In collaboration with the USINA Festival, Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg will invite a delegation of European music industry professionals on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 01 to (re)discover and connect with Luxembourgish artists and professionals from the Rock/Pop/Electro/R’n’B/Hip-Hop genres. In addition to the USINA Festival at Neischmelz, further programme activities will take place at the 1535 Creative Hub in Differdange and CCRD opderschmelz in Dudelange. 

During the two Focus days, the guests will have the opportunity to experience showcase performances, meet the players of the local music landscape and thus get to know the creative potential of the Grand Duchy in the field of music. The programme will also include a pitching and a speedmeeting where local musicians and professionals will have the opportunity to present themselves and their projects directly to the international delegates.  

Short program overview (more details to come):
Friday, May 31 – Welcome Reception & Showcase @ 1535 Creative Hub
Saturday, June 1 – Pitching & Speed Networking Session @ CCRD opderschmelz | USINA Festival with CHAiLD, C’est Karma, Bartleby Delicate, Ryvage, Culture the Kid, CRO, Joris, English Teacher and Kids with Buns.

About the USINA Festival
USINA is a two-day collaborative festival organised by the Dudelange Town Council, De Gudde Wëllen, and den Atelier. The festival features a diverse artistic line-up of both local and international artists, spanning across music, theatre, dance, and visual arts. Discover the full line-up here.

This year’s festival season kicked off with a bang in the Netherlands: The Eurosonic Noorderslag Festival (ESNS), Europe’s largest live music showcase event, took place in Groningen from 17 to 20 January. Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg was actively engaged in promoting artists, networking, and participating in various conferences to gain insights into the future trends of the industry. A delegation of professionals from Luxembourg (including den Atelier, de Gudde Wëllen, Kulturfabrik, opderschmelz, Rotondes, Beast, Cooperations, Them Lights, Konektis Entertainment amongst others) also attended the showcase festival to foster connections, engage with industry experts, and explore emerging talents. Two Luxembourgish artists stood out in the packed festival line-up:  CHAiLD and C’est Karma.

On the opening night of the festival, CHAiLD wowed the international audience with a phenomenal performance at Simplon UP. With his appearance at ESNS and Reeperbahn Festival in September last year, CHAiLD has played both of Europe’s major showcase festivals in the space of just four months. This underlines his growing prominence on the European music scene.

C’est Karma (selected by Luxembourg’s public radio station 100,7) took the stage on Thursday in front of a packed house of delegates and fans at VERA, a legendary venue that hosted bands like Nirvana, U2, Sonic Youth and Soundgarden in the 1980s. As is common practice at showcase festivals, each performance at the ESNS is limited to a maximum of 40 minutes. In this short period of time, C’est Karma was able to completely captivate the audience and allow them to lose themselves in her fascinating musical cosmos. The performance  was recorded by the German public TV channel WDR and is set to air on their renowned program Rockpalast on the 18th of March 2024.

Playing at ESNS not only means playing at the festival in January. Acts that play at the festival also take part in the ESNS Exchange programme. ESNS Exchange facilitates the booking of European acts at festivals outside their home countries and works with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), export offices and local media (the Luxembourgish partner is 100,7) to generate significant media exposure for these artists. This way, ESNS Exchange aims to give a boost to the international careers of European artists.

The coming year will certainly have a lot in store for CHAiLD and C’est Karma.

C’est Karma

“Karma Catena loves pasta and hates the patriarchy, as you quickly realise on her website. Trained by independent, experimental female artists such as Björk, Kate Bush and Billie Eilish, her pop approach is minimalist-intimate and avant-garde at the same time.” – wdr.de, 09.12.2023

“Electro-art-pop with a touch of the theatrical. Somehow fascinating.” – Sounds and Books, 24.09.2023

“Karma performs like a superstar, fan in hand, commanding the stage like a pro.” – The Line Of Best Fit, 05.09.2023

 

CHAiLD

„Emotional music in danceable form has rarely sounded as haunting as with CHAiLD.” – Diffus Magazin, 03.09.2023

„CHAiLD’s melancholic universe is unveiled to us through a stripped-down production of piano chords and a faint drum and bass rhythm in the background. As the track unfolds, CHAiLD’s harmonies intensify until we encounter chilled electronic drum and bass beats. Through his music, CHAiLD emerges as a voice for the current generation of queer youth who seek self-expression.” – earmilk.com, 11.05.2023

 

DasRadial

“TheRADIAL sounds a little as if Kraftwerk had already taken it under their wing in the 80s and only now released it from their workshop.” – Diffus Magazin, 03.09.2023

 

