Fresh from this year's Eurosonic festival – the annual shop window for the best new European musical talent – JIM CARROLLpicks a dozen of 2013's hottest, loudest prospects
THERE’S A reason why Eurosonic has made Groningen its home. In truth, there are many reasons why this excellent festival brings thousands to the north of the Netherlands every January to catch the best of new European bands.
But the main reason for this annual migration of bands, entourages, managers, booking agents, festival promoters, journalists, radio DJs and other music industry ner’er-do-wells to a city far from the Netherlands’ cultural centre has to do with Groningen’s live music infrastructure.
Within a few city blocks, you have more than two dozen premier league venues, from the mighty Vera club and the elegant Stadsschouwburg music hall to sweaty venues such as Huize Maas and De Spieghel. It’s hard to think of any other European city which has so many top-class venues located within easy walk or cycle of the city-centre.
You can thank the Groningen city fathers for this bounty. Back in the 1950s, according to Eurosonic creative director Peter Smidt, local laws were passed which allowed Groningen’s bars to sell alcohol until the wee small hours as long as there was live music in the venue. A rash of clubs opened up to take advantage of this ordnance, musicians moved to the university town to take advantage of an abundance of paying gigs and many new bands were formed.
When it came time for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to pick a permanent home for Eurorock, their annual travelling showcase festival, they chose Groningen in 1999 and Eurosonic was born. Since then, the festival has grown in profile, prominence and size.
These days, there is also a significant industry convention, the European Border Breakers Awards ceremony, where 10 European acts are highlighted for successful debut albums and tours outside their home territory, and the European Festival Awards, which hands out gongs to the festival sector.
However, the main action happens on 36 stages around town with more than 35,000 punters wandering around checking out the 304 acts playing. Most of the acts, though, have a very distinct audience in mind: the people they’re here to impress are the festival bookers. Play a storming show at Eurosonic and you could find yourself with a healthy dance card for the summer festival circuit. This year, there are representatives from 417 international festivals in town looking for talent – so you can understand why Eurosonic is an essential date for many acts and agents.
There were good early indications of a busy summer ahead for the Irish acts who played in Groningen. Little Green Cars (who were one of this year’s 2FM nominees at the event, along with Kodaline), MMOTHS, Adrian Crowley and Girls Names were mentioned in the despatches by festival bookers.
But the Irish act who topped many of those post-festival lists were Villagers. Back in 2010, Conor O’Brien’s first Eurosonic show as Villagers was a solo gig in a small room to about 20 people.
Fast-forward three years and two albums (not to mention hundreds of live shows, including a gig-of-the-year performance at Groningen’s Vera in 2010), the band are top of the bill at the Stadsschouwburg in front of a full house. They play out of their skins, a spine-tingling performance which places new favourites from the just released Awayland album alongside the Becoming A Jackal canon. A real coming-of-age experience.
PASCAL PINON
Named after the “Two Headed Mexican” circus performer Pasqual Pinon, Icelandic twin sisters Jófridur and Ásthildur Ákadottir make gorgeous, tender, sweet indie-folk with fascinating textures and kinks in the sound. The duo have been making music together since their pre-teens – their first album was released when they were just 14 – and there’s a brilliant warm, organic blur to the songs. New album Twosomeness for Morr Music was produced by Sigur Rós and Jónsi collaborator Alex Somers.
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ALUNAGEORGE
Chalk it down to all the glowing ones-to-watch write-ups of late or a good showing in that BBC Sound Of 2013 poll, but there’s a growing confidence to what Aluna Francis, George Reid and their band are all about. Of course, their soulful bass-pop and r’n’b is also developing muscles because of sublime live workouts like this one at Simplon. Just A Touch, You Know You Like It and especially the gorgeous Your Drums, Your Love are the tracks to be reckoned with on their forthcoming debut album.
