Living Room Music Festival 2024
Welcome to the area around Graystraat in Ixelles where the Living Room Music Festival takes you this year for its 21st edition!
On Sunday, May 5, residents open the doors of their living rooms to organize a concert of traditional world music and put the Graystraat neighborhood in the spotlight. Come spend an entire afternoon discovering musicians from different backgrounds and meet your neighbors, spectators and volunteers who are present at the festival. You can enjoy a peaceful walk from one concert to the next.
TICKETS: HOW DOES IT WORK ?
Choose 3 concerts from the 10 concerts offered. Each artist/group plays 3 concerts of 30 minutes, alternating with 30 minutes in which the audience moves from one living room to the other. Consult the program below and make your choice from 3 concerts! Be daring, it is not every day that you can make a musical journey between the music of five continents in such a small area! The distances between each house can always be done on foot or by bike in a maximum of 15 minutes.
Reservations for the Living Room Music Festival are highly recommended due to the small amount of tickets available.
A ticket for the festival costs 15€ in presale and 19€ on the day of the festival (or 12€ for Muziekpublique members), and gives you access to 3 concerts of your choice. The festival is free for children under 12. Are you coming with children? Send us an email with your name and the number of children accompanying you: clementine@muziekpublique.be
Choose the type of ticket you want, and the amount for each of them. (member or non-member).
Then, select your 3 concerts, at compatible hours ! (if a concert is not available in the list, it means it is already sold out)
Follow the instructions to the checkout page in order to complete and pay your reservation.
We accept paspartoe & article 27 reductions, but you need to pass by our ticket office in order to book with those reductions. (Opening hours on contact page here)
THE DAY OF THE FESTIVAL
Take your ticket (on your smartphone or printed on paper) directly to the address of the resident of the first concert you selected. If you have any questions, you are lost or you just want to say hello, there is an information point at Las Meninas (Rue Gray, 122). It is open and accessible for a drink and a toilet break.
Would you like to purchase a combination ticket for three concerts on the day of the festival? Then come to the information point. To purchase a ticket for only one living room concert, you can immediately go to the home where the concert takes place. Only cash payments are accepted on the day of the festival.
THE MAP OF THE LIVING ROOM FESTIVAL 2024
With the support of the Mayor, the Alderman for Urban Renewal, and the members of the Municipal Council of Ixelles. As part of the City Policy, and with the support of the Brussels-Capital Region
14h-15h-16h
1. Anmoor at Benedicte's
14h-15h-16h
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Anmoor was born from the encounter between two musicians and countless melodies. Melodies that have crossed time and space to carry, generation after generation, the words and emotions of those who played them, of those who heard them. Melodies that have sometimes lived so much that they are no longer what they once were, which have sometimes died and been resurrected, or sometimes even frozen, because they have managed to carry, on the same notes, the expression of countless generations. Melodies that are the foundation of Anmoor’s music, a source around which deeply intimate music is woven, an invitation to inner journey.Léo Coq : double bass Pauline Oreins : accordion, vocals |
At benedicte’s
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For nearly 30 years, 68 rue du Brochet/Snoek straat has been happily opening its doors and garden to everyone. Friends of all ages, acquaintances, and strangers gather here surrounded by music and laughter. It’s a place where people celebrate the most recent news both from the world and the neighbourhood, as well as life’s big moment.
Back in 2014, Bénédicte hosted the Living Room Festival. Ten years later, she’s doing it all over again. Join us for the pure joy of music, singing along, sharing your favourite tunes, and mingling with talented artists in a cheerful atmosphere. The home concerts are just what you need to feel the heartbeat of these vibrant and welcoming neighbourhood between Flagey and Jourdan. Rue du Brochet 68 |
14h-15h-16h
2. Aongus McGalligan & Philip Masure at Lieve's
14h-15h-16h
 |
Aongus comes from a family of musicians from the southwest of Ireland. With a mother who plays the fiddle and a father who plays in uilleann pipes (Irish bagpipes) and flute, he was immersed in traditional Irish music from a young age.
