From 9 to 13 March, the Usquare.brussels site got rhythm with the music programme ‘Decibels’. The RTBF teams set up shop in the former Fritz Toussaint barracks in Ixelles to record the next six shows, to be broadcast from mid-April, spotlighting six renowned artists. This will further raise the profile of See U, the temporary occupation of Usquare.brussels initiated by the Urban Development Corporation (SAU).
The last of the six recordings took place on the evening of Thursday 12 March, with Loïc Nottet and Suarez on the bill. From the late afternoon, the M building, the former riding school of the mounted gendarmerie, was the scene of intense activity, with make-up, interviews, technical adjustments, set-up and rehearsals all to be sorted out. The show needed to be well practised before the arrival of a few dozen lucky fans selected by RTBF. Although the first recording was not scheduled to take place until 10.30 pm, Loïc Nottet’s keenest admirers were already showing up at the entrance by around 8. The last adjustments having been made, the audience was finally invited to enter the majestic building at around 11. The lighting effects gave the old riding school a magical atmosphere and emphasised its unique architecture. To this setting, the young singer from Charleroi brought his own appealing energy. ‘One Fire’, the first song he performed, set the tone for the rest of the evening, and the audience was visibly spellbound.
It was just what the RTBF’s music programme looks for. The concept of ‘Decibels’ is as original as the locations it uses: each recording is made in a unique place in the capital, giving fans the opportunity of a memorable encounter with their favourite artists. The artists greet them in person, invite them to take a seat and start performing. There is no stage: artists and audience are on the same level, because the whole idea of ‘Decibels’ is for artists and their fans to interact.
Over three evenings, from 10 to 12 March, six experienced artists thus presented a live show to around fifty lucky people each time in the unusual setting of Usquare.brussels: AaRON and LoYd on 10 March; Absynthe Minded and Blanche on 11 March; and Loïc Nottet and Suarez on 12 March.
The first of these six ‘Decibels’ programmes, on Loïc Nottet, will be broadcast on La Deux (RTBF) on April 13.
- More details: www.rtbf.be/emission/decibels
