Roadburn Fest in the Netherlands is one of the most unique metal festivals in the world. It does not aim to bring the biggest acts in the metal world, but rather the most unique.
The initial lineup for 2019's edition has been announced and will include two career-spanning sets from Sleep. The first will focus on their iconic album, Holy Mountain, while the second on their new album, The Sciences. Here's what Roadburn has to say about what Sleep means to the festival:
Roadburn is thrilled to welcome SLEEP back to the festival as our main headliners for 2019. In two career-spanning sets, SLEEP will shine the spotlight first on their iconic album, Holy Mountain, and then the following night focus on their latest – crushing – release, The Sciences. There will be enough time for some bonus tracks and surprises, adding to the once-in-a-lifetime feel of this pair of sets.
For almost 30 years, SLEEP have been penning anthems for stoners, dropouts and appreciators of thee riff. It’s something of an understatement to say that Sleep have been an influential band in the world of heavy music – and directly on us at Roadburn too.
Whilst our relationship with the individuals in Sleep pre-dates their 2012 Roadburn performance (Om, High on Fire and Neurosis being no stranger to the Roadburn stages), that show, six years ago cemented the bond between band and festival; our histories forever entwined. It feels appropriate to celebrate together – another chapter in this incredible band’s tale.
SLEEP will perform on Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14. Read more here.
Additionally, this year's curator is a man who keeps his ears to the ground – At the Gates frontman Tomas Lindberg.
Roadburn has a diverse history of curators. Each year, one creative is selected to put their stamp on a corner of the festival, imprinting a little bit of themselves on the Roadburn map. Carrying the torch for the curator tradition in 2019 is Tomas Lindberg who will present bands under the banner The Burning Darkness.
Having performed at Roadburn in 2016 with Disfear, Lindberg will be a familiar face to Roadburners. Although best known for his work with At The Gates and Disfear, stints in Skitsystem and Lock Up plus his output with The Great Deceiver likely mean that he’s gotten a look in on many a Roadburner’s record collection.
Tomas says: "Roadburn for me has always been about eclecticism, and underground music of all styles that desperately demand your attention. Walter and I have already started talking about possibilities, and I am super excited about the direction of these talks. See you there!”
Tomas Lindberg's The Burning Darkness curated event will take place across multiple stages on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13. Read more here.
Other bands already confirmed for the fest are:
Birds In Row
Gore
Have A Nice Life
Heilung
Louise Lemón
Midnight
Seven That Spells
Sleep
Vile Creature
Ticket info will be coming soon. Here is our doc on this year's festival:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksUAdCpf-PM][/youtube]
