XINK Bids Final Farewell in Olen: The Band Will Never Break

Belgian band XINK performed their final concert on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Gladiolen festival in Olen, bringing a 23-year musical journey to an emotional close. The four-piece band, which rose to fame after representing Belgium at the inaugural Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2003, chose the small Kempen festival — the same venue where they first performed in 2006 — for their last-ever show, completing a full circle that band members described as deeply meaningful.

According to VRT NWS, the “Keef” stage was completely full as fans gathered for one final performance. “The story ends here, but it feels good to say goodbye at this place,” lead singer and guitarist Jonas Meukens told the broadcaster. “The festival is practically around the corner from where we live. We’ve played here three times now, but when we were younger, we used to cycle here ourselves.”

From Junior Eurovision to Festival Headliners

XINK (originally stylized as X!NK) was formed in the Kempen region by two sets of brothers: Jonas and Niels Meukens from Pulle, and Thomas and Philip Valkiers from Oevel. The band’s name was a playful reference to the chemical symbol for zinc. In 2003, they won the Belgian national selection for the first Junior Eurovision Song Contest with their self-written song “De Vriendschapsband” (“The Friendship Band”), which Jonas wrote at his kitchen table at age 13. At the international final in Copenhagen, they placed 6th out of 16 entries.

Following their Eurovision breakthrough, the band released their self-titled debut album in 2004, which achieved Gold status in Flanders, followed by “Vergif” in 2005. Their music was featured in film soundtracks including “Garfield” and “Ice Age: The Meltdown.” The original run ended in 2009.

A Remarkable Comeback

The reunion story is itself a testament to the band’s enduring appeal. As HLN reported, the idea was sparked organically at Gladiolen when guitarist Thomas Valkiers was asked by Equal Idiots frontman Thibault Christiaensen about reviving XINK. The conversation gained traction after being mentioned on the podcast “De Popcast.”

What followed was extraordinary by Belgian music standards. The reformed band — now using the spelling XINK — announced four reunion shows at the Ancienne Belgique (AB) in Brussels, all of which sold out. Magazine HUMO called it “a feat that most Belgian groups only achieve in their wildest dreams,” as HLN noted in January.

The comeback led to performances at major Belgian festivals including Rock Werchter, Pukkelpop, and Lokerse Feesten. In 2025, the band released their third studio album “Dag Nul.” Original bassist Philip Valkiers left the band in late 2023 and was replaced by Jasper Mulier.

The Final Concert

The January 2026 announcement that XINK would disband after one last show at Gladiolen was met with an outpouring of emotion from fans. “We are enormously grateful for everything XINK has given us over the past years,” the band stated on social media, as reported by VRT NWS. “With proud hearts, it feels right to round off this story and start other things.”

Gladiolen organizer Lode Bellens expressed the festival’s honor at hosting the finale. “I don’t think there is a better place for XINK to end in beauty,” he told VRT NWS.

The concert itself was a celebration of the band’s legacy. Fans sang along to every song, with “De Vriendschapsband” serving as a particularly emotional highlight. The atmosphere included mosh pits and crowd surfing, demonstrating that the band’s music still resonates energetically with audiences. “Best show of Gladiolen!” exclaimed 20-year-old fan Daan from nearby Oevel, as quoted by VRT NWS.

“I grew up with their music,” festivalgoer Xanthe Rutten told HLN. “It was wonderful to see them reunite after so many years. They got the best out of it, and even though it’s a shame they’re stopping, I’m mainly grateful for the great music during my childhood.”

Legacy and Cultural Significance

XINK’s journey from teenage Junior Eurovision contestants to respected festival headliners is unusual in Belgian pop music. Their 2022 comeback proved that nostalgia, when handled authentically, can create meaningful cultural moments. “De Vriendschapsband” has become an anthem for a generation of fans now in their 30s.

“I don’t think we ever really realized the value of that song until we stood back on stage,” Jonas reflected to VRT NWS. “It has grown into the song of a generation.”

The band’s decision to end on their own terms, at a venue that held deep personal significance — where they first performed in 2006 and where the reunion idea was born — provides a model for graceful artistic closure. “We have a lot of peace with the fact that this is our last performance,” Jonas told HLN before the show. “We’re especially happy that we can do it here in Olen.”

What’s Next

While the band members have indicated they will pursue other projects, no specific plans have been announced. Jonas Meukens continues to perform with his other band Warhola, which won Humo’s Rock Rally in 2014, while Thomas Valkiers works as a producer at Hightime Studio. For now, XINK’s discography — three studio albums, a string of hit singles, and a legacy as one of Belgium’s most beloved musical acts — stands as their lasting testament.

As the band themselves put it: “The band will never break.”