Belgium Booms x ESNS Digital 2021

It is Eurosonic Noorderslag time of a year again! This time, from January 13 to 16, music industry professionals are gathered completely virtually. Unfortunately this time Belgium Booms can't celebrate their roster with you at the distinguished Belgium Booms reception over beverages and fingerfood. While the Belgian colleagues are looking forward to invite you again for physical gathering next year to THE networking event of Eurosonic, you're warmly welcomed to get to know their acts of 2021 below, and of course by watching their virtual showcases during ESNS days (available for free on ESNS platform).

We are happy to tell you more about the acts if you have questions, and connect you to the respective management. For our media colleagues, all acts are available for interviews, and majority are open to live sessions on your online platforms. Reach out to Ida Sällinen saellinen@factory92.eu.

Belgium Booms is a collaboration between Wallonie-Bruxelles Musiques (WBM) and VI.BE, supported by Sabam for Culture. Belgium Booms aims to support and promote Belgian artists abroad, and help them and their entourage develop a sustainable international career.

VIRTUAL SHOWCASE SCHEDULE

WATCH FOR FREE ON ESNS PLATFORM

Wednesday 13

21:10 - 21:25 DAVID NUMWAMI, ESNS 01
22:20 - 22:30 CHIBI ICHIGO, ESNS 04

Thursday 14
20:00 - 20:15 MESKEREM MEES, ESNS 01
21:00 - 21:15 NOÉMIE WOLFS, ESNS 01
21:35 - 21:50 SLOW CRUSH, ESNS 02
22:25 - 22:40 HIGH HI, ESNS 03

Friday 15
20:45 - 20:50 LOUS AND THE YAKUZA, ESNS 01
21:30 - 21:45 YELLOWSTRAPS, ESNS 03
22:25 - 22:40 UNDER THE REEFS ORCHESTRA, ESNS 04

TIP: Stay updated at the Belgium Booms x ESNS Digital 2021 Facebook event!

Facebook event

BELGIAN ACTS

Chibi Ichigo | Hip-hop
Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
Wed Jan 13, 22:20 - 22:30 @ ESNS 04

Chibi Ichigo aka Sabina Nurijeva, 22 years old and already an up-coming talent in the Belgian hip-hop scene. She fluently mixes Russian and Dutch/English lyrics with laidback beats. Born in Russia, raised in Belgium.

Looking for: Live opportunities (EU)

David Numwami | Pop
Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
Wed Jan 13, 21:10 - 21:25 @ ESNS 01

David Numwami is a young multi-talented singer-songwriter and producer. David established his sense for finesse and restraint with the subtlety of an acrobat on the tightrope of modernity. In recent years, he has been a touring musician to Charlotte Gainsbourg and Sebastien Tellier, written for Nicolas Godin (AIR) amongst many others. Skilfully slaloming between Pop Music and experimentation, David is stepping into the destiny of his God given name Numwami which means "This is the King David".

Looking for: Publishing, brand collaborations, booking agents (EU, not BE), live opportunities (EU), label/licence opportunities

Thu Jan 14, 22:25 - 22:40 @ ESNS 03

With dark energetic sounds that could very well be the product of a honeymoon night of 80’s indie pop and 90’s shoegaze rock, this power trio from Antwerp has been getting a lot of attention recently. And not just in Belgium. Listen to High Hi’s 2020 breakthrough album Firepool, captured by Daan Schepers (Warhola, Bazart, Eefje de Visser), and imagine rain in the desert filmed in black and white.

Looking for: Booking agency (outside BeNeLux)

Lous and The Yakuza | Pop / Hip-hop
Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
Fri 15 Jan, 20:45 - 20:50 @ ESNS DIGITAL

Lous is woman, an artist, a fighter with an intense universe: raw emotions in a beautiful soul, strong yet sensitive, both in her words and voice. She spent her childhood between Belgium, Congo and Rwanda, while she endured distressing experiences that helped her build strength and outstanding determination in her wounded body and heart. At 24 years old, her song is unapologetic. Nuanced. Moving. She’s already Madonna’s daughters favorite singer, and she has every intention of fulfilling her lifelong dream: to become a legend.

Looking for: Live opportunities (EU, WW)

She has the soul of Nina Simone, the panache of Joni Mitchell, the freshness of Jade Bird and a voice as clear as spring water. East-Flemish singer-songwriter Meskerem Mees, a grand lady of just 20 with Ethiopian roots, grabs you by the scruff of the neck and doesn’t let go.

Looking for: Booking agency (DE, UK), live opportunities (WW)

Under The Reefs Orchestra is an instrumental power trio that blurs the lines between jazz and alternative rock. Inspired as much by French chamber music of the 19th century as by Jim O’Rourke or Moondog, Under The Reefs Orchestra’s hypnotic music unleashes a cosmic energy and leads the listener to a trance among underwater volcanos.

Looking for: Booking agencies (EU), live opportunities (EU), publishing collaborations (WW)

March 26, 2015: Noémie Wolfs announces she’s leaving Hooverphonic, the band which she fronted as lead singer for 5 years. It wouldn’t take long before Universal offers her a record deal. On February 2020, Noémie releases her long awaited album Lonely Boy’s Paradise. The album’ s title perfectly reflects the atmosphere: the catchy Love Song or the lazy-vibed Notorious are all songs about lonely souls and unrequited love. Yello Staelens did the production, mixing was done by Neil Comber.

Looking for: Label collaborations (NL, DE, IT, FR, Intl), live opportunities (EU), booking agency (NL, DE, IT, FR, Intl)

A compelling abrasive shoegaze band, dealing with the aesthetics of contrasting sounds. Heavy like a gloomy dream yet soothingly vibrant. The vulnerable soft floating voice of Manchester's Isa Holliday underneath layers of grungy shoegaze soaked noisepop, seeking shelter from a fucked up world.Slow Crush toured all over Europe and the USA after releasing their successful 2018 debut full length 'Aurora'. Selling out multiple pressings and shows in both continents.

Looking for: Any opportunities (DE)

YellowStraps | Neo soul / Hip-hop
Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
Fri Jan 15, 21:30 - 21:45 @ ESNS DIGITAL

Created by two Belgian self-taught brothers drawing influences from their travels early on. Born in Rwanda, raised in Uganda, and living in Brussels ever since. They have conjured a very particular sound mixing many styles like Jazz, Soul, Hip-hop & Electronic music. In 2020, the brothers set up their own label “Haliblue Records” and released “GOLDRESS” EP via Believe UK, gaining support from global radios like BBC 1xtra, 6 music and Beats 1. Top Youtube channels (COLORS and Majestic Casual...), and international press (Complex, Vice, Earmilk, Les Inrocks...) have already picked up on the duo's releases.

Looking for: Labels (EU), festivals (EU)

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Twitter | Youtube | Spotify

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Twitter | Youtube

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Twitter | Youtube