He initially learned the tin whistle and bodhrán. At the age of 8 he moved to Flanders. Aongus regularly returns to Ireland to study uillean pipes with masters such as Micky Dunne and Blacky O’Connell. He also began touring with groups like Tobermore and Wither Shins. Additionally, he’s in high demand as a bodhrán teacher.
Philip is best known for his expertise in DADGAD tuning for the guitar, but he also plays other instruments. Highly sought after as a guitar teacher, he has taught in music schools in Belgium and conducted workshops in various countries including Ireland, the United States, Canada, and more. Philip is also a studio technician and an experienced producer, having played on approximately 120 CDs.
He has toured with groups and artists such as Urban Trad, Lais, Floes, Garva, David Munnelly, Helen Flaherty, Terry Coyne, and Sylvain Barou.
Aongus McGalligan: uillean pipes, whistles, bodhran, vocals |
At lieve’s
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Lieve’s house invites you to embrace serenity. You can feel her love for cosy family atmospheres that warm the heart. The walls are adorned by the photos of her grandchildren. Lieve is actively involved in the neighbourhood and never misses a chance to join one of the many initiatives that pop up all year round. A music enthusiast, she has a soft spot for classical music and the soulful melodies of Irish and Scandinavian folk music.
Avenue de la Couronne 184 |
14h-15h-16h
3. Soledad Kalza & Sina Kienou at Céline and Cedric's
14h-15h-16h
 |
Soledad Kalza and Sina Kienou form a duo steeped in the rich traditions of their peoples, encompassing jazz, protest songs, storytelling through music, Mandingue rhythms, rock, and improvisation. Their encounter in 2019 symbolises the joy of great unions. Their journeys crosse the archipelagos from east to west, from the Caribbean to the cotton fields of the Far North, from rustic landscapes resonating with the rhythm of the seasons to the melodies of Mandingue scales and the blues of the Sahel. As the grandson of Burkina Faso’s Griot Chief, Baba Abdoulaye Kienou, Sina, alongside Soledad, serves as an ambassador of a universal language whose roots lie in the Mandé heritage.Soledad Kalza : guitar, vocals Sina Kienou : guitar |
At Celine and cedric’s
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For Cédric and Céline, finding a home in the heart of Ixelles was totally unexpected. Céline, an architect, redesigned the layout of this space to create a true family home. Design, modernity, and friendliness are the first words that come to mind when stepping into 52 Rue du Brochet. Everything is arranged to have good times. Céline and Cédric have both busy lives, but they always find time for initiatives that are dear to them, like the Living Room Music Festival. They both love the idea of concerts at home, bringing neighbours together and meeting new people.
Rue du Brochet 52 |
14h-15h-16h
4. El Korchi Trio at Mathias'
14h-15h-16h
 |
Native to Brussels, Nawel and Mohamed Amine El Korchi could have chosen the piano, the guitar, or even the violin as their musical instruments. But it’s the famous qanun that got their heart. They’ve had the incredible opportunity to learn from the greatest teachers of Arabic and Turkish music, and it’s a great pleasure to listen to them on stage.
Nawel and Mohamed Amine El Korchi began their global music training at Muziekpublique. So it’s natural to find them on the stage of the Living Room Music Festival. They’ll take you on a fabulous musical journey through time and space from ancient Andalusia to the greatest representatives of instrumental music such as Said Charibi, Rawhi Al Khammash, Khalid Mohamed Ali, Mounir Bashir, Tanburi Cemel Bey, and even Mozart. The duo will be joined by the renowned percussionist Ahmed Khaili. Nawel El Korchi : qanun |
At Mathias’
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Mathias’s place overlooks the bridge Avenue de la Couronne. This Brussels house is tastefully decorated and flooded with light pouring in through the large windows. In the living room, the makeshift fort on the couch and toys scattered around testify to a home that lives to the beat of children’s games and laughter. In the midst of this atmosphere of carefree joy sits a piano, a sign that here, music is also cherished. Playing it, listening to it, and above all, sharing it.