Dreamcatcher

“True to its name, the band “Dream Catcher” from Luxembourg aims to capture dreams in songs. Their music is an interplay – sometimes melancholic and sensual, but then also full of energy and joy of life. The band’s spectrum ranges from Irish ballads and Celtic pop to French chansons and their own compositions. At live concerts, the musicians of “Dream Catcher” like to improvise and react spontaneously to the mood of the audience. This gives each performance its very own flavour.” – Westfalen-Blatt, 03.09.2023

 

Francis of Delirium

“There is a rousing energy in her music that enters you as if you were sitting on her bedside listening in. It is danceable, but also melancholic. It feels vulnerable, but also alive. Expect powerful rhythms, thundering riffs and intense lyrics about insecurity, vulnerability and fear. In short: music the new generation needs in these times.” – effenar.nl, 12.01.2023

“A restless energy and desire to connect with the listener lies at the core of the project, with Jana’s personal lyrics being underpinned by a fierce rock sound that is as liberating as it is intense.” – The Fat Angel sings, 15.11.2023

“Francis of Delirium’s music always has a tinge of nostalgia, of brooding; of the general melancholy some of us feel throughout our lives, that we can’t quite control.” – Atwood Magazine, 21.07.2023

“The 22-year-old songwriting – real name Jana Bahrich – caught attention with three wonderful EPs, blending absorbing use of melody with an increased maturity.” – Clash Magazine, 14.11.2023

 

Josh Island

“The Luxembourg singer-songwriter has a voice that simply makes you want to melt away. Songs like “Pennies From Heaven” and “Rewind” are great pop with a folk flavour.” – Diffus Magazin, 03.09.2023

 

MAZ

„His intense bastard of rap with pop and punk outbursts bangs particularly well live.” – Diffus Magazin, 03.09.2023

 

Plastiklova

“The electroacoustic duo Plastiklova creates a wholly engaging, wholly mysterious sound with their forays into improvised and lightly composed experimentation using vibraphone and a wide array of electronic processing. Fans of artists like Jason Doell, Animal Hospital and Harry Partch will find a lot to uncover here.” – tometotheweathermachine.com, 09.03.2023

“Their debut self-titled album is a daring exploration of the possibilities of sound, which forgoes melody or coherent structures in the name of breaking ground.” – notransmission.com, 07.02.2023

“Plastiklova invites listeners on an enchanting sonic journey with their captivating track ‘Grain Threshold’. This collaborative piece delves into the ambient magic of the bowed vibraphone, intertwining it with automated electronic responses from various synthesizers, resulting in a truly immersive and intriguing musical experience.” – electronica.org.uk, 07.06.2023

 

Pleasing

“Feeding itself to heavy rock and even metal in some places, Pleasing begins with a euphoric and synth driven opening, full of layered and drone-filled guitars, before his signature vocals enter the fore. ‘Feed me to those I envy the most’ feels like a true release from Patrick, with his uncontrollable screams coupled with the floaty and melodically beautiful atmospheres in moments, make for a truly encapsulating listen that switches mood to quickly and cleverly.” – tag.com.au, 12.06.2023

“Miranda was able to channel this energy into a cross-genre blend of explosive and hard-hitting heavy rock-infused songs, paired with spacey synths and raucous vocals about nothing but his darker feelings and truths.” – flexmusicblog.com, 12.06.2023

 

Ptolemea

“Priscila da Costa, with her magical voice, transports listeners to a sonic and spiritual adventure, with mystically fascinating songs, comforting sounds and captivating images that represent her intimacy and musical universe.” – descla.pt, 17.01.2023

“Ptolemea is a musical project with a very strong identity, in an alternative/experimental style, with original pagan rock and dark folk themes.” – Glam Magazine, 06.01.2023

“The sounds of Ptolemea are in other spheres in the centre of the universe and at the same time earthy. Dark folk that honours its pagan roots. The harmony of the sounds is always in balance, and so Priscila da Casto powerfully sings her way directly into the soul in “Balanced Darkness”. Sometimes exuberant and wild, sometimes pensive and melancholy, Ptolemea invite you into their own galaxy. It begins with the atmospheric instrumental “Hamanic Lullaby” and flows into the English-language “Atmospheric Pressure Drop”. The Portuguese “Fado” inspires with its very own dynamics and the remaining six songs will also captivate you.” – Orkus, März/April 2023

„Spherical vocals as if from another world and pumping heartbeat rhythms – this is the interesting scenario with which the Portuguese-Luxembourgish group Ptolemea, formed by Priscilla Da Costa, introduces their self-released debut, which is thematically based on the four elements.” – Metal Hammer, Februar 2023

