Ancienne Belgique
The Ancienne Belgique (AB) is a concert hall for contemporary music in Brussels, Belgium. Located in the historic heart of Brussels, it is one the leading concert venues in Belgium, hosting a wide variety of international and local acts.
Contents |
[edit] The venue
The venue consists of three concert halls: the "Main Hall", the "ABBox", and the "ABClub". The Main Hall is the Ancienne Belgique's main hall, and has a capacity of 2,000 people. It is said[by whom?] to be one of the best concert halls in Belgium, with perfect acoustics. The ABBox is the newest addition to the Ancienne Belgique. It is the same hall as the Main Hall, but rearranged to appear more intimate: the seats at the back and the balconies at the sides of the hall are covered, limiting its capacity to 800 people. The ABBox is the Ancienne Belgique's response to the need for a smaller concert hall that aims to host less well-known acts, helping them gain a new and larger audience. The ABClub has a capacity of approximately 250 people, and hosts smaller, up-and-coming acts.
[edit] Notable concerts
Notable concerts at the Ancienne Belgique include one in January 1955, when Jacques Brel supported the performances of the Belgian pop and variety pioneer Bobbejaan Schoepen for one week.
In 1982, The Cure played a concert which ended in a fight between band-members on stage.[1] The band split up right after this gig, yet reformed months later.
The Domino festival, which was held annually from 1999 to 2011, hosted some underground artists that later broke into the mainstream.[2]
[edit] Albums and videos recorded at the Ancienne Belgique
In 1999, Iggy Pop performed, a concert that has been recorded on a DVD available with his 2005 release A Million in Prizes.
In 2000, the rock band Oasis played a notable concert which was taped by MTV.
The Hives' 2004 performance was released as the live DVD Tussles in Brussels.
Yeasayer released a live album Live At Ancienne Belgique. The live album was recorded on October 28, 2010 in the venue.
Kings of Leon released a limited edition EP, Day Old Belgian Blues in 2004 that was recorded at the AB Box.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "The Cure live concert: 11.06.1982 Brussel - Ancienne Belgique (Belgium)". Cure-Concerts.de. http://www.cure-concerts.de/concerts/1982-06-11.php. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
- ^ Lozowick, Surat (6 April 2011). "Toppling the last Domino at Ancienne Belgique: An interview with Jari Demeulemeester". New Europe Agenda. New Europe. http://neurope.eu/agenda/2011/domino-15-ancienne-belgique-jari-demeulemeester-intervie/. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
[edit] External links
|
|||||||||||||||||
Coordinates: 50°50′49″N 4°20′55″E / 50.84694°N 4.34861°E
 |
This article on a music performance venue is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 |
This article about music in Belgium is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 |
This article about a Belgian building or structure is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
