And so the festival combines art forms and genres and doesn't shy away from bringing together extremes. Moreover, this festival hopes there will be some cross- breeding between the fans of the different genres.
Well, not in a literal sense, of course. (However...) But this festival hopes that the literature fan that comes to listen to Flemish actor Warre Borgmans might fall for the electronic rhythms of μ-Ziq. Or that the patrons favouring the chanson of Jan De Wilde backed by the classical ensemble Prima La Musica will also dance to the ganja tunes of The Herbaliser. Or...well, you get the picture.
This festival, which runs for three days, likes its experiments, but it isn't completely crazy. So it doesn't mix all its 70 or so acts into one enormous mish-mash. They are divided over four different stages: Body, Spirit, Mind and Soul. The Body stage is the place to dance to live electronic music. (You might want to check out Subscape, one of the British dubstep meisters.)
In for some raw musical emotions? Then the Soul stage is the place where you'll get your kicks. For instance, with the roots music of Steven De bruyn, Tony Gyselinck and Roland, with Zion Train's reggae or with The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble that crosses orchestral instruments with electronics.
Over on the Mind stage you'll see poetry, theatre, classical music and (short) films. Don't miss
Bl!ndman, the saxophone quartet that will be upgraded with pianos, a cello and percussion. The Spirit stage is only open for camping visitors and is mainly a place to showcase young and upcoming talent.
Once Upon a Festival takes place on the grounds of the castle of Laarne, near Ghent. It might be less revolutionary than the organisers think - I had the experience they're going for more than 20 years ago at the Roskilde Festival in Denmark - but still, its line-up, certainly, makes it worth checking out.
Flanders Today is a 
11°C / 26°C
