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The Haunted Youth’s Home Away From Home

In its 31st issue, the renowned AAP magazine proclaimed the below photo taken by photographer Hugo Thomassen of James Potter (Walt Disco) as the winner in their portrait competition. Shot in the backstage area of the Muziekgieterij stage during the 2022 Best Kept Secret Festival. As a regular part of Heaven Sessions, bands who record a session and interview will receive a professional photoshoot.

Walt Disco

James Potter is the lead singer of Scottish post-punk band Walt Disco known for their unique style and powerful performances. The band members champion LGBTQ+ rights and freedom, celebrate individuality and self-expression, and encourage viewers to embrace their own creativity and unique identity. You can watch their performance from last year here:

Best Kept Secret 2023

Once again this year, during Best Kept Secret 2023, Hugo Thomassen took portraits in the backstage area of the Muziekgieterij area. Also wondering about Thomassen’s photos taken in our backstage area this year? In the coming months, Muziekgieterij, in collaboration with Heaven magazine and Best Kept Secret, will put the new Heaven Sessions online. Accompanied, of course, by Hugo Thomassen’s portraits.

Meanwhile, as a sneak peek below, a nice retrospective with some portraits Thomassen took last year during the 2022 BKS edition.

Text: Ingmar van Wijnsberge
Photos: Hugo Thomassen