Herenthout’s (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Lux Concert Hall in Herenthout reopened after a €1.8 million renovation. Mayor Sander Ooms, Joeri Van Elst, and Gust Spruyt praised upgrades, including dressing rooms, a stage elevator, and preserved historic features.
As VRT News reported, the Lux Concert Hall in Herenthout, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, has reopened after a €1.8 million renovation. The hall is one of the most famous concert venues in the Kempen region.
The renovation updated the building while keeping its historic character. A new section was added with dressing rooms for artists. The new wing also has an elevator that leads directly to the stage.
What upgrades made Herenthout’s Lux Concert Hall ready for the next 100 years?
Before the renovation started, the municipal council signed a 30-year lease agreement for the hall.
“We also have a 99-year ownership right on the new building at the back. This hall is therefore ready for the next 100 years,”
says Mayor Sander Ooms (Eenheid-N-VA).
When I stewed the onion for the stew, the whole Lux smelled of it. Artists often said,
“It smells like home!”
Local concert organiser Gust Spruyt
They mentioned that this ensures the venue will continue to host concerts and cultural events for many years.
“We’ve significantly modernised the technology, but the Lux remains as authentic as possible. For example, we’ve preserved the iconic chandelier,”
says Mayor Ooms.
“And importantly for the associations: despite the renovation costs, the rental rates will not increase.”
Local concert organiser Joeri Van Elst, who is a member of MinC (Music Incorporated), praised the renovated Lux Concert Hall.
“The capacity has been increased slightly, and we’re applying the latest safety standards.”
But he also remains nostalgic.
“The holy trinity of the Lux remains Dire Straits, U2, and The Cure. I dream of one day hosting dEUS or Arsenal here. And internationally, it might even be the Foo Fighters.”
He said the improvements make the hall better for both artists and audiences. The new facilities include dressing rooms and a stage elevator. Van Elst emphasised that the upgrades will help the venue host more events in the future.
“But hopefully they haven’t made it too new,”
he laughs, hoping the concert hall can remain authentic.
Gust Spruyt, a veteran promoter who has brought international acts such as U2, Dire Straits, Kim Wilde, and Bo Diddley to Herenthout, also welcomed the renovation. He remembered that many artists in the past enjoyed his homemade stew after performances. Both Van Elst and Spruyt said the renovated hall will continue to play a key role in the city’s cultural life.
“When I stewed the onion, the whole Lux smelled of it. And the artists often said: ‘It smells like home!”
The Lux Concert Hall, located in Herenthout, has a long history of being an excellent music venue in the Kempen region. Over the years, it has hosted big names like U2, Dire Straits, and The Cure. In September 2021, the municipality of Herenthout signed a long-term agreement to take over the hall for a period of 27 years. After a major renovation, the hall was officially reopened on 14 November 2025.
Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.
