Pol
Pol’s sound takes clear inspiration from new wave legends like Depeche Mode, The Cure, and Visage, blending shimmering synths with driving rhythms refreshed with a modern edge. On stage, brothers Matthijs and Ruben Pol, both professional models, effortlessly shift between guitars, synths, and percussion, immersing the audience in a sleek ‘80s-inspired synthwave experienc where music and fashion collide.
Philine
Step into Philine’s world of dreamy indie pop, where sparkling melodies meet honest, glowing vocals. With over half a million streams and Dutch radio love for her debut EP so sick of myself, she’s quickly making waves. Her new EP the side effects of living in a fantasy—mixed by Matt Wiggins (Adele, Florence + The Machine, Lorde) - marks her leap forward. Drawing inspiration from Holly Humberstone, The War on Drugs, and Phoebe Bridgers, Philine’s vivid storytelling and shimmering sound craft live shows that stop you in your tracks.
Parker Fans
Parker Fans are a kinetic Dutch trio turning chaos into a dancefloor love language. Powered by groovy basslines, jagged synths, and crunchy drum samples, their sound feels like a high school mixtape gone off the rails—equal parts Boyz II Men, Beastie Boys, and Vengaboys. Live, they’re a sweaty, unhinged explosion of pop hooks and art-school mischief, delivered with charm and zero dead weight. What began as dusty MPC beats has grown into full-throttle mayhem across clubs and festivals. Tracks like “Pool Of Fish” and “Skincare” bounce between breakbeats and electro freakouts, designed to keep bodies in motion.
Octave Lissner
Octave Lissner writes the kind of songs that make you feel like you’re cruising with the windows down — warm, groovy, and full of soul. Growing up in Paris with a violin in one hand and a guitar in the other, he found his voice somewhere between bluesy grit and sun-drenched folk. Influenced by icons like Nino Ferrer, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Otis Redding, and The Rolling Stones, his latest album Learning to Live (2025) is eclectic but cohesive. Always heartfelt and smooth.
De Toegift
A suitcase full of sounds, eyes fixed on the horizon. De Toegift is on the move. This poetic six-piece from the Dutch coast blends spoken word, indie, and electronics into intimate dreamscapes of love, youth, and loss. They’ve captured hearts across the Low Countries; from Popronde and Noorderslag to sold-out club tours in venues like Paradiso and De Roma, and major festivals such as Best Kept Secret and Into The Great Wide Open. With their new album kleine auto, grote hot wheel, they once again push the boundaries of Dutch pop. Melancholic, magnetic, and full of wonder. Experience De Toegift live at Hit The City.
Allman Brown
This is your must-see moment: the electrifying Allman Brown is hitting the stage. The London-based singer-songwriter channels the spirit of legends like Springsteen, Bon Iver, and Tracy Chapman with his soulful, heartfelt music. With three acclaimed albums – ‘1000 Years, Darling, It'll Be Alright, and Second Son’ - he’s racked up over a quarter of a billion streams worldwide. His songs have featured in hit US TV shows like The Good Doctor and Criminal Minds, adding emotional depth to key moments. Brown’s heartfelt storytelling and captivating voice have taken him on tours across Europe, Asia, and North America. His latest album, Second Son, produced by Grammy winner Peter Katis, showcases a fresh, electronic-infused sound while staying true to his signature style.
Circa Waves
Get ready for a shot of pure indie adrenaline: Circa Waves are heading to Hit The City. They’re bringing a storm of singalong choruses, jangly guitars, and retro-tinged new wave energy. The Liverpool-based band broke through in 2015 with their sunshine-soaked anthem T-Shirt Weather clocking over 137 million Spotify streams. With five albums under their belt and a sixth on the horizon, Circa Waves have become a cornerstone of the modern indie scene, delivering compact, catchy rock with heart and hooks. Their new album ‘Death & Love, Pt. 1’ shows a new era of festival-ready bangers. Expect a fiery set full of old favorites and fresh anthems, perfect for fans of Arctic Monkeys, The Vaccines, and The Strokes.
Chloe Slater
From the housing crisis to the impact of social media on young people: Chloe Slater packs a whole bunch of issues from the age of internet culture into catchy, and angst-driven guitar pop anthems.
The 21-year-old singer-songwriter on the rise, is carving her path in the realm of independent music. Born and raised in Bournemouth, she has been writing songs since she was 13 years old. After moving to Manchester for University, she found her voice in the effervescent open mic scene and has since been collaborating closely with writer/producer Jack Shute. As she continues to shed a light on overlooked issues, 2025 promises even more for her. Hear her out, she might just be the next big indie rock icon!
DITZ
DITZ create forward-thinking noise rock/post-punk, featuring a vast array of pedal effects and drawing influence from '80s and '90s post-hardcore and noise rock. Their latest album, Never Exhale (2025), is the sound of a band that hasn’t stopped to catch a breath — hardly surprising, given their relentless touring schedule (including support slots for IDLES). Sonically, the album is rooted in the usual DITZ touchstones such as classic noise rock like The Jesus Lizard and Shellac, or the obtuse post-punk of The Fall, while also introducing fresh influences.
With their last show at Hit The City in a packed Café The Jack still fresh in our memories, DITZ have solidified their reputation for ferocious live performances. We’re talking festivals played less than 24 hours after the drummer dislocated his shoulder, mid-set lake dives, and even having the French police shut down their Paris instore due to noise complaints. DITZ are as much an assault on the senses as they are one of the most exciting bands in the current UK punk scene.
SØWT
Dutch noise rock band SØWT returns with Is This The Hard Part? (2025) —a searing, shape-shifting record born out of wreckage and resilience. Following the success of 2023’s Kids Hurting Kids and a European tour with grunge legends Mudhoney and Canadians METZ, the Eindhoven-based band was hit hard: their rehearsal space and venue Stroomhuis burned down with all their gear inside, their record masters vanished, and their pressing plant went bust.
But instead of retreating, SØWT doubled down. Their third album dives headfirst into distortion, tension, and texture—equal parts visceral and melodic. Guitars snarl, rhythms lurch and punch, and frontwoman Danielle Warners’ bass anchors it all with a fierce pulse. It’s heavy, heady, and hauntingly hooky—channeling the spirit of the ‘90s through a lens that feels unmistakably now. Is This The Hard Part? is a testament to survival through sound. DIY to the core and impossible to pin down, SØWT continues to turn noise into something deeply human—and weirdly addictive.