Abdijavond Koksijde on August 12: Berlaen

Infectious cabaret and raw 'Flemish soul' with an unadulterated Zulte dialect. Party! 15 years of 'Berlaen from Zulte'. Time for a 'Best Of'! In 2026, bassist & singer-songwriter Wouter Berlaen reached the blessed age of 50! As a leap-year child, he then turned exactly 12.5 years old. At the gate of his puberty, he therefore gifted the digital long-player “Lui zwieet” on the last day of February. Officially his 6th full album, which bundles 10 Zulte translations of the man's musical heroes. Forerunner ” ’t Lev’n es keihard” already colored the national airwaves in the summer of 2025 via Radio 1. The former radio hit “Brengt ui zuster mee” (an adaptation of Sly Fox’s eighties hit “Let’s go all the way”) also proves that the Zulte sounds have been spreading further than under the Zulte church tower for some time. But there is more: in 2026, it is exactly 15 years ago that the man shed his first name to bring his own songs in unadulterated Zulte dialect into the spotlight as simply BERLAEN. That is already 15 years of boys' dreams coming true: from much-played on Radio 1 to rankings in the Radio 2 Ultratop. Van Nekkanacht as a guest with Raymond to Radio 1 session with Johan Verminnen. From posing naked between Erika & Heidi Vantielen and brothel visits with the late Luc De Vos to pimp the music videos. Met de Gentse rascals from Uberope scoring an internet hit. Up to five times playing Dranouter Festival flat and charming the world city of Brussels at Boterhammen in the Park. Van Gentse Feesten of Paulusfeesten in Ostend by the sea to Maanrock in Mechelen-far-from-Zulte. Never dared to dream of these proportions… To celebrate that, the vinyl 'B.O.B. - Best Of Berlaen' was released in a limited edition at the end of March 2026. And he is bringing the songs on that record to Koksijde! Met Wouter Berlaen (vocals, bass, acoustic guitar, harmonica), Ward Snauwaert (guitars, vocals & all sorts of things) & Laurens Billiet (drums & even more of all sorts of things) Practical: Wednesday, August 12 at 8:00 PM, museum café 'De Gasterie' Free concert, no reservation needed. View all practical info via this link.