Rijnbaart
Rijnbaart pushes the boundaries of Dutch pop. The Rotterdam producer crafts a magical sound, blending sampler, guitar, and captivating vocals to create digital emotion and poetry. His music resonates deeply. As a producer, he has achieved significant success, including an Edison Award nomination with Dave Budha for their work on "Raamuit" and "Tuinen Van Het Licht," and collaborations with Cero Ismael, who has since become a prominent and acclaimed artist. In his solo projects, Rijnbaart incorporates ideas developed over time, resulting in a unique mix of electronic, rock, jazz, and hip-hop influences, fused with highly musical lo-fi hyperpop.
Charlie Bennett
Don’t miss Charlie Bennett, the 23-year-old indie/bedroom-pop artist from Birmingham, bringing his fresh single "Pretty Words" to Hit The City, released by the super cool London label Young Poet. Charlie was inspired by Dayglow, Beabadoobee, and Oscar Lang, and started making music during lockdown, recording from his bedroom. His DIY vibe is all about creativity and raw talent. But with "Pretty Words," he teamed up with producer Jack Hardman, blending his original demos with new, exciting sounds.
Charlie says, “This song is about finding unique ways to communicate with someone you like. I’m bringing back letters and soppy voicemails!”. With over 500,000 fans (the -Strawbennetts-) and 12.5 million streams, Charlie is a rising star. He’s been featured on Spotify’s “Our Generation,” and toured with Will Joseph Cook.
Charlie's live performances are a must-see! Known for his high-energy shows and genuine connection with the audience, he turns every gig into an unforgettable experience. Expect raw vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and a vibe that makes you feel like you’re hanging out with an old friend. Catch Charlie Bennett at Hit The City and vibe to "Pretty Words”.
Flaire
Experience the explosive energy of Flaire, the hottest new boyband straight out of The Hague. Max Lorenzo (Max van der Scheer), Holty (Boris Wentholt), and Yves Springer bring a unique blend of pop and electronic beats. Max and Holty have been jamming together for a while, but things got serious when they teamed up with the producer Yves in 2022. This dream team quickly went viral, and their tracks are now taking over the internet. It all kicked off when DJs Tjade and Moody Mehran closed their Lowlands set with Flaire’s banger “Oog in Oog", dropping it on Soundcloud.
Flaire’s live shows are something else. Think high-speed journeys from sweet love tunes to bass-thumping tracks that’ll shake the ground beneath you. They've played festivals like Life I Live, lit up their home turf at PIP Den Haag, and even opened for Goldband at AFAS Live. Max Lorenzo and Holty’s lyrics about love, lust, and nightlife, backed by Yves Springer’s killer beats, will turn the night into an unforgettable party.
Jet van der Steen
You’re in your twenties and realize that now is the time to discover more about yourself. You want more—more adventure and more pushing the boundaries. It’s time to give in to your darker desires. After releasing her debut EP, Door Mijn Ogen (2022), Dutch pop artist Jet van der Steen introduced her new sound with the single ‘Dans op het Mes’ at the end of 2023. This became her most-streamed single, thanks to her loyal fanbase on Instagram and TikTok. In the spring of 2024, she concluded her sold-out tour across eight Dutch venues. ‘Dans op het Mes’ was featured on the 3FM playlist and the covers of Made in NL and Je Moerstaal. This summer, Jet and her band will be performing at various festivals, including Hit The City.
WIES
WIES is a Dutch pop trio based in Amsterdam, comprising Jeanne Rouwendaal, Tobias Kolk, and Dan Huijser. Their music blends influences from alternative rock and electronic genres, underscored by a strong Do It Yourself ethos. Their songs delve into both profound existential questions and the everyday concerns of young adults. Their debut album, Het is een WIES, was released in 2021 and featured standout singles like 'Soms Is Het Te Laat', 'Barman', and 'Meisje'. In 2023, they followed up with their second album, Alles Anders, which delves deeper into themes of life and death, joy and sorrow, love and pain. It includes pivotal tracks such as their 3FM Megahit and StuBru Catch of The Day 'Ik Zie Ik Zie'. A breezy pop band perfect to enjoy in the sun on Ketelhuisplein.
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.
Kabeaushé
The beholder of softness, the embodiment of cuteness known for oozing sass galore on sweaty dancefloors; the dangerously extravagant Kabeaushé. They are crafting a sound of their own, infused with pop sensibilities that go from Prince to Bollywood and Tyler, the Creator. Future or intelligent pop is probably the best way to describe their music, a rare bird in the African music landscape. The show is a hybrid of music and theater, developed for months in Kampala together with a creative team. They like to explore themes of softness and cuteness, making music that is both gentle and highly invigorating with a show aimed to draw the audience into a hypnotic dance frenzy.
Min Taka
Taking her name from a myth of a vanishing planet, Min Taka shares her inner world through a genre-bending sound that moves between indie, liquid DnB, synth and hyperpop. Her songs reflect on themes of identity, belonging, femininity and connection. Min Taka’s sonic universe ranges from intimate and soft to intense electronic commotion. The pixie-pop artist’s latest album Partiyi Durdurun! (2023) was inspired by the likes of Mitski, Sassy 009, Cocteau Twins, Kero Kero Bonito and Charli XCX.
MEROL
MEROL makes Dutch pop combined with 80’s disco influences. With her ruthless lyrics, she is a unique voice within the music scene by addressing topics as body positivity, sex and feminism. Put iconic costumes, interactive moments with the audience and self-mockery together and you have the thunderous live sensation called MEROL: an energetic powerhouse influenced by artists like Kylie Minogue, Donna Summer and Roísin Murphy.