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MØ
There are times while you’re watching Danish singer Karen Marie Ørsted that you’re reminded of seeing one of Lykke Li’s first-ever live shows at Eurosonic back in 2008. There’s a similar ability to conjure up off-kilter, infectious pop tunes with electro angles here and there. But Ørsted and her band play with a much broader deck of cards and you can hear a sweep of Grimes here and Karen O there on tracks such as Pilgrim.
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ACID SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
This is for anyone who believes that electronic music’s move from the club to the concert hall is only a matter of time. Ten suited and booted producers sit on the stage and play 303 synths, while a dapper Jori Hulkkonen, armed with a drum machine, conducts and improvises the various sounds at a mixing desk to produce tough, thrilling grooves full of masterful beeps and bleeps. Coming soon to a festival near you.
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SEA+AIR
Husband-and-wife duo Daniel Benjamin and Eleni Zafiriadou have had many musical adventures over the past 12 years and their Sea + Air outings are quite special. The German and Greek pair make minimal, orchestral songs and lullabies full of spark and intrigue as they move seamlessly from one instrument to another, often during the same song. An intriguing performance in a room surrounded by Nordic art in the city’s museum.
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CHVRCHES
While there are quite a few acts in Groningen who come with a bucketload of hype powering the bandwagon (hello Palma Violets), there are also acts with substance to go with the style. Glasgow trio Chvrches have form thanks to spells in bands such as Aerogramme and The Twilight Sad, but Iain Cook, Laura Mayberry and Martin Doherty also have plenty of songs to write home about. The euphoric electro-rock punch and thump of The Mother We Share is their trump card right now, yet there are plenty more you’ll be shouting about in the months ahead.
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YOUNG DREAMS
From Bergen in Norway, Young Dreams draw you into their dreamy world with mesmerising harmonies, sweeping melodies and really sweet, spot-on songs. They've toured with Tame Impala so you get a drift of the Aussie band's kaleidoscopic sound in mix alongside hints of Beach Boys' twirls, Fleet Foxes' turns, Vampire Weekend effects and Studio's irresistible groove. Fog Of War is their big tune. youngdreams.no
MIKHAEL PASKALEV
Paskalev is someone who has shown that he has the ability to throw off catchy pop tunes around without too much sweat appearing on his brow. Over the past year, the rising Norwegian singer-songwriter has found his groove with tracks such as I Spy and Jive Baby perfectly catching his rock, pop and folk pitch. Live, Paskalev and his band embellish those songs with some great, noteworthy, energetic blasts of sound. twitter.com/MikhaelPaskalev
LAURA MVULA
There would seem to be a glut in the market for UK soul-girls with powerful voices, yet it's clear after her show at the Forum Images cinema that this Birmingham singer has some fascinating USPs. The songs are strong, clear and distinctive, while Mvula and her fine band (including her sister and brother on violin and cello) have the musicianship and empathy to make the music stand out from the pack. Jump Right Out and She are the tracks to keep an ear out for. lauramvula.com
EWERT THE TWO DRAGONS
The Estonian band were one of the big hits at Eurosonic 2012 and garnered dozens of festival shows on the back of their last trip to Groningen. In the wake of success for acts such as Of Monsters Men, it may well be another good year for the Estonians. Certainly, they have the tunes they need for a breakout – (In the End) There's Only Love is their Little Talks. ewertandthetwodragons.com
THE EXCITEMENTS
Action-packed soul, funk and r'n'b from the Barcelona band taking off from where Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings left off. As you'd imagine from a band aiming to hit all the old-school hot spots, the playing is second-to-none, while frontwoman Koko-Jean Davis steals the show time and time again. Soul power! twitter.com/the_excitements
PHANTOM
When Finnish duo Tommi Koskinen and Hanna Toivonen initially met up, they were talking about working on tech start-ups together, but music soon took over. It’s easy to see why The xx are fans of their glacial, slo-mo, soulful, introspective indietronica. We also liked the onstage gadget Koskinen used, which was activated by motion sensors.
