Kraakpand met o.a. Yuko

Put a handful of musicians together in the same room and let them take turns playing and telling something about themselves. That's the formula of Kraakpand (which translates as “squat”). In the course of one evening, you’ll travel with four different bands from one genre to another, from one mood to another. All this in an intimate club setting in which you can almost touch the musicians. Breaking down all barriers between genres, this really is something for the daring.

Read more on the Facebook page of Kraakpand.

YUKO

From their home base in Ghent, Yuko has carved out its own unique spot on the Belgian music scene. Last spring, the band released its third album, Long sleeves cause accidents. On the album, frontman Kristof Deneijs upholds his firm reputation with music that is difficult to categorize. On stage Deneijs is joined by female drummer Karen Willems and two new faces: Jasper Maekelberg (Mintzkov) on guitar and Thomas Mortier (Ministers van de Noordzee) on bass.

Blessed with a voice that holds the middle between Jonsi (Sigur Ros) and Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Deneijs switches effortlessly between fragile interludes and strong climaxes. Highly anticipated!

LYDMOR

Danish singer Lydmor (aka Jenny Rossander) became famous in Belgium with her appearance on the new Arsenal record. Playing a series of shows as a supporting act, she won over music-loving Flanders with her podium presence and enchanting vocals. The magazine Humo quite rightly drew parallels with some of the other Scandinavian greats, including Karin Dreijer Andersson.

Lydmor’s debut album, A pile of empty tapes, was an instant hit in Denmark. Balancing between contemplative songs at the piano and more up-tempo electro pop, this might just be the discovery of the year.

SKORDATURA PUNKJAZZ ENSEMBLE

“A Belgian punk jazz ensemble? They have to be from Ghent. The city has always been a bastion of anything rebellious. On their debut album, How to chase a minute in one second, The Skordatura Punkjazz Ensemble add another chapter to this tradition.” (dixit the online music magazine DaMusic)

Skordatura Punkjazz Ensemble: quite a mouthful for a quartet of excellent musicians, who love to challenge each other with their exciting music. Fast tempo changes and dashing melodies create a blend of math rock and punk jazz: electronic, raw, and unshaven. Despite having already come a pretty long way, these four lads just keep on looking for more!

GUY VAN NUETEN

Every Kraakpand show features a concert with a wink to Johann Sebastian Bach. And this time, Guy Van Nueten does the honours. A master of the counterpoint, this pianist loves to look at Bach — the ultimate baroque grandmaster of counterpoints — for inspiration. Having earned his stripes with several pop and rock bands — including dEUS, Zita Swoon, Pink Flowers and Daan — Van Nueten released his first solo album, Merg, in 2009. Journalist Dirk Steenhaut referred to his wondrous music as a ‘Steinway to heaven’. Four years later, Van Nueten is back on stage, performing Pacman.

“Guy belongs to that rare breed of musicians who successfully stay true to their nature, regardless of trends and time.” (Mauro Pawlowski)