Gent Jazz draws 57k, ALMA Fest attendance surges

The resurgence of Gent Jazz continues after the Belgian institution pulled in 57,000 punters to its 2024 festival – 15,000 more than last year.

It was the second edition of international jazz festival to be staged by Ghent-based promoter and booking agency Greenhouse Talent, which acquired the event after previous organiser – the not-for-profit Jazz en Muziek – went backrupt at the end of 2022.

Running from 5-20 July, this year’s lineup included Air, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Jamie Cullum, Andre 3000, Birdy, Diana Krall, Selah Sue and DJ Shadow, among others.

“It was a top edition with a nice mix of concerts,” a spokesperson for Greenhouse tells Nieuwsblad. “They were well received by the public and it was very pleasant. As far as we are concerned, the festival can last forever.”

A total of 92 artists performed over 14 days, 42 of whom had Belgian roots.

“That is something to be proud of,” says the promoter. “Our country has a lot of musical talent and we are looking for a good mix between national and international artists.”

“We have achieved almost 20,000 more attendees than last year”

First held in 2002, the 5,500-cap festival has attracted acts such as BB King, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga, Sting, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Van Morrison, Tom Jones, Gregory Porter and Grace Jones.

As well as established names, the festival places a particular focus on young and emerging talent, with jazz and instrumental hip-hop trio Kin Gajo coming out on top in its annual Young Jazz Talent Ghent competition this year. The band were rewarded with a €10,000 cash prize and a residency at the city’s Ha Concerts venue.

“The icing on the cake is that they will be playing as the opening act on the main stage of Gent Jazz next year,” adds Greenhouse. “The first name of the next edition has already been announced.”

Spain’s APMusicales reports that attendance figures were also up this summer at Barcelona’s ALMA Festival, which drew 67,000 fans to Poble Espanyol between 24 June and 21 July.

Headliners included Queens of the Stone Age, Hozier, Vetusta Morla, Glen Hansard, Sheryl Crow, Take That, Alice Cooper, The Cat Empire, Marisa Monte, The Divine Comedy, Valeria Castro, Cat Power, James Blunt and Kool & the Gang. Eight of the concerts sold out, with the series recording an average occupancy of 77%.

“Getting 67,000 people to join us in this second edition in our new location after 10 years in the Pedralbes Gardens is a success that we celebrate enormously,” says Martín Pérez, director of the festival and promoter Concert Studio. “We have achieved almost 20,000 more attendees than last year. We are deeply grateful for the warm welcome from the Barcelona public once again this year.”

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