Everyone sits in a circle on cushions around the musicians. When they introduce themselves, they also ask the names of the children present. Blowing into their hands, the musicians move around the circle to give the party oxygen. Then the rhythm of sound artist Jochem Baelus begins, singer Junior Akwety starts to dance, and clarinettist Lotte Vanhamel joins in. The audience is drawn into a beautifully constructed musical and theatrical experience. There is no story, all the scenes emerge from the act of making music. For example, the microphone is far too high, so anyone who wants to sing into it has to make the craziest jumps. The musicians tease each other, engage in musical challenges, and a chase ensues with the movable instruments.

This Antwerp‑based group creates innovative music theatre that gives young audiences access to ‘adult’ music. In Fest, the music ranges from swinging jazz to ritual percussion, from distorted electronic sounds to gentle songs from Junior’s homeland, Congo, before landing once more in rousing techno and rap. The freedom the musicians take also has something celebratory about it. Making music becomes an experience in which anything is possible.