„The immense spirituality and great charisma of frontwoman Priscila are enthroned above all of this. The result is highly emotional, soulful, esoteric and folk-tinged rock numbers such as “Atmospheric Pressure Drop”, “My Darkest Creature” and “Leap Of Faith”.” – Sonic Seducer, Februar 2023

„It is difficult to compare the sounds of PTOLEMEA with other bands, and this may be understood as praise.” – Legacy, Januar/Februar 2023

 

ROME

“The album’s songs subtly and incisively convey the full spectrum of emotions a full-scale war elicits. Equipped with a profound comprehension of the war’s dynamics, Rome serves as a capable interpreter for English-speaking audiences. Infused with an agreeable and well-conveyed sound, coupled with references to shared symbols and emotions of this war, Rome’s music becomes a skillful reflection of history—and of the present, while the war continues.” – Euromaidan Press, 15.09.2023

 

Say Yes Dog

“In the melting pot of independent music and synth-pop, all shades of Say Yes Dog have found their most beautiful form on “DRÄI”. The dogs are barking again – finally!” – Tonspion, 03.11.2023

 

Seed to Tree

“After thirteen years as a band, Seed to Tree have made an impressive musical journey. They have evolved from acoustic sounds to a synth and dream pop band.” – musik3000.de, 11.07.2023

“Musically, Seed to Tree know how to create catchy melodies that are not only catchy, but also manage to explore new, exciting dream pop paths without losing the acoustic folk elements of their early phase.” – Frontstage Magazine, 01.06.2023 

“A Little Life reveals the astounding pop quality of songwriting as it searches for universal truth in the little things of life.” – PrettyInNoise, 25.11.2023

“Starting from an elaborate indie pop base, Seed To Tree develop atmospheric, varied songs, through which singer Georges Goerens leads with a delicate, warm voice. Dream-pop synths create a dreamy atmosphere, reduced but precise drums set the rhythm and deliberately unrocky guitars that tend towards shoegaze ground the songs.” – soundmag.de, 05.09.2023

 

Tuys

“High-energy live shows provide the antithesis to TUYS’ sophisticated videos. The four guys love to play with fiction and satire, but as soon as the spotlights come on, there’s only the reality of the stage.” – kulturnews.de, 23.02.2023

C’est Karma | Hearts on Windows
Single release: 1 December | EKIP

After receiving much love at her recent shows, C’est Karma gives love back on her new single “Hearts On Windows”, a loving, warm refuge in these cold times. Karma, who was awarded the Kultur | lx Global Project Grant for 2024, says: “Hearts on Windows is about ideal love. It is about closing your eyes and dreaming of taking over the world with that person, in this dream there is no pain or heartbreak. I don’t want to think about whether such a world is possible or not but I want to cherish the dream and savour the thought, hoping it will never burst. Idealism gives me hope and that’s what this song is about.”

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Them Lights | YD
Single release: 24 November

Them Lights is a dark electro-pop project from singer and producer Sacha Hanlet that sounds like a reunion of 80s reminiscence flashes and modern electronica. “YD” (YesterDay) is the fourth single release since the beginning of his residency at the Kulturfabrik in Esch-sur-Alzette. “The track is about an unexpected phone call in the middle of the night from a long-lost acquaintance with the manifest of desperation and the will to end it all. There isn’t a lyrical resolution, mirroring life’s tendency to provide comfort without definite solutions or resolutions to its origins. Remarkably, the music doesn’t just offer comfort but also delivers resolution, capturing the intricate complexities of our existence”, says Sacha Hanlet.

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EDSUN | Finally Alive
Single release: 17 November | Beast Records

“Finally Alive” is EDSUN’s official entry for the national preselection to represent Luxembourg at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. In the track, Edsun reflects on his journey as a musician and performer, stating that no one in this world can stop his inner motivation to make the impossible possible. “Finally Alive” was written in collaboration with songwriters Jana Bahrich (Francis of Delirium) and Sergio Manique.

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Francis of Delirium | Blue Tuesday
Single release: 14 November | Dalliance Recordings

“The track was a chance to go back a little bit to our original sound, heavy guitars, uptempo, in your face music. We are a band that really loves to play live, sweaty, messy and physical music, so it felt important to have this song be part of the album”, says Jana Bahrich about “Blue Tuesday”, the third single release of her upcoming debut album “Lighthouse”, out 22 March 2024. The trio will promote the album with an extensive 21-date tour around Europe and the UK in April and May 2024.

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Scarlet Anger| Martyr
Single release: 10 November

“Martyr” is the third single and also the title track from Scarlet Anger’s forthcoming new album. The trash metal band around vocalist Joe Block reveals the idea behind the song: “The lyrics explore the concept of martyrdom and how one sacrifices to achieve personal goals. It encourages facing the pains and challenges of life and overcoming one’s fears and emphasizes the need to free oneself from negative influences and the past in order to step into the future”.

