Hit the City festival 2025 blokkenschema dag 2 - Friday 29 August 2025

Born in Bogotá and shaped by Berlin’s underground, Dylan van Dael is a boundary-pushing producer, artist, and musician. Since 2018, he has been crafting soundscapes that cross borders, producing for international artists and blending styles inspired by global encounters. His music serves as a meeting point of cultures, genres, and raw emotion. Whether in the studio or on stage as a guitarist, Dylan builds bridges between creative communities. Now, he brings that energy to Altstadt. Expect hypnotic textures, cinematic intensity, and a performance that speaks every language of feeling. At Hit The City, Dylan also unveils his first solo project as part of the music innovation program. A deeply personal release brought to life alongside Pokka, a 3D character reflecting the project’s immersive and imaginative world.

IDER is the London singer-songwriter duo of Lily Somerville and Megan Markwick, blend moody indie rock and sleek electronics with haunting vocal harmonies rooted in their folk origins. The result? Raw, clever, emotionally charged pop that cuts deep and lifts high. Expect plenty of new material at Hit The City, as IDER’s third album ‘Late To The World’ dropped in February. Its tongue-in-cheek title reclaims the power of late blooming, doing things on your own terms, in your own time. Early singles ‘You Don’t Know How To Drive’ and ‘Know How It Hurts’ hint at a richer, bolder sound: cinematic, minimal, and laced with defiance. Live, IDER is intimate yet fierce. A spellbinding mix of softness and strength, heartbreak and humour. Come for the harmonies, stay for the honesty.

The Cork-based indie rock/pop sensation Cliffords is taking the music scene by storm! Known for their dynamic sound that effortlessly blends punchy indie energy with irresistible pop hooks. Having already earned comparisons to powerhouses like Wolf Alice and INHALER, they bring a raw, vibrant energy that’s hard to ignore. Fresh off a stellar performance at Electric Picnic’s 3 Stage and with their debut EP ‘Strawberry Scented’ making waves, Cliffords are cementing their place as one of Ireland’s most exciting emerging acts. From sold-out gigs in London, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and their hometown of Cork, they are ready to bring their electrifying live show to you.

Singer-rapper Glints and DJ-producer Faisal have been creative partners for years. Together, they co-founded Abattoir Anvers a collective based in a former halal slaughterhouse in Antwerp and launched a namesake hip-hop show on Studio Brussel. Their musical chemistry is both undeniable and inevitable. Now performing as GLINTSAL, their debut album ‘GLINTSAL Vol.’ 1 blends Glints’ lyrical fire with Faisal’s genre-bending beats. After their explosive set at Eurosonic, HUMO wrote: “The festivals that skip this are crazy, incompetent, or just plain suicidal. Fuck yeah!” We’ve been listening. At Hit The City, their monster alliance comes to life.

A suitcase full of sounds, eyes fixed on the horizon. De Toegift is on the move. This poetic six-piece from the Dutch coast blends spoken word, indie, and electronics into intimate dreamscapes of love, youth, and loss. They’ve captured hearts across the Low Countries; from Popronde and Noorderslag to sold-out club tours in venues like Paradiso and De Roma, and major festivals such as Best Kept Secret and Into The Great Wide Open. With their new album kleine auto, grote hot wheel, they once again push the boundaries of Dutch pop. Melancholic, magnetic, and full of wonder. Experience De Toegift live at Hit The City.

Matilda Mann is an emerging talent in the UK music scene, and though her career is still in its early days, it’s already gaining momentum. Her sound blends heartfelt lyrics with a fresh folk-pop twist, creating music that’s both intimate and striking. This year, she released her debut album Roxwell, a stunning collection of indie folk tracks that offer a personal glimpse into her childhood and the streets of West London. The album moves through moments of light and darkness, capturing both the highs of hope and the lows of disappointment, all wrapped in a mix of vulnerability and strength. Featuring soft guitar arrangements and a laid-back, nostalgic vibe, that’s drawing listeners into a world of reflective storytelling. Matilda has opened for artists like The Staves, Holly Humberstone, Arlo Parks, and Beabadoobee.

Lusaint never imagined a music career, until she racked up over 70 million streams and became one of the UK’s most exciting new voices. Inspired by jazz greats like Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald, her raw, timeless vocals and soul-drenched storytelling have won hearts across the UK and Europe. From viral covers to BBC Radio 1 acclaim and praise from Elton John, Lusaint’s journey is as unique as her sound. Her debut EP Self Sabotage blends pop, soul, and vulnerability into tracks that hit home, with singles like “Fool For You,” “Sweet Tooth,” and “Sober” drawing major buzz. With sold-out shows and international airplay, Lusaint is not just rising, she’s soaring.

