Belgium’s groundbreaking “0110” concerts for “solidarity” last Sunday (Oct. 6) exceeded expectations and will more than likely return next year, organizers tell Billboard.biz.
“The organization (of the event) ran very professionally and together we have been able to achieve this incredible result,” says Tom Barman, who spearheaded the project. He added, “it’s more than evident that the ‘0110’ concept will see a follow-up next year.”
The Oct. 1 extravaganza gathered simultaneous free concerts in the Belgian cities of Antwerp, Brussels, Charleroi and Ghent. The theme of the event was one of tolerance against racism, extremism and gratuitous violence.
Local bands such as dEUS, Clouseau, Axelle Red, Zita Swoon, Admiral Freebee, the Scala Choir and Hooverphonic performed on the day, drawing a combined audience of about 100,000.
Support for staging the event also came from production companies and organizers such as Live Nation, Rock Werchter, Pukkelpop, stage building company StageCo and light and sound experts DEE and EML.
“I’m really astonished by the solidarity, both from artists as well as from the audience.” Its success, says Barman, who is also frontman for dEUS, “is a clear signal that we must continue — but don’t expect us to come up with a 15-year plan here and now.”
