And it’s gone. Five days of utter music madness in the north of The Netherlands. Every year Groningen is the place to be for music junkies, journalists and everybody who has anything to do in the music industry. This means Rockstone could not lag behind and therefore we took the train up north. Three solid hours that are totally worth it, because Eurosonic Noorderslag is a one of a kind showcase festival not to be missed. We got back wiser, inspired and with a long list of artists we desperately like to give an acoustic platform. Sharing is caring, so here’s our list of top-acts worth checking out!
1. SOAK
This 18-year old lady from Ireland, also known as Bridie Monds-Watson, knows how to hit the right spot. Even though she’s young, she delivers a message through her music not all artists are able to do. She sings about her struggles as a teenager (also being a lesbian) without addressing average teenage ‘troubles’, but truly deeper emotions that may come off as heavy. In a beautiful way that is. She’s a bit uncomfortable being on stage, but still manages to make you understand her struggle which she conveys through her songs ‘Blud’ and ‘B a noBody’.
Listen to ‘B a noBody’ on Soundcloud.
SOAK
2. Aquilo
Vivacious melodies that go straight to the heart. From the first note to the last, the audience is captured by the hypnotising sound this British duo produces. It’s like the world around you disappears and the only thing you’re able to do is stop life and stare.
Listen ‘You There’ on Soundcloud.
3. Jack Garrath
His songs ‘The Love You’re Given’ and ‘Worry’ are two with surprisingly different tones of voice. Both are a representative for what this 22-year old British singer is capable of. This multi-instrumentalist knows how to work electronic sounds, using samples, as well as a decent guitarplay. All combined with his – often high pitched, but flawless – amazing voice and there you have it: another artists who you can add to your favorites. No wonder several festivals already have him scheduled this summer.
Listen to ‘The Love You’re Given’ on Soundcloud.
4. Kovacs
Deep voiced like Anouk (a Dutch female singer), and that touch andmagic of Portishead, Kovacs knows how to keep you engaged. Think dark, sinister, powerful, almost like the leading lady has lived a life full of experiences. Truth is; she’s 24. When on stage the band captures the audience with their intense waves of balanced out harmonies that reach the listeners one by one. They’re already getting big around Europe, but we’re bound to hear even more from Kovacs.
Listen to ‘My Love’ on Soundcloud.
Kovacs
5. Years & Years
Put on your dancing shoes and set your mind to the nineties. This musical trio from England is carrying the burden of delivering a hell of a good job, since BBC exclaimed them to be the sound of 2015. They’re a bit nervous and the performance isn’t flawless, but who can resist the catchy beats and easy to sing along-songs which make you nostalgic of that time when you sang along to Aaliyah and Sisqo? Reminiscence back to the 90’s inevitable when listening to Years & Years! For those who really want to take a leap back in time, make sure to check out their playlist called ‘PARDY’ on their Spotify channel. It’s epic.
Listen to ‘King’ on Soundcloud.
6. Kuenta i Tambu
Did somebody scream out ‘party’? It must’ve been Kuenta i Tambu, because no act like this one knows how to get absolutely crazy on stage. Pumpin’ beats matching Caribbean sounds, going lo-co. Even though they’re not entirely new in the scene, but if you haven’t already heard of them please save it for your next family b-day bash. Spice things up as it were.
Listen to ‘Jackhammer’ on Soundcloud.
Ella Eyre
7. Ella Eyre
Already a big one, best known for ‘If I Go’, the intruiging ‘We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off’ and her collaboration with Rudimental on ‘Waiting All Night’. Pop music all the way, but a bit rough around the edges. She’s mainly in this list because of an energetic performance, amazing voice and catchy tunes. Think again if you think Beyoncé is one of the only feminists in the popular music industry. The careful listener recognizes a perfect partner in crime in Ella Eyre. There’s just one thing: does anybody know how to properly pronounce this name?
Listen to ‘Come Back’ on Soundcloud.
8. Shura
What are the perfect ingredients for so called ‘bedroom r&b’? Well, if there’s a recipe, it will probably contain: cheesy tunes, pop-electronic sound, high pitched voices singing about love and a some slow beats. We can declare Shura masterchef when it comes to this. Even though you might find it to be a bit tacky at times, there’s no denying in that this young Russian (but London based) lady loosens your hips and makes your head nod slowly. You see it happen in the crowd at ESNS and it will happen at home.
Listen to ‘Just Once’ on Soundcloud.
James Bay
9. James Bay
He looks a bit like the rockstar version of John Mayer and sounds a bit like him as well. Still, there’s just this ‘something’. Girls/women in the audience are totally loving this selfsecure act of the popstar with the sleazy style and the guitar. They’re probably thinking about ‘the one who got away that summer’ or ‘that guy that will totally write a song about you’, when in truth; he’ll do it for you, and you, and you, and well you (for the record, you have to point to random women when reading this). Whatever works right? The songs are catchy, easy to sing along and okay, better than John.
Listen to ‘Hold Back the River’ on Soundcloud.
10. Jake Isaac
A soulful singer-songwriter that captures the audience from the moment he starts with an intense solo on the piano. Crowds are normally noisy, but within seconds not a soul thinks about talking, not even whispering. There’s a line outside. The buzz is already spreading fast and it’s no wonder, since his folk-pop sound is accessible and suits a large audience. Nice one if you feel like a roadtrip.
Listen to ‘Long Road’ on Soundcloud.
Photography: Linda Hastrich