Step into Philine’s world of dreamy indie pop, where sparkling melodies meet honest, glowing vocals. With over half a million streams and Dutch radio love for her debut EP so sick of myself, she’s quickly making waves. Her new EP the side effects of living in a fantasy—mixed by Matt Wiggins (Adele, Florence + The Machine, Lorde) – marks her leap forward. Drawing inspiration from Holly Humberstone, The War on Drugs, and Phoebe Bridgers, Philine’s vivid storytelling and shimmering sound craft live shows that stop you in your tracks.

Octave Lissner writes the kind of songs that make you feel like you’re cruising with the windows down — warm, groovy, and full of soul. Growing up in Paris with a violin in one hand and a guitar in the other, he found his voice somewhere between bluesy grit and sun-drenched folk. Influenced by icons like Nino Ferrer, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Otis Redding, and The Rolling Stones, his latest album Learning to Live (2025) is eclectic but cohesive. Always heartfelt and smooth.

Singer-songwriter Joya Mooi creates music for the fearless blending R&B, indie and pop with soulful depth and introspective lyrics. Drawing from her South African heritage and Amsterdam roots, she delivers a sound that’s both rich in identity and emotionally resonant. With her EP ‘Open Hearts’ (Aug 2024), Mooi enters a fresh chapter: groove-driven, disco-tinged tracks crafted with producer duo Easy Freak and Bastian Langebæk (Olivia Dean, Jessie Ware). It’s a vibrant evolution of her signature style. Having toured South Africa and supported Benny Sings across Europe, Joya is no stranger to the stage. Now she brings her magnetic live energy to Hit The City. Expect soulful melodies, bold storytelling, and a live show that stays with you long after the final note.

From the heart of Nigeria to the streets of Nottingham, JERUB’s journey is one of raw talent and unstoppable momentum. Bursting onto the scene as a standout finalist in BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge Introducing talent search, selected from over 10,000 entries, he has been on a meteoric rise ever since. Highlights include an opening performance at The King’s Coronation Concert alongside Pete Tong, and widespread press support from the likes of Wonderland, Noctis, and Notion. With major playlist backing from Spotify and high praise from BBC Radio 1, along with over 200 regional UK playlist additions, JERUB is quickly becoming a name to watch. Catch this future star live at Hit The City and witness a voice that’s ready to shape the next era of British music.

Teun invites you on a journey through the soul. Her music weaves deep, heartfelt storytelling with ethereal soundscapes, creating a sonic experience that’s as honest as it is euphoric. Rooted in raw emotion, her artistry offers listeners an unfiltered glimpse into her thoughts, feelings, and struggles. Fresh off a dazzling second-place finish at Humo’s Rock Rally 2024 and known for her mesmerizing performances alongside Eefje de Visser, Teun is now stepping into the spotlight with her debut EP, released in March 2025. Expect a live show that’s intimate yet expansive, soft yet fierce—a space where vulnerability becomes strength, and every note strikes close to the heart.

Ever wondered what the world looks like through the eyes of an overripe banana? Sad Banana crafts an existential fruit salad in the form of a music concert. They are blending punk, rap, and dadaism into a bittersweet cocktail of sound. Their lyrics teeter between bravado and breakdown, vulnerability and kitsch, politics and pastiche. It’s absurd, it’s emotional, it’s post-capitalist pulp with a pulse. Catch them live at Dynamo during Hit The City. Tears become beats if you squeeze them hard enough. Sad? Very. But also unmissable.

The enigma of London’s underground: Jawnino! Emerging from the shadows with his cult 2019 hit ‘It’s Cold Out’, Jawnino has carved out a space entirely his own. Fusing grime, jungle, and UK rap, his sound pulses with the raw, restless spirit of London. Unapologetically unconventional, Jawnino weaves gritty street tales with eclectic production, capturing both the chaos and beauty of city life. His music doesn’t fit neatly into one category—instead, it draws from various influences to craft a sound that’s uniquely his. With co-signs from underground heavyweights like MIKE, Kibo, and James Massiah, Jawnino is building a movement on his own terms; no gimmicks, no compromises, just pure, unfiltered expression.

Angry Blackmen are the Chicago duo tearing into the horrors of modern America with raw poetry and spine-snapping industrial hip hop. On their 2024 album The Legend of ABM, Quentin Branch and Brian Warren waste no time. Jumping straight into a barrage of glitchy, noise-heavy beats and pathos-laced bars about themes such as racism, capitalism, addiction, and survival. It’s a 30-minute blast of existential urgency told through personal anecdotes and razor-sharp wordplay. Expect their live shows to be just as unfiltered and loud. An electrifying deep-dive into the pre-apocalyptic world we’re already living in.

