We organise events at heritage and nature sites
On our own initiative, or commissioned by municipalities or venues: Merodefestival, church concerts, summer programming in Leuven, musical walks.
Go to What's on →About WESP
WESP is the organisation behind Merodefestival.
WESP brings music to places that call for it
… and never lets go of either. An abandoned abbey, a fenland where you can hear the frogs, a church with acoustics no concert hall can give you.
We help develop musicians’ careers
We stand alongside artists and help shape every project.
For musicians →
We tell the story of the folk and world music scene
Through video, recordings, books or podcasts we capture what happens in those special places, so that it doesn't end with the final applause.
Listen and watch →The Merode method
For us, the landscape is never just a backdrop. An abbey, a village church or a marshy woodland is a deliberate artistic choice that helps shape how music sounds, what it tells and who comes to listen.
- Music
- acoustic, melodic, storytelling
- Landscape
- walks, nature reserves, listening spots
- Heritage
- abbeys, churches, chapels, traditional pubs
- Community
- church councils, municipalities, 40 volunteers
Work with us
For municipalities, church councils and abbeys
Does your venue have a place that calls for music? WESP brings experience, a network of artists and production know-how: curation, production, communication and reporting, for a single concert, a series, a summer programme or a festival.
Every collaboration differs in scale and ambition, and therefore in budget: we'll work out together what is possible.
They have worked with us before: Stad Leuven (Beleuvenissen), Abdij van Park (PARK Festival), Gemeente Holsbeek (Holsbeek Sessies), Provincie Vlaams-Brabant (Music on the Farm), Kerkfabriek Langdorp (various projects).
For musicians: a collaboration, not a booking
A collaboration starts with a conversation, not a contract. First we talk about your artistic vision, then we look for the place, the moment and the support that fit: a residency in an abbey or in the landscape park, a concert in a special location, help with funding, touring or promotion.
We receive more requests than we can handle. More often we approach an artist ourselves, when place, moment and artistic chemistry come together.
We have worked with, among others Sara Salvérius, Laura Cortese, Andries Boone, Naragonia, Griff Trio, Rénélius Ensemble, Myrddin, Wouter Vandenabeele, Airboxes, Bamako Express, WÖR, Kongero, Shalan Alhamwy and many others.
Projects and network
2026–2028
Klanken van de Steden
The musical culture of migrant communities in Antwerp and Brussels, with residencies, concerts, portraits and walks. Together with Muziekpublique, MIM and Muziekmuseum Vleeshuis.
Ongoing
Folkwaarts
A supra-local folk network with organisers from Limburg and beyond: joint concerts, bookings and training.
Annual
Flanders Folk Network
A networking evening for folk professionals in Flanders. Next edition on 8 June 2027.
Team
WESP isn't a one-person show. Some 40 volunteers put their shoulders to every event, project or story.
- Executive board
- Jochen Smets
- Artistic team
- Bart Aerts, Marc Vandemoortele en Jochen Smets
- Policy think tank
- Bart Aerts, bestuurder WESP
Shalan Alhamwy, muzikant
Tom Braes, directeur patiëntenzorg UPC Kortenberg
Jochem Daelman, coördinator HORST
Jonas Danckers, bestuurder WESP
Jolan Huygens, Muziekpublique
Paul Lambrechts, regiomanager Limburg en Vlaams-Brabant, Herita
Isabelle Lindemans, in eigen naam
Mirte Maes, conservator Muziekmuseum Vleeshuis
Bert Ruymbeek, muzikant
Toon Van Mierlo, muzikant
Marc Vandemoortele, bestuurder WESP - Board
- Sara D’Ercole, Greet D’Hooge, Jonas Danckers, Isabel Devriendt, Niels Goovaerts, Marc Vandemoortele, Jos Maes en Bart Aerts
- Long-term partnerships
- Maarten Deboes, Tim Janssen, Bert Huysentruyt, Jules De Roye, Reinhart Croon en vele anderen
Contact
jochen@wespvzw.be
0498 75 82 96
WESP vzw, Jozef Wautersstraat 4, 3010 Kessel-Lo, BE 0863 441 738, IBAN BE50 9731 3542 0118
Our partners include
Muziekpublique, Muziekcentrum Dranouter, Cluster, Brosella, Muziekmuseum Vleeshuis, MIM, Abdij van Park, Abdij van Averbode, Citadel Diest / Kwartiermakerij, Abdijsite Herkenrode, CC De Bogaard, CC Het Gasthuis, GC Den Egger, Natuurpunt, LOV 2030, Flanders Folk Network, Folkwaarts, Muziekclub ’t Ey, Dafodil, Folkfestival Ham, ’t Stamineeke Webbekom, Folkmjusic vzw, Westelfolk, Klara, Den Boogerd, B&B de Meren, Universiteit Hasselt, S.E.L.V., Plug-in, De Kwekerie, Reinhart, Awa vzw. All partners →