Recommended by Dutch Music Export
From Wednesday the 18th till Saturday the 21st the biggest showcase festival of Europe ESNS will be taking place in Groningen, The Netherlands. At the festival part of ESNS, over one hundred Dutch acts will be performing. With so many artists to choose from, Dutch Music Export made a selection of artists we recommend to you!
Saturday 21st of January:
IR SAIS
Eurosonic Air // 15:45 - 16:30
Ir Sais is the artistic moniker of Irgwin Placido Sluis, born on the Caribbean island of Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles. At 11, he began playing drums on tin cans. Completely self-taught, Ir Sais now plays several instruments as well as occupying himself with the production side. After getting his first taste of success with local Bonaire bands, he moved to the Netherlands in 2008, launching a solo career with original material that fuses pop with the Caribbean zouk rhythm.
More info? Click here.
GANGS OF KIN
Oosterpoort Heineken Foyer Grote Zaal // 20:45 - 21:30
Gangs Of Kin is Amsterdam songwriter Joël Gaerthé, an eclectic, contemporary artist, a troubadour with a memorable raspy voice and an oracle/barker with witty phrases. Throughout this project, he explores a plethora of genres and styles – from surrealist and psych pop to indie rock and R&B. Gaerthé wanted to produce beats and songs unapologetically, to employ his love for films like Miller’s Crossing and Down by Law as well as J Dilla, lo-fi beats, Flaming Lips, OutKast, MGMT and Tame Impala. Thus, Gangs Of Kin was born.
More info? Click here.
ELEPHANT
1) PLATOSONIC (Plato & CC) // 12:50 - 13:10
2) Oosterpoort Binnenzaal // 17:45 - 18:30
Sunny, melancholic, and in a major key. That is the sound of the 4-piece indie band Elephant. Mellow pop music with an eccentric edge, that will appeal to fans of Wilco, Andy Shauf and Big Thief. In March 2021, Elephant released their debut EP, produced by Pablo van de Poel (DeWolff) and recorded in his analog studio. With hardly any opportunity to perform, but loads of inspiration, the Rotterdam band continued their collaboration with Van de Poel, and the resulting debut album ‘Big Thing’ is their fitting and resilient response to the pandemic.
More info? Click here.
GLADDE PALING
Oosterpoort Kelder // 22:45 - 23:30
Gladde Paling has been turning heads with his unmistakably innovative sound, one that mixes multiple electronic genres with memes and soundbites. Dubbed ‘troll ‘n bass’ & ‘meme techno’ by Dutch platform 3voor12 and ‘The Netherlands most wanted drum ‘n bass delicacy’ by 013, the venue that hosted a series of Gladde Paling (‘Slippery Eel’) events. The otherwise very secretive producer also extends his thanks to Liquicity, Lokerse Feesten and ‘the creative genius of Joost’. “The ocean is the limit!”
More info? Click here.
OLIVER PESCH
Oosterpoort Entreehal // 18:30 - 19:15
Oliver Pesch serves up his inventive take on West Coast/Americana on his soon to be released debut LP ‘Kid With The Dice’. The eleven songs combine a high roller savvy with a schoolboy charm, extracting inspiration from the details and the cosmic. Breakout single ‘Shelly (Lollapalooza)’ is the bittersweet tale of a man down on his luck who somehow stumbled into a love affair. The Rotterdam-based songwriter and musician guides the listener through the twists of fate of his own family history and human history as a whole.
More info? Click here.
NÉOMÍ
1) PLATOSONIC (Plato & CC) // 12:30 - 12:50
2) Oosterpoort Bovenzaal // 21:15 - 21:45
néomí is the moniker for folk-pop singer-songwriter Neomi Speelman. Inspired by classic folk songwriters like Bon Iver, Ben Howard, Bob Dylan and Phoebe Bridgers, she writes authentic and sincere stories backed by dreamy soundscapes. Writing songs has been second nature to her since she first picked up the guitar and attended music college in Amsterdam. Debut EP 'before' was released in June via [PIAS] and – thanks to pandemic downtime – néomí has the follow-up EP ready.
More info? Click here.