Trust us — there’s no way you’ll leave the Dynamo venue without breaking a sweat after a BUG show. Within minutes, the place transforms into a writhing mass of bodies or something that can only be described as pure chaos. BUG delivers an explosive blend of rap, punk, and pounding rave beats, topped off with raw, unfiltered lyrics. Think The Prodigy-level madness, but with a sharper, more contemporary edge. Add in choreographed elements and performance art, and it’s no surprise they became a crowd favorite at both Popronde and ESNS in recent editions.

DJ Curling is hard to pigeonhole. Whether it’s (industrial) techno or EBM, punk or house or metal, Curling will find his way in any genre. At Hit The City he will draw on his knowledge of obscure and adventurous hip hop.

LYVIA’s sound cuts through with raw, soulful melodies and sharp spoken-word verses, blending honesty and grit in equal measure. From busking on Nottingham’s streets to viral stripped-back street performances, she turns shy reflections into powerful anthems inspired by Amy Winehouse and Lauryn Hill. With sold-out UK tour under the belt, it’s clear that Lyvia’s live shows have become a charged space where being unapologetically yourself is the real power move.

Imagine a world where soundscapes seamlessly blend into emotive storytelling; that’s the vibrant universe of Slew. Fresh off the release of his explosive debut mixtape F Shrouded in mystery yet brimming with artistic fire, this rising alt-pop innovator captivates with haunting vocals, genre-bending production, and lyrics that linger. Praised by critics and beloved by fans, Slew’s fearless creativity has earned them accolades, press buzz, and a growing cult following hungry for more. Their live performances are nothing short of electric, unpredictable, intimate, unforgettable. As the alternative scene twists and turns, Slew emerges not just as an artist, but as a movement. Catch them now, before the rest of the world catches up.

Get ready for an unforgettable night as Belgian-Japanese electro-pop duo Aili takes the stage! Their debut album ‘Nandakke?’ blends dreamy electro-pop and house with deeply personal tales of Japanese fashion and family traditions. Tracks like ‘Fashion’ and ‘Babychan’ have garnered airtime on influential stations such as KEXP and KCRW, while landing on major Spotify playlists like Metropolis and Pollen, reaching millions of listeners. The album even claimed the top spot on KCRW’s Top 30 Album Chart. Known for their high-voltage live performances, Aili has graced legendary stages, toured alongside L’Impératrice, and sold-out clubs across Japan. Their playful dynamic and electrifying stage presence captivate audiences, leaving them spellbound.

Dutch noise rock band SØWT returns with Is This The Hard Part? (2025) —a searing, shape-shifting record born out of wreckage and resilience. Following the success of 2023’s Kids Hurting Kids and a European tour with grunge legends Mudhoney and Canadians METZ, the Eindhoven-based band was hit hard: their rehearsal space and venue Stroomhuis burned down with all their gear inside, their record masters vanished, and their pressing plant went bust.
But instead of retreating, SØWT doubled down. Their third album dives headfirst into distortion, tension, and texture—equal parts visceral and melodic. Guitars snarl, rhythms lurch and punch, and frontwoman Danielle Warners’ bass anchors it all with a fierce pulse. It’s heavy, heady, and hauntingly hooky—channeling the spirit of the ‘90s through a lens that feels unmistakably now. Is This The Hard Part? is a testament to survival through sound. DIY to the core and impossible to pin down, SØWT continues to turn noise into something deeply human—and weirdly addictive.

Some things never go out of style. Blasting out of the London punk scene with Oi! hooks and hardcore stomp, The Chisel deliver a sound that’s as timeless as it is thrilling. On their second album, What A Fucking Nightmare (2024), they crank things up even further—16 tracks of pure, anthemic aggression.
Formed in 2020 from the same scene that gave us Violent Reaction, Arms Race, and Chubby & The Gang, The Chisel blend UK82 grit with old-school hardcore fury—and a surprising melodic punch. Frontman Callum Graham’s snarling-yet-singable vocals drive the band from feral street punk into arms-raised singalongs. What A Fucking Nightmare is punk in its purest form: sweaty, vital, and unforgettable. Make no mistake—this is The Chisel’s world, and we’re just lucky to stomp around in it.

Tramhaus is the daring postpunk sensation from the restless and ever-innovative city of Rotterdam. In the span of its relatively short existence, Tramhaus has managed to make a name far beyond the borders of their hometown. Marked by their joyous and energetic experience, the band has proven to be able to convey this message both in live and recorded settings. The music of Tramhaus feels like a soundtrack to a vivacious, mysterious, and dangerous story. There is no room to lean back as the band takes you with them in a drag race full of emotions and euphoria driven by streamlined, fiery songs mixed with fragile and abstract tones. This whole spectacle is fueled by the near-symbiotic relationship between the five band members.

