The centre of Ghent looks like a Hollywood producer’s vision of a medieval town. At the heart of this Belgian city is a picture-postcard warren of cobbled streets, centuries-old architecture and breathtaking gothic churches, with two equally picturesque rivers adding to the fairytale quality of it all.
All it’s missing for the full 15th-century effect are armour-clad knights, mead-quaffing peasants and maybe the odd leper. Chinastraat is a long way from all that. Situated on an industrial estate on the outskirts of Ghent, this warehouse is one part music venue, one part horror movie set. Walking through its dark, dank corridors, the flickering lights and constant electrical hum makes it feel like you’re in a scene from some Saw sequel. Outside is a stinky, filthy reservoir.
