Values and Norms

Join the R.A.G.E.

R.A.G.E. is more than a mindset — it’s the spirit that unites thousands of metalheads and forges them into an unstoppable force. At Alcatraz, you don’t simply go to a festival; you’re joining a tribe. A welcoming but fierce, loud-as-hell community where strangers become pit brothers and sisters, and comrades for life. Whether you’re a first-timer or a lifer, there’s always room for one more in the family. So come as you are and leave as one of us.

🅁 Respectful rebels

Here, you are who you are, no questions asked. Long hair, shaved heads, kilts, spikes or battered sneakers – no one bats an eyelid. As long as you let others do their thing, you’re free to headbang your heart out. No judgement. No egos. Just pure, unadulterated metal brother- and sisterhood.

🄰 Authentic & independent

We don’t do fake, we keep it real. We built a prison yard and unleashed the loudest crowd on earth. No plastic vibes, no chasing trends but — just a full-on, no-compromise metal experience that hits you straight in the gut. We’ve always steered our own course. We decide, not the agencies. Alcatraz is DIY with a backbone and that’s exactly why you love it.

🄶 Global & local talent

Legends, upstarts, mosh pit maniacs and riff slingers from across the globe and just down the road. Whether you’re headlining or opening at noon: if you bring the noise, you’re part of the Alcatraz tribe. We back our own scene. Belgian bands don’t just get a shot but the full arsenal: a stage stacked with amps in full battle mode. Big names? Absolutely. But also that band you’ll name-drop five years from now: “I saw them at Alcatraz before they blew up.”

🄴 The experience is key

This isn’t just about the bands. It’s about shredding your voice, blowing your mind and leaving with that ‘what the hell just happened’ grin. From the prison gates to the final encore, it’s no-holds-barred chaos, raw energy and memories to last a lifetime. You come for the music but you stay for the madness. From the stages and side shows to the decor and the atmosphere, the prison theme runs through every inch of the festival. This isn’t just a music event, it’s total immersion. And trust us, once you’re in you won’t want to break out.

What do we stand for?

At Alcatraz, we don’t just host a festival – we create a world. It’s a world ruled by piledriving riffs and soaring harmonies, a world shaped by chaos and bound by an unspoken code. We call it R.A.G.E. and it’s more than just an attitude. It’s the backbone of everything we do: the people we welcome, the experience we offer, the bands we unleash and the way we stand our ground. You’ll feel it from the first blast beat until the stage lights die down.

Respect or get moshed out!

At Alcatraz, there’s no dress code, no filter and zero need to explain yourself. Whether you’re rocking corpse paint, combat boots or your comfiest sneakers, a kilt or a denim vest: you’re one of us. We don’t care what you look like, where you’re from or what bands you blast. There’s just one cardinal rule: respect the people around you and they’ll have your back. Judgment stays at the gate because in this prison yard it’s all fists in the air and horns held high.

Community: one tribe, no turf wars

Alcatraz is more than just a heavy music festival. It’s a gathering of kindred spirits, beers in hand and necks freshly wrecked. You may show up solo but you’ll leave with a whole new family. Honestly, there’s more love flying around the mosh pit than at most family get-togethers.

Independent, middle finger fully extended

We do things our way. Always have. No corporate brown-nosing, no TikTok metal mascots, just raw passion and zero compromise. Alcatraz is DIY with a spine of steel and we know that’s exactly why you love it.

Musical diversity (but all loud as hell)

From old-school heavy to black, death, doom, grind, hardcore and punk, we toss it all into one cauldron, soak it in sweat and beer, and crank that shit to max volume. You’ll discover new favourites thinking, “How the hell didn’t I know this band before?…Sweet.”

Experience: locked up, doomed and loving every minute

At Alcatraz, music may lure you in but it’s the atmosphere that grabs you by the throat and never lets go. This isn’t just a weekend of bands and beer; it’s a full-blown metal universe wrapped in razor wire and prison bars. The theme runs through everything: the architecture, the shows, the side animation… From the moment you step through the gates, you’re not just attending a festival, you’re entering a different reality. One built for metalheads, by metalheads. And honestly… why would you ever want out?

Support your local metal dealer

We back our scene, loud and proud. Alcatraz isn’t just about metal’s giants; it’s also a launchpad for fresh, homegrown firepower. Belgian bands don’t get shoved onto side stages. They take centre stage, cranked to max volume and ready to blow your mind. Sure, we host legends. But we also bill the future of metal. These are the acts you’ll be name-dropping in a few years with a grin: “Yeah, I saw them at Alcatraz before they blew up.”

Medium-sized, heavy-hitting

We’re not a bloated beast and that’s why we move faster than blast beats at Armageddon. Direct contact, short lines and a crew that bleeds metal. No suits and ties, just pure metal gear.