Belgium, are you ready for The Boxer Rebellion? Ready for – as our sister-venue Paradiso in Amsterdam so wonderfully worded it - “The darkness of Interpol with a Bloc Party-like nervousness in the drums, vocals that gravitate toward Thom Yorke (Radiohead) and a substantial reverb in the speakers”? Their name hails from a book containing historical events. Literally: under the letter B they found this reference (to an uprising in China around 1900) that immediately suited them. The Boxer Rebellion has been around since ’01, can acknowledge two albums, but only now really seems to be about to break through. Next year their third album will be released - with Ethan Johns as producer (see: King Of Leon, Ryan Adams, Paolo Nutini,…) - and the band will head out on a world tour. But it is first and foremost their appearance in the major Hollywood picture ‘Going The Distance’ with Drew Barrymore that will make a big impression... as they provided the soundtrack to the film that also went into premier in Belgium this week. Studio Brussel invited them to visit earlier this year and already predicted a 'Big Breakthrough' at the time. Still to be discovered in the ABClub now, no doubt next year they'll be on the main stages.

Support act will be Luik's Bacon Caravan Creek. They released their second album just prior to the summer – brace yourself - 'WolfWolfWolfSheepWolf'. The forerunner and single 'I Wonder' certainly stood out as a sturdy, melodious song. The band appeared earlier this year at showcase festival Eurosonic (Nl.) and also at Dour and Les Ardentes.