:focal(2668x1787:2678x1777):watermark(cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ipmgroup/OIO44DUUUNC2DB5T3FIJECBT5U.png,0,-0,0,100)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ipmgroup/GTL5OAFOPNGPNACDCMS5ONKXX4.jpg)
The Pukkelpop site took on real summer colors this Friday August 18, the second day of the Flemish festival. The sun has made its appearance pushing the Belgian festival-goers to take full possession of the premises. During the afternoon, we were already crossing caps stamped Billie Eilish, the headliner of the day. The last time the young American star walked the Pukkelpop stage was in 2019, in the afternoon. This time, it took until 11 p.m. to see her ignite the crowd of fans who knew the titles by heart.
The shoulders for the hand stage
Jumping You should see me in a crown going through the ride What was I made for from the Barbie movie soundtrack, Billie Eilish showed she had the shoulders for the Main Stage late night concert. Seemingly happy to be there, she interacted with her fans and was generous. No dead time, the atmosphere was assured for this sparkling concert (and noisy on the public side) closed in style by a fireworks display. The mastery of the American show.
From the tangy pop of Years&Years to the indie rock of boygenius
Earlier in the day the British yungblud woke up festival-goers with his brat tunes and pop-tinged punk rock. It screamed but that’s what we expected from the performance of the forecastle.
That said, things were already heating up in Kiewit. At the end of the afternoon, his compatriot Olly Alexander from Years & Years delivered, as he knows so well, a sexy show that met expectations. Cast in a cleverly cut jumpsuit, smiling, he electrified the crowd with his choreography and electronic pop sounds.
But the real good surprise is without a doubt boygenius. There was no doubt about it, but the supergroup formed in 2018 by the three singers and musicians Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus knew how to create a vibrant atmosphere in the Marquee. The public seemed conquered by the indie rock tinged with folk of the American trio, obviously very complicit. Boygenius has proven to be much more than a one-off experiment and that he deserves the enthusiasm aroused by his debut album released last March.
Positive assessment, therefore, for this second day of the Flemish festival. This Saturday is Angela who will perform the Main Stage show, while in the afternoon another French speaker, Rorywill slip among the punk rock groups.