Avenue de la Couronne 48 |
15h-16h-17h
5. Peixe e Limão at Las Meninas'
15h-16h-17h
 |
The Belgian-Italian trio Peixe e Limão oscillates between folk, classical music, pop and jazz. Adorned with cello, acoustic guitar and a magnificent voice, this trio works its own multilingual repertoire, in which Flavia Clementi seduces with songs inspired by Caetano Veloso, Lankum or Prévert’s poems. Guitarist Thomas Van Bogaert and cellist Federico Bragetti propose superb melodies, pleasing to the ear, taking turns in a direction tinged with surprising rhythmic arrangements.
They offer a wide range of lyrical music from the South, in a variety of languages, and depict a journey through South America, Italy, France, Spain… This cross-cultural encounter between artists who share a love of lyrical and poetic music will take you into a world populated by sweet melodies and danceable grooves.
Flavia Clémenti : Voice |
At Las meninas’
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Las Meninas is like an Andalusian painting studio in the heart of Brussels. In this big, light-filled space with a loft vibe, you get back to the purest tradition of the studio. Painting, drawing, sculpting, teaching, exhibiting, chatting – that’s what Carmen and her crew are inviting budding artists to do. While the collective studio originally had mostly Spanish artists, nowadays it’s a real cultural melting pot open to the world, where you can let your imagination run wild.
Nestled in a beautiful Ixelles at 122 Rue Gray, Las Meninas has already hosted piano, jazz, and flamenco concerts and even a previous edition of the Living Room festival. Over the past 20 years, strong bonds have formed with the neighbours in this place that just sparks inspiration. Rue Gray 122 |
16h-17h-18h
6. Aboubacar Traoré & Guillaume Codutti at Dimitri's
16h-17h-18h
 |
Aboubakar Traoré, from Bobo-Dioulasso, is a prodigy of the kamélé n’goni and an exceptional singer. Through his music, he narrates and revitalizes the fabulous repertoire of Manding griots, shedding light on the daily struggles of his people and paying homage to the elders who have shaped the history of his country and Africa.
Aboubacar Traore : ngoni, vocals |
At Dimitri’s
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Dimitri is a neighbourhood enthusiast who’s been living in a beautiful 1913 Brussels house with his two kids for the past two years. The ‘La dodo de la Réunion’ beer sign outside isn’t just for show; Dimitri’s deeply connected to that little island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. He’s lived there and even founded an association studying whale communication (humpback whales, dolphins, sperm whales). Dimitri’s also worked with NGOs in biodiversity conservation across Africa.
From his neighbourhood, Dimitri loves its central location and proximity to everything. Flagey, of course, with its famous market, but also Matonge, the theatres, and cinemas. Music is essential to him because it’s through vibrations that we feel alive. Dimitri opens up his living room because he loves the idea of house concerts, he wants to meet artists and get to know his neighbours. Rue de la Brasserie 74 |
16h-17h-18h
7. Seva at Michael's
16h-17h-18h
 |
Gilberto Moravelo, also known as “Seva” he’s a singer, musician, songwriter, performer, arranger, and sound technician. Native of Fort-Dauphin in the southern part of Madagascar, Seva brings 29 years of musical experience to the stage. He’s a master of the Mangaliba rhythm, which is iconic to the Anôsy region, and he’s also known for his captivating performances of Sarandra, a traditional vocal style of the Antanôsy ethnic group.
Seva’s musical journey has taken him into the realm of world music, but he always stays true to his roots, infusing his performances with the authentic spirit of Madagascar’s rich traditions. With his Malagasy mandolin and guitar, Seva takes us on a heartfelt musical journey that truly speaks to the soul. With his extensive stage experience both locally and internationally, there’s no doubt that Seva is a full artist in every sense of the word. Seva : mandolin, guitar, vocals |
At Michael’s
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Michael, a key figure in the Gray neighborhood in Ixelles, enthusiastically opens his doors to host a concert during the Living Room Music festival. Energetic and friendly, he’s a real pillar of the community, knowing everyone around. He embodies the festive spirit and a deep passion for music. His ability for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere at home truly sets him apart as an exceptional host.
