Attention: this is not a concert but an album listening session!

The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground & Nico

‘The Album That Changed Music’ – The Observer

The musical landscape would certainly look different without The Velvet Underground.
Many performers make no secret of the fact that they were strongly influenced by VU, just think David Bowie, Joy Division, Sonic Youth, Pixies, Beck, REM, The Strokes,….

When their, now classic, debut The Velvet Underground & Nico was released in 1967 (in full flower power period) however, nobody had any idea that this band would so strongly influence coming generations. Various record labels refused to release it, kept under wraps by music journalists, banned from the radio, and record stores refused to stock the album due to the far too controversial content. VU's career couldn't have gotten off to a worse start.

There are various reasons why the album is one of the most influential ever and has become a true rock music icon:
-the notorious banana cover by Andy Warhol
-the musical boundaries that were explored.
-the continual seeking of experiment and the search for a unique sound (that violin of John Cale's!)
-the subjects broached: sadomasochism, drug use, prostitution.
-and because it contains classics like I’m Waiting For My Man, Femme Fatale, Venus In Furs, All Tomorrow’s Parties and Heroin.

The public wasn't ready for this in 1967, meanwhile history has proven to the contrary.

On 16 June you can immerse yourself in the unique world of Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, Mo Tucker and Nico for 48 minutes and 51 seconds.

The album will be introduced in Dutch by Kurt Overbergh, Ancienne Belgique's Artistic Director.