BELGIUM PRESENT-DAY MUSIC

What´s Belgian modern music? At the beginning I want to mention that modern music in Belgium is very fragmented as a matter of fact as in every european country and also as everything in Belgium… But, can we say there is something typical, pure Belgian or pure Flemish or Wallonian? We can start with one example…

AXELLE RED Flame-headed Axelle grew up in Flemish part of Belgium, in Limburg. However most of her lyrics are in French, she can also fills regularly stadiums in France and has sold more than 3 million copies of her albums.

What kind of music can you find in Belgium? As in other countries, young Belgians listen to very various kinds of music. You can find here a lot of pop and rock singers and groups, also metal, techno, disco, jazz, new age, world & alternative, electronic, classical, etc. I want to present you some of the most popular and magnificent groups and singers of Belgium…

CLOUSEAU This is one of the most popular singers in Belgium. Why is he so popular? People just like this variation of pop-rock and it is also very important, he is singing in Dutch.

K´s CHOICE One of the most famous groups from Belgium in Europe. But nobody knows they are Belgians. Maybe you have heard they single „Not an Addict“ around 5 years ago.

K´s CHOICE – Not an Addict Breath it in and breath it out And pass it on it´s almost out We´re so creative and so much more We´re high above, but on the floor It´s not a habit, it´s cool I feel alive If you don´t have it your on The other side..

SOULWAX I want to mention this group in this presentation, because they are from Gent! x/NL/index.html

SOULWAX And what is their music style? They say themselves that it´s a mix of rock and electronica, but you can compere them to UK´s Oasis or Radiohead. By the way they like to play very loud when they appeared at many of Europe´s lagrest music festivals…

SOULWAX – 2 many DJ´s Everybody wants to be the DJ Everybody thinks it's oh so easy You think you belong and you come on strong, But I can still tell the right from the wrong. I could never be that kind of girl Nobody takes the time to turn You always act as if it's understood, But sweet revenge is finger-lickin' good

HOOVERPHONIC Some people called music of this St.Nicklaas´ group „bastard pop“, but basically it´s alternative rock-pop.

HOOVERPHONIC They have been described as a „perfect“ live act by US rawk bible Rolling Stone. A small part of lyric is in the following page.

HOOVERPHONIC …And I like it You make my world seem right You make my darkness bright You´ve got this strange effect on me And I like it And I like the way you kiss me Don´t know if I should But this feeling it´s love and I know it That´s why I feel good…

LASGO Lasgo are much more than faceless producers with a pretty vocalist. A trio of equal merits, they each bring a hefty contribution to the band. That´s why this group is very popular in Belgium.

Peter the oldest of the three (in the left), is the studio wizard, crafting the beats and sounds that are at the core of the Lasgo experience. Dave McCullen contributes the lyrics and melodies in addition to working on the music with Peter. And then there is Evi Goffin, the centerpiece, the focal point, the iconic star. Peter, Evi and Dave LASGO

OZARK HENRY The project of Belgian composer Piet Goddaer whose music contains traces of rap, acid jazz, jungle, triphop, and techno. A lot of young Belgians find his album Birthmarks very interesting.

El TACO El Taco is a band with a lot of influences. 'Ska, funk and blues is a „poppy sauce“, that's how some people like to call their music. Sonny and Heidi Stalmans

ANCIENT RITES If you prefer black metal, this group is your best choise. But only if you really love this kind of music

Other groups,singers and projects Just to complete this presentation, I want to mention other groups/singers: dEUS, Lais, Mauro, Starflam, Spencer the Rover, Milc inc INC, Sylver, K3, Sarah, De Mens, Helmut Lotti, Brahim, Xink, In Motion, Flowers for Breakfast, Lovedrunken, Bjorn, Mr. Shark & The Silverfish, If you want to find more informations about these artist, this website will be very useful: Entertainment/Music/Artists

In the end… I want to thank you for your attention and hope so that you enjoyed our presentation of Belgian music. If you want to listen to Belgian music, I´m sure you can ask some local students…