Rue du Vivier 8 |
16h-17h-18h
8. Duo Dostaki at Esther's
16h-17h-18h
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Dostaki is a dynamic duo born out of the sheer joy of making music together. Hélène and Jacoba’s connection runs deep, bonded by their mutual love for modal music. They dig its groovy melodies, funky rhythms, and twists.
With Jacoba on the mesmerising Cretan lyra and vocals, and Hélène bringing in Mediterranean vibes with the bendir drum and her voice, Dostaki weaves a tapestry of sounds that spans from the hills of Greece to the shores of Turkey and the beats of the Balkans. Not to forget the contemporary modal compositions also present in their music. Songs, picked up from their adventures in Brussels, travels, and wisdom shared by masters during workshops, will have you either groove, dance or just contemplate. Jacoba Kint: lyra, vocals |
At Esther’s
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After spending several years in beautiful Bruges, Esther settled in Ixelles, a neighborhood she loves. She appreciates the dynamism and richness of the cultural life there. A music lover and musician herself, she lives in an intimate and cozy house. The large windows flood the main room with soft light, which her plants absolutely adore. The melodies she plays, often fill the house with music.
Rue des Champs Elysées 85 |
16h-17h-18h
9. Jiang Ting at Véronique & Jean-Baptiste's
16h-17h-18h
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Jiang Ting was born in Inner Mongolia. Started learning the pipa from the age of 4. She graduated from the Conservatory at the top of her class and has a Master degree from the Central Conservatory of Music. She was awarded the prize of excellence for a sole performance at The International Chinese Musical Instrument Solo Contest and also received the grand prize at The International Folk Musical Instrument Concerto Contest.
Her music talks about the Yi People (an ethnic minority in Southern China), the Uyghur people who sing and dance with joy at the arrival of spring, the moon, the passing of seasons and the mountains. It’s elegant and depicts nature in a very sensitive way. From the humidity of drizzle and raindrops to the wonder of all creation flourishing again when spring comes along. Jiang Ting: pipa |
At Véronique and jean-Baptiste’s
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Jean-Baptiste and Véronique, are newlyweds, and have been living on Rue de Theux for 10 and 3 years respectively. The house is filled with the family history. It belonged to an uncle back in the 80s, and since April 2024, the couple’s been the sole owners. Jean-Baptiste wears many hats – pianist, trumpeter, and even a psychotherapist. He’s been jamming in various bands and now works as an accompanist in music academies and art schools. Véronique, she’s all about that flute life, teaching it to eager minds. So it’s no surprise that The Living Room Festival fits perfectly in this music-filled house.
The Sunday’s concerts will happen in a cozy spot overlooking the garden, a place outside of time, away from the city buzz. Fun fact: this room even doubled as a recording studio for Qotob Trio who played at Muziekpublique in 2017. Rue de Theux 97 |
16h-17h-18h
10. Sydskåne at Christine's
16h-17h-18h
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Hans, Jolien, and Koen are in love. In love with nature, purity, Swedish lakes, that special atmosphere, and those iconic red houses. But above all, they’re in love with music. Their sound? It’s melancholic yet groovy, and oh-so-danceable. From Polska to slängpolska, schottis to polka, and waltz, let yourself be swept away by the beautiful melodies of this marvelous country.
Hans Jochems : cister |
At Christine’s
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Christine lives and breathes music. She studied violin and music theory at the Auderghem’s Academy, and she’s also got some serious skills in chamber music. But her love for the fourth art doesn’t stop there. Trained at the Dalcroze Institute in Rhythmic, she’s been running a school for 28 years that offers music and movement classes for kids aged 8 months to 8 years.
Christine also jams out klezmer music, plays accordion in a brass band, and… volunteers at Muziekpublique. She’s thrilled to open her doors for the Living Room Festival, getting her house grooving to the tunes and welcoming music enthusiasts. Rue du Hennin 83 |