Groningen is a city of music. And the artists performing on stage often come from right here in the local area. Musical highlights from our own back garden. Some were born here; others found their home here later in life. From jazz to hip-hop and Americana: the city and its surrounding countryside are home to all genres and styles. Find out where they’re playing and have a listen for yourself. Keep an eye on them: today’s local talent is tomorrow’s big name.
Fred Goverde | Dutch-language guitar pop
Fred Goverde certainly know how to make catchy music. They write playful lyrics. Inspired by bands like the Dandy Warhols, they put a twist on guitar pop. And all in Dutch, of course. Sometimes with quiet songs, but more often with a good dose of energy. They certainly know how to get you moving. And although the band is named after the lead singer, it’s the whole group that makes the music so good. With a tambourine as a surprising addition.
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Rommy Gabay
At 22, she is young, but no longer a newcomer to the music world. For several years now, she has been creating sounds that linger in the mind – a blend of jazz, pop and soul. Backed by an excellent band, she hits all the right notes. And although Rommy is petite, her voice is powerful. Yet it is also subtle and sultry. A performance of hers makes you pause for a moment whilst you’re transported into a dreamlike world.
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The Vices
From a group of friends to a boy band. A scenario straight out of a book, but also simply reality. The lads are making a name for themselves and have now outgrown the small venues. You’ve surely heard their energetic pop somewhere before, for example on 3FM. With several tours under their belt and even their own festival at SPOT, you simply can’t ignore The Vices. And you don’t have to, because their music is far too good for that.
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“ the city and its surrounding countryside are home to all kinds and styles ”
Kraantje Pappie
You might spot him in a pub, a club, a disco or a bar; Alex van der Zouwen has become an integral part of the Dutch music scene. Known by his stage name Kraantje Pappie, this hip-hop artist, who grew up in Groningen, now has many hits to his name. With tracks such as ‘De manier’, ‘Feesttent’ and ‘Pompen’, he gets people up on their feet at many a festival. His love for the city shines through in ‘Lil Craney’, which has quickly become a Groningen classic. The music sticks in your head, stays with you and always gives you a proper burst of energy.
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Steeby and the Better Days
Hip-hop like you’ve never heard it before. Rousing and with influences from jazz and soul. The cheerful frontman, Jesse, draws you into his musical world from the very first minute. He moves from front to back, from left to right. Don’t be surprised if he suddenly appears right in front of you. The music is often in Dutch with the occasional touch of English. Backed by a sizzling saxophonist and Jesse’s father on drums, the band is a force to be reckoned with – one you simply must see and hear at least once.
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Blanks
From playing the guitar in front of a webcam in his bedroom in Harkstede to sitting on the sofa next to Jan Smit on the TV show *Beste Zangers van Nederland*. That’s what happened to Simon de Wit, better known by his stage name Blanks. In 2013, he started uploading music videos to YouTube. His ‘StyleSwap’ videos, in which he played well-known songs in a different musical style, quickly became particularly popular. In no time at all, he managed to reach an audience of millions, and to top it all off, his debut album *Nothing Lasts Forever And That’s Ok* was released in 2021. It’s almost impossible to ignore him now.
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“ musical highlights from our own back garden ”
Inge van Calkar
Some people call her the Dutch Kylie Minogue. Her energetic electro-synth-pop is music to the ears. By the age of fifteen, she already had her own little band. That left her wanting more. Over the years, she has built up a decent repertoire and experimented with different styles. Initially leaning more towards singer-songwriter, she now takes to the stage with a large band, brimming with energy.
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Them Dirty Dimes
This group puts a fresh spin on pre-war music. From jazz to blues and gypsy music: these quirky gentlemen add their own modern twist. The five-piece band is well-rehearsed and it shows. They’ve only been together for two years but can already be seen performing in many venues. The Groningen-based band have already released their own album and are working on their second. So keep an eye on them.
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Wat Aans!
As they put it themselves: the most ‘Groningen-esque’ music group. The trio also call themselves ‘Team Sjomp’, which loosely translates as ‘eccentric’. The gentlemen’s music is different, a bit out of the ordinary. Standard Dutch and the Groningen dialect are interwoven, yet complement each other perfectly. The result: songs with a touch of humour and a healthy dose of self-deprecation. Featuring references to Oude Pekela and other gems from the North. They’ve gone viral several times already, and their success shows no sign of stopping for the time being.
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“ today’s local talent is tomorrow’s big name ”
Dope D.O.D
The harder stuff. This group plays on your feelings, but with strong vocals and aggressive beats. Sort of a combination between hardcore rap and dubstep. Without even listening to them, their countenance already gives you a pretty good taste of what to expect. The gentlemen gained international fame with their 2011 hit What Happened . Today, they are still touring: go see them sometime if you have the time and courage.
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The Desmonds
A fast tempo, cutting guitars and tightly delivered vocals. In recent years, The Desmonds have emerged as an interesting force on the Dutch underground rock scene. Both on and off stage, they seem to reinvent themselves time and again. It’s an exciting combination of the whimsical aesthetic of American garage punk with the distinctively Dutch rock sound. You’ll want to keep listening to this.
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Marlene Bakker
Romantic, cinematic and full of longing and melancholy. That is how Marlene Bakker’s music is described. In 2018, her debut album RAIF (Groningen dialect for ‘tools’), sung in the Groningen dialect, was released. For this, she received the regional language prize from Dagblad van het Noorden. The singer, originally from Smeerling (Westerwolde), tells stories about the city and its surrounding countryside through her songs. Inspired by the surroundings of her hometown. She has already performed at festivals such as Grasnapolsky, Oerol, Festival der Aa and Noorderslag, and has gone on a national theatre tour. Even if you don’t understand the Groningen dialect, she knows how to move you with her voice. So keep an eye on her, because this autumn she’ll be releasing her new album and going on another theatre tour.
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Giving a voice to local talent
So Groningen is home to quite a few musical talents. There are so many that we could never name them all, some already bigger than others. But what they all have in common: they once started small. And to get them started, sometimes a little help is needed. Think talent projects and showcases. To literally give artists a stage. For instance, Hit the North, a development project of Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS), among others, organises an annual trajectory with coaching, workshops and showcases in pop venues throughout the north of the Netherlands. The participating acts conclude their trajectory with an official showcase at ESNS. During the festival in January, discover even more Groningen acts at Grunnsonic, POPGroningen's freely accessible stage. A time when the whole city breathes music. And don't forget smaller initiatives like MOZY Music, with performances by local heroes at different venues. Whatever you like: enjoy all the talent from local ponds.
