Live | Paganfest MMXXV – OM – Liège [B]

26 January 2025

Every now and then it happens that you spontaneously go to a gig of a band. Will you go with me to Elvenking in Liège [B] was the question. Yes, that’s fine. Turns out it’s a traveling festival circus called Paganfest MMXXV. For the first time in 10 years this festival is touring around Europe. Elvenking is 1 of the 5 acts that will be on stage.

ABOUT PAGANFEST

This convoy consists of no less than 53 touring people, 3 tour buses and 1 trailer with equipment. The touring package of folk, pirate and pagan bands, this edition consists of Elvenking, Heidevolk, Týr, Ensiferum and Alestorm and they are going to war together for a month.

The show in Liège takes place in the OM concert venue, which was unknown to me. It looks like an old theater that has had a major upgrade. It all looks nicely done. In terms of food, they could do a bit more, because 1 food truck is certainly not enough to feed all the hungry Pagan fans. This results in a constant long queue. At least the drinks are well organized. It is quite full in the OM and I think it will not have been far from sold out.

ELVENKING

The venue opened at 5 p.m. and because of the long line in front of the venue, it was a little tense to get in in time for the first band, the Italian Elvenking. But during the band’s intro, I managed to get to the photo pit in time. In any case, these Italians are already pounding away, despite the early time of 17:20. And the reactions of the audience are also good for the opener of the fest. The hall is already quite full. Elvenking enthusiastically fires songs like ,,Pagan Revolution’’, ,,Luna’’ or ,,Elvenlegions’’ at the hungry audience.

HEIDEVOLK

The Dutch outfit Heidevolk has the honor of taking the stage second, and they too radiate that they are having a great time on this 30-day tour. The men pop right in with ,,Hagalaz” and manage to keep the audience well enthralled, until closing number ,,Vulgaris Magistralis” [Normaal cover].
In between are of course the obligatory ,,Drink Met De Goden (Walhalla)’’ or ,,Schildenmuur’’. Heidevolk has delivered another fine calling card in Belgium.

Due to interview commitments, I unfortunately had to miss Týr. The fact is, however, that people are still pouring into the OM. In any case, it is quite crowded. Too bad the present balcony was not open, because that would have given people a little more space.

ENSIFERUM

The Finns from Ensiferum are the penultimate act to take the OM stage and here too, enthusiasm radiates from them. The sound of all the bands is very good. Compliments to the production in that respect, because that can sometimes be different at these kinds of events.

Bassist Sami Hinkka stands out the most with Ensiferum. A true pacesetter and driving force. Man, what charisma and energy this guy has on stage. Songs like ,,The Howl’’, ,,Victorious’’ and ,,Victory Song’’ passed by and before we realized it, this band had also finished their set.

ALESTORM

Last but not least, it was the turn of Scottish Alestorm with their Pirate/Pagan metal. I think the vast majority of the audience came for this band, as there were quite a few decked out fans walking around, wearing Alestorm merchandise or pirate themed outfits.

The change over for their show took half an hour, where 15 minutes was enough for the rest of the bands. But that may have had to do with the giant duck on stage. The fact is, when the lights went out, the venue practically exploded and the band, armed with a top-notch sound, managed to make a party of it. Like a well-oiled machine, songs like ,,Keelhauled’’, ,,Mexico’’, ,,Zombies Ate My Pirate Ship’’ or ,,Uzbekistan’’ are fired at the crowd.

In any case, the atmosphere is amply in this band as well. It was a pity that the musicians, intentionally, only got a little front light during their vocals, because otherwise we were facing the shadows of the musicians most of the time.

PAGANFEST – FINAL THOUGHTS

Anyway, Paganfest MMXXV was a very successful event. Convincing acts, good atmosphere and beautiful location. If there would be more choice of food next time, I wouldn’t have to go to McDonald’s after the show to get something in my stomach.

All photos by Raymond Helebrand/RH Designs