We had the pleasure of sitting down with Céline Mercier, model and artist hospitality manager of Hangar music festival in Belgium. We talk about how she and the co-founders started Hangar, what electronic music she can’t stop listening to and how the festival has grown and developed.

Tell us about you, and how you came to start Hangar?

-I unfortunately can’t take credit for starting Hangar. In Spring of 2018 my childhood friend Marvin (one of the founders) asked to meet to talk about a new project of his. He told me about his idea for Hangar and asked if I wanted to join the Hangar team as Artist Hospitality manager and all else that touches upon the managing of the artists. The reason for that being that I had been living in England and so was comfortable speaking English, plus I had some connections in the industry so I’d be good with the artists (whether or not that turned out to be true, you have to check with the artists!) . I obviously could not refuse and joined the team immediately. At that time it was the 3 founders (Marvin, Cameron and Thibaud), a friend Bodson and me.

How would you describe Hangar and what it is?

Well, Hangar sets itself apart in the experiencing of it, so to really get a feel of it, you have to be there! However, using words, it’s a 12 hour indoor electronic music festival that is set in an industrial building, (originally a hangar - shocker ;) ). What makes it unique in my eyes is that you get a Berlin styled setting that is very rough and industrial with all the best aspects of quality and comfort. We offer good food, a well curated line-up that includes more headlines per night than you’d get in a week, and attention to detail in the setup (sound system and light show) of a high end nightclub. Oh yeah, and all of that is build and broken off in the space of 3 days.

Has electronic music always been something you personally enjoy? 

Oh, yes. Coming from Antwerp, my first electronic party was at Café d’Anvers in 2012 (don’t do the math, I was clearly way too young to be there). But the combination of the music that vibrates your soul and the loud sound systems that really penetrate your body and the energy of the people is something that has always made me feel very at home.

What are your top 3, nothing will ever make them go out of style, electronic music songs? 

That is a tough one… There are so many sub-categories in electronic music, but if I’d have to give a top three that gets me going every time I hear it it would have to be: Dream Vision by Agents of Time, Astral by Tale of Us & Mind Against, Everyday by Adana Twins and a cheeky fourth that’s a bit different, Syria by Satori / Unders.

What has been the hardest part and the best part of starting it?

Funnily enough, the hardest parts is probably what made it the best. The first few events we spent so much on the lineup and setup that we really didn’t have anything left for hands-on labour work such as setting in place the barriers and bins and all of that. So the first year it was the five of us, meeting on the Thursdays prior to the Saturday events to freeze our butts off in this massive warehouse, setting up one barrier at the time. This left us with less sleep than we probably would have wished for, but then when the event started the adrenaline kicked in, the nerves kind of fused with it and it was just non-stop running. Then at around 5am the team would meet on the main stage to enjoy the last hour of the event and that made everything so beyond worthwhile. It gives us such an unbelievable feeling of unimagined success and reward for our efforts when we feel the energy of the few hundred people still dancing their butts off with the biggest smile on their faces. Then reality would kick in as we’d have to go back to break down and clean up the entire mess by the next sunrise so, it was hardcore, but I think that made it so special.

Do you have any words of wisdom for those looking to follow or start a passion project/business?

In my eyes, the biggest regret one could have is not failing, but to not even give it a try. There is never any guarantee of success, but if you’re passionate about it, you give it your all, who knows right? You might be the next Elon Musk. The biggest guys have failed more than once, and failure means learning. What stops most of us from achieving greatness is our own mind. If you have a vision, get yourself a team, talk about it, find all the gaps that need filling, be thorough, work on it much more than you would on anything else and then stick with it. Do anything with enough conviction and you’re halfway there.

What other women inspire you personally?

Well, I’m also an International Relations student so the women that inspire me are often the ones who defy our commonly accepted beliefs of the system. However in the music industry, my real inspiration is Deer Jade. She’s our first resident DJ at Hangar and her energy and purity of soul could inspire even the most heartless of people. Being in her presence lights up everybody and her mind is just amazing. 

How’s it been since COVID-19 hit for the business and how have you evolved?

So Covid kind of kicked us in the knees just as we were really peaking. The last edition we had was almost exactly a year ago, on the 22nd of February and it was the most amazing edition. So since then, the guys have made an immense effort to find new routes and interests within the industry. We have organised and recorded many livestreams in amazing locations with great artists to keep everyone connected and vibing. We have also established Hangar Studios which combines all of its creative aspects to create music videos or any other artistic set up within the music industry.

You model as well as run the Hangar, how on earth do you find the time?! And what do you do to unwind?

Ahaha, yes amongst other things. Well to be honest, it isn’t always easy, I have had shoots in France on the Monday after a Hangar more than once, and I live in London, so that has meant three countries in one day. However the thrill I get from all of it makes it so worth while. I think time management, determination and gratitude makes it not only possible, but truly enjoyable. If you feel blessed to be able to do the things you love, then the hard parts aren’t so hard anymore, it’s a mindset. Also learning to sleep in all situations and environments does help!

Believe it or not, Hangar is unwinding, every split second of dancing between all the running around refuels me. A little boogie in between shots at a shoot makes me smile, and a whole lot of good food to reward myself allows me to continue a few more hours. 

Then when I get home, I turn off my phone, light a dozen candles, play very loud jazz music and read a book with a glass of wine. Oh yeah, and a well deserved 10 hour sleep afterwards. 

Would you ever explore other types of music for Hangar?

Yes, and no. Hangar is Hangar because it is industrial, rough and hardcore. So the music that is played in the main room goes hand in hand with the energy of the setting. Now the second room is called Mind which is Hangar’s sister event, that’s where our beloved Deer Jade plays, and there we have a different genre but it’s almost a different event all together. I think that to give people a complete experience, every aspect of it has to be coherent. Perhaps if we ever did an outdoor edition, it could be discussed.

Who’s your favourite female DJ or dream headline act at the festival?

Hmmmm… I have had great nights dancing to Monika Kruse but somehow my favourite female DJs are very hardcore, not sure what that says about me…Haha!

At Hangar we have always had minimum one female artist at every edition. So there I have been lucky and have already hosted some of my favourites such as Jennifer Cardini and Vaal. Perhaps some more up and coming  DJs for Mind would be great such as Carlita. Besides my ideal female artists, I would dream to have Satori and Monolink play a live-set, that would be next level.

Last and most importantly, how do we get a ticket for the next event!?! (COVID permitting)

Aaaaah, the ultimate question. Well, I would suggest following Hangar on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with any announcements regarding upcoming events. We would love to give you guys some hope and say it will be soon, but we’d hate to disappoint, so we won’t give any false hope till we’re sure we can offer you the amazing events we know you expect of us. Then, as soon as we go on sale, do not hesitate for a second and get your ticket, trust me, it will be worth it.