Percussionist Gaetan La Mela (49) of VRT Show Dies
Gaetan La Mela, the 49-year-old percussionist who formed the rhythmic heartbeat of The Atomic Orchestra on the VRT music program “Live Live Live,” has passed away, according to Het Laatste Nieuws. The news was confirmed on July 5, 2026, by VRT, The Atomic Orchestra, and his wife Karoline through emotional social media tributes.
A Life in Rhythm
Born in Genk, Limburg, La Mela began his musical journey at the Muziekacademie van Genk before pursuing advanced studies at the Lemmensinstituut in Leuven, where he earned a Master’s degree in Music, a pedagogical diploma, and a specialization in chamber music. He further honed his craft through masterclasses with Rainer Seegers and Franz Schindlebeck of the Berliner Philharmoniker.
La Mela was a core member of the HERMESensemble, where he performed solo pieces featuring works by contemporary composers such as Kaija Saariaho and Salvatore Sciarrino. He was also a member of Belgian Brass and served as conductor of the brass band United Brass from 2001 to 2006, later being named honorary conductor.
Beyond his ensemble work, La Mela collaborated with a wide range of artists, including performances with Marcel Vanthilt and Leen Diependaele for the show “Straks gaat het jenever sneeuwen,” and participated in the Elfurenmis at the B-Classic festival alongside Ignace Schops. His versatility as a percussionist made him a sought-after collaborator across Flanders’ classical and contemporary music scenes.
Tributes from the Music Community
VRT, the Flemish public broadcaster, announced the news on social media with a heartfelt statement: “We have just learned that we must sadly say goodbye to Gaetan La Mela. He was the percussionist of The Atomic Orchestra, the orchestra from ‘Live Live Live.’ We wish his loved ones and everyone who cared for him much strength.”
The Atomic Orchestra, a 47-piece ensemble that serves as the house band for “Live Live Live,” posted an emotional tribute: “With immense sadness we say goodbye to our percussionist Gaetan La Mela, one of the most cherished members of the Atomic family. Gaetan was rhythm. Not only on stage, where he formed the heartbeat of our orchestra with unprecedented precision and warmth, but also beyond: as a colleague, as a friend, as a person.”
The orchestra concluded: “Today one is missing, and that hurts terribly. Rest gently, Gaetan. We will miss you so much.”
A Personal Farewell
La Mela’s wife, Karoline, shared a deeply personal farewell on social media: “My dear, beautiful, funny, fantastically talented, intense man. You gave me the most beautiful years of my life. You taught me to enjoy life again. You were my everything. Now I let you go. Rest gently, dear sweetheart. Forever in my heart. And oh god, how I will miss you.”
About ‘Live Live Live’ and The Atomic Orchestra
“Live Live Live” premiered on VRT 1 on December 6, 2025, hosted by Bart Peeters. The show features The Atomic Orchestra, a 47-piece hybrid orchestra created by renowned Belgian trumpeter Jo Hermans. The orchestra was originally conceived for a performance at Pukkelpop 2024, where it was a resounding success, leading VRT to approach Hermans about creating a television program centered around the ensemble.
The show focuses purely on live music performance, deliberately eschewing costume changes and competition elements to highlight musicianship in an era of AI-generated and heavily produced music. Guests have included Belle Perez, Günther Neefs, Axelle Red, Pommelien Thijs, and Maksim.
For La Mela, being part of The Atomic Orchestra represented the culmination of a career dedicated to live performance. The orchestra’s debut at Pukkelpop 2024 had been a landmark moment, and the transition to a weekly television program brought their musicianship into Belgian homes every week.
Legacy
La Mela’s death comes approximately seven months after the show’s premiere, during its first season. The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. His passing represents a significant loss to the Belgian music and television community, where he was widely respected as both a performer and a person.
As The Atomic Orchestra’s tribute so aptly put it, Gaetan La Mela was rhythm — and that rhythm will be deeply missed.