20 years Rockhal-with your own beer, wine and a « monumental » show
On September 23, it was exactly 20 years ago that Luxembourg’s largest concert hall received its first visitors: At that time, the electric radio band The Prodigy was on stage in Esch/Alzette. Already on the following day, September 24, 2005, the metal band Korn gave its first show in the Rockhal.
Since then, almost 3,000 concerts have been organized there. From the beginning: the director of the Rockhal Olivier Toth. Even today he remembers the opening weekend 20 years ago – of the stress, but above all of this positive excitement, as he emphasizes against the « Luxembourg word ».
Olivier Toth has been director of the Rockhal since 2005. Photo: Marc Wilwert
Did a certain time in the long history of Rockhal touch him? « There are so many moments, so many memories. At some point I may have to write a book about it, » says Toth with a laugh. Some of them are already recorded in « Ten Years of Rockhal Stories », the book published for the tenth anniversary of the Rockhal.
Beer in the rockhal color
In 2025, another decade will be celebrated- and not only with two major birthday events, but also with its own beer and wine line, such as the Rockhal Director and the President of the Board of Directors, Luc Henzig, announced on Wednesday at a press conference.
While the new Rockhal-Bräu-a classic « Diekirch » beer that was colored in the representative rockhal color orange with carotene-is now available in the concert hall, the big events are still a long time coming. But not too long either.
On September 24th it is officially ready: Then the first anniversary event under the title « Encore! » instead of. This revolves around the Luxembourg music scene. « These are our artists. This is our passion, » explains Olivier Toth. « For this event, people stand on stage who accompanied us as Rockhal for 20 years and who have caused unforgettable moments. »
That evening there will be constant a band on stage that will accompany the around 40 Luxembourg musicians such as de Läb, Angel at My Table, Mutiny on the Bounty or Tuys in their slots.
Free laser and video mapping show
On the weekend, on Saturday, September 27th, there will be a really big celebration. And not in the Rockhal with a surprise headliner, as some may have hoped for, but outside the door on the historic industrial estate in Belval.
For this event, people stand on stage who accompanied us as Rockhal for 20 years and who have caused unforgettable moments.
Olivier Toth
Director of the Rockhal
The highlight: the « Monumental tour ». If you can’t do anything with this term: The « Monumental » concept combines electronic music, with a cultural heritage and digital art such as video mapping and have already been used at international events such as the reopening of the Cathedral Notre-Dame in Paris. The Eiffel Tower already shone in the light and laser installations of a « monumental » show.
On September 27, the Belval site and the blast furnaces can be viewed in a very new light-because for the « Monumental Tour » it is a premiere in Luxembourg. The event is also accessible free of charge.
When asked why you do not program a big headliner for the 20th anniversary, Olivier Toth replies: « Concerts and big headliners are our core business. This is something we do every day. » And for the 20th anniversary, the Rockhal director and his team wanted to organize something that is rather unusual.
« The birthday events revolve around three groups: the artists, the audience and all those who work behind the scenes. This team of three creates what we have been able to build for 20 years now. This creates the energy that drives us and enthusiastically, » says Toth.
Rockhal Goes Vinsmoselle
In addition to the celebrations and the orange beer, the Rockhal has brought out its own wine line in cooperation with the Domaines Vinsmoselle. These are two white wines that were exposed to different frequencies during fermentation of different music.
Does the sound have an impact on the taste? You will probably only find out if you tasted the Pinot Blanc PB05 and the Pinot Blanc PB25.
Josée Hansen wants to make culture in Esch more accessible to everyone
At the press conference, however, not only a look at future events and current innovations was taken, but the past few years and stages of the Rockhal were also reviewed: be it the development of rock labs, which supports up -and -coming, local artists in their professionalization, or the modernization of the infrastructures.
Improvement of infrastructures
So you not only introduced a new sound system, but also an automated bar and a balcony in the club. However, Olivier Toth has other visions. The director also wants a balcony for the Main Hall, i.e. the large hall of the Rockhal.
« A balcony would make our offer even more accessible and so visitors who cannot stand or do not want to stand at a concert could take a seat. In addition, this additional capacity can be used very differently: as regular seats or as part of a premium package, » said the concert hall boss.
But it is not only with regard to the visitor experience to further improve the infrastructure, but also in terms of rocklab, in order to ensure the best possible environment for samples for example.
Minister of Culture Eric Thill (DP), who gave a short speech at the press conference, praised the work that the Rockhal team does. He emphasized that the concert hall in Belval has been in terms of access not only for years in terms of access, but also contributed to the emerging tourism of the country.
