Ancienne Belgique's free concert series crosses borders and genres

At the end of every summer, Brussels music hall Ancienne Belgique hosts Feeërieën, a series of free concerts in the gazebo of the Royal Park. The programme is thematic, with each day devoted to a specific scene or style.

That’s not to say the artists aren’t crossing borders and genres, with many taking full advantage of the small scale, fairy-lights atmosphere.

The Brussels string ensemble Echo Collective, known for their collaboration with A Winged Victory for The Sullen, opens the series with an intriguing post-classical version of Radiohead’s 2001 album Amnesiac. They have invited along producer Otto Lindholm, whose gloomy minimal electro fits the theme perfectly.

A day later, British jazz drummer Moses Boyd presents two of his latest projects: the funky quartet Moses Boyd Exodus and a duo with saxophonist Binker Golding. Later in the week is a triple bill featuring DJ Marfox, DJ Nigga Fox and Nidia Minaj. Their label, Lisbon Príncipe, fuses contemporary techno and house with African genres like Angolan kuduro and funaná.

In recent years, AB has ventured into lesser known genres of music. This year features a joint concert by the Niger desert blues band Mdou Moctar and Derya Yildirim & Grup Şimşek, who turn Turkish folk songs into hypnotic psych-pop grooves.

The rising star of the concert series, however, is Aldous Harding, a New Zealander with a riveting voice and a handful of mesmerising compositions. The singer-songwriter (pictured) has just released her second album, Party, with producer John Parish.

In the studio, Parish worked hard to restrain Harding’s very expressive singing style, which varies from song to song. In Brussels, however, Harding will be on her own, so expect a one-of-kind, unforgettable performance.

21-25 August, Royal Park, Brussels