In 2026, DAFT Music Studios celebrates ten years since the construction of its current facilities in Malmedy.
The story behind the place starts much earlier. Long before DAFT became known as a destination for artists, travellers and companies, it began a few kilometres away at GAM Studios in Waimes.
Stijn Verdonckt arrived there as a young assistant. His first job being… “Coffee-boy”. Over the years he worked his way up to sound engineer, eventually taking over the studio and renaming it DAFT Studios.
But together with his partner Tine Blondeel, he had a different idea in mind.
At the time, the recording industry was changing. Physical media was declining, artists were working differently and traditional studio models were becoming harder to sustain. Rather than fighting that shift, they decided to build something around it.
On a 5,000 m² site in Malmedy, they imagined a place that was part recording studio and part boutique hotel. A place where artists could stay while working, and where visitors could experience a recording studio without needing to book one.
It sounded unusual at the time. For them, it felt like a logical next step.
10 Years of Daftness
Ten years later, the concept has largely stayed the same.
People arrive for different reasons. Some come to record an album. Others come for a weekend in the Ardennes. A few arrive for a company retreat. By breakfast, it is often difficult to tell who is there for what.
Over the years, the studios have welcomed artists including Selah Sue, Novastar, Roméo Elvis and Sigala. The recording rooms have hosted everything from intimate songwriting sessions to orchestral productions for Disney+, Netflix and Tomorrowland.
At the same time, the hotel has developed its own identity. Companies such as BMW, Pepsi and Deloitte have used the site for seminars, workshops and creative sessions, often drawn by the same thing that attracts musicians: space, quiet and a change of scenery.
The result is a place where different worlds overlap more often than expected.
One day might involve an orchestral recording. The next, an Amenra concert. The day after that, a product launch.
DAFT rarely stands still. It simply changes tempo.
The craziest party we ever threw
Celebrating ten years felt like a good reason to open the gates a little wider.
For 10 Years Dafter, we transformed the gardens into a temporary festival site. More than 900 guests joined us for a day of live music, DJs, food, drinks and a summer evening in the Ardennes.
The event brought together many of the people who have shaped DAFT over the last decade: artists, guests, partners, neighbours, friends and collaborators.
An event of that scale only happens because of the people working behind the scenes. We’d like to thank all partners and suppliers who helped make it possible, including Classic 21, Splendit, Carpe Diem, Vedett, Tomidôme and Canvas Camp.
One of the highlights of the evening came after sunset.
SAIAR brought their Interactive Mobile Projection Mapping Unit and transformed the hotel façade into a large-scale projection mapping installation. The building became part of the show, combining animation, interaction and live visuals throughout the night.
They even published a detailed breakdown of how they built the show: → Read SAIAR’s article about 10 Years Dafter
And of course, a huge thank you to the DAFT crew and the 900+ people who made the trip to Malmedy to celebrate with us.
Here’s to the next ten years!
Looking forward
Ten years ago, DAFT was an idea that combined two industries that did not usually belong together.
A decade later, artists are still recording here, travellers are still checking in, and new projects continue to appear in unexpected ways.
Thank you to everyone who made the trip to Malmedy, and to everyone who has been part of the journey so far.
Here’s to the next ten years!
