XINK brings ambiance to the last day of Pukkelpop: “We had so much fun with it” | Bob’s agent

2003. XINK appears on Eurosong for Kids and knows how to rock Flanders with “The Friendship Band”. Despite their young age, there is also ambition, which presenter Bart Peters can experience personally. When asked by (then) nine-year-old guitarist Philip Valkyers about their ambitions, he replied unequivocally that the group wanted to conquer Rock Werchter and Pukkelpop. In 2023, they can check this task off their to-do list as a success. After XINK announced the opening of the main stage of Rock Werchter on Saturday this summer, they will do this trick again on the last day of Pukkelpop – again with success. Forty minutes of pure nostalgia – where classics like “The Bond of Friendship,” “Let Me Be Free” and “Oh Ho” are interspersed with new work. “We had a lot of fun with our group,” says frontman Jonas Meukins (33). “Now the atmosphere was completely different from Rock Werchter. Then we had a little bit of tension. Not only was it the first time we played in front of so many people, but we also didn’t perform as many times as XINK. Now it’s different, and we already have about twenty A show. That’s where you get the confidence. For me, our set at Pukkelpop was one of the best shows we’ve ever played.”

“The only downside – if you can call it that – is the temperature,” laughs guitarist Thomas Valkyers. “At XINK, we only have one rule when it comes to clothes: not to wear shorts on stage. Never regretted it too much. (Laughs) We all have legs full of varicose veins and bruises. We can’t – or shouldn’t: do that to our audience, Those are the typical Kempinbinen (laughs)”

While XINK’s comeback initially seemed to attract their noble fans, the group has now also reached a wider audience. Anyone who missed out on the boys on the Belgian festival stages will get a second chance this fall at the Lotto Arena. “Before that happens, we want to work on the new music first,” Jonas explains. “There will be an album (the third, after ‘X! NK’ and ‘Vergif’), but of course we need songs for that. We’ve been planning to work on it for some time, but it was very busy last summer. We did a few shows , This also involves a lot of preparation. We have always been in front of a lot of people. You should not be disappointed.”

“Not to underestimate: A XINK show like this is just too intense for Jonas,” adds Thomas. “We wrote most of our songs when we were younger and louder. But it doesn’t always have to happen automatically.”

For guys who are up against obstacles, they can first enjoy themselves at Pukkelpop. “There are definitely some groups we want to see,” explains Thomas. Tonight we want to watch The Killers with the whole group. I think their music is a true example of XINK, especially with their upcoming period in mind. We’d love to reflect their voice in our new songs. Or will that work? You’ll soon hear it live during our concert at Lotto Arena. . (He laughs) “