BRUTUS will return to the stage in 2027, with vocalist and drummer Stefanie Mannaerts, guitarist Stijn Vanhoegaerden and bassist Peter Mulders confirmed for Desertfest. The Belgian trio’s appearance was announced on 27 October, although the festival announcement did not give a date or location for its set. The band has released the albums “Burst”, “Nest” and “Unison Life”, and has toured with Architects, Russian Circles and Thrice.
Kylesa lead the additions
Kylesa are among the newly announced acts, returning with founding members Laura Pleasants and Phillip Cope and a new rhythm section featuring Roy Mayorga, known for his work with Soulfly, Stone Sour and Ministry, and John John Jesse. The Georgia band was active for 15 years before stopping in 2015.
WINDHAND, from Richmond, Virginia, will bring their doom and grunge-influenced sound to the festival. Their albums include “Soma”, “Grief’s Infernal Flower” and “Eternal Return”. Munich’s COLOUR HAZE are also confirmed, alongside Bradford’s PSYCHLONA, Greece’s 1000MODS, THE WELL from the United States and RICKSHAW BILLIE’S BURGER PATROL.
Stefanie Mannaerts behind both roles
Stefanie Mannaerts has played drums and sung with Brutus since the band formed in Leuven in 2013. Her other projects have included Raveyards, Starfucker, The Spectors, White Virgins and Rumours. Within Brutus, her simultaneous vocal and drumming role is central to the trio’s live format, which moves between heavy, loud and emotional passages without staying within one genre.
Passes selling quickly
MELVINS, A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS, HÄLLAS, BONGRIPPER, SMOKE BLOW, VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY, GNOME, INTER ARMA, PRIMITIVE RING, CARDIEL, THE SPOOKY EYES, PINK FUZZ, SPECK and VINNUM SABBATHI had already been announced for the 2027 programme. The organisers said more names will follow in the coming weeks. Blind-bird tickets have sold out, while festival passes are moving faster than they did the previous year, when two of the three festival days sold out.