The ongoing collapse of civilization is a lot easier to stomach with a spicy groove — something Belgium-based collective Lézard has figured out fast. Beneath the band’s precise, almost functional geometry simmers a feverish hysteria: a Boogie Wonderland for oddballs, misfits, and lost souls you can’t help but join. Channeling the spirit of Devo, LCD Soundsystem, XTC, and Belgian pioneers Telex, Lézard has already turned heads with their ‘disco vogue’ brand of art punk. They wear their garish pop smarts like a too-tight three-piece suit on the hottest summer day — loud, unapologetic, and impossible to ignore.

Slow Fiction came up in a fractured New York scene, rehearsing wherever would have them and chasing the sound that stuck. What they landed on is something heavy heavy on fuzz, restless guitars, and a sharp undercurrent of modern-day unease. Think Sonic Youth meets early-2000s indie, with none of the polish. Their ‘Crush’ EP (2024) captures that tension in motion, but it’s on stage where it really clicks: tight grooves, tangled guitars, and chaos that feels just about under control.

Bursting with a frenzied love for the ‘song’, KEG toe the line between jagged post-rock energy and a deep-rooted flair for harmony and craft. Nodding to Minutemen, Fugazi and Radio 4, they bend genres without straying far from the rock realm. With seven members, Keg generate a joyful chaos—barbed guitars, skewed synths, blasts of trombone, and glimpses into a confused man’s mind. They swing from college rock to hardcore and wander into ambient and melodic terrain, always restless, always evolving.
Their EPs Assembly (2021) and Girders (2022) earned praise from NME, Loud and Quiet, So Young, and BBC Radio 6. Now they return with their anxiously awaited debut Fun’s Over in early 2025—and the chaos continues.

DITZ create forward-thinking noise rock/post-punk, featuring a vast array of pedal effects and drawing influence from ’80s and ’90s post-hardcore and noise rock. Their latest album, Never Exhale (2025), is the sound of a band that hasn’t stopped to catch a breath — hardly surprising, given their relentless touring schedule (including support slots for IDLES). Sonically, the album is rooted in the usual DITZ touchstones such as classic noise rock like The Jesus Lizard and Shellac, or the obtuse post-punk of The Fall, while also introducing fresh influences.
With their last show at Hit The City in a packed Café The Jack still fresh in our memories, DITZ have solidified their reputation for ferocious live performances. We’re talking festivals played less than 24 hours after the drummer dislocated his shoulder, mid-set lake dives, and even having the French police shut down their Paris instore due to noise complaints. DITZ are as much an assault on the senses as they are one of the most exciting bands in the current UK punk scene.

Grote Geelstaart, the psychedelic noise-rock outfit from Zeeland, throws the audience into a runaway vehicle powered by pounding bass and two drummers. But just when you think you’ve got the ride figured out, the wheel jerks left. Noise-rock melts into a twisted disco beat, drummers become guitarists, and robotic voices bounce off rectangular synths. Dressed in white shirts and ties, this band steers a wild, genre-bending trip filled with punk, funk, and absurdity. With every turn, they surprise, confuse, and delight. No one knows the destination but one thing’s certain: Grote Geelstaart is impossible to forget.

Karnabahar is a Netherlands-based band with members hailing from Argentina, Turkey, the UK and the Netherlands. They bonded over their shared love of 90s/00s screamo. Inspired by Balkan, Anatolian and other traditional folk songs, this international outfit is ready to deliver melancholic melodies intertwined with fast, chaotic sequences—bridging emotional depth with raw intensity.

Born out of a shared love for midwest emo, punk and whining about your emotions, EDLP came together. With catchy guitar riffs and honest lyrics, they mold all the clichés into something uniquely their own. Their sound invites you to scream, cry, and lose yourself in the moshpit. Crying in the moshpit is absolutely allowed. Catch EDLP live at Hit The City and let their raw energy and heartfelt tunes take you on a wild ride through the beautiful chaos of youthful angst.

unpeople deliver raw riffs, catchy melodies, and honest lyrics fueled by frustration with the world. Guitarists Jake Crawford and Luke Caley, bassist Em Lodge, and drummer Richard Rayner blend heaviness with harmony to create a sound that’s both brutal and unforgettable. Their self-titled EP grabbed serious attention—earning praise from Metal Hammer and BBC Radio 1—and their intense, arena-ready hooks have left listeners and critics alike with “battle scars on the mind.” Rooted in their name, unpeople create music for anyone who’s ever felt invisible.

Torn From Oblivion is storming Hit The City with a brutal fusion of hardcore aggression and deathcore complexity. This young deathcore band of five unleashes relentless breakdowns and savage verses that tear through the scene. Influenced by the raw energy of hardcore and the crushing heaviness of deathcore, they’re here to shake up the metal world like never before. When Torn From Oblivion hits the stag they ignite a frenzy. Brace yourself, because Torn From Oblivion starts chaos.