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WazToo feat. Émilie Rachel | You Don’t Know Me

Single release: 10 November | Gahara Records

For more than 20 years WazToo has been on the road as deejay. He himself describes his style as “progressive house with EDM elements”. In addition to his live performances, WazToo has also gained recognition as a producer, releasing a number of successful tracks that have earned him a dedicated following. “You Don’t Know me” was produced in collaboration with London-based singer Émilie Rachel. He has also recently started a career as a radio presenter on Eldoradio with his show “WazToo Dance” where he presents 100% electronic music with a focus on Luxembourg productions.

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Alex Uhlmann | Rainy Day
Single release: 3 November | Hoernsenmusic

“Rainy Day” is the new single by singer-songwriter Alex Uhlmann, frontman of the Italian electronic band Planet Funk. The track is being released on Berlin-based Hoersenmusic label. “Rainy Day is a song I wrote some time ago with Subsonica’s Luca Vicini,” says Alex. “It’s basically about everyday fears and paranoia that we often tend to worry about disproportionately. Stepping outside oneself to see the bigger picture can help one realise that in the end it was just a rainy day. And there might even be beauty in that”. The track, with its tasty 80s retro style, marks the transition from the sounds of Planet Funk to the intimate dimension that will characterise “Home”, Alex Uhlmann’s first solo album, due out in 2024.

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SAY YES DOG | 3 (Home)
Single release: 27 October | Diskodogs Records

Say Yes Dog’s electro-pop is usually made to be danced to. At the same time, their melodies are capable of sinking into sometimes gentle, sometimes throbbing melancholy. Just like with their latest single “3 (Home)”. “This song is one of the most important to us on the album. When we wrote it, the number 3 kept magically appearing again and again throughout the song. The measure is in 3/4, the lift in the last chorus goes up a 3rd step and we finally ended up with a length of 3:33 minutes. It’s a song that lyrically and sonically shows a deeper and more vulnerable side of us. It deals with self-doubt and finding yourself struggling in a world full of distractions and chaos. Looking for clarity and a sense of belonging through another person who gives the feeling of home, no matter where it might be“, the three band members say about the track.

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All Reitz Reserved | Elemental
Album release: 27 October

“Elemental” is a compilation of musical tracks that reflect the scenic impressions that Chris Reitz gathered while travelling through the wild natural landscapes of Iceland in 2022. It breaks down the complex emotions and experiences of an environment known for both its boundless, calm and open Nordic landscapes and its rugged, noisy and wild sceneries of waterfalls and rock formations. Humbled by his experiences, Chris Reitz uses his electric violin along with electronic music and field recordings captured during his journey to create a blend of soothing soundscapes and danceable grooves embedded in a captivating landscape.

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Alfalfa | Alfalfa
EP release: 27 October

The self-titled EP “Alfalfa” by creators Charel Geimer and Bert Jung showcases their ability to craft infectious, indie-tinted electronic-pop tracks adorned with creative production. Comprising seven tracks, “Alfalfa” explores both the light and darker side of the band’s sound, – from dance beats and uplifting melodies to moments of reflection and melancholy. The project serves as a poignant diary, encapsulating the myriad emotions experienced during the tumultuous pandemic era. The band explains: “The EP is kind of a musical diary, capturing emotions, challenges, and growth we faced during lockdown times. We want to express our creativity, resilience, and the bond we share that fuels our passion for making music together.

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Culture the Kid | Insolente
Single release: 27 October

Culture the Kid is a 20-year-old rapper of Brazilian origin. In 2019, he released his first single “Living in the Clouds” which was followed by an impressive 15 more before his latest track “Insolente”. “Now that the song is out, I want to take the opportunity to say that the rhythm I’m using in this sound is that of baile funk, which was and continues to be a marginalized cultural movement in Brazil despite being one of the most listened. It’s important to do the work necessary to give back to the communities whose culture we enjoy and value the people at the root of it. You cannot profit from the sounds of a people without acknowledging the often painful context that englobes it”, says Culture the Kid about the song. 2023 was an amazing year for the young artist: he won the prize for best live performance at the “Screaming Fields Festival”,  performed as opening act for Belgian singer Selah Sue during her show in Wiltz and had his first appearance outside Luxembourg with a concert at the “Pelpass Festival” in Strasbourg where Culture the Kid surprised the festival crowd and consolidated his status as an energetic and captivating performer.

