XRDS – Crossroads Festival 2026: Two Nights of Raw Rave Energy Under the Bridges

On 14 and 15 August, XRDS – Crossroads Festival turns the bridges of Parc des Étangs in Anderlecht into a two‑day playground for underground electronic music. Curated by legendary Brussels club Fuse, the boutique festival lines up heavy hitters like Mall Grab, FJAAK, Southstar, Marie‑Julie, Mia Koden and Mantra – plus after‑parties every night back at Fuse for those who never want the weekend to end.

Brussels’ most atmospheric rave is back under the concrete. On Friday 14 and Saturday 15 August, XRDS – Crossroads Festival returns to Parc des Étangs in Anderlecht, setting up three stages tucked under the viaducts for two days of techno, house, drum and bass and everything in between. Organised by Fuse – the city’s mythic techno institution – XRDS has built a reputation as a cosy but intense festival where international names and local talent meet in a resolutely underground setting.

After experimenting with different formats, XRDS 2026 goes back to basics: a tight, two‑day edition that runs from daytime into the night. Listening to feedback from its crowd, the festival will now run until 01:00 instead of midnight, giving dancers time to fully enjoy the shift from golden hour to full‑on nocturnal rave. And when the sound cuts under the bridges, the party simply moves a few metro stops away: both nights will be followed by after‑parties at Fuse, with dedicated line‑ups announced closer to the date.

At the top of the bill is Australian‑born, London‑based DJ and producer Mall Grab, known for his raw, emotional take on house and techno. His track “Liverpool Street In The Rain” has become a modern classic, racking up more than 70 million streams, while his 2026 remix of “Just The Way You Are” is currently exploding across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Expect warped pads, lo‑fi drums and euphoric builds perfectly suited to the industrial vibe of the viaducts.

Berlin rave duo FJAAK bring their signature hardware‑driven sound to Anderlecht, channelling 15 years of warehouse experience into a live and DJ format that moves from classic rave stabs to relentless techno. Childhood friends Felix Wagner and Aaron Röbig built their project from the outskirts of Berlin to some of the world’s biggest dance floors, and XRDS gives them the kind of open‑air, concrete playground they thrive in. For fans of big kicks, breakbeats and sweaty, no‑nonsense rave, their set is likely to be one of the weekend’s peaks.

The festival keeps a strong Belgian presence too, with Ghent‑based DJ Marie‑Julie flying the local flag. A regular behind the decks at Fuse, she is known for fast, groovy techno built exclusively on vinyl, blending old‑school records and modern cuts into high‑energy, tightly crafted journeys. If you like your techno rolling, funky and physical rather than just pounding, her set under the bridges will be a must.​

On the more recent side of the spectrum, German DJ and producer Southstar lands at XRDS on the strength of “Miss You”, the viral rework of Oliver Tree’s “Jerk” that has dominated dance floors and streaming platforms for several summers in a row. Beyond the hit, his productions and DJ sets mix melodic hooks with a club‑ready punch, appealing both to casual ravers and heads who like their soundtracks emotional but effective.

Bass lovers are also well‑served this year. London‑raised DJ and producer Mia Koden – also known for her work as part of the duo Sicaria Sound – brings a bass‑heavy, drum‑and‑bass‑leaning selection shaped by UK, Ghanaian and Nigerian influences. Her recent releases on labels like Ilian Tape blend 140 BPM foundations with 2‑step, UK steppas, electro and dub‑infused textures, promising a deep, heavyweight workout for sound system fans. She will be joined by fellow DJ Mantra for a dedicated drum and bass session, adding rolling breaks and darker atmospheres to the XRDS sound palette.

True to Fuse’s vision, the XRDS line‑up also creates space for emerging names and collaborations alongside the headliners. In previous editions, the festival has featured b2b sets like DJ Nobu with GiGi FM, Kode9 with Tim Reaper and raw, analogue performances from Planetary Assault Systems, and 2026 continues in that spirit: a broad spectrum of house, techno, electro, breaks and bass, with inclusivity and community as stated core values.

For Brussels’ queer and alternative crowds, XRDS has become one of those late‑summer gatherings where different sub‑scenes intersect – from techno die‑hards to drum and bass heads, from vinyl nerds to TikTok ravers. The location under the motorway bridges, the careful curation by Fuse and the promise of after‑hours at the club make it a natural meeting point for anyone who loves their nightlife a little rough around the edges, but still safe and well‑run.

Useful links

Mia Koden – Ilian Tape artist profile: https://iliantape.de/mia-koden/​

XRDS – Crossroads Festival official website (tickets, full line‑up, practical info): https://www.xrds.be

Fuse Brussels (club agenda and XRDS after‑parties): https://www.fuse.be/events​

Mall Grab – official info and latest releases: Milky x Mall Grab “Just The Way You Are” press release​

Mall Grab – “Liverpool Street In The Rain” (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/track/2anY2gPJklTi9HcFx4Xdas​

FJAAK – official Bandcamp: https://fjaak.bandcamp.com​

Marie‑Julie – CLOSERcast #090 mix: https://soundcloud.com/closermilano/closercast-090-marie-julie​

Southstar – “Miss You” (official video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL-z0yqCA3s​

Southstar – socials and music links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exhLbRXHSfg (description)​

Mia Koden – artist page: https://rallyrallyrally.co.uk/artist/mia-koden

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