P&S x Strictly Confidential at Eurosonic Noorderslag 2019

Ever since September last year, we’ve longed for festival season. We never thought we’d see the day that we’d crave the mud, endless rainy days and precarious tents, but here we are. We didn’t know how we would continue to cope with our festival withdrawal then Eurosonic Noorderslag came along last week to quench this thirst for live music. 

For those of you who aren’t in the know, Eurosonic Noorderslag is a yearly music festival that takes place in the small Dutch city of Groningen and features some of Europe’s finest rising musical talent. With artists from The Netherlands, UK, Czech Republic and beyond, this truly is the treasure trove of brilliant music of all genres. 

We’re already featured a list of tracks by artists recommended by our brilliant new P&S family member, Denise, however, the Eurosonic coverage doesn’t stop there! We consider top Benelux publisher Strictly Confidential to be part of our extended family as well, and they happened to have a few artists playing at the festival so what better opportunity than this to gain even further insight into Eurosonic? 

With this in mind, here are some insights into Eurosonic 2019 from Pieter-Jan Nuytten of Strictly Confidential, along with some of our top picks!

To start with, Eurosonic never lets you down when it comes to experiencing snow/hail or a rainstorm. It’s a foggy town, very humid and very windy. Every year, you get the same thing.

Apart from that, Eurosonic is a great way to connect. Everything is so close to each other, the town comes alive and Dutch people are open, friendly and always up for a chat. In that way, you really do connect with everyone. Managers, label managers, A&R managers and PR people easily dance and chat together or connect at the FEBO-wall (a place where you can get fried food 24/7, for example, the over popular ‘Eierbal’ – typical Groningen snack: basically a boiled egg, fried in dough/batter!)

The venues are crazy and in a perfect state. I reckon this is one of the most professional showcase festivals around in Europe.

Although it’s a four and a half hour drive by train from Brussels, where we’re based, it’s really worth the while.

Here are a few of our top picks from the festival:

The Visual

Putting on a mind blowing performance, The Visual are signed to cool Dutch indie label MINK Records. Having already supported Tamino on tour and been nominated for Song of the Year by 3voor12, we’re certain to be hearing more from them this year.

Blackwave

The ‘most wanted’ performance of ESNS19 (at least according to their app), this cool Belgian cool band even have a conservatory student as part of their collective. A combination of radio friendly hits makes it easy to watch, yet entertaining due to the live grooviness they exhibit.

Eliza

The artist formerly known as ‘Eliza Doolittle’ brought a crazy live vibe with just drums, bass and two backing singers. She’s truly reinvented herself as a neo-soul force to be reckoned with.

Rimon

Arguably the hottest act in the Netherlands right now, this act has got huge international potential. With her well thought out visuals and memorable clothing, it’s highly unlikely this will be the last we see of her.

Blu Samu

Blu Samu is one to watch! She spits rap lyrics in Portuguese, French and English and has an excellent voice. A quadruple threat!

Nova Materia

One of our artists, we were so pleased to see them on the Eurosonic stage. A French duo that brings live techno along with rocks, wood, bells and hammering guitars with drum sticks.

Very danceable and entertaining to watch.

Whispering Sons

Definitely one of the best post-punk/wave band around nowadays. A really exciting watch.

Kompromat

Another Strictly Confidential act, prolific producer Vitalic is on excellent form with this new project together with Rebeka Warrior. Exciting from beginning to end, albeit with some technical difficulties during the set.

FIEH

Really great live band with some groovy songs. They attract a pretty young crowd, perhaps helped by their superb frontwoman, Sofie Tollefsbøl.

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