Eurosonic Noorderslag has a glowing reputation amongst members of the music industry. Almost the same effect that our own magical wonder that is Dingle provides, this European focused event is described to many as one you really should not miss. Fro the European Border Breaker Awards to the Buma Meets Music Tech event, the aim is to provide live bookers from festivals like Body&Soul, Glastonbury, and Rock En Seine with a host of live acts that are in for a huge year. While the tech events are part of a wider conference schedule, keeping the media on their toes for what is a busy 4 days.
Celebrating its 30th year, Eurosonic has produced massive success for acts like Bastille, Hozier, Milky Chance, and James Bay among many others. So less than a week until one the biggest events in the music and media calendar, RobMoro previews some of the acts bound for the Dutch city of Groningen.
Blossoms
If you like woozy pop with psychedelic vibes then Blossoms is for you. It is almost like a beginning of a Brit-psych-rock return. Catchy and mysterious. Their recent EP ‘Charlemagne’ combines seductive bass lines, clicks, and synth lead hooks.
SOAK
SOAK is the alter ego of Irish singer-songwriter Bridie Monds-Watson. Her Mercury Prize nominated debut album “Before We Forget How To Dream” was released with music label Rough Trade. SOAK is also up for The Choice Music Prize 2016 in Ireland for her album.
HONNE
This British duo are big fans of Quincy Jones apparently, well you can’t really say they aren’t when listening to their music. ‘Gone Are The Days’ has been picked up by national radio 3fm in The Netherlands ahead of their appearance.
Nothing but Thieves
After signing their record deal in 2014, 2015 was big year for Essex five-piece Nothing But Thieves. Donatella Versace is a fan, with an invite extended to them last year to perform at their Fall Fashion show in London. Ferocious.
C.Duncan
Layered vocal harmonies with dream pop sounds. Think Ben Howard meets Jamie XX or Destroyer meets Four Tet. His live show isn’t quite the lonesome figure you would think either.
AURORA
AURORA was born in Bergen in Norway. Her inspiration includes Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Enya. The self-trained singer is well-known commercially for her cover of Oasis track, ‘Half the World Away’ for John Lewis in late 2015. In 2014, her debut single ‘Awakenings’ received a whopping one million plays on Spotify.
Seinabo Sey
Stockholm-based pop act, Seinabo Sey, came to prominence Seinabo Sey when Kygo’s remix of her song ‘Younger’ became a hit. Soulful R&B with electro beats. Highly rated along with our own SOAK this year.
Black Honey
Black Honey are a four-piece band from Brighton making indie rock songs that are edgy and clean a sound of Miles Kane. Maybe picture The Last Shadow Puppets fronted by Sky Ferreira.
HÆLOS
Cinematic synth-pop meets smooth trip-hop in the London trio. Think La Roux singing with the XX remixing a Manchester Orchestra track. Glowing euphoria.
Oscar and the Wolf
From Brussels, ‘Princes’ is the closest thing I have heard to Lorde, but haven’t seen it picked up yet. The album “Entity”, was co-produced by the band’s singer and songwriter Max Colombie, It may be a Eurosonic return for a second year in a row, but not Max’s first foray into European music, as he once participated in the Belgian pre-selections for Junior Eurovision in 2005.
The Academic
Where to start with the Irish four-piece. Rocked Other Voices on the opening night, extensive radio play, and a bright future on the live circuit. A headline show at Vicar Street awaits in April following the release of the EP “Loose Friends”.
Alice on the roof
Young Belgian artist Alice Dutoit, who studied piano in the United States for several years, returned to her home country two years ago and started to write her first songs. ‘Easy Come Easy Go’ has drawn comparisons to London Grammar with a touch of Jessie Ware.
Astrid S
Beginning as young piano player in the small town of Berkåk, Norway with less than 1,000 people. Now 18 years old Astrid S has risen to be named a Spotlight Artist and One To Watch 2015 by Spotify Norway as well as “Norway’s next great pop export” by NYLON Magazine. Astrid S recently won the MTV EMA award for Best Norwegian Act.
Charlie Cunningham
Ciaran Lavery
Colm Mac Con Iomaire
A founding member of Kila and The Frames, film and theatre composer, and recent Choice Prize Album of the Year nominee in Ireland, Colm reutnrs with the stunning new album, “And Now The Weather”. Wonderful Irish fiddle playing.
Hooton Tennis Club
The Hot Sprockets
Marc O’Reilly
Otherkin
Making their way into the London scene from their beloved Dublin. Their single ‘Ay Ay’ has received extensive airplay at BBC Radio 1 from Annie Mac, Phil Taggart and Huw Stephens while also being playlisted at Radio X in the UK. Oh and their on a Rimmel London advert too if you are trying to figure where you might have heard it before. Touch of The Strokes to them too.
Pleasure Beach
VANT
British garage punk aggressors VANT have toured the UK and Ireland in the past few months. DIY Magazine have put forward the band to headline shows curated by them to in the UK. Get ready for them to crash-land on one of your playlists soon.
The Young Folk
A.O.S.O.O.N
RobMoro 