Saturday, October 10, 2020

Swinging Saturdays #74: Belgium Friends


Swinging saturdays is a musical meme hosted by Ice Cold Passion, to share our passion for music. The goal is to make a top 5 (or Top 10) for whatever genre or artist you like or get creative and share a theme based music top 5. For example a bookish soundtrack, funny songs, song to listen to on a rainy day top 5.

 

België! as the Dutch band Het Goede Doel once sang, yeah you are not gonna get that joke unless you are Dutch.  It is were we are going for in this top 10. Our southern neighbors (yes I am a Dutchie) make some good music and Rock Werchter always have the greatest lineup you can find. This year however it was cancelled like all other festivals in Europe. To be honest I ended up not using any recent Belgium bands but went deep into my music archive. As it turns out, I don't know a whole lot of Belgium artists. Which is kind of surprising as they are our neighbors. 

Triggerfinger ~ The Game

To be honest, I am not the biggest fan of Triggerfinger,  I have seen them live at Lowlands, it was ok but it just doen't do it for me. I do love this  Lykke Li cover they did of I Follow Rivers, but the rest for me is just a little mwaaah. There is a large fan base here in the Netherlands, just not my cup of tea.

Selah Sue ~ This World

From the bombastic noisy guitars from Triggerfinger lets continue with the soulful Selah Sue. Listen to this twice, this is really something, incredibly well performed.

Balthazar ~ Then What

Balthazar has been around since 2004 (according to wiki), I have seen them on many a line ups of various Dutch and Belgium festivals, but never really gotten into their music.

K's Choice ~ Not An Addict

Brings back some high school memories, never knew they were from Belgium though, always thought that they were American for some reason.

Kate Ryan ~ Désenchanteé

In Belgium part of the citizens speaks French, so not adding at least one French song was not an option. I remember when this came out, at the time I thought it was quiet unique a French song in our Dutch charts. Good times, hope you enjoy this one.

Novastar ~ Home Is Not Home

One of those singer-songwriters, that made it once in the Netherlands with the song "Because", after that never really reach the same success as that particular song. Novastar is still making music, but never made it across the border again.

Bazart ~ Goud

Right, now for the other half of the Belgium population, they speak Flemish, which does sound a lot like Dutch, but is a whole different language all together. it is not that we cannot understand each other but, they have their own sayings and such, which do not exist in the Dutch language.  Bazart bring us great music in Flemish. The title of this song is Gold. I finally got to see them live last year, and they are awesome! If you ever get the chance please check them out!

Milow ~ You Don't Know

Every year that we are not playing at the European Championship or World Championship, we the Dutch have been supporting our southern neighbors. Soccer is the sport I am talking about. Milow is a well known guest at the after the match show on the Dutch television. He composes songs about the match which he performs after the match, this is why Milow is here. Interesting guy, great music and skills.

Stromae ~ Formidable

He took the whole world on a French ride. Made it all the way to the USA, after having conquered the whole of Europe. No he is not from France, he is Belgium, even speaks Dutch. Formidable is what his performances look like.


The Sore Losers ~ Dark Ride

This is right up my ally, once seen in the after show from Jack White, The Sore Loser are a great end of this top 10. I have seen them live three times now, they get better every time, if are ever getting back to normal with concerts were you don't have to be seated and not sing, then go check them out! 

Buy the albums here:

Did I miss any good Belgium artists?
Feel free to leave a comment! 
Want to host Swing Saturdays next week? 
Send me an email: icecoldpassions@gmail.com. 
I would love to hear what kind of music you like!

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