Sylvie Kreusch
Sylvie Kreusch is rapidly rising as one of the most impressive and electrifying performers in Europe, turning many heads in the fields of music, film and fashion. Kreusch is known for her brutal, expressive lyricism and keen ear for both experimental and pop stylistics and participation in past projects such as Soldier’s Heart or Warhaus. On her breakthrough album Montbray, she illustrated heartbreak with the suspense and thrill of a spy thriller. To say the Belgian artist has a flair for the dramatics would be a severe understatement. Wherever Sylvie sets foot, superlatives tend to chase her like a trail of fire.
For her upcoming new album, she abandons her lofty tenure as Belgium’s specter of the night, trading in her raging red locks for a dashing blonde. Finally in the driver’s seat with her lover sitting shotgun, she embarks on a horizon-chasing voyage where all fruits of life are savored and surveyed with wide eyes and luscious lip.
The Haunted Youth
The Haunted Youth, the band of 29-year-old Joachim Liebens, has become a Belgian indie sensation in no time. The songs, often about the struggle of life coated in gloriously dreamy guitars and synths, are therapy to Liebens and strike a chord with indie lovers all over Europe and even the US. Every single is a hit and debut album Dawn Of The Freak is enthusiastically received by the critics and adored by the fans. With a red-hot live reputation to boot, The Haunted Youth are here to stay.
Ão
Ão is a young and exciting Belgian four-piece blending saudade, indie and subtle electronica, topped off with the phenomenal voice of frontwoman Brenda Corijn. Drawing on her Mozambican-Portuguese roots, Corijn sings in Portuguese and English, her lyrics entwining with Siebe Chau’s southern guitar, the ambient sounds and production of Jolan Decaestecker and the eclectic percussion of Bert Peyffers. Their intoxicating sound is now evolving into something deeper and danceable, much like FKA Twigs, Lhasa de Sela, Arooj Aftab, Çeu and James Blake. Expect nothing short of a mind-blowing, unique and exhilarating live-experience.
FIEP
FIEP writes captivating, distinct indie pop anthems that are both outgoing and introspective. Veerle Suzanna Driessen’s songcraft has a distinct ear for great hooks, but also a unique narrative quality. Her music reveals the inward thoughts as frequently as the outward scream: the restlessness, the doubts, the musings and – most of all – the dreams. On stage, Veerle captures these dreams along with her band FIEP into an energetic, powerful and outstanding live performance.
Malice K
Malice K is a New York-based artist whose sonic palette is made up of 90s alt and brash lyricism, creating a rare fusion of off-kilter pop-forward indie rock. As a former member of the Artist Collective Deathproof Inc, he has amassed a cult following as an atypical artist with a capricious nature, hopping from provocative punk-thrash-rock to lyrically melodic and acoustic. Emerging from the convergence of introspection and innovation, Malice K is a visionary musician who intricately weaves emotive narratives through his music. With a commitment to authenticity and an old-school ethos, his artistry illuminates the modern landscape.
On his 2022 EP Clean Up On Aisle Heaven, FADER said “Pivoting easily from an Elliott Smith croon to an Isaac Brock bark, Malice K pushes past the usual pop pleasantries. He shows a cool disdain for the vibe he’s encapsulated so effortlessly, but his structures are studiously rendered. It’s clear he’s a disciple of the genres he seemingly scoffs at, always taking the time to read the book before he throws it away.” His debut album is slated for 2024.
swim school
Swim School absorb influence from a wide range of genres; from 90's grunge to modern indie and dream-pop. Taking inspiration from bands and artists such as Foals, The Cure, Slowdive, Ben Howard and Paolo Nutini. Frontwoman Alice Johnson mentioned in an interview that Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell was her inspiration for being in a band, with Swim School being the "Tesco value" version of that. In our humble opinion, they’re a whole lot more than that. Their newest offering, the EP Making Sense Of It All (2024), is emotionally charged indie pop perfection, that alternates between melancholia and euphoria. With a simmering cover of Pixies’ ‘Where Is My Mind’.
Snõõper
In the briefest of descriptions, Snõõper is a band who, in a 33 1/3 rpm world, make 45 rpm music they play at 78 and it completely works. Even at this incredible speed, Snõõper (the kinetic duo of musician Connor Cummins and visual/video artist, Blair Tramel) is super precise instrumentally and skillfully melodic vocally, even though, again, they’re flooring it almost the entire time. The overall effect is a megadose of extremely cool and unique songs that while at the speed of tomorrow, would lose their overwhelming fun factor if played any differently. Featuring one of the wildest liveshows out there, as well as the most promising punk debut in decades.
SPRINTS
After releasing two acclaimed EPs and building a fearsome live reputation, SPRINTS’ debut album ‘Letter To Self’ is out there and not to be missed. Inspired by Savages, their sound matured into energetic and abrasive garage-punk, synthesising influences ranging from early Pixies, Bauhaus, Siouxsie Sioux, IDLES and LCD Soundsystem. The album is exhibiting their most vulnerable moments and imbuing their visceral garage-punk with a palpable sense of catharsis that we can all benefit from. As singer, guitarist and lead-songwriter Karla Chubb tackles her inner turmoil head-on, and uses her platform to address inequality and issues close to her heart. Women’s ongoing fight for bodily autonomy, struggles with self acceptance, identity, mental health struggles, sexuality and catholic guilt for example.
Bumble B. Boy
Bumble B. Boy is a fast-emerging art-punk artist and failed children's entertainer, pushing boundaries and pulling in shocked, awe-struck crowds with his unique blend of theatrics, storytelling and electric punk energy. If you’re looking for a musical rollercoaster ride to flip you on your head, take some surprising turns and bring you back safely to earth, then make sure you don’t miss this.