Everything you need to know about the 505 concerts on Sunday at Sint-Jansplein (Antwerp)

What is about to happen and why?

‘505 Concerts for Humanity’ is a large-scale free music festival that will take place on Sunday, May 5 (hence the name) on Sint-Jansplein. The festival is organized by the Antwerp couple Elisabeth Van Lierop and Tijs Delbeke. She is a psychologist and sustainable influencer, he a musician with Warhaus and Balthazar, among others. The two found 11.11.11 director Els Hertogen the ideal co-organizer. Together they are supported by a large group of committed citizens from different corners: the culture and events sector, civil society, organizations and companies.

With the 505 concerts they want to send a strong signal a month before the elections, but there is no party politics involved. “505 concerts are people making themselves heard. People who are committed to a better world. And want to speak out in favor of humanity and solidarity,” the manifesto reads.

READ ALSO. They put together a free Antwerp festival for 20,000 people in just a few months: “Some thought we were crazy when we said our plan”

Which artists will contribute to the festival?

Anyone who attends the concerts on Sunday can see more than sixty artists at work. All musicians and speakers work together to make a powerful statement for 10 hours with some of their songs or lyrics.

Signs present include: Warhaus, Eefje De Visser, Bart Peeters, Selah Sue, Admiral Freebee, Sylvie Kreusch, Zwangere Guy, Ikraaan, Miss Angel, Brihang, Laura Tesoro, Dikke, Amir Bachrouri, Absynthe Minded, Flip Kowlier,…

What time does it start and how do you get to the festival?

The 505 concerts take place on Sint-Jansplein. The doors open at 11:30 am and the event ends at 10 pm. The site is accessible to the disabled and disabled.

If you come by bike, you can park your bike for free in the (unguarded) bicycle parking lot next to the square. If you come by public transport, you can take the train and get off at Antwerp Central Station.

Buses 70, 72, 600, 602, 610, 620, 621, 640, 641, 642, 719, X70 and X71 stop at Sint-Jansplein. The stop itself is not operated due to the event, but the buses stop at temporary stops nearby in Van De Wervestraat and Van Maerlantstraat.

Trams also stop near Sint-Jansplein: Lines 1 and 24 (Antwerpen Paardenmarkt stop), Lines 2, 3 and 6 (Antwerpen Elisabeth Metro stop), Lines 5, 8 and 10 (Astrid Metro stop), Lines 9 and 15 ( Antwerp Diamant Metro stop) and Line 12 (Antwerp Richard stop).

Those who come by car are recommended to use the Park&Rides around Antwerp and take the tram from there. There are no parking spaces or car parks in the immediate vicinity of the square. Parking is prohibited on Sint-Jansplein, De Pretstraat and Lange Dijkstraat.

The organizers hope for 20,000 visitors, while there is only room for 10,000 people on the square: how is this arranged?

The program is composed in such a way that a natural flow of visitors is taken into account. “We are doing everything we can to safely receive a large audience,” the organization previously stated.

The crowds on the site are closely monitored. If the maximum capacity is almost reached, the police will be notified. It will then be communicated in various ways that the site is full.