Naheulband

The official (and uncontrollable) bards of Trolls & Legends

It is impossible to tell the story of Trolls & Legends without mentioning the Naheulband! A true mascot group of the festival, they have been by our side (and sometimes… on our tables!) since the very first edition in 2005. If you have ever heard an audience of 5000 geeks shout "Chicken!" at the top of their lungs, you already know that the Naheulband is much more than just a concert: it’s an experience, a state of mind, an epidemic of good humor and role-playing humor.

An epic adventure since 2005

Since 2005, the Naheulband has arrived in Mons, armed with guitars, flutes, strange hats, and a solid sense of self-deprecation. At the time, some wondered what these lovable crazies, straight out of the audio saga Le Donjon de Naheulbeuk, were doing in the midst of trolls, elves, and orcs: they came, they sang… and they conquered the festival with their wacky songs, chicken dances, and critical failures in rapid succession.

Very quickly, it became a tradition: at every edition of Trolls & Legends (except 2024, no one is perfect – not even Crom!), the Naheulband would turn the Lotto Mons Expo into a giant tavern where To Adventure, Companions, The Barbarian March, and the famous Chicken Laridé (with the mandatory participation of the audience, ridiculous gestures provided) would resonate.

More than a band, a tribe

The Naheulband is above all a group of friends led by John Lang (aka Pen Of Chaos), who have as much fun on stage as in the audience. They have made generations of festival-goers sing, dance, and even scream, all of whom have learned – often against their will – to meow the chorus of Chicken or to raise a beer mug while bellowing Gurdil.

Every performance of the Naheulband in Mons is a celebration: you encounter armored dwarves, glittering elves, trolls in kilts, and role-players from all walks of life, all brought together by the magic of music and the irrepressible desire to act silly in good company. It’s this joyful chaos, this unique atmosphere, that makes the Naheulband a legend as vibrant as our favorite trolls.

The mythical moments

It’s impossible to forget the famous chicken dance (and its improbable hats), the air-lute contests on stage, the audience drowning out the musicians by shouting the lyrics… or that inflatable chicken thrown into the crowd one Easter evening. The wacky anecdotes are countless: each edition had its share of surprises, gags, and little craziness, which have now become precious memories for the entire Trolls & Legends community.

For many, the Naheulband is not just a band: it’s a tradition, a big family, a fantasy madeleine de Proust. Some festival-goers have even confessed to discovering the festival thanks to the Naheulband… and vice versa. After so many years of adventures, they have simply become one of the symbols of Trolls & Legends.