MEI = piano month with π of Piano ✨ masters in intimate circle
*MEI = piano month with π of Piano ✨ masters in intimate circle
*MEI = piano month with π of Piano ✨ masters in intimate circle
*MEI = piano month with π of Piano ✨ masters in intimate circle
*MEI = piano month with π of Piano ✨ masters in intimate circle
*MEI = piano month with π of Piano ✨ masters in intimate circle
*MEI = piano month with π of Piano ✨ masters in intimate circle
*MEI = piano month with π of Piano ✨ masters in intimate circle
*MEI = piano month with π of Piano ✨ masters in intimate circle
*MEI = piano month with π of Piano ✨ masters in intimate circle
*
This is a concert within the celebratory series of 20 years of Ha Concerts. Throughout the season, we bring together different artists and genres in new creations and look back nostalgically as well as far ahead.
A melting pot of songwriters
Within the high regions of pop, rock, folk and indie, songwriters often sit alone at the writing table. Bright Lights Sessions brings them together in a vessel full of cross-pollination and musical magic. After a day of inspiring jams, the stage of fun follows in the evening.
In this ecstatic free haven, different musicians bring their songs every edition. Together with the backing band, new, sultry versions of their songs quickly grow. For our 20th anniversary, this edition we present no less than 20 musicians on stage!
Line-up
An Pierlé
Frank Vander Linden (De Mens)
Nathalie Delcroix & Bjorn Eriksson
Laura Cortese (Laura Cortese and the Dance Cards)
Simon Raman (RAMAN)
Muriel Boulanger (MURI)
Caitlin Talbut (BLOND)
Kapinga Gysel and the youth choir Mais Quelle Chanson
Kunde
Brenda Corijn (Ão)
Chantal Acda
Rosa Butsi
Michiel Libberecht (Mooneye)
Sumnima Setling (Amazumi)
Backing band Jan Dhaene (drums), Trui Amerlinck (bass), Alban Sarens (synth & sax), Cleo Janse (keys)
On stage
Frank Vander Linden has been a fixture on the Belgian music scene for over thirty years. As frontman of De Mens, he dug instant classics like 'Irene' and 'Ergens onderweg' into everyone's memory. In recent years, he touched many strings with introspective solo albums like 'Nachtwerk'.
Nathalie Delcroix traveled around the world with Laïs, the group that single-handedly breathed new life into Flemish folk with hits like 't Smidje'. Together with her musical and life partner Bjorn Eriksson (known a.o. as guitarist with Zita Swoon and bandleader of The Broken Circle Bluegrass Band), she created, as Eriksson Delcroix, a couple of beautiful, dark country folk records. This year, within a new band formation, she reinvented Laïs with the album "De Langste Nacht.
An Pierlé broke through in the late 1990s with her iconic album "Mud Stories. From girl on the bouncy ball at the piano, she has since evolved into one of Belgium's most versatile musicians. Her impressive track record now ranges from pop star to her jazz-soaked An Pierlé Quartet, from the radio hit 'Magic potion' with Guido Belcanto to the internationally acclaimed musical theater performance 'Sylvia' and film soundtracks.
Chantal Acda is known far and wide as the queen of hushed melancholy. For her enchanting, intimate music, she has collaborated in the past with such impressive names as Nils Frahm, Bill Frisell and the late Mimi Parker of Low. The beautiful female voice that whispers in your ear at Isbells is also hers.
Caitlin Talbut is a musician in two all female bands to definitely keep an eye on in 2023. She is one of the frontwomen behind BLOND, a trio that writes Dutch-language songs that float on delicious synths and raunchy lyrics. She is also the bass player for BLUAI, the band that won Humo's Rock Rally, the Nieuwe Lichting and Soundtrack this year and is now in the highest regions of the Afrekening.
Rosa Butsi (the alter ego of Roos Denayer) was admired as the winner of Soundtrack 2020 with her inventive songs and heavenly voice. Her music is jazzy yet catchy, soft but with enough barbs. After her wonderful EP "Circle One," she is now working on her first full album and touring extensively with Douglas Firs.
Kapinga Gysel toured the world as a backing vocalist with Zita Swoon. But also on the home front, she wanted to give as many people as possible a taste of the power and energy of singing together. That's why she founded Mais Quelle Chanson, a singing operation for children, young people and adults alike. During Bright Lights, a number of young singers from Kapinga's operation will show the best of themselves.
Simon Raman, as RAMAN. writes layered, dark songs infused with a haunting voice and a hearty hint of blues and roots influences. He has been a supporting act for the likes of Trixie Whitley and Admiral Freebee, and is currently working on his debut album. With top musicians like Alan Gevaert (dEUS) and Teun Verbruggen (Jef Neve, Flat Earth Society) in his band, we are eagerly awaiting it.
As MURI, Muriel Boulanger brings surreal pop in Dutch. Quirky, full of unexpected twists and turns and yet also fragile because of the lyrics. The human condition translated into catchy songs.
Ghent multi-instrumentalist, rapper and producer Joram Kunde Boumkwo brings a delicious mix of hip-hop, jazz, funk and afrobeat under the name KUNDE. His music has already scored over two million views on YouTube. He is also a musician with bands such as Ndugu and Who Dat!
Brenda Corijn, frontwoman of Ão, enchants with her honeyed voice and delicious blend of Afro-Portuguese and South American sounds with subtle, poppy electronics and beats. With this warm, eclectic mix, she was one of the winners of Sound Track 2022.
Laura Cortese is an American singer-songwriter and violinist. Known for her percussive playing style, powerful voice and fresh take on folk music, she has been touring worldwide solo or with her band Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards for many years. She also co-founded the Bright Lights Sessions with Cleo Janse.
Michiel Libberecht is the man behind the band Mooneye. A songwriter pur sang who has been shining in the firmament of Belgian indie rock since his victory tour in the 2019 New Lights. Moreover, one of his catchiest songs "Bright Lights" was created during a moment of instant inspiration during a previous Bright Lights Session!
Sumnima Setling aka Amazumi makes innovative hip-hop with a true punk attitude. She has Nepalese roots, lived in Hong Kong and London, and combined all these influences in Ghent with an inimitable musical energy into songs that are enjoyed from StuBru to MNM.
