But if the crush of crowds, the blast of speakers and the wash of plastic beer cups has become too much, escape to the sea. Ostend offers a welcome respite from all the noisy musical festivals, with something equally entertaining but perhaps more enlightening. Theater Aan Zee (TAZ) is an eclectic mix of theatre, exhibitions, children’s programmes and live music, spread over various venues across Ostend.

Older children and the young at heart will enjoy watching the bearded woman and the selfwrestler (de Baardvrouw and de Zelfworstelaar) on 5 August, free at Leopoldpark. Considered by some to be the Flemish equivalent of Monty Python, this freak show must be seen to be believed.

TAZ also offers young theatre students the unique opportunity to perform before an audience in the segment Jong Werk. Check out third-year theatre student Thomas Dudkiewicz and his one-man show Bobbie Baxter. A three-part series in English, it’s about a young Swedish man blurring the lines of reality. Tickets to this show also get you in to see two other young performers.

Another festival highlight is David Linx, one of Europe’s preeminent jazz vocalists. Performing on 6 August in the Café Koer tent at Stationsplein, this Brusselaar will be joined by the Diederik Wissels Quartet, combining jazz standards with stunning improv. Well worth the €12 ticket price.

While you head to each spot, be sure to spy the outdoor photo exhibition of Reginald Van de Velde which has one photograph at each TAZ festival site focusing on urban architecture, decay and abandonment.

On Friday night, head to Café Koer again for some free live music, courtesy of Black Mango. The nine-person band plays an energetic mix of urban-latin rhythms. And on the last night of the festival, the same spot will feature a closing concert, also free, with the TAZ band, a mish-mash of the various artists from the festival.

Theater Aan Zee
Until 7 August
Across Ostend
www.theateraanzee.be