photosindarkness
Sometimes there are news items that you would rather not have to write. The inexplicable news that many shared on social media was particularly shocking. On July 10, 2023, Bart Doumen, the passionate founder of concert organization Into The Dark, died suddenly of cardiac arrest.
Bart Doumen, born Oct. 29, 1974, grew up in Maasmechelen, neighboring Star Industry and Portrait Bizarre. He quickly embraced the wave scene and was always looking for new bands to discover. He was a familiar face at various events, first as a photographer under the name “Pictures Of You” (he was a huge fan of The Cure) and later as an organizer under the name “Into The Dark.
Concerts were his passion and he enjoyed organizing them. Bart personally experienced that running such organizations is not an easy task. But Bart was a go-getter who did not get discouraged by event cancellations. Even during the pandemic, he was already working on his plans for the future. Bart was a beloved person throughout the scene. Almost every band was eager to be on a poster at “Into The Dark. He was a tenacious person who had to go through a long rehabilitation after a severe form of diabetes, but he fought on bravely, often with a touch of humor. This resilience was admirable. Despite difficult circumstances, with the support of many, he managed to expand his brainchild from an organizing agency to a full-fledged booking agency. Bart was always thinking ahead.
He spent months planning the first major two-day festival, the Into The Dark Fest, scheduled for Sept. 9 and 10, 2023 at the Tentacle in Zonhoven. Unfortunately, he will not be able to attend this large-scale event. Nevertheless, the festival will go on and become a great tribute to a special person. It will leave no one indifferent. Despite his commitment to this festival, Bart was also already organizing future concerts. His drive came from his deep love for dark music.
The scene loses a warm person. Bart Doumen passed away far too early, at the age of only 48.
Bart, wherever you are, thank you for everything! Rest in peace, but know that heroes will never be forgotten!
There will be an opportunity to visit Bart for a final salute on Wednesday, July 12, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Papillon Funeral Home, Rijksweg 558a bus 2, 3630 Maasmechelen. The service will take place on Thursday, July 13, in private with close family and friends(.free translated from a text from Danny Quetin-Dark Entries )