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Rome | Live in Kyiv 2023
Album release: 6 October | Trisol

In February 2023, Rome embarked on what Jérôme Reuter calls “the most important, and by far the most dangerous, live mission in the band’s history“. Exactly a year earlier, in February 2022, with Putin’s thugs already on Ukraine’s doorstep, Reuter had ignored travel warnings and played several solo shows in Ukraine. He had also given his Kyiv fanbase his word that he would come back with the full band as soon as possible. This happened just days before Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, and a year after, with the war still raging, Reuter played two shows in Ukraine, despite travel restrictions and regular rocket attacks on the country’s capital. This made Rome the first foreign act to perform a full-length show in Ukraine during the war. This historical recording captures that unique moment in the band’s history.

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Awarded annually to up to three musicians from the different aesthetic (pop/rock/ electro/hip-hop, jazz/world, classical/contemporary) since 2020, the Global Project Grant supports artists in the development of an ambitious medium- or long-term project aimed at boosting their career through promotion, marketing and dissemination, as well as the acquisition of know-how in the music industry. Kultur | lx accompanies the artists and their teams in each step of the project.

After Josh Island (pop/rock), Greg Lamy (jazz), and following a call for applications, the selection committee, composed of Stephanie Baustert (manager), Marc Hauser (Rotondes) Florence Martin (United Instruments of Lucilin), Marc Nickts (SACEM Luxembourg) and John Rech (opderschmelz), unanimously decided to award the Global Project Grant to C’est Karma (pop/rock/electro/hip-hop) and Pascal Schumacher (Classical/Contemporary).

C’est Karma
Statement of the artist
I am filled to the brim with joy to have been awarded next year’s Global Project Grant. I’ve spent the last few years working hard on my identity as an artist and musician and on putting together my dream team. With a lot of exciting projects coming up next year, the financial support granted through the Global Project Grant will help me put those plans into action. Aside from the financial aspect it also means a lot to me to be given the trust and faith in my vision.

Biography
For C’est Karma music is a tool for change. From causing trouble with her punk band in the age of 14 to her bold, hyperpop-infused 2022 EP „Amuse-Bouche“, Karma Catena’s passionate activist heart always beats at the core.
The daughter of two first generation immigrants grew up in Luxembourg but relocated to Amsterdam to „study the Internet“, as she calls it. Channeling her frustration into words and music has gained the 21-year-old critical acclaim from renowned publications such as Rolling Stone, GQ, ELLE or The Line Of Best Fit and collaborations with Canal+ or La Blogothèque, who also invited C’est Karma to their 2021 edition of arte concert Festival in Paris next to Damon Albarn and Joan As Police Woman.
Ploughing furrows covered with hyperpop, alt-pop and noise/industrial influences, Karmas songs range from attacking the inaction on the climate crisis and the disparity between the filthy rich and the less fortunate to her love for women, the cinema and the closest thing to her heart: Pasta.
On the back of extensive praise for her riveting one-woman live show at her first ever North America concerts, C’est Karma has recently embarked on her biggest and most ambitious project to date.

Presentation of the project
After having experimented with different musical genres over the past years, C’est Karma has found her artistic vision. On the back of significant live experiences, critical acclaim from renowned international media and together with a team of highly experienced industry professionals, Karma is ready to release her debut album. Being aimed for release in the second half of 2024, the album draws back to her musical inspirations throughout the years. It refers to musical icons like Björk, Kate Bush or Imogen Heap and draws inspiration from contemporary avant-garde idols like Arca, SOPHIE or Caroline Polachek. Being without a doubt her most personal and introspective work to date, the album explores the space between comfort and discomfort. It confesses her love to her younger brother, to her partner, to her family’s country of origin, Portugal and to the loss of control in the nightlife scene. It also opens up about abuse and fear.

With this album Karma and her team aim to build a sustainable foundation for a long-lasting career. Therefore, they have created a visual identity and drafted an extensive multi-facetted strategy to build a dedicated global fan-community that enables Karma to make a living from her art in the long run. To nurture long-term relationships Karma will combine in-person community-building events around Europe with artist-growth campaigns on social platforms such as Instagram or TikTok, cross-media PR campaigns and her very own Mailing list. In addition, she and her live team are currently creating a memorable live performance that she will present on stages around the world, starting with renowned ESNS Festival in The Netherlands in January 2024.

 

Pascal Schumacher
Statement of the artist
I’m absolutely enchanted to receive the 2024 Global Grant, a crucial boost for my upcoming project, GLASS TWO. Teaming up with the accomplished German-Greek pianist Danae Dörken, we are shaping a deeply personal rendition of Philip Glass’s oeuvre, interwoven with original compositions infused by his unique style and aesthetics. This funding is crucial for both the tour and the promotional campaign of the upcoming album.

