Traditionally, the first of September coincides with the return of the school year. After spending the summer holidays in Spain, France or Greece or even in your own back garden, the sound of the school bell and the return of discipline may evoke some less pleasant memories amongst you, readers. But it is also a moment of reconciliation with one’s friends. And that is a pretty good reason for celebration. And what better place to stain that brand new school uniform than !
But it must be said, the origins of this festival have nothing to do with naughty schoolchildren or severe headmasters. 18 years ago, some merchants decided to organize a street party in Kammenstraat to hail the coming of the new winter collections. They invited some DJ’s to play music on the pavement and served drinks to loyal customers. This concept may sound familiar now, but in 1998 it was quite a groundbreaking idea! Over the years, the party became bigger and bigger and a decade later, it was decided to move the street fair elsewhere, so people could enjoy those glorious Techno beats on a whole other scale.
And what a scale it is! 8 stages ranging from electro too techno and base. A delicious cocktail containing ingredients like deep house, underground, hardcore, rap, dance and disco. Topped off with mixes of pop and R&B. it is clear: everything goes, but dance you shall!
Ooh, before I forget to mention it! The decorations are fan-tas-tic at this festival. Every year the organizers will surprise you with the simple concept of doing your laundry; Soap, coat hangers, dirty underwear and cloth pegs are used in very original ways. Speaking of originality, Bacardi , (yeah, the rum, but you probably figured that out by now) also goes to great lengths to spoil the visitors. Besides a bar and a music stage where you can enjoy Latin dance vibes, they opened up a secret bar, hidden behind the walls of an old library. Those with inside knowledge and a special key could enjoy the bliss of a exquisite drink, made with a lot of finesses by a bartender in a crisp white apron.
The freshness of a mint leave, the joyful dance of a soap bubble, the youthfulness of the audience and the purity of the electro music makes Laundry day a fixed item on the Antwerp party agenda. Not to be missed and certainly not to be washed down as its 20th anniversary is approaching.
Text by Jonas Beldé
Pics by Vincent Van Reusel