ESNS highlights on MOMO20
The renowned showcase festival Eurosonic Noorderslag 2020 is over. We made up the final score out of all the lists, with high rates for acts that will be performing at Motel Mozaique Festival in April 2020 in Rotterdam. Working Men’s Club, Black Country, New Road, Eefje de Visser, Arlo Parks, LANKUM and many more.
Starting with Black Country, New Road. Of the more than three hundred acts in Groningen, this band is number 1 in the top 25 of ESNS, put together by 3voor12. According to The Daily Indie, the British band could be described as “pretentious art students who want to upset their listeners with music as inaccessible as possible,” but that the raw guitars and saxophone will definitely grab you by the throat, is undeniable.
…everything hits and falls beautifully in place”
-3voor12
The rest of the top 25 is also full of MOMO20 acts:
01. Black Country, New Road
03. LANKUM
05. Squid
07. Working Men’s Club
14. YĪN YĪN
15. FULCO
17. Arlo Parks
On number three is traditional Irish folkgroup Lankum from Dublin. This time they filled the Nieuwe Kerk in Groningen with clear harmonies, violin, bagpipe and guitar with bow, with which “Lankum erected a monument of a song that went through marrow, bone, brain and heart,” NRC said.
This is in sharp contrast to the nineteen-year-old British Arlo Parks. Soulpop mixed with hints of hip hop and even a little rap, in which she brings the most sensitive lyrics with a velvety voice. “You could easily print her delicate texts in a booklet,” says 3voor12. Further honourable mentions from Eurosonic go out to Dry Cleaning, Just Mustard en Silverbacks, according to the Daily Indie and Paradiso.
Noorderslag
On Saturday ESNS focusses on Dutch talent during Noorderslag. Highlight of Noorderslag according to NRC? That was Eefje de Visser. In the Great Hall she enchanted the audience with her resourceful, layered art pop. NRC: “”This is the show that we have to see at the festivals in the evening this summer.” That promises a lot of good things for her show at MOMO20.
Eefje de Visser highlight of richly filled Noorderslag.
-NRC
Also in the top 5 of Festileaks is LO-FI LE-VI. Just before Noorderslag the news came out that this youngster will be performing his gritty bedroom pop at South by Southwest (SXSW) in March. “The relaxed, sweet songs are clearly inspired by Mac DeMarco. The perfect day opener for festivals. Easy start, first beer, spot in the sun. That works.” – Festileaks.