The Kabelsalat Festival: A Biography of Sonic Chaos and Community

The Kabelsalat Festival is a rising force in the electronic music scene of East Belgium. Far more than just an event, it is a high-voltage tribute to DIY culture, regional talent, and the beautiful „tangle“ of the electronic underground.

The Name: Born from Backstage Chaos

The name Kabelsalat wasn’t designed in a boardroom; it was born in the heat of the moment. During the early parties hosted by the Out of Control (OoC) Crew, the area behind the decks was notoriously messy. Amidst the tangle of power strips, audio leads, and DJ gear, the artists would often look at the chaos and exclaim:

„Boa, was für ein Kabelsalat hier wieder!“ (Wow, what a mess of cables in here again!).

That phrase perfectly captured the raw, technical, and unpolished spirit of the crew, eventually becoming the official title of their flagship event.

A Dream Realized: Mike and Marvin

The festival is the culmination of a vision held by Mike Deconinck, the founder, together with Marvin Wahl of the Out of Control Crew. Since their very first party, Mike had a dream: to one day transition from club nights to organizing a full-scale festival. What started as an ambitious goal has now become a reality. Today, the Kabelsalat Festival is the undisputed highlight of the year for the crew and their growing community.

A Spontaneous Spark: The France Trip

The official birth of the festival is a testament to the crew’s „just do it“ attitude. The very first edition was conceptualized during a road trip back from a vacation in France. With a burst of post-holiday energy, Mike, Marvin, and the crew planned and executed the entire event in just one month. What started as a spontaneous sprint has evolved into a year-round passion project, where planning for the next year begins the moment the previous edition ends.

A Well-Oiled Machine: The Crew & Volunteers

A key secret to the festival’s success is the structure of the OoC Crew. This is a professional team where every member has specific tasks and is an expert in their field. Whether it’s sound engineering, logistics, or management, everyone brings their individual strengths to the table, ensuring that even within the „cable salad,“ everything runs with precision.

Furthermore, the heart of the festival beats through the help of others. The crew is immensely grateful for all the external volunteers who join the effort. Without these dedicated helpers, the festival simply wouldn’t be possible.

Where Art and Music Collide

At Kabelsalat, art is just as important as the music. The festival’s atmosphere is defined by key creative pillars:

Visuals by Fiebertraum: The festival’s immersive visual experience is crafted by Fiebertraum, bringing a surreal, high-energy aesthetic to the stages.

Handmade Decor: The entire decoration concept is designed and led by Greta Hoffman, ensuring every element is perfectly adapted to the festival’s spirit. This includes the unique crochet decoration handmade with love by Mike’s mother, adding a warm, personal soul to the event.

Safety and Technical Foundation

Behind the scenes, the festival relies on the expertise of Mike’s father. He provides the essential technical know-how and safety oversight, ensuring that the DIY spirit is backed by a secure and professional foundation.

The Philosophy: Non-Profit and Intimate

The Kabelsalat Festival is built on the principle of accessibility and community rather than commercial gain.

Non-Profit Mission: The festival is a non-profit event. All earnings are reinvested directly into future projects of the Out of Control Crew.

Affordability: Prices are intentionally kept low to ensure that anyone can afford to attend.

Intimacy: The festival limits its capacity to 350 visitors to maintain a „familiar“ vibe where „everyone knows everyone.“

90% Local: Staying true to its roots, the lineup focuses almost entirely on artists from Belgium and the surrounding border regions.

The Location: Pure Nature

The setting in Bütgenbach (Zosterbach) is a central element of the experience. Located far away from any neighbors, the site offers pure nature. The festival takes place on a former ski slope situated right next to a small lake. This secluded, idyllic location creates a stunning contrast with the heavy basslines of Drum & Bass, Techno, and experimental beats.

Looking Ahead

The legend of the „cable salad“ continues. The festival takes place every year on the second weekend of August, providing a consistent summer highlight for those seeking world-class sound, art, and visuals in a setting that feels like the ultimate party with your best friends.