Brussels Electronic Marathon

Brussels Electronic Marathon is an initiative of the FTRSND music collective. By promoting Brussels’ rich and diverse culture, this event seeks to bring together the local electronic music scene, providing a platform for the people who keep it alive through their passion alone.

From the 14th to the 16th of October in 25 different locations throughout the capital of Europe, BEM reaches out to the electronic music expert, amateur, and the simply curious. For three days, people will be able to discover and rediscover a collection of initiatives which together, form the DNA of Brussels’ nightlife. From Place Flagey to MIMA, BEM will make the city vibrate for one weekend. Check out our interactive map for the full schedule. 

In collaboration with: Abstrkt | Balaise Prod |  Bedroom Beats | Beyond | Blue Cheese | Bulex | Buzz On Your Lips | Deep Heat | Contre Culture | Deep In House | Early Late | Eating Records | Echoes | Electronical Reeds | Food For Your Soul | FTRSND | Global Hybrid | Impact | Initiate | Just Chillin’ | KickBack | Le pacifique records | Less Iz More | MacSwell | Non Peut-Etre | Norite | ON | Play Label Records | Re:Fresh | Trahace | Vlek | We Are The Future | Wired Electronics

The story starts the initiative #Make.Brussels. FTRSND proposed the idea of an electronic music marathon and with 900 votes from the public achieved first place of the projects in the “Dansaert” district.  The judges however did not vote in favour of the project. Nevertheless, given the abundance of positive feedback, FTRSND decided not to give up and took the project forward. 

There remained the problem of how FTRSND could finance this ambitious project without the support of #MakeBrussels. As we know, there are no miracles. To exist, BEM needs public support, as well as sponsoring and an energetic team who have dedicated their time and energy to bring this project to life. Since BEM’S announcement, its team has been criss-crossing the city, creating a network built up of the different cultural players of the city, in order to find friends and partners that could help in the creation of this festival.

For more on that story, take a look at the article in " Les Inrockuptibles " ;-)

Created at the end of 2014, and originally situated in the old ticket shop of the Ancienne Belgique, FTRSND can now be found at 4041 of the Ravenstein Gallery.  Through an open, flat structure, FTRSND has facilitated the creation of many diverse projects, such as: 

TRIBE DRINKS: These gatherings are an opportunity for artists to meet and exchange ideas. 

Tribe Drinks #28 | Tribe Drinks #29 | Tribe Drinks #30 | Tribe Drinks #31 BEM Edition

FTRSND @ UNITED: Four days after Brussels terror attacks we wanted to be united through music and under the motto “less terror, more techno”, partnereing with like minded collectives. From this, an idea was born, and a few months later, the Brussels Electronic Marathon became a reality. 

FTRSND @ IT’S A BELGIAN THING: Initiated by Balaise Prod. this project aimed to create a Belgian tour of “beat music / future bass” producers. Five Belgian cities and thus five collectives were involved, each hosting the other. In honour of this tour, a compilation was created which was presented by Hello Play. 

(in alphabetical order)

Andri  | Project lead, Graphics

Anne-Françoise | Crowdfunding

Alexandre | BEM talks

Antoine  | Accounting

Brice  | Project lead, Programming

Clément | Documentaries, Films

Daphna | Prototyping phase

Dominic | Volunteer

Florian | Graphics

Hélène  | Social Media

Isabel  | Social Media

Jonathan | Sponsoring, Subsidies

Laura  | Social Media

Martin | BEM talks

Mohamed-François  | Programming, logistics

Noen | Volunteers and community lead 

Paul  | Crowdfunding, Ideas

Pierre| Live Streaming

Renaud | A helping hand where we need it ;)

Stijn | A second helping hand where we need it ;)

Yan Pierre | Live Streaming