Axel Haube is an artist, DJ, and promoter from Mechelen, Belgium. As an artist, he has released on labels like Desert Hearts Black, Click Records, Future Romance, and many others. As a promoter, runs his event brand called We Are, having hosted successful events with upcoming nights at Ostend Beach and Vaag Outdoor. In addition to those shows, he also played the Afterlife stage at Tomorrowland, Input in Barcelona, Audioriver in Poland, and Extrema, and will play during ADE in October. Below, he takes us through his town of Mechelen for the latest installment of our City Guide Series.
We all like a good drink, so where are the top spots to head to before a night out?
For the best beers in town, you need to visit for sure ‘Café den Olifant’ near the central station, cozy bar, lovely people and this might be your best chance to end your Friday night!
If you are more into something chill and wine I would suggest a nice wine bar ‘unwined’.
During summer I would recommend Tile Malines to have some cocktails, very nice place to hang out
Where can you find the best clubs / late-night venues in town?
Unfortunately, there are no clubs in town. Luckily Mechelen is located in the middle of Antwerp and Brussels so Club Vaag in Antwerp and Fuse in Brussels are not far away! 😉 BUT we do have a big free festival in the city every year at the end of August called ‘Maanrock’, over 100,000 visitors join the festival during the weekend.
Brunches are a weekend staple, which spots stand out to you?
I’m not going out so often for brunches, but when I do I’m going to Coffice.
Best dirty late-night street food option?
Your best option would be Pitawan or Frituur Veemarkt, depending on what you are up for pita or French fries or let’s say Belgian Fries. J
Where can we shop for records and music memorabilia in Mechelen?
I used to go to the Music Gallery (RIP) back in the days when I just started at the age of 16. I know there was a famous store called BCM in Mechelen but this was before my time. A friend of mine bought my very first record at Enterprise Records (former BCM) for my birthday but I think quite soon after that period it closed.
The infamous K-Records in Putte (15-20min drive) is still open, I’ve spent a lot of Wednesdays afternoon right after school in this shop when I was 17 (and older)
Your Sunday escape plan when you need to get away from it all?
Staying at home and relax
Something everyone should do when visiting Mechelen, but probably hasn’t?
My ultimate tip: go to ‘The Snax Burgerjoint’ in Elewijt. (10 min drive from the city centre)
#1 best burgers in the whole world.
Friendly people and super cozy place to have a burger in a typical American style & always served with a smile.
A track that reminds you of your childhood in the city?
I made a track with a vocal of a musician from Mechelen who was apparently really famous 500 years ago: Phillipus De Monte.
O suavitas E dulcedo was one of his most famous tracks and I asked a few opera singers to sing the vocal and made a new track of it. Tale Of Us and others have already played it on the biggest festivals like Awakenings, I Love Techno, Extrema Outdoor and of course, I played it myself as well last year regularly.
It will come out on Eleatics Records but we are still looking for the right release date
What are other great exports that come from Mechelen?
The brewery of the famous Gouden Carolus is located in Mechelen – amazing beer!
Grab Axel Haube’s They Won’t Be There, available on Desert Hearts Black, here.
