Where to see live bands
Live music returned with a resounding bang this year, with plenty of summer festivals, and more lined-up for autumn/winter. More importantly, live music venues are booking performers for 2023. Where and what size are the music venues in Luxembourg, and what do they have in store for the rest of 2022?
Rockhal – Belval
Attracting big names, Rockhal has a capacity for 6,500 people, and opened its doors in 2005. Not just for live bands, the venue also hosts club nights, musicals, classical productions and music for kids.
Rockhal has a main hall, a club, and a relatively new cosy club space on its second floor for more intimate live performances to an audience of 200 people. It’s also a music and resources centre, with six rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, and a dance studio to support Luxembourg’s music scene – both professional and amateur.
Its autumn/winter line-up includes Placebo, Simply Red, Sting, Billy Talen and Volbeat, plus a Legends of Rock tribute and the Qwest Hip-hop Festival.
Den Atelier – Luxembourg City
This indoor music venue on the site of a former truck garage on Rue de Hollerich has a capacity of 1,200. It was opened in 1995 to attract international rock, alternative rock and indie bands, and it has hosted some big names from Muse and My Chemical Romance, to The Smashing Pumpkins and the Arctic Monkeys on their way up to the dizzying heights of fame.
Den Atelier organises the Siren’s Call music festival which takes place in June at Neimenster.
Check out their listings if you want to see the bands that will be the popstars of the future or hear some old favourites. The winter line-up includes Wolf Alice, Macy Gray, Bastille (sold out), the Libertines, and Belle and Sebastian.
Den Atelier announced it's 2023 line up with open-air summer concerts at LuxExpo and a line up including American R&B Lizzo (3 July), The Arctic Monkeys (4 July), and Robbie Williams (11 July). The space can accommodate more than 15,000.
Neimenster Abbey - Luxembourg City
Classical, folk, jazz, blues and festivals are all featured on Neimenster’s agenda, as well as hosting Siren’s Call. This venue also hosts the RESET Jazz festival (in January 2023). Established names also play here, but you can also catch some good up-and-coming acts.
The cultural centre has an indoor theatre which can seat up to 300 people but many concerts are played open air in the big forecourt between the buildings.
Kulturfabrik - Esch-sur-Alzette
This former slaughter-house in Esch-sur-Alzette, Kulturfabrik hosts numerous live bands, club nights and the festivals.
It has been one of the host venues for Esch2022. Very much an alt music venue, showcasing talents that might not make the charts, but are well-known in their music genres. This is the place to experience something different. It also organises Afrikafest and Out of the Crowd – an independent music festival. The music venue can hold up to 900 people. Catch death metal band Hypocricy, indie rockers Tuys, and punk band Converge in the next few months.
Rotondes - Luxembourg City
This Bonnevoie-based cultural venue also hosts live music, sometimes in conjunction with Rockhal. Bands play in The Klub, located inside Rotonde 2. There is also the Black Box for smaller audiences, and a working space studio plus rehearsal rooms and recording facilities (which are home to Radio Ara). The winter agenda includes Kit Sebastian, Porridge Radio and Los Bitchos.
De Gudde Wëllen - Luxembourg City
This self-professed culture club is located on rue du Saint Esprit, and first opened its doors in 2014. It hosts music concerts but also stand-up comedy, theatre and screenings. Indie music is its strength and, in the past, it has hosted a number of lesser-known acts including Moon Duo, Khuruangbin and Masta Ace. Its agenda has some interesting acts including local jazz artist Sascha Ley, experimental pop from Uma Cine, and indie rock from Belgian band BRNS, plus German post-punk band Sparkling.
Aalt Stadhaus - Differdange
A municipal library, music school and the venue for small intimate concerts in its 200 seat auditorium (240 standing places) with a 66sqm stage. Don't be fooled by its size, Aalt Stadhaus hosts stand-up comediens, cinema sessions and some great live bands. You can catch The spirit of downtown and Portuguese punks Besta.
Op der Schmelz - Dudelange
Another regional cultural centre that is a mecca for jazz lovers but also up-and-coming rock and pop bands and artists, it organises the Like a Jazz Machine festival which has been going for 8 years, as well as the popular Zeltik festival pictured above. It's hosted Jools Holland and James Taylor in the past, and will see the Marc Copeland Quartet later this year.
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