Biography
Pascal Schumacher, a versatile artist from Luxembourg, seamlessly blends classical training with contemporary innovation. He pursued studies in classical percussion and jazz vibraphone at prestigious European conservatories, earning Master’s Degrees in musicology from Marc Bloch University in Strasbourg and music focused on jazz vibraphone from the Koninklijk Conservatorium in The Hague. Collaborating with a diverse array of talents like Jef Neve, Francesco Tristano, Sylvain Rifflet, Kenny Barron, and Magic Malik, Schumacher has honed a unique musical identity. Today, his music defies traditional categorization, fusing emotional classical melodies with minimal electronic elements, liberating his compositions from genre constraints to explore a boundless musical landscape.

Presentation of the project
GLASS TWO is a collaborative project featuring Luxembourg’s vibraphonist and composer Pascal Schumacher and the talented German-Greek pianist Danae Dörken, as they delve into the works of the iconic American minimalist composer Philip Glass. The album is slated for release in the third quarter of 2024 under the German label NEUE MEISTER (edel/ KULTUR). This project represents a significant step forward in Schumacher’s artistic journey, extending well beyond its initial inspiration.

As the anticipation builds for the Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) 2024 festival in Groningen, Netherlands, music enthusiasts and industry insiders alike are gearing up for a spectacular showcase of emerging European talent. Scheduled from January 17 to 21, the event promises a platform for 294 artists to captivate the audience of 4,000 delegates and around 40,000 visitors.

Young rising electro pop artist and singer-songwriter CHAiLD will join C’est Karma on the line-up of the 2024 edition of ESNS. Influenced by the likes of Troye Sivan, Sam Smith, Julia Michaels, and Mø, CHAiLD has crafted a distinctive pop style that integrates his Italian roots, creating a sonic journey that resonates with authenticity. Beyond his musical prowess, CHAiLD is a generational voice for the queer youth, offering a channel for self-expression through his evocative melodies.

Artists who perform at Eurosonic will also be included in the ESNS Exchange Programme, which helps European acts to be booked at festivals outside their home countries and gives them extensive media exposure in collaboration with the EBU (of which radio 100,7 is a member), export offices (including Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg) and local media.

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More information here.

CHAiLD & MAZ Univerze | Night Call
Single release: November 3 | Beast Records

“Night Call” is CHAiLD and MAZ Univerze’s official entry for the national preselection to represent Luxembourg at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. “This song is as passionate as our friendship since we met just over 12 years ago. Since then, we’ve been through the ups and downs of our personal lives and careers together. From helping each other in school to writing and performing music together, from overcoming our greatest struggles to celebrating our greatest successes. We are proud to call each other best friends and great colleagues”, MAZ Univerze explains the reasons why we decided to enter the competition together.

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The Cookie Jar Complot | Lobster Knife Fight
EP release: October 27

The instrumental duo The Cookie Jar Complot takes a step forward with their second EP “Lobster Knife Fight”, exploring heavier, faster and more danceable themes in music and in imagery. Consisting of eight melodic tracks, it is made up of quality songs with post- and math-rock accents combined with avant-garde and eclectic overtones for immediate effect. The songwriting duo Sven Schmeler and Gilles Glesener have been behind this endeavour since 2020, with Philipp Colling on bass and Miko Buraczyk on guitar during live performances.

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RAFTSIDE | Midnight Sun
Single release: October 23 | Grzegorzki Records Berlin / Emptypop Records

“Midnight Sun” is RAFTSIDE’s official entry for the national preselection to represent Luxembourg at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. The brand-new song is a vibrant tribute to the pop culture of the 1980s. By blending an infectious rhythm with delightfully surreal lyrics, RAFTSIDE offers us a captivating electro-pop journey. The group manages to capture the essence of this iconic decade, evoking a time when electronic sounds and boundless creativity were celebrated. One of the unique aspects of this song is its connection to Filip Markiewicz’s painting work. The artist has developed the visual aesthetics of the video combining combines painting, 3D animation, and artificial intelligence, creating a deep connection between music and visual art. “Midnight Sun” thus becomes a multidimensional work where music, technology, and art come together to offer a new form of artistic experience.

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Turnup Tun | Nuit Blanche
Album release: October 13 | Beast Records

After the album “Realtalk” in April and the EP “Schlëmme Summer 2” in August, “Nuit Blanche” is already the third longplay release of Turnup Tun this year in which he shows a very emotional side:You lie in bed at night and just can’t fall asleep. 1000 thoughts circle in your head and don’t leave you alone. You keep trying, and eventually you fall asleep. The next day you are completely cranky and unmotivated. That’s exactly how I felt quite often and this is exactly what my new album “Nuit Blanche” is about: the topics I have to think about in the evening when my head won’t let me sleep. I am very happy to finally be able to share this song with my audience. I hope they feel the same way as I do”.

