Introducing the Barefoot Stage, hosted by Jazz Middelheim.

Small in scale but rich in soul, this intimate tent only allows for a laid-back energy and a deep musical flow. Tucked between trees near the Forest Stage and wrapped in warm textures, this new space is made to slow down and tune in. Expect a refined selection of soul, funk, jazz, hip hop, R&B and groove-driven sounds - handpicked for those who move with feeling rather than force.

One important rule: to enter, you must first take off your shoes. Just like in a bowling alley, a special check-in system will tuck away your pair nicely and safely. From there on: bare feet, soft ground, and a real connection. The tent’s silhouette will be transparent, letting the natural light drift through. Inside, soft fabrics stretch across the ceiling, vintage rugs cushion your steps, and plants grow wild between the wood. This is dancing at its most grounded.

Barefoot Stage Line-up: Audrey Danza – Bibi Seck – CC:DISCO! – Eileen – EG – Fafi Abdel Nour – Hame – Hill Men – Jennifer Loveless – Jeroen Delodder – Kikelomo – Mab'ish – Mattias El Mansouri - Méni – NEDDA SOU – Nizar Sarakbi – Nosedrip – Aurora Halal – Shonky – Soulastico – Young Marco - Zag Erlat & Shaqdi (My Analog Journal)

The lineup includes international selectors - like Young Marco, Kikelomo, My Analog Journal, Shonky, Audrey Danza, CC:DISCO! and more - alongside local heroes - including Nosedrip, Bibi Seck, Hill Men and Jeroen Delodder. You might recognise a few names - but don’t expect the usual. In this tent, every artist has been invited to dig a little deeper, to explore the soulful, the funky, the groovy corners of their record bags. What you’ll hear might surprise you: reimagined sets, rare gems, unexpected turns. This is about feeling, not formula - each performance is shaped to match the warmth and intimacy of the space.

This seventh stage at Paradise City will be curated by Jazz Middelheim, Belgium’s most iconic jazz festival — a trusted name in musical depth and open-minded curation. Since this year, Paradise City and Brosella have taken this iconic festival’s legacy into new terrain with a fresh lineup that includes a new generation of global jazz talent and the addition of a DJ stage. Jazz Middelheim - which takes place in Antwerp’s Park Den Brandt on June 6, 7, 8 and 9 - has always stood for deep listening, fearless improvisation, and music with roots. At the Barefoot Stage, those roots are quite literally beneath your feet. A perfect match.

Head over to our artist page to see who plays when.