Live Nation Acquires Belgium’s Pukkelpop Festival
Live Nation has acquired Belgian festival Pukkelpop, one of the country’s leading and longest-running music events.
Founder and long-time manager Chokri Mahassine will continue to lead the festival under a newly formed company, joined by co-founders Marie Peremans, Patrick Breugelmans and Christiane Sluyter, along with the existing Pukkelpop team.
The festival’s headquarters will remain in Leopoldsburg, and daily operations are expected to continue unchanged.
“There will be hardly any changes in day-to-day operations,” said spokesperson Frederik Luyten. “Thanks to the cooperation with Live Nation, the future of the festival remains secure for the next generation of Pukkelpoppers.”
Founded in 1985, Pukkelpop takes place each August in Kiewit, near Hasselt, and has grown into one of Europe’s most eclectic alternative music festivals. The four-day event attracts around 200,000 visitors annually and features a wide mix of international and local acts across genres including rock, pop, electronic, and hip-hop.
In Belgium, Live Nation also promotes major events including Rock Werchter, Werchter Boutique, and Graspop Metal Meeting.