PITOU
1) PLATOSONIC (Plato & CC) // 14:10 - 14:30
2) Oosterpoort Binnenzaal // 19:15 - 20:00
The music of Amsterdam-born singer and songwriter Pitou is characterized by her mesmerizing, multi-coloured voice and unique compositions, enchanting tales, moving from delicate and intimate to grand with orchestral flourishes. As a child she sang in a professional classical children’s choir, then, at the relatively late age of eighteen Pitou discovered pop, rock, and the guitar. She studied at the Conservatory of Amsterdam and released two successful EPs that got airplay at the BBC, plus headline shows all over Europe. Now she’s ready to release her debut album ‘Big Tear’ in 2023.
More info? Click here.
PERSONAL TRAINER
Oosterpoort Heineken Foyer Grote Zaal // Saturday to Sunday night 23:45 - 00:30
Personal Trainer is an Amsterdam-based indie rock band formed by an ever changing group of friends from bands like Canshaker Pi and Pip Blom. They have been described as “a manic indie rock orchestra that taps into the wayward spirits of Car Seat Headrest, The Fall and LCD Soundsystem”. Shows are played with up to ten members and in an intuitive but ever tighter jam spirit. Personal Trainer recorded debut album ‘Big Love Blanket’ with an incredible guest line-up. Their multi-headed stage assault is a heck of a secret weapon.
More info? Click here.
MAXINE
1) PLATOSONIC (Plato & CC) // 15:50 - 16:10
2) Oosterpoort Entreehal // 20:00 - 20:45
Looking for a pop hit with an irresistible melody, a catchy hook and a quirky sound, wrapped in a thoroughly international-sounding production? Very few tick all those boxes the way composer, lyricist, musician and singer MAXINE (1998, The Hague) does. In songs like ‘Crazy’, ‘Help Myself’ and ‘Strange’, the sun shines more brightly, the rain is more intense, and the colours more vibrant. It took a few steps for MAXINE to move from songwriting for others into the spotlight, but now she has arrived. Captivating, bursting with confidence, and armed with wonderful pop hits.
More info? Click here.
SON MIEUX
Oosterpoort Buma Stemra Grote Zaal // 18:30 - 19:15
Son Mieux is the 7-piece band around singer-songwriter Camiel Meiresonne, launching their acclaimed debut 'Faire de Son Mieux' in 2019. Second album 'The Mustard Seed' came out in December 2021, earned them an Edison (Dutch Grammy) for Best Album and over 10 million streams. But the band truly shines on stage, with energetic, well-arranged shows where emotions run high and dancing is key. After playing festivals all over Europe in the summer and their first European headline tour in the fall Son Mieux is coming for ESNS.
More info? Click here.
NATTE VISSTICK
Oosterpoort Kelder // 23:30 - 00:15
Spearheading the meme-techno and troll ‘n’ bass? Well, Natte Visstick (‘Wet Fish Stick’) is undoubtedly racking up huge amounts of streams by just making what he (?) seriously digs: rude techno & drum ‘n’ bass laced with adolescent jokes. Other, anonymous Dutch producers like Gladde Paling (‘Slippery Eel’) and Vieze Asbak (‘Dirty Ashtray’) join in the fun: ludicrous tracks going viral through TikTok and conquering streaming services and dancefloors alike. Not for techno purists, but very 2022 proof.
More info? Click here.
CAVOLO NERO
Oosterpoort NPO Radio 2 Soul & Jazz Kunstpunt // 23:45 - 00:30
Cavolo Nero is the ingredient for all kinds of Tuscan specialties, but also a six-piece band from the Netherlands. The brand new project was born out of a love for Afrobeat and groove-oriented music. With inspirations such as Nu Genea, Khruangbin and Jungle By Night, they play psychedelic grooves combined with indie and disco elements. Expect a lot of energy and to feel the urge to dance to exotic grooves.
More info? Click here.
COSMIC CROONER
Oosterpoort Bovenzaal // 18:15 - 18:45
Cosmic Crooner is Europe's newest silver-tongued lounge lizard. Through his self-proclaimed ‘Doowop Space Pop’ you’ll discover flavours of 60s and 70s music, but above all: something brand new. Meta lyrics make the artist a spectator of life. His film score influenced music takes you to another world. After releasing six dazzling songs the Crooner is working towards his first full length album. Seeing Cosmic Crooner and his special band perform live is an enriching feelgood event.
