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Ten Belgian Bands You Should Check Out

Here is a list of ten Belgian bands that I think the rest of the world should know about. This list covers a few different genres, featuring songs from the past and the present. For me, discovering the great music of a culture is one of the biggest pleasures of traveling. So here it goes!

Steak Number Eight

Young dudes rocking a mature sound with their own take on ‘Stoner Rock’ genre. Great to see live, headbanging all around!

Deus

I’ve been loving the older 90’s era Deus stuff recently. The album to check out would be ‘No More Loud Music’.

Black Box Revelation

Up & Coming rock’n’roll band, great live show.

Arsenal

Arsenal has been one of my favourite ‘chill’ bands for the past year. Absolutely love both their albums “Lotuk” and “Outsides”

Absynthe Minded

Described as “Europe’s best kept secret”… you can be the judge.

Admiral Freebee

I always feel so good listening Admiral Freebee! Check out all his albums, but to start, try his self-titled album.

Toots Thielemans

Legendary blues musician and the greatest harmonica player in the 20th century.

Netsky

A little taste of some Belgian electronic music, that doesn’t fall into the annoying drum & bass our ears have been accosted with on the radio these days.

Stijn

Check out his album “Euphoric” for some über funky jams

El Fish

Oddly enough, when I finished this list I found that it is devoid of women. I could have put Selah Sue, but I’m over her and her poofy hair. She’s a great performer (as seen below with Triggerfinger), but there has to be more Belgian songstresses out there!

I would love to see/hear everyone’s suggestions, tell me what you think!



15 responses to “Ten Belgian Bands You Should Check Out”

  1. Yannick says:

    Great choices! You might add Channel Zero, which is at the moment (and has been in the past) the most famous metal band. Concerning the girls… I’ve seen great female performances with great attitude, but they’re all in the underground scene. We need something Metric-like here :) hmmm……. I can see a masterplan developing here ;)

  2. I believe you could also add Hickey Underworld.
    Love their sound.

  3. Really enjoyed this post, great variety. Thanks.

  4. Yannick says:

    Oh and maybe School Is Cool? I have to say I’m not a real fan, but they do something different and I always find it to be interesting in a way

    • Ahh yes, I know School is Cool. They didn’t make it on to my list because I’m not a real fan either… yet. But I do think they have potential in the future, after a few tours and some more musical experimentation.

  5. Annie says:

    Right on..we’ve been on the look out for more tunes, especially before the summer music scene gets to Brussels. Great list!

    • Meredith says:

      I’m pretty jealous that you are going to be in Belgium for the summer concert season, Annie! I hope you have been to Botanique in Brussels, great atmosphere for live events. I love that place :) Thanks for reading!

  6. hanne maes says:

    Maybe you should check out lady linn and her magnificent seven. And her electronic project is called FCL, It’s worth checking out

  7. noelia says:

    and Intergalactic Lovers !!!

  8. olektwbolek says:

    there is (was) another band worth mentioning, forgot it’s name, but will find out soon.

  9. olektwbolek says:

    following my reply I got it’s name now, about 15 years ago had their cd but lost it, then was searching youtube for a few years before finally found it (again): https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Muerte

  10. olektwbolek says:

    and just now checked youtube again and looks like they are still (after long break) playing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDo9s1uvCgI

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