From Piano to Post-Rock: A Captivating Musical Finale at the M-idzomerfestival (Leuven- Belgium) with Martin Kohlstedt, Tangerine Dream and Explosions in the Sky

M-IDZOMER, organized by concert hall Het Depot and museum M Leuven, took place from August 1 to 4 and combined visual arts, major concerts, intimate performances and shows. The festival brought a lively atmosphere to the heart of Leuven, where art and music went hand in hand. Festival-goers could also visit the solo exhibition of Belgian artist Sarah Smolders. We were there on Sunday, August 4, and focused our attention on the main stage where we witnessed three leading acts in their genres: Martin Kohlstedt, Tangerine Dream and Explosions in the Sky. What unites them is their ability to tell a story and evoke deep emotions through music without necessarily using words. Each of them creates a captivating experience that invites listeners to lose themselves in the sounds. The transition from Kohlstedt's intimate piano and electronic textures to Tangerine Dream's epic electronic soundscapes and finally to Explosions in the Sky's powerful post-rock formed a perfectly structured evening that kept the audience constantly engaged.

Martin Kohlstedt opened the evening with his enchanting piano pieces and electronic sounds. His music, often improvisational and intimate, bridged traditional piano compositions and contemporary electronic sounds, giving a powerful start to the evening.

Tangerine Dream, pioneers of electronic music, gave a performance that took the festival-goers on a musical journey through time and space. The current lineup consists of Thorsten Quaeschning, Paul Frick and Hoshiko Yamane. Their music is characterized by rich, atmospheric layers of synthesizers and dreamy melodies. The setlist included both classics and newer pieces such as "Phaedra," "You're Always on Time" and "Love on a Real Train." The visuals in the background enhanced the themes of discovery, exploration and introspection, providing a profound listening experience.

Explosions in the Sky, the post-rock band from Texas, provided a breathtaking finale. Known for their cinematic, instrumental sound they created a captivating experience with ethereal melodies and powerful crescendos. The lighting design was perfectly choreographed, enhancing the emotional highs and lows of the music. The setlist included "First Breath After Coma," "Your Hand in Mine" and "The Only Moment We Were Alone" gave the evening on a powerful and unforgettable note.