Chris Van Tongelen: A World Festival on Wheels!
Besides being one-third of the Romeo's, Chris Van Tongelen is ready to manage the largest campsite at Rock Werchter: "The Hive". Naturally, he also needs to find himself a cozy sleeping spot to spend those precious hours of rest in all comfort. This leads Chris to Vanomobil Tremelo, located just 10 minutes from The Hive! A match made in heaven. He rents a Bürstner Lineo C590 and is fully prepared for the busy but fantastic week. Read his daily vlog and findings about the motorhome in this report!
MONDAY, JULY 1: GETTING INTRODUCED TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE CAMPER
The time has come to finalize preparations for "The Hive": the largest campsite at Rock Werchter. Around 30,000 souls are expected on Wednesday, so it's high time to pick up my temporary residence at Vanomobil in Tremelo, just a 10-minute drive from the festival grounds.
I received a warm welcome from the local team, and in no time, I was introduced to the wonderful world of the motorhome. Connecting electricity, turning on lights, showering, even emptying the toilet—all covered in a concise yet clear explanation. Off to the backstage area where the organization had assigned me a very special spot: a quiet place! That way, I can get a bit of sleep, which is quite a challenge on a festival site!
TUESDAY, JULY 2: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN IS IN THE HOUSE!
The last bit of sand (so no one has to sleep in the mud due to the rain) is being delivered to our campsite and entertainment zone. This edition feels like "Werchter Beach"! HLN is doing a preview of our Hive and also wants a glimpse of my residence for the week.
After Bruce Springsteen's concert, I help guide cars off the parking lot. Then it's time to spend the first night in our Vanomobil motorhome. What a wonderful bed! Believe me, it makes all the difference when you're already having short nights.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3: WONDERFULL SLEEP
Slept wonderfully and immediately ready to open the various parking lots for the world's best festival! From 2 PM, campers can set up their tents or move into their pre-rented accommodations. Quite an operation, as around 30,000 festival-goers settle into The Hive.
There's no festival today, but there is a first "Hive party." It's like a festival within a festival: over 15,000 like-minded people partying into the night. By half-past three, everyone heads to bed, though some more willingly than others. My motorhome awaits me, just a 5-minute walk from the big party noise. It'll be another short night: at 7 AM, the night shift changes with the day shift, and I need to be there.
THURSDAY, JULY 4: TOOK A SHOWER, YES, IT'S POSSIBLE!
More people join our campsite today. After lunch, I decide to enjoy the motorhome for about two hours. I took a delightful nap and a shower, yes, it's possible! Ready to head back into the evening and night, this time with the festival and also a lovely afterparty at The Hive.
FRIDAY, JULY 5: LIFE REPEATS LIKE A 'REPEAT'
Today is no different from yesterday, life repeats like a ‘repeat’! The only difference is that this afternoon's nap wasn't in bed but in the turned driver's seat. A wonderful hour of dozing off, and after this power nap, I'm ready to go again!
SATURDAY, JULY 6: SOAKING UP THE ATMOSPHERE
After 3.5 wonderful hours of sleep, it's time for the shift change again. Still, I find some time to take a look at the festival grounds. Not long, but enough to soak up the atmosphere.
SUNDAY, JULY 7: CLOSING WITH THE FOO FIGHTERS
Everything becomes routine; after about three hours of sleep to be ready again, it feels like this is the new normal. I'm completely ready for the last day of the festival with the Foo Fighters closing! I'll catch an hour of their performance before starting the big exodus. Half of the parking lot has already left, and some festival-goers are on the bus home, but the party continues at The Hive: the last party ends at half-past three. It looks like it'll be another short night, but fortunately, I can spend it in the lovely cocoon of Vanomobil.
MONDAY, JULY 8: A ROAD TRIP WITH THE GREATEST ARTISTS IN MY POCKET
After the last short night, we can send off our final campers. At 1:30 PM, the street reopens for normal traffic: time to clean out and tidy the motorhome! From the festival grounds, we head straight to Vanomobil in Tremelo, or almost. We first stop by the local hand carwash to return the motorhome sparkling clean.
With a total of 18 kilometers on the odometer, it feels like I've made a world trip in a week. A road trip with the greatest artists in my pocket. One to repeat: see you next year!
- Thank you, Chris, for the report and accompanying photos! See you soon!