More info? Click here.
BRINTEX COLLECTIVE
Oosterpoort NPO Radio 2 Soul & Jazz Kunstpunt // 19:15 - 20:00
Brintex Collective started out as a Rotterdam three-piece, led by keyboardist Brenn Luiten. His project slowly grew into a creative collaboration. Now the band consists of 5 to 6 musicians who add a lot of colour to Brenn's compositions. Inspired by jazz, hip hop, and electronic music, the result is a fresh sound that immediately energizes the audience. Brenn calls it UK influenced jazz music. First single ‘Anthem’ is just out and debut EP coming out in the spring.
More info? Click here.
ZEP
Oosterpoort Heineken Foyer Grote Zaal // 22:15 - 23:00
Young Dutchman Zep is one of the most innovative drummers of our time with millions of views on TikTok and Instagram and a solo show which sees him playing all over Europe. Raised a rock and funk drummer in bands, his solo career actually sees him performing as a one-man band, also playing keys, bass and guitar. Stage animal Zep Barnasconi – in short: ZEP – bounces like a highly energetic fireball across the stage and treats the audience to thick and fat, awfully tight off the grid beats, live sampling and virtuoso gospel chops.
More info? Click here.
ELIJAH WATERS
Oosterpoort Kelder // 17:30 - 18:15
Elijah Waters is a song maker hailing from Rotterdam, who effortlessly delivers emotive and catchy lyricism and melodies. His inspirations include Radiohead, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, while rappers like Future and Young Thug also helped him develop his sound. His 2021 ‘Arranged Escape’ EP is a clear indication of his ability to write infectious hooks with unorthodox melodies. His latest EP resonates perfectly with the current climate.
More info? Click here.
GINGE
Oosterpoort NPO Radio 2 Soul & Jazz Kunstpunt // 20:45 - 21:30
Her voice can be sultry and sharp at the same time, making her sound both sweet and spicy. GINGE is an independent artist from Utrecht, the Netherlands. Inspired by artists like Joy Crookes, IYAMAH, and Snoh Aalegra, she makes songs that are a mixture of RnB, pop, and neo-soul. On her debut EP ‘Belly’, she touches on the subjects like womanhood, love, feeling empty and standing your ground. With her mini-album ‘Bummer’, out since October, she hopes to inspire her fans with positive vibes and musical creativity.
More info? Click here.
COLORAY
Oosterpoort Binnenzaal // 20:45 - 21:30
Coloray is the boundary pushing creative moniker of Dutch electronic artist, Raynor de Groot, formerly one half of dance-project Tunnelvisions and known for his multi-disciplinary approach. In 2019 Raynor went solo as Coloray and immediately saw 'Can't Stop' become a huge dance floor anthem. During the pandemic he launched groundbreaking audiovisual concept ‘Future Static’: an album accompanied by a new live show and virtual world (for which he designed a virtual reality app). Drawing on elements from ambient, EBM, techno, house, and disco, to create the new Coloray sound.
More info? Click here.
THE VICES
PLATOSONIC (Plato & CC) // 14:30 - 14:50
The Vices present a contrasting mix of Britpop and surf rock. Imagine Cage The Elephant and The Strokes having a love-child who possesses a live-energy that recalls the early Chili Peppers. With child-like fun and relentless ambition they can easily play tight and explosive or playful and danceable. This all resulted in their first club tour selling out immediately, and Nothing But Thieves taking The Vices along as support act to the big venues of Europe. After their successful 2021 debut album the Groningen band presents the EP ‘Strange Again’.
More info? Click here.
THE JORDAN
Oosterpoort Kleine zaal // 19:00 - 19:45
The Jordan is a fresh new act serving trippy pop songs that combine lyrical poetry and cinematic arrangements with a raw, feminine edge. Dutch singer and songwriter Caroline Van der Leeuw, former singer of pop group Caro Emerald, is back with a new name, a new sound, a new mission. ‘Nowhere Near The Sky’ (produced by David Kosten - Bat For Lashes, Everything Everything) is The Jordan’s extraordinary, game-changing debut album, showcasing trip-hop and folktronic textures that wrap her powerful voice in magic and mystery.
More info? Click here.