No shortage of summer heat these past days, and in Kiewit that warmth was doubled, tripled, multiplied. For its 40th birthday, Pukkelpop had just one wish: a sold-out sign. Wish granted. No other gifts were needed, the Pukkelpoppers were the greatest present of all.

Through the PKP Wishlist, Pukkelpoppers dropped their three favorite artists for the 2025 line-up and their ultimate birthday wish at Wish Your Wish. Anything was possible, nothing too crazy. Just wish, maybe win, and then celebrate full on. Wish Granted delivered the follow-up these past days: together with artists, sponsors, and our media friends, 40 unique birthday initiatives were brought to life for Pukkelpoppers and PKP crew alike.

First to pitch your tent at the campsite, sharing birthday cake with Chokri, flying over the festival grounds, soundchecking on Main Stage, a meet & greet with Pommelien Thijs, private parties with Cristal or Aperol, running the lights in the Boiler Room, or a romantic tête-à-tête in Food Wood - just to name a few.

EXIT turned out to be Bazart, and other Flemish stars joined the birthday party. Mathieu Terryn jumped on stage with BLØF at Bente, while Max Colombie delivered the BUZZ moment from the roof of an old bus. And with 47 hybrid musicians, one chef d’orchestre and 8 special guests, The Atomic Orchestra cut straight to the essence of music.

Five-star reviews kept piling up: Roxy Dekker, Chappell Roan, Pommelien Thijs, the superlatives ran out. CMAT, Amelie Lens, The Last Dinner Party, Jade and The Beaches also delivered fantastic shows. More wow-moments came from IDLES, Netsky, Arsenal, Chase & Status, High Vis, De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig, Vampire Weekend and Zwangere Guy. And then QOTSA, Doechii, Justice, Sammy Virji and Papa Roach were still to come.

The 16 meter Whale in Food Wood, a beaming stepdad in the frontstage, brave Floris joining DIKKE, campsite regulations gone viral, 6,000 buttons handed out by We Care A Lot, the brand-new Wave tent turning into an instant classic and a statement in fireworks to top it all off.

Both artists and Pukkelpoppers felt today’s heavier themes, turning them into a call for a better world and some serious fruit for thought. Together with Kneecap, another musical high point, the now-iconic watermelon T-shirt made its way over festival outfits. Unity proved stronger than division, with 1,000 exclusive shirts selling out as fast as they were reprinted. Every cent of the proceeds goes to UNICEF’s emergency relief for Gaza. And voices kept rising: Pommelien Thijs, blackwave., Macklemore, Zwangere Guy, IDLES, The Haunted Youth, Kids With Buns and Glintsal all spoke out about the heartbreaking reality.

Pukkelpop looks back with pure joy on a grand birthday celebration. What kicked off one week ago with Buurshack, a pre-party for the neighborhood, quickly built up to an unprecedented climax. All of it incident-free, with hardly a cup left on the festival grounds. An edition to treasure, from the very first note to the very last applause. And we’ll do it all again next year: August 20-23, 2026.

Happy Pukkelpop to you! 

PUKKELPOP THE BIRTHDAY EDITION WAS HOT!