YONG YELLO

The history of the Lokerse Feesten reads like a game of colour whist: Axelle Red, Redd Kross, Green, Betty Goes Green, Blue Murder, Deep Purple, Yellowcard, Pink, ... Well, before this joke has even begun, it has already been completely milked dry: we thought we would throw another trump card into the deck by announcing YONG YELLO.  But what do you know? The artist behind the stage name is actually called Yello. But you probably already knew that, because YONG YELLO is building a status for himself that inspires massive admiration but perhaps also a bit of healthy jealousy here and there.  What we mean is: a long time ago, it was simple. The Duchy of Hip Hop Belgium was neatly divided into the County of Wallonia, where Starflam celebrated its supremacy, and the County of Flanders, where 't Hof van Commerce ruled the roost as if it were a mic. In recent years, however, the legs of both dukes' thrones have been severely undermined by a whole generation of young Belgian talent, and YONG YELLO is one of the frontrunners.  His business card lists his name followed by: producer, rapper, Master in Music Production and Sold-Out-The-Main-Hall-Of-The-AB!  The latter makes sense, too. If the LP ‘Marcel & het magnetisme van de goot’ (2021) was already a bomb that forced all the applause meters to reset, then its successor ‘Bennie & de banaliteit van ons bestaan’ (2025) is truly his ticket to the hall where the greats of the earth are honoured. ‘Bennie enzovoort’ is a concept album, yes, they still exist!, and contains such powerful lyrics that the LP will soon be used in Dutch lessons. In primary school, secondary school and university! The subject matter is serious – addiction and the accompanying downward spiral of life – but the music is capable of warming all your vital organs. Marcel and Bennie are two of those records we listen to so often that we don't dare go to the cardiologist for months, because that man is going to frown very deeply when he finds both records in our hearts.  YONG YELLO will be playing at our venue on Thursday 6 August. Co-seller-out-of-the-Lokerse-Feesten, wouldn't that look great on his ticket?