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DasRADIAL | LIEBES_DRANG
Single release: October 6

DasRADIAL grows out of the absurdities of our digital age: a being, not man not machine, walks between dream and reality. Musician and actor Max Thommes, who spent 10 years as a drummer in the band INBORN! produced by acclaimed producer Ross Robinson, has been going his own way since 2019, creating a dystopian cosmos with DasRADIAL. After several works for the German State Theatre, he also produced the title track of the Arte documentary “UNTERM_RADAR”. With his electronic beats and sharp-tongued lyrics, DasRADIAL now seeks the symbiosis of art figure and musical live performance. DasRADIAL is representing Luxembourg in the EXCITE network in 2023 and performed recently at Sŵn Festival and Reeperbahn Festival.

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Francis of Delirium | First Touch
Single release: October 4 | Dalliance Recordings

“The core of “First Touch” is about looking back at love with a sense of nostalgia and idealism. I wanted to capture the youthful feeling of being completely consumed by someone and believing everything would work out, even if that is naive. But, I also wanted to emphasise the beauty of that sentiment, the hope and trust that come with really believing in the authenticity of love”, says Jana. The track, produced by Catherine Marks (boygenius, Wolf Alice, The Killers), follows on from previous single, “Real Love” and makes a slight detour from the dark lyricism of the grunge-inspired songs of her first three EPs and reveals a softer, more open, hopeful and vulnerable sound palette. She adds: “It was a bit of a departure from our usual approach of writing with heavy electric guitar and drums. Instead, Chris and I decided to start experimenting with acoustic guitar and drums. During that time, I started listening to a lot of Sheryl Crow ‘s music, particularly her song ‘Soak Up the Sun’, which became a source of inspiration for the song. I wanted ‘First Touch’ to have a kind of ‘sun-rock’ vibe”.

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When Airy met Fairy | Lovebomb Me
Single release: October 2

After a three-year pause, musical duo When ‘Airy Met Fairy is back with an enthralling new single. “Love Bomb Me” showcases the duo’s ability to combine haunting melodies with heartfelt lyrics. Built upon a foundation of longing, the lyrics highlight the emotional journey of the narrator who discovers newfound strength amidst heartbreak. Listeners are immediately immersed in the world of When ‘Airy Met Fairy, as the duo creates a sonic experience that reflects the conflicts and vulnerability present in relationships. Through their unique blend of folk and indie-pop, they weave a tapestry of emotions that is both relatable and cathartic.

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Dreadnought | The Fire Within
EP release: October 1 | Recorded and mixed by Jeff Schmitz

The EP “The Fire Within” features three different tracks ranging from more melodic, epic moods to straight Thrash Metal, capturing the diverse inspirations that make up Dreadnought. Recorded and mixed by the band‘s own Jeff Schmitz, it is both a return to the DIY roots as well as an exploration and expansion of the quintet‘s sound.

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Drogher | Hawara
Single release: September 29

After the release of a debut EP “The Last Wave” in September 2022, Drogher released their latest tune “Hawara” with the same modern death metal sound. Inspired by a broader spectrum from the metal genre, Drogher finds its harbor within a melodic death-thrash current provoking a lot of movement in the pit.

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SAY YES DOG | Not Your Thing
Single release: September 8 | Diskodogs Records

Along with the announcement of their third studio album “DRÄI”, SAY YES DOG has shared the first single “Not Your Thing” from it. The upbeat track works perfectly as a mood elevator for the upcoming dark season and comes with a wacky music video directed by Tun Biever (Two Steps Twice). In November, the trio is playing several small club-shows across Europe under the label “Mini Gigs in Mega Cities”. The album release is scheduled for March 1st 2024 and will be accompanied by a tour, starting with shows in München, Köln, Hamburg and Berlin.

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ARTABAN | Rec. Play. Rewind.
Album release: July 21 | Muaaah! Records

15 years ago, the duo Charles and Max Nilles released their first album “Landscapes”. Some music critics praised it as a unique fusion of the styles of Röyksopp and Boards of Canada. Following their 2013 release “Flow,” the Nilles brothers dedicated a decade to perfecting their cinematic masterpiece, “Rec. Play. Rewind.” This latest record was signed under the banner of Muaaah! Records, an ambitious new Luxembourg-based indie label. This label was established by a trio: Marc Hauser, a programmer at Rotondes; Yann Gelezuinas, the technical director at Rotondes; and Nicolas Przeor, who is also a programmer at Rotondes and notably a guitarist for the math-rock group Mutiny on the Bounty.

