The three following bands were immediately top of the list when the line-ups for the 2024 and 2025 editions were announced. The lovely nostalgia of youth where we shared our favourites. We either made carefully curated mix-cds or sent them as true pirates through ICQ or MSN. That’s how I got to know most of my music in those days. 

These three bands, ska royalty if I have anything to say about it, were probably my first introduction into the genre, and have continued to be some of my favourite artists. So without further ado, let’s dive into it! 

MAD CADDIES (2024)

First up, Mad Caddies, a lively ensemble from sunny California. I AM READY FOR A DANCE PARTY. And from the get-go, there is no way anyone in their right mind can stand still hearing their catchy mix of Ska, Reggae, and whatever other kind of music they stir into the mix. 

The press of the crowd pushes me every which way, but even if you’re able to fall, the crowd will pick you up again. And what’s a few bruises more or less, I barely even notice them anymore. My only complaint about this is that I could have used a little more room to show off my flailing dance moves, but that thought is soon drowned out by the entrancing quality of the pure and unbridled enjoyment of the moving masses. 

Mad Caddies may be Dad Caddies after 30 years on the scene, but they haven’t lost a bit of that funky spark. After playing so many of my favourites, the set ends too soon, as it always does when you’re having this much fun. No breaks, no brakes! This edition of Brakrock is proving to be intense! 

LESS THAN JAKE (2024)

Okay, if I absolutely HAD to pick a ska favourite for Brakrock it is definitely Less Than Jake, authors of one of my most beloved personal theme songs: The Science of Selling Yourself short. A side note to this is that I was going to miss them this year BUT I decided to ditch Alcatraz in favour of my precious Brakrock. I couldn’t bear the thought of missing even one minute. 

Especially because not attending on Friday would not only mean missing these badasses, but also Gogol Bordello, which will most DEFINITELY be a HUGE party. (And who also wrote one of my theme songs which was a huge part of my rebirth, ‘Start Wearing Purple’.) I know I could have caught the last ones at Lokerse Feesten, but I feel like some of their magic would be lost in the crowd which is too big for my tastes. (Not to mention, their sound is never as on point as Brakrock’s is.) Their performance at De Roma in 2023 was LEGENDARY, as you can discover in my rave review here, which constitutes part two in a three part series. 

Anywhoooo, back to the band at hand! They synchronicitously start their set with ‘Johnny Quest Thinks We’re Sellouts’, the first song I ever heard of them. The teenager in me is partying and my older bones will have to suffer the consequences tomorrow. I jot down that there probably won’t be many notes taken after this since I am too much in the moment. I do note my absolute glee at their playing ‘All My Best Friends Are Metalheads’ and ‘Look What Happened’. After finally hearing ‘The Science…’ after all those years, all I could write was LIFE MADE. 

If the crowd was already in mayhem mode during Mad Caddies, it goes in hyperdrive for Less Than Jake. I have probably seen them from every side, since there is no way to keep a same or even similar spot in front of the stage. The rowdy masses are incoming on all sides at the same time, it feels amazing, like a warm punk rock pit hug. And this could possibly be the show with the most crowdsurfers I’ve seen at the same time. (as per the notes: SO MANY BUTTS IN MY FACE) It is heartwarming to see how many of them are kids. The future of Punk is assured! ❤

Afterwards, my broken body is happily refreshed with a little drizzle. I might need a month to recover from this show alone, but it was worth EVERY. DAMN. SECOND. Live while I’m alive and sleep when I am dead! But really, Less Than Jake was my absolute highlight of the 2024 edition. And a shared first spot with Toy Dolls over all the times I got to experience this beautiful festival. Oh, and I will always be able to relive this special moment because I snagged their setlist. SCORE!

Catch them this year on the Woodstage on Friday the 7th!

MILLENCOLLIN (2025)

This was top of the bill on my Brakrock 2025 checklist. Another one of those bands that have wormed their way into my subconscious during my teenage years and they are so dug in, it would take a LOT to get them out. I got there a little too late to get fully up front, but I will worm (or dance) my way there in the end. I manage to write down that my face hurts from smiling so damn much and my voice is nearly gone from screaming giddily along. 

The rest of my notes are nearly illegible except for FOX (again, the first song of theirs I’ve ever heard) and OW, MAH BOOBS, a testament to the audience dancing as one sentient being. So. Much. Love.

I decide to go for my second ever crowdsurf (and almost took out one of my new front stage security friends. Hi Bakkie!) but it was absolutely LIBERATING and counts as my number one highlight of the 2025 edition.Sadly, my need to crowdsurf was a little ill timed and I need to sit the following song ‘Close But No Cigar’out from the sidelines, but that in itself is perfect comedic timing.

Brakrock – Kasteel ter Elst – Duffel – August 3rd 2024 & 8th 2026

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The first rays of spring are upon us, which sets into gear the high anticipation mode for the coming festival season. One of the staples of the musical year is of course my beloved Brakrock. Check out my 2023 ode that spells out my deep-rooted love for this festival.

A twinge of sadness creeps into my soul as this year, due to it falling a week later than usual years, I will unfortunately miss the Friday folly of punks in action. That day marks the culmination of a touralong that started in 2024, as Hope Erodes will set off their signature mayhem at Alcatraz. My journalistic yearning for a great story arc renders this performance an unmissable part in my fated web of purple musical threads to follow.

Sidenote: The only band able to sway me from this heartbreaking choice, would be The Vandals. Although seeing their current tour schedule, it doesn’t seem likely this wish will be granted. Yes, this means that I will even begrudgingly miss Less Than Jake, the authors of one of my favourite personal theme songs, as seen below. Fortunately, this series will have me revisit their (at least to me) legendary passing in the 2024 edition.

Be that as it may, even one day on the beautiful grounds of Duffel’s ruins, is better than a lot of festivals combined. I will be planning my schedule meticulously, so I can wring the most of the one Brakrock day that is granted to me by my musical overlords. My list will definitely include The Cancer Bats that were a absolute highlight of 2024, as you can discover in one of the two blogs on that edition that actually got written down. The other top spot is reserved for Good Riddance, who left me (literally) battered and bruised but smiling like a kid at a candy store in 2023.

Several other names have also piqued my interest, but the full battle plan for August 8th will be plotted once the time tables are set. So, lots to look forward to and in the meantime, I still have ample time to reflect on not one but two of the previous editions. Last year around this time, writer’s block struck me with a shattering blow. (As many artists and bands who’re still awaiting the write up of my experience with them can attest to.) Hence, most of my tale of the 2024 edition is still constricted to the confines of the notebook that holds the impressions I jotted down. (Aside from the last part in my Clyde McGee and Lightnin’ Luke touralong searies where they perform as Bridge City Sinners & the blog mentioned above.)

Some of those notes, as always, are near indecipherable since they’ve been written swaying shoulder to shoulder with the raging masses in front of the stage. Others may be a little more legible, when I decided to jot some stuff down while chilling by the pond. 

Nevertheless the few words I will be able to make out will undoubtedly trigger a flood of happy memories of music, atmosphere and the purple people I encountered there. So this year, I start my writing early to bring you a two-for-one special. A look back to my highlights of both the 2024 and 2025 editions. 

With this, I leave you in suspense, awaiting the next part. Spoiler alert: In honour of their appearance on Friday (and my wallowing in the melancholy of not seeing them this time around), I will tell you all about Less than Jake and the great Mad Caddies in part 2 of my two-for-one ode: The Legends of Ska at Brakrock 2024.

Brakrock – Kasteel ter Elst – Duffel – August 7th & 8th 2026

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