Madou

Pure Belpop gold

Madou is timeless and quintessentially Brussels cult. Since the early 1980s, the band has been etched in the collective memory of Belgian music history. With their debut single “Witte Nachten” (1981) and the immortal “Niets is voor altijd,” Madou delivered pure Belpop gold. Their self-titled debut album from 1982 confirmed their unique place. “Anyone who is not moved by Vera Coomans' voice is dead inside,” wrote Jan Delvaux. “She is the Marianne Faithfull of Flanders.”

After decades of silence, Madou made a comeback in recent years. This revival came about thanks to the next generation. Thomas Devos, son of Jan and Vera, brought in new material and rearranged the old repertoire, reigniting the fire. Founder Wiet Van De Leest returned, together with his son Louis Van De Leest. The rhythm section was provided by Mattijs Vanderleen (Marble Sounds, Tommigun), while saxophonist Marc De Maeseneer enriched the live line-up.

2027 marks a special chapter in that story. Vera Coomans received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Flanders Folk Awards. At the same time, Wiet Van De Leest is saying goodbye to the band and will play his last concerts in Belgium in January 2027. Later that year, Excelsior Records will release an extensive vinyl box set that definitively anchors Madou's oeuvre.

Madou remains. Even now.

Madou
Vera Coomans (vocals and backing vocals), Wiet Van De Leest (violin, keyboards), Louis Van De Leest (keyboards, Wurlitzer), Thomas Devos (guitar and backing vocals), Marc De Maeseneer (saxophone), Mattijs Vanderleen (drums)

An organization of Ha Concerts and Democrazy
photo © Barbara Peremans