, for instance, we got a visit from Dutch cult legends The Ex. Only in Amsterdam and Mechelen did they celebrate their 45th anniversary with a real festival, for which they were joined by kindred souls, such as jazz legend Han Bennink, Chicago heavyweight Ken Vandermark, the legendary Marion Coutts (ex-Dog Faced Hermans), the Ethiopian phenomenon Etenesh Wassie and many, many more. Party!
On Wednesday 27 November, you witnessed the saxophonist of the moment perform. James Brandon Lewis played his very first Belgian concert with his Red Lily Quintet in the Stadsschouwburg! With this band, he paid tribute to the music and figure of Mahalia Jackson. For Mahalia, with Love belonged to the best music that we heard in 2023. And the concert lived up to the expectations!
On Thursday 28 November, we resolutely opted for beauty with a splendid double bill. The collective aki around drummer Anke Verslype created audio cinema in which catchy melodies and free moments balanced each other. The duo Merope put an intoxicating spin on Lithuanian folk music with mesmerizing vocals, guitar and electronics. They presented their fifth album Vėjula with master Shahzad Ismaily (see: John Zorn, Marc Ribot, etc)
On closing day Saturday 30 November, we dove into the legacy of German improvisation icon Peter Brötzmann (1941-2023). With a film, a book presentation and four concerts - featuring a few of Brötzmann's contemporaries as well as young explorers in the free wing of jazz - we explpored exactly what his legacy is and how it continues to inspire new generations. This day we organised in collaboration with Sound in Motion.
Check out the photo report by festival photographer Geert Vandepoele below.
And in the meantime, take note of the dates for the anniversary edition of BRAND!, which will take place from 26 to 29 November 2025.
BRAND! Dag 1 – THE EX 45! FESTIVAL
Met Han Bennink, Guro Kvåle, Zea, Xavier Charles, G.W. Sok, Terrie Ex, Ken Vandermark, Emma Fischer, Misale Legesse, Katherina Bornefeld, Frank Rosaly, Andy Moor, Marion Coutts, Lena Hessels, Etenesh Wassie, Misale Legesse en The Ex.
BRAND! Dag 2 – JAMES BRANDON LEWIS RED LILY QUINTET
BRAND! Dag 3 – aki + Merope ft. Shahzad Ismaily
BRAND! Dag 4 – In the Spirit of Peter Brötzmann
Met Hanne De Backer, Casper Van De Velde, Ornella Noulet, Adia Vanheerentals, Farida Amadou, Julien Desprez, Evan Parker, Camille Émaille, boekvoorstelling Free-Jazz, Revolution and the Politics of Improvisation door Daniel Spicer en film: Soldier of the Road - A Portrait of Peter Brötzmann (Bernard Josse).