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Lara Grogan | What Was Mine
Single release: July 7 | Recorded and Produced by Charles Stoltz

Inspired by the Beatles, 19-year-old Lara Grogan began writing songs when she was 11. At the age of 13 she started participating in local song-writing competitions and then in music festivals such as the Screaming Fields Festival. In 2022 she performed the song “City and its People” which she wrote exclusively for the Opening concert of Esch 2022. In July 2023, Lara released the song “What Was Mine” for which she wrote the lyrics, music as well as the string arrangement. She writes from her own experience and expresses questions and thoughts about the world around her. Lara loves to experiment with interesting chord progressions and her music has elements of pop, jazz and classical music.

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Dreamcatcher | Live – Under a blood red ground
Album release: June 9 | jazzhaus records

In 2018, the musicians of Dream Catcher invited their fans to an extraordinary concert to celebrate the band’s 20th anniversary at an even more extraordinary venue: the Rumelange National Mining Museum, some seventy meters below ground. The three sold-out nights were recorded and filmed to produce a double live album: “Under a Blood Red Ground”. “The album is a tribute to all the women, men, children and also animals who have worked in the mine of the “Minette”. And sometimes, unfortunately, gave their lives. Our existence, our human rights, our existence, which we like to take for granted, is based on these people and their sacrifices. As a gift to us, for which we should always be grateful”, says singer John Rech. Dream Catcher creates a beautiful connection between pub folk rock and timeless acoustic pop ballads that come from the heart.

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After ENGLBRT‘s acclaimed performances at the USINA23 festival, where they were spotted by renowned Belgian booker Peter Verstraelen, and their EP release show at Rotondes, the collaborative duo of Georges Goerens and Niels Engel are now taking to the stages of our neighbours in France and Belgium.

Their first show abroad will take place on the 8th of November at the Crossroads Festival in Roubaix (France). The festival was created in 2016 to promote French and international artists and provide a networking platform for professionals.

ENGLBRT’s unique sound, which combines electro, contemporary jazz and well-crafted indie pop, can also be heard on 22 November at De Zwerver in Leffinge (Belgium), when they support Compact Disk Dummies for their sold-out show.

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Shortly after the turn of the year, Groningen (NL) will be the place to be for international music lovers and music industry professionals. From 17 to 21 January, ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) will present more than 350 emerging European artists who will have the opportunity to perform in front of 4,000 delegates and around 40,000 visitors. Two acts from Luxembourg are part of the selected line-up. C’est Karma has already been announced on the recommendation of radio 100,7. The musician, passionate activist and pasta lover will be making her ESNS debut. The second act will be announced in the coming weeks.

Artists who perform at Eurosonic will also be included in the ESNS Exchange Programme, which helps European acts to be booked at festivals outside their home countries and gives them extensive media exposure in collaboration with the EBU (of which radio 100,7 is a member), export offices (including Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg) and local media.

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More information here.

Each September, the international music industry turns its eyes to northern Germany for the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Europe’s largest club festival and one of the most significant music events worldwide. This year, Kultur | lx once again presented a new edition of its renowned showcase series “lx finest – Sounds from Luxembourg” featuring talented artists like Josh Island, CHAiLD, MAZ, and DasRADIAL.

The festival kicked off on the opening night with a remarkable performance by C’est Karma at the Backseat showcase presented by Fanklub at Grüner Jäger as well as Florence Besch’s performance at the Thomas Read Pub presented by VUT Nord.

On Friday, Josh Island managed record-breaking three performances within four hours on three different stages. His journey began with an acoustic set at the MoPo-Mobil in the festival village, hosted by Hamburg’s tabloid newspaper Hamburger Morgenpost. This was followed by the N-Joy Bus session at the bustling Spielbudenplatz, organised by NDR Radio. Finally, he opened the “lx finest – Sounds from Luxembourg” showcase at Häkken club.

Before the showcase, the networking reception was well received with over 300 registered delegates including, including a small delegation of Luxembourgish professionals and journalists (from among others, Konektis Entertainment, Beast Records, Two Steps Twice, Kulturfabrik, Rotondes, den Atelier, opderschmelz and radio 100,7). Despite numerous concurrent shows on the festival’s packed schedule on Friday night, Josh Island, CHAiLD, MAZ and DasRADIAL all enjoyed large and enthusiastic crowds throughout the night.

On the festival’s final day, MAZ and guitarist Patrick Miranda (frontman of the band Pleasing) delivered an acoustic set at the MoPo-Mobil that left the audience with goosebumps and marked the end of the highly acclaimed Luxembourg program at the Reeperbahn Festival 2023 featuring a total of nine performances by six acts across five venues over four days.