With Botanique shifting their high-intensity, agenda-defining Les Nuits to a festival format spanning across 10 days, we thought this would be the perfect moment to take a deeper look at 10 acts you should definitely check out!
Starting with the 2025 edition, Les Nuits Botanique becomes an “all-access festival.” Your ticket gives you entry to all stages (indoor and outdoor) per festival day, as well as all the usual festival amenities: chill spaces, green areas, catering, and merchandise. The festival runs from May 15 to May 25, 2025 (with a rest day on May 19). The Museum and Orangerie house the two indoor stages, while the new Fountain Stage (an outdoor stage) will pop up in the park gardens and even be visible from the terraces.
Obsidian Dust – May 18, 2025
In collaboration with Metadrone, Botanique’s long-standing relationship with the heavier side of the metal underground is getting even bigger — offering us a full-day festival of local and international bands bringing their A-game to Brussels.
But let’s be real: it’s Wiegedood that steals the show.
The Ghent natives kick off their De Dood Hebben Het Goed trilogy tour at Botanique! Celebrating both their tenth year of existence and the tenth anniversary of the first opus of the trilogy, they’re set to deliver an two-hour unforgettable closing performance from one of the most notable Belgian metal acts of this side of the century.
We also can’t ignore Zeal & Ardor, headlining this first edition. Experimenting with the concept of Afro-American slaves turning to Satanism instead of Christianity, the Swiss-American experimental project blends blues, soul, gospel, and black metal into something you have to witness — even if you’re not into metal.
The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die – May 18, 2025
Les Nuits has always been a launchpad for up-and-coming acts looking to catapult themselves into international recognition. With social media helping many bands break through, this Connecticut-born emo/post-rock outfit fits right in.
Especially after their 2021 release Illusory Walls got buried under pandemic noise, it was only a matter of time before they’d get the chance to deliver their deeply lyrical, genre-blending sound live in Europe.
Catch them on the Fountain Stage at 15:15 on May 18!
Theodora – May 22, 2025
Les Nuits wouldn’t be Les Nuits without a lineup full of boundary-pushing rap.
Enter Theodora — a Congolese storm tearing up social media with her infamous ‘Kongolese sous BBL’. It’s easily one of the most anticipated sets of the 10-day fest. After crushing stages across France, she makes her Belgian debut, bringing her explosive mix of hip-hop, (hyper)pop, zouk, shatta, bouyon, and other African and Caribbean influences.
A lightning-fast rising star in the francophone scene — you don’t want to miss her on May 22 at 19:00 on the Fountain Stage!
Efterklang – May 17, 2025
Danish experimental post-rock band Efterklang brings their enchanting mix of atmospheric pop and orchestral rock to Botanique. Rising to European prominence in the 2000s with Springer and Tripper, they’ve evolved immensely — now celebrating their tenth album Things We Have In Common.
See them on May 17 at 18:55 on the Fountain Stage!
Peuk – May 16, 2025
A “peuk”, Dutch for cigarette butt, is something you usually toss aside, but there’s no way you’ll want to throw this Limburgish trio out of your playlist. Their 2023 release Escape Somehow is addictive, attractive and impossible to take out of the grunge revival rotation that our headsets have been assaulted with. It feels like you just want to keep smoking another, and then another, and then another, leaving you on the edge of your seat, eagerly waiting for a new release from this local-born talent.
Catch them opening the Fountain Stage on May 16 at 18:00!
Martha Da’ro – May 24, 2025
For the last Saturday of the festival, Les Nuits puts Brussels in the spotlight. Of all the local gems performing, Martha Da’ro has been ringing in our heads lately.
The Belgian-Angolan multi-disciplinary artist released her Cheap Wine & Paris EP in 2020, coining the term diaspop — pop from the diaspora. Her debut solo album PHILOPHOBIA explores the fear of being loved through cinematic, emotionally charged storytelling.
Close out your night with her on May 24 at 23:50 in the Orangerie!
Azealia Banks – May 20, 2025
Back in Belgium for the first time since 2014, the queer icon, enfant terrible, and unapologetic online firestarter Azealia Banks is finally returning to the stage.
Known for her genre-blending brilliance, she fuses rap, singing, and production with everything from New York house to experimental club. Expect bold energy, powerful flows, and zero compromises.
She headlines the Fountain Stage on May 20.
Wu Lyf – May 25, 2025
‘A New Life Is Coming’ that’s the promise Wu Lyf are making as they announce their reunion. Known for their raw and mystical debut Go Tell Fire to the Mountain, the British post-rock/post-punk outfit lived a short, mysterious career before disappearing.
Now they’re back to imprint our ears once more. Catch this cult return on May 25 at 18:50 on the Fountain Stage.
Vendredi sur Mer – May 21, 2025 – Fountain Stage
Floating gracefully through the French alt-pop scene, Vendredi sur Mer delivers dreamy, synth-laced melancholy like no one else. Sultry, soft, and stylish — her set promises to be a mid-week moment of pure bliss.
She’ll be playing on the Fountain Stage at 19:10!
Nídia & Valentina Magaletti – May 23, 2025 – Fountain Stage
Afro-Portuguese producer Nídia brings a razor-sharp take on kuduro and experimental club music, joined by innovative percussionist Valentina Magaletti, who uses everything from ceramics to found objects to make rhythm.
Together? Expect one of the most boundary-shattering sets of the entire festival, taking possession of the Fountain Stage at 19:15.