Subbacultcha and Ancienne Belgique present a third edition of unique festival ‘The Sound Of The Belgian Underground’. On 28 January 2018, the Belgian cultural platform will gather ten national acts from the alternative circuit together on stage in Brussels at AB.

Since originating in 2011, Subbacultcha has been promoting the most progressive independent music and art of the moment. With the assistance of its membership, monthly magazine & concerts, the organisation found an ideal way to already support exciting national and international acts at an early stage in their development.

Under the flag of ‘The Sound Of The Belgian Underground’, Subbacultcha and AB unite local musical talent that is active in the margin: bands that value artistic freedom and don’t necessarily focus on a broader audience.

Afia
Afia is the brainchild of Thalina Afya Konadu. This songwriter from Antwerp creates subtle bedroom soul that reminds one of British artists Fatima and Tirzah.
https://soundcloud.com/halogenmusicgroup/afia-fuck

 

AIR LQD
Mehdi Kernachi of AIR LQD crafts dark industrial music that he injects with hysterical noise and hard techno. Fast and furious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkInnXlNMjk

 

Crowd Of Chairs
Crowd Of Chairs is a new band from Ghent that contains members of Youff and Deer. The trio creates exuberant post-punk doesn’t give a fuck what you think of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-ys3sRKGd0

 

Le77
If we can believe Zwangere Guy, Le 77 is the next big thing on the Belgian hip-hop scene. Félé Flingue, Peet, Morgan and Rayan ensure chill beats, sultry raps and a catchy live show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cNZ4Ca5o1A

 

Sale Gosse
Sale Gosse is the coolest family business on the Belgian music scene. Mother Agathe, son Nino and daughter Randa win you over with their raw lo-fi rock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FFbtHaqhWM

 

Obsequies
Obsequies is an artist from Brussels who came out of nowhere with a debut on Knives, the prestigious label of Kuedo and Joe Shakespeare. He describes his debut album "Organn" as and ode to love & duality. Here and there, we hear musical similarities to Björk's right-hand man Arca. Just like the Venezualan producer, he has a patent on futuristic and out-of-control electronica.
https://soundcloud.com/kxnxv/asthme

 

Vaal
With a changing cast (involving guitar, bass, synths and minimal percussive), the trio from Ghent that is Vaal opts for emptiness. Together with the Dutch-language lyrics (that range from parlando to screaming), the result is a grimly peculiar vibe that reminds one of cold wave, krautrock and ambient.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW-OsP6vAXA

 

Christine Denamur
Christine Denamur sounds like the perfect cross between Braids and FKA Twigs. Her debut single Emptiness is a gem that places the focus upon her mesmerizing voice.
https://soundcloud.com/christine-denamur

 

Wolvennest
Wolvennest is the new band encompassing Shazzula. With only one album and a number of shows, the psychedelic metal band established an impressive international reputation in no time at all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzGa94YCl68

 

Golin
American-Japanese singer and producer Golin (formerly known as RIN) is the rising star within Brussels’ electronica music scene. Her hi-fi electronica laced with eastern melodies sometimes reminds one of the best of Grimes.
https://soundcloud.com/5_lin

Meet the B®ands
There are discoveries to be made at the B(r)and Market. 20 underground labels, art collectives and independent publishers will be present to praise their music, media and merch. Think: international LGBT magazine Girls Like Us, the graphic designers of Brenda (Beursschouwburg, Stroom) or Brussels party collective Perron Zes that also provides graphics for Zwangere Guy.

Market traders: Perron Zes, Slagwerk, Kerm, In De Ruimte, Liselotte Vandaele, Euro2000, Brenda, Deep In House, Kraak, 33/45 magazine, Live Fast Die Young, Midlife, Granvat, Luik Records, Edições CN, Entr'acte, Girls Like Us, Vlek, Aguirre en Vastechoses

 

The Mackenzie will be spinning tunes in between the live acts at the festival.
Patrick Fasseau, alias The Mackenzie, is one of the pioneers of the Belgian trance scene. In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Fasseau made furor as a DJ and producer. Almost 10 years later, The Mackenzie achieved commercial success with guest singer Jessy (Innocence, Falling In Love, All I Need). Today, trance is totally back. The influence of trance pioneers like The Mackenzie upon contemporary electronica is indelible. Think: the sound of Italian artist Lorenzo Senni or Kanye West's producer Evian Christ. 

Admittance is free of charge for Subbacultcha members.