MONKEY SHOULDER CREATE A SPECIAL AREA AT WILDE WEIDE AND WILDEBURG FESTIVAL
words by NATALIE GAL
We’re excited to share a very special night-out experience. During the first two weekends of July, Wilde Weide and Wildeburg took place at the magical Kraggenburg, including the iconic Vuurtorenstrand, now completely transformed. At Wilde Weide, RRFM took the stage while at Wildeburg, SlapFunk made the crowd hop.
Monkey Shoulder has long been known for crafting unconventional experiences, always something out of the ordinary, whether inspired by the past or peeking into the future. At Vuurtorenstrand, a small house was built that seamlessly blends the worlds of Monkey Shoulder and Kultlab, the aesthetics were deliciously retro. From the outside, the new stage merges organically with its surroundings. Inside, the vibe shifts into a refined listening bar, brought to life in Monkey Shoulder’s signature orange and black colour scheme.
The event felt familiar, safe, and intimate, hosting just 70 people inside, with surrounding space designed to welcome up to 200 more guests. One of the more intriguing features was the decision to keep DJs mostly hidden from outside view. This shift placed the focus squarely on the crowd, the human experience, the stories, and the connections, rather than the performers themselves.
But let’s hear from the humans behind the experience. According to Sander Theeboom, 34, from Amsterdam and Communications Director at Balmain Hair:
It was mysterious, connecting, and unprecedented. The location alone is so magical and unlike anything else. I’ve been to a lot of festivals in my life, but nothing is as special as Wildeburg. You can wander around endlessly and discover something new every time.
The most magical moment was simply walking around and getting lost on the first night. My favourite stage was the new Monkey Shoulder stage by the beach. Partly thanks to the collaboration with Slapfunk. It was a really small stage compared to the others, so we just wanted to drop by quickly, but ended up staying for hours because the sound was insane and the vibe was so good. No other stage had that same chill and high-energy combo, and the location by the beach was just magical.
According to Matthias, 31, from Antwerp, DJ and influencer: For me the 3 words describing it all are: Cozy, diverse, and unique. For me, Wildeburg is special that it goes on for so long, in Belgium, we don’t really have festivals that party around the clock, which makes this really unique. A DJ set at sunrise is still so magical, even when you’re completely exhausted.
Also, the attention to detail at Wildeburg is incredible, everything is so beautifully designed and every stage has its own distinct vibe. Lastly, I think it’s super cool that everything is on one site, both the camping and the stages. At many festivals these are separate, but here it really creates a more intimate atmosphere.
Most magical moment? Honestly, the house sets at Vuurtorenstrand. Totally unexpected, but the music was so good and everyone was truly in the moment. There were many other stages that I have found incredible, De Helling. Program-wise, it featured my favorite artists: Fais Le Beau, Basshka, Helena Lauweart, Chris Stussy! The house DJs there were exceptionally good, and the crowd was just really cool. It honestly felt like everyone there knew exactly where to be.
