The Best Kept Secret festival kicked off on Friday with unexpected heat, leaving many attendees unprepared. Held at Safaripark Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek, the festival offered respite from the sun with shaded areas and sunscreen stations provided by Zilveren Kruis.

The high temperatures contrasted with recent weeks, where the weather had given little indication of the need for sun protection. Attendees arriving around 2 PM found themselves facing 33-degree Celsius temperatures.

Despite the weather, the festival grounds gradually filled up as the day progressed. Initially, smaller stages were favored, providing shade during the hottest hours. The main stage, an open field, was scheduled to come alive later in the day.

Early performances included Droom Dit in The Secret tent and the return of Flemish band Das Pop, though neither fully filled their venues. St. Paul’s DJ set, under a shaded area, offered an alternative to band performances, with a mix of genres from funk to techno.

By 5 PM, a festive atmosphere began to emerge. Long Fling, a Dutch indie rock supergroup, delivered a well-received performance in the Casbah, a venue styled after the iconic CBGB’s. Their performance was one of the surprises that makes Best Kept Secret special.