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Luka Heindrichs, one of three friends celebrating three years of De Gudde Wëllen with guests on 2 December 

Back in 2014, Ben Thommes, Jaakes Hoffmann and Luka Heindrichs decided to take over the venue formerly known as d:qliq on rue du St. Esprit. They named it De Gudde Wëllen (the good wild one). The venue has since hosted over 240 shows, with artists hailing from 24 different countries, and attracted approximatively 15,000 visitors to its concerts, plays, lectures and performances. 

Delano asked Luka Heindrichs 3 questions ahead of the birthday party.

Delano: What has been the main challenge in running a club like de Gudde Wëllen and how does it differ from running annual festival Food for Your Senses?

Luka Heindrichs: I guess that would be the continuing everyday aspect of it. It’s never over and you permanently have to think and be programming ahead. It’s also about finding a rhythm suitable for all the people involved--staff and public. The communication and the work for an annual event like Food For Your Senses is very different, since you work towards a precise moment in time.

Delano: The club was a hit from the start and you get plenty of regular customers. How do you keep the programme fresh for them?

Luka Heindrichs: Even though the night club programme revolves around selected resident DJs, we integrate parties and guest foreign DJs every once in a while. But, in general, I would say that it is not only about keeping regular visitors happy, it is also about permanently increasing your ‘pool’ of possible visitors and customers.

Delano: Personally, what was your favourite show over the last three years? What exciting names can you reveal are coming in 2018?

Luka Heindrichs: Numerous shows have blown my mind over the last three years, and there is no better reward than a memorable show. I would name Weyes Blood, Operators, Sinkane, Mutiny on the Bounty, Klaus Johann Grobe, or, more recently, Steve Gunn. 

We have just announced The Soft Moon for February 18, and there is a lot more coming up from January onwards.

 

De Gudde Wëllen celebrates Birthday n°3 on Saturday 2 December at 10 p.m. The line-up includes Experimental Tropic Blues Band and DJ sets by Mike Tock, Isaac d’Augny, Jean-Francois du Marche